A popular holiday destination in Spain’s Canary Islands has come under criticism from tourists, with complaints about overcrowded beaches, cockroach infestations and excessive urban development earning it comparisons with Benidorm.
Playa de las Américas, located on the southern coast of Tenerife, has been ranked the least favourite among the archipelago’s 15 largest holiday resorts in a recent survey conducted by consumer group, Which?.
The annual ranking, based on feedback from readers, assessed visitors’ experiences across several categories, including value for money, accommodation, attractions, shopping and the general atmosphere of each destination.
Playa de las Américas struggled in several areas, although its accommodation received a more favourable assessment, securing four out of five stars.
In contrast, Puerto de Mogán in Gran Canaria claimed the top position, with holidaymakers particularly impressed by its restaurants, places to stay and attractive surroundings.
The findings reflect the different experiences available across the Canary Islands, where travellers can choose between quieter coastal destinations and livelier resorts known for their nightlife, entertainment and affordable drinks.
However, dissatisfaction with Playa de las Américas is not limited to the latest survey. Previous visitors have also highlighted problems that they believe detract from the resort’s appeal.
One Mumsnet user, recalling their holiday experience, said: “One of the overriding memories was the amount of cockroaches – they were EVERYWHERE.”
Travel guide Wikivoyage has also drawn attention to the pressure on the resort’s coastline, warning: “The beaches are crowded during all hours of the day.”
The destination’s growing resemblance to Benidorm has also become a talking point among international visitors.
Swedish travel content creator @amberleigh.travels sparked widespread discussion last year after sharing her concerns about Tenerife’s changing tourism landscape in a TikTok video.
“I fear that Tenerife is slowly becoming like Benidorm,” she said in the video, which has attracted more than 1.5 million views.
She cited the noticeable presence of mobility scooters and large numbers of British tourists as among the reasons behind her comparison.
Tenerife remains a convenient option for Irish holidaymakers, with direct services operated by Ryanair and Aer Lingus connecting the island to Dublin, Cork, Shannon and Knock. Winter fares have also been advertised from as little as €20.
Concerns over Tenerife’s rapid development
Beyond complaints about crowded beaches and the resort’s atmosphere, questions have also been raised about the impact of large-scale tourism development on Tenerife’s southern coastline.
In an article titled The Brutal Truth Behind the Tenerife Tourism Trap, journalist Ava Hughes argued that the challenges facing Playa de las Américas are part of a wider pattern affecting neighbouring coastal communities, including Los Cristianos.
Hughes suggested that decades of construction, driven by the demand for affordable package holidays, have significantly altered the area’s natural landscape.
“For decades, the southern coast of Tenerife-specifically Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas-operated on a simple promise of sun, sand, and cheap beer. That model required constant expansion to remain profitable. Developers took every available inch of coastline, building upward and outward until the natural charm of the volcanic landscape was buried under layers of asphalt and breeze blocks,” Hughes wrote.
Her comments add to wider concerns about the consequences of mass tourism, particularly the pressure to accommodate increasing visitor numbers through continued construction and commercial expansion.
Why some visitors still love Playa de las Américas
Despite the negative reviews, not everyone believes the Tenerife resort deserves its poor reputation.
Some travel commentators argue that the destination should be judged according to the type of holiday it was designed to offer, rather than compared with quieter and less developed parts of the Canary Islands.
Nomad Traveller describes Playa de las Américas as a purpose-built destination catering primarily to mass tourism, nightlife and beach holidays.
The publication argues that the resort delivers on those expectations, particularly for travellers seeking affordable entertainment and easy access to the coast.
“It does that job well, and on its own terms it delivers hard-to-beat value for sun, sea, and nightlife. But it is not trying to be anywhere else, and understanding that is the key to deciding whether it belongs on your itinerary,” the publication notes.
Which? has also defended the resort against some of the criticism, suggesting that visitors may be approaching it with expectations that do not reflect its identity as a busy package-holiday destination.
“At the risk of sounding like a contrarian, can we suggest that the complaints are misplaced? To moan about budget tourism’s excesses in Playa de las Américas is like complaining that Las Vegas is brash. It’s in the place’s DNA. The resort has never pretended to be anything else since it appeared practically overnight in the late 1960s,” it says.
The consumer group also points out that visitors do not necessarily have to spend their entire holiday in the busiest parts of the resort.
There are alternative beaches, recreational attractions and quieter areas that can provide a different experience for those looking to avoid the crowds and nightlife.
“Avoid Playa de las Américas beach unless you want to watch surfers. There are five other options for a beach towel, including calm Playa del Camisón. Hundreds of rental outfits, tour operators and Siam Park waterpark mean you’re as likely to run out of activities as bar options. It’s not even rowdy if you stay around Camisón beach. The trick to Playa de las Américas is to visit with your eyes open. Who knows, you may have a blast.”
Ultimately, Playa de las Américas continues to divide opinion among holidaymakers. While some visitors are disappointed by its crowds, nightlife and extensive development, others see those same characteristics as part of its appeal.