Overview

Visit the sunny holiday destination of Tenerife, and it's beautiful beaches. Playa de Las Vistas, the main beach of Las Americas has a specific accessible area. This includes a beach/aqua-wheelchair, to enable more people to enjoy the opportunity of going for a swim in the sea.

Transport & Parking

Many people visiting the beach will likely be staying in a nearby hotel, therefore won't require transport. The entire beachfront has a esplanade very suitable for those using wheelchairs/scooters, and regular ramps to the beach itself or to the shops. There is a small car park just across from the accessible area of beach, this has several marked disabled spaces. In general, I noticed there are a few disabled parking bays on most of the main/bigger streets. The local buses (green ones) all can lower to allow people on/off easier. They have two sets of doors, one at the front where the driver is, and another in the middle of the bus. The middle set are wider and would provide better access, there are marked disabled spaces within the buses.

Access

The accessible beach is well signposted, it is on street signs as well as maps. There is a ramp from the esplanade down to the beach, the accessible area has a large wooden platform - room for quite a lot of people (your friends and family can sit with you). You can hire the use of sun loungers and umbrellas for the day if you wish. There are accessible toilets and a lowered (outdoor) shower. This area is also where lifeguards are stationed, so there is always help available. They had a collection of crutches which could be used in the sand - hard to describe, but the bottom of the crutch has a flat round base so it doesn't sink into the sand as much as usual ones would (reminded me of ski poles) There is also a sand/aqua buggy - a bit of a cross between a plastic wheelchair and a small raft! There is only one so you may need to wait your turn to use it, or it is possible to book in advance. You are assisted as much as required, by the lifeguards to use this. Once sitting in it, there is a small ramp from the platform down to the sea. This is a safe-swimming area, and you can enjoy the freedom of being in the very clear blue water.

Toilets

There is both a man's and a woman's accessible toilet on the beach just next to the accessible platform. These are pretty good, but would be useful if they had a changing places toilet or changing room. There are other accessible toilets along the esplanade.

Staff

The lifeguards are stationed here, so are able to assist with accessibility, or any other needs.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Brilliant to have this facility, and to feel included in enjoying a beach holiday. Although the lifeguards are there to help, a portable hoist may be an idea too, especially for people with more complex needs. Remember the suncream!!

Photos