Isla de Tenerife Shopping

There are plenty of electronics shops around Tenerife, especially in the Centro Commercial's of Los Christianos & Las Americas. I was amazed when i realized how cheap electronics are on tenerife - easily 25 - 35% cheaper than anything in the UK. Worth going to Tenerife just for the discounted prices!!

What to buy: Anything involving Photography, for me :) Batteries, Lenses, Camera bodies, tripods, etc. all on offer.

What to pay: 25-35% less than UK prices

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It ended up just being one of the many gift shops in Puerto de la Cruz so definitely not unique.

There were many beautiful fans to see in the various shops some of which cost 11 to 20 euros each. Some were wooden so I gave these a miss in case Australian Customs did not allow this type of wood. And I had to find "cheap" fans.

But were we on a mission. My son wanted 20 fans to give away to his dancing friends in Canberra, Australia. Can't you buy fans in Australia?

What to buy: Now there are many many cheap shops in Puerto de la Cruz. Many selling the same trash. You can also buy pearls, some local products(if you can find them) ,and I did buy an original painting from an artist on the promenade (see photo).
And you can buy fans.
So the fans I searched for high and low and then bargained for were plastic but had a nice frill and a Puerto de la Cruz scene... but I guess they were "fakes" and not made in Isla de Tenerife!

But my son is happy. I asked for a photo so I would not forget the buying fans saga.

But being plastic 20 in number the fans weighed over a kilo so poor me had to find a way to get them on to Aer Lingus without being overweight. Yes lugging them in my arms all the way back to Gatwick. Thank Goodness we were not with Ryan Air.

Then it was plain sailing with Emirates back to Australia. Extra luggage allowed.

And my final word "Please do not give me a fan for Christmas"

What to pay: I ended up paying 2 euro per fan . Bought 20. Cost me $A10 to post in Australia

If you visit Plaza Del Duque, you'd better take your credit card! New and spotlessly clean, it hosts designer stores including Cartier, Escada and (the more affordable) Mango.

The center is also home to the toruist information office and you can grab a drink or a bite toe at at one of the restaurants and abrs.

What to buy: Nothing - it's overpriced! but nice to look around. ; )

Electronics and cameras

What to buy: Do not buy anything from this shop as it is all a con trick, they ripped me of for a memory stick
I will be returning in September and will go back and see them but do not hold out any hope
of a refund

I dont advice anyone to buy anything from this shop, they will con you with everything they sell, In all good faith I purchaced a ipod nano as a present for my grandson at Xmas, when I got home to England, my grandson and other members of my family told me it was a FAke. a copy, I went back on holiday at Easter, so I took it back, and they said it was not a Fake, but I now know it is, as I have now seen the genuine ones, but they still will not admit that it is a fake, and will do nothing about it.
So if you want to buy a genuine item, dont buy from THE PROFESSOR at Puerto Colon.

ps. while I was in the shop someone else came in,who also said he had been sold something different from what he asked for.

YOU have been warned.

London has Harrods, Paris has Galerie Lafayette, New York has Macy's and Santa Cruz has...erm...well...El Corte Ingles (OK, it's not just Santa Cruz, because there is an El Corte Ingles in practically every large town in Spain). A large and bustling department store with everything the dedicated shopaholic could desire. But be warned, this place is more-or-less Spanish speaking only. You will struggle to find multi lingual staff because almost all of the clientele are local Tenerifans.

As the name may tell you, there's a market in Santa Cruz every sunday. It's near the bus station and it's huge. The reason to go here is that you'll see some real Tenerife people, hardly any tourists.

What to buy: There are loads of different things you can buy here. There are the africans of course who are selling watches, bags and african craft. But there's also a lot of clothing and secondhand junk being sold. Somewhere in the middle is a tiny marketplace in a building where you can buy fresh meat, fruit, veggies and bread.

What to pay: It's all very cheap.

this shop is a con shop never buy anything from it!it changed the exchange rate while going through the trans action of debit card when i found out they accused me and my family of being liars its only because i checked my bamk online got no joy what so ever with a refund and they turned really really nasty and told us to leave the shop.

What to buy: perfume you cant go wrong

What to pay: cheaper than airport