There’s a slight chill in the air these mornings, which means it’s time to start thinking about Christmas vacation. Every year, I try to go someplace warm and sunny for Christmas break, because the only white Christmas I’m interested in is a white sand beach.
But this year, I’m going to Aruba in October to celebrate with my niece, so my bank account is saying, “Honey, you better make that October trip count as Christmas vacation.”
And most days, I have to agree. Still, that hasn’t stopped me from looking.
Last year, I managed to squeeze out a last minute, high-value points trip, so naturally I started looking around to see if I could pull off something similar this year. That’s how I discovered that several all-inclusive resorts in Tenerife participate in IHG One Rewards and were still accepting award bookings over the holidays.
And just like that, I was planning Christmas in the Canary Islands.
When I plan a beach vacation, my goal is always to be ten toes deep in hot sand, so a destination selling “winter sun” wouldn’t normally get a second look from me unless it was doing something wonderful for my budget.
Tenerife averages around 72°F in December, well below my preferred beach-vacation temperature of 80 degrees, air and water. But it gets plenty of sunshine, and a quick search turned up enough interesting non-beach activities that I started thinking it might actually work. I even booked my hotel right away because I didn’t want to risk the award nights disappearing while I made up my mind.
The Game Plan
I would check into a Star Prestige Sea View room at the Iberostar Selection Sábila in Costa Adeje, on the south side of the island, which is generally sunnier in December. It’s near Fañabé Beach, the oceanfront promenade and local shops, and it’s adults-only. The rooms are bright, modern and, thankfully carpet-free, because my dust allergy does not always agree with hotel carpeting. Star Prestige also means a room on one of the higher floors, along with access to the rooftop infinity pool and loungers.
I’d plan to spend plenty of time at the hotel, on the promenade, hanging out near the ocean, and getting in a spa treatment or two. I’d also plan a couple of day trips.
I’d like to see Los Gigantes and spend the day on one of the neighboring black-sand beaches. I’d spend an afternoon in La Orotava tasting volcanic wines, then take a drive through Masca, a tiny village tucked into a volcanic valley surrounded by ravines and palm trees. One evening, I’d head up to Mount Teide National Park for sunset and stay after dark for some can’t-miss stargazing.
And since I’d be there over Christmas, I’d also make time for a concert or wander through La Orotava and La Laguna to see the holiday markets, nativity scenes and Christmas lights.
The Reality Check
Winter sun sounds wonderfully seductive until you remember that winter sun is still, in fact, winter.
Scroll back up for a second and notice that I said I planned to hang out near the ocean, not in it. In December, Tenerife’s seas can be rough, the undertow can be dangerous, and the wind makes getting out of the water flat-out cold.
And if that wasn’t enough, I found this influencer’s Instagram video from Tenerife last December. Her itinerary was similar to mine, and what really stood out to me was that in almost every scene she’s wearing a winter coat. My beach-vacation wardrobe is built around swimsuits and shorts. And shorts, I learned, are apparently something only tourists wear in Tenerife in December.
Then I started looking for Christmas-specific things to do and discovered that the holiday atmosphere is a little more understated than I had hoped. Tenerife has lighted streets, holiday events, and a local crafts market, but it doesn’t have the big Christmas markets or the holiday energy of some other European destinations. None of that sounds bad. It just doesn’t sound all that great either.
The Verdict
Tenerife sounds breathtakingly lovely, and I can’t wait to visit. But I’d probably enjoy the wine, the mountains, the villages and the dramatic coastline a lot more in the summer months, when I can enjoy the ocean too.
So my bank account’s argument that I should stay home this Christmas is getting increasingly difficult to ignore. Tenerife isn’t off the table yet though. Almost serendipitously, TAP Air Portugal had a sale to Europe last week, and I came very close to buying the airfare. But instead I’ve decided to hold out for a “suite” deal somewhere hot.
In My Tenerife Beach Bag
A December beach vacation in Tenerife requires a few things that are not currently on my beach packing list.
A festive dress. Okay, every Christmas beach vacation needs one. I’m adding this one because it just screams party in Spain to me.
Trail walking shoes: I never jumped on the Salomon bandwagon, but Tenerife may be the trip that finally gets me hitched. I just love this colorway.
A transitional jacket. I like this jacket. This is along the lines of the type of jacket I would want to wear while I’m there, and I’d bring a packable jacket too. Like this bright red Nellie puffer, that I love, in case I need something lighter and more hike friendly.
Varley Knit Leggings. This is starting to feel more après-ski than après-sun, but everything I’ve read about Tenerife in December tells me I’d be perfectly comfortable in a pair of Varley knit leggings.