Puerto Rico is the bigger, more purpose-built resort 7 km west of Arguineguín, with a 530-berth marina, a calm 284 m beach and the island's main boat-trip departures. It makes an easy day out by bus or boat; whether it is a better base depends on whether you want a harbour town or a holiday resort.
Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria is the next resort town along the coast from Arguineguín, about 7 km away by road (roughly 11 minutes without traffic). It is built around a marina and a golden-sand bay, with water sports, boat trips and a family attraction. For a day trip from Arguineguín it is a good one: you can go by boat, by bus or by car, and you will find more to do than at any place between here and Puerto de Mogán. As a base it is the livelier of the two, and Arguineguín is the more local.
The town is in the municipality of Mogán, like Arguineguín. The Mogán tourism office lists Puerto Rico's beach, its two harbours and a farmers' market, which together are most of what you will want.
What Puerto Rico has: beach and marina
The beach is Playa de Puerto Rico: 284 metres of golden sand and boulders, with calm water, toilets, showers, a lifeguard, sunbed hire, step-free access and nautical rental, according to the council. It is the smaller of the two beaches in the area. Amadores, a short way west, is 488 m long. See Puerto Rico beach and Amadores for each in detail.
The marina is the main attraction. The council describes it as two adjoining harbours with a beach between them, offering up to 530 moorings in all:
- Puerto Escala: the first harbour, with a 100-metre breakwater and 212 moorings.
- Puerto Base: the newer one, with a 300-metre breakwater and more than 300 moorings.
The council says it was the first marina of its kind built in the Canary Islands, and that it offers water sports all year, deep-sea fishing, diving and whale watching.
Boat trips and water sports
This is the part of the coast where boat trips are easy to book. Líneas Salmón runs a regular boat line connecting Arguineguín, Anfi del Mar, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán. Its published adult fares from Puerto Rico are €8 single and €14 return to either Arguineguín or Puerto de Mogán, and €5 single, €8 return to Anfi (children aged 6 to 12 pay less, and under-6s travel free). A second operator, Líneas Blue Bird, runs boats on the Puerto de Mogán–Puerto Rico pairing. Times change, so check the current timetable. More routes are in boats from Arguineguín.
Salmón also sells a two-hour dolphin excursion with a Puerto Rico pick-up at 10:45 for €35 adult and €25 child; its page does not state the season. For the wider picture, including the rules that apply to whale and dolphin boats, read dolphin and whale watching from Arguineguín. Jet skis, parasailing and similar activities are covered in water sports near Arguineguín.
What else is in town
- Angry Birds Activity Park at Avenida de la Cornisa 2, in Puerto Rico (not Maspalomas, as some sites say). The Cabildo describes it as having about 20 attractions for ages 3 to 13. The operator lists a day pass from €9 for non-residents; prices change.
- A farmers' and craft market every second Sunday, 08:30 to 14:30, in the Parque Urbano, with live music. The council page links a calendar of the 2026 dates.
- A pharmacy at the Pasarela shopping centre, listed by the council as open daily from 09:00 to 22:00 (the list is undated).
- A bus ticket office of the island's transport authority, open Monday to Friday 07:30 to 14:30 and Saturday 08:00 to 13:00, plus a 24-hour card machine.
The council has no listing of nightlife. Look at what is on in the bars around the marina when you arrive. For evenings in the area generally, see evenings and nightlife in Arguineguín.
Getting there from Arguineguín
Bus. Global's lines 91, 33 and 39 all stop in Puerto Rico. AENA lists the airport fare to Puerto Rico on line 91 as €5.45 (undated page). Lines and times: buses in and from Arguineguín.
Boat. The Salmón line sails hourly in the daytime from Arguineguín, with the first departure at 10:15 and the last at 17:00 on the published list. Coming back, the first boat from Puerto Rico is at 09:30 and the last at 16:30. The journey time is not published. We would take the boat one way and the bus the other.
Car. The distance is about 7 km on the coast road. Parking charges are not published, so allow some time to find a space.
Taxi. There is no published fixed fare; the meter applies. See taxis in Arguineguín.
Puerto Rico and Arguineguín side by side
| Arguineguín | Puerto Rico | |
|---|---|---|
| Main beach | Perchel, 220 m, golden and black sand, intertidal pool, no lifeguard listed | Puerto Rico, 284 m, golden sand and boulders, lifeguard |
| Harbour | Fishing port with 93 moorings | Marina with up to 530 moorings |
| Market | Every Tuesday, 08:30–15:00 | Every second Sunday, 08:30–14:30 |
| Character | Working fishing town | Purpose-built holiday resort |
| Water sports and boat trips | Boats leave from the port | The main base on this coast |
See also Arguineguín's Tuesday market and the comparison of Arguineguín, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogán as a base.
Day trip or base?
Come for the day if you want the marina, a boat trip or the activity park. Stay if you want to have those on your doorstep and are happy with a resort rather than a town. Hotels in Puerto Rico and Amadores are listed on their own page. If you want to understand the resort's layout and character from a neighbour, our sister site has a general guide to Puerto Rico.
Beyond Puerto Rico, the coast continues to Tauro, Playa del Cura and Taurito and Puerto de Mogán.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Puerto Rico from Arguineguín?
About 7 km by road, roughly 11 minutes without traffic. You can also go by Global bus lines 91, 33 or 39, or by the Líneas Salmón boat.
Can you take a boat from Arguineguín to Puerto Rico?
Yes. Líneas Salmón lists the adult fare as €8 single and €14 return, with daytime departures from about 10:15 to 17:00. Check the current timetable before you go.
Is Puerto Rico better than Arguineguín?
It depends on what you want. Puerto Rico is a purpose-built resort with a larger marina and more water sports; Arguineguín is a working fishing town with a weekly Tuesday market.
Does Puerto Rico have a good beach?
The council lists a 284 m beach of golden sand and boulders, with calm water, a lifeguard, showers and sunbed hire. Amadores, nearby, is longer at 488 m.
When is the Puerto Rico market?
Every second Sunday, from 08:30 to 14:30 in the Parque Urbano, according to Mogán council. The council publishes a calendar of dates.
What is there to do with children in Puerto Rico?
The Angry Birds Activity Park on Avenida de la Cornisa is aimed at ages 3 to 13, according to the Cabildo. Boat trips and the beach are the other obvious choices.
Sources
- Mogán tourism – Playa de Puerto Rico
- Mogán tourism – Port of Puerto Rico Scale
- Mogán tourism – Port of Puerto Rico Base
- Mogán tourism – Puerto Rico farmers' and craft market
- Líneas Salmón – regular line fares and departures
- Líneas Salmón – dolphin excursion
- Cabildo de Gran Canaria – Angry Birds Activity Park
- Activity Park Canarias – operator site
- Mogán tourism – health centres and pharmacies
- AUTGC – fare cards FAQ, sales points
- AENA – airport bus fares