Once a sleepy little fishing village, El Cotillo is definitely expanding and becoming more and more popular as a holiday resort. In great part this is due to the incredible coast line with hide-away coves and warm lagoons. This is still very much a typically Canarian village and there are only a dozen or so bars and restaurants, but all of which offer warmth and friendliness and excellent menus including fresh fish and shellfish caught locally that day.There are also several good supermarkets now, including a British one supplying typical UK branded products.

As you enter El Cotillo you can either take a left turn toward an enormous expanse of golden beach of Playa del Costillo with breakers that on some days will challenge the toughest and most accomplished of surfers.  Further south are the remote and wild beaches of Playa del Ajibe de la Cueva and Playa del Aguila, but access to these is off road and suitable only for 4 wheel drive and there are sharp descents walking to the beach itself.  Alternatively, you can turn to the right, heading for the lighthouse and the lagoons, which have created a barrier by molten lava that protects swimmers from the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean.  The lagoons are an ideal place for snorkelling  and the beaches here are suitable for young families under supervision.  However, there are still strong under currents and swimmers and snorkellers alike should take care not to drift too far out and perhaps tire. 

El Cotillo is a place of natural beauty and is rich in bird and marine life.  This area is a protected reserve and as such visitors are asked to always take their rubbish away with them.

There are no real facilities on the beach, but there are nearby restaurants and bars.  It is very prudent though to ensure you have sufficient drinking water as there is practically no shade.  Temperatures can be very high here in the heart of summer, but contrastingly, weather conditions in the winter can become severe with little notice and bathers and surfers should not enter the water unless the ILS Information flags indicate it is safe to do so. A yellow rectangular flag indicates a strong current and caution is required, and a red rectangular flag means conditions are not suitable for swimming, snorkelling or surfing and the current and size of the waves are dangerous. A red over red rectangular flag means that the water is closed to public use.  This could indicate dangerous levels of bacteria in the water from sewage overflows or poisonous spores, so it’s important not to ignore it!

The forteleza del Tostón (fortified tower) situated by the new harbour was constructed in 1797 to defend against English pirates, but functions today as a cultural information and art exhibition centre.  A few restaurants and bars overlook the cliff top bay, which meanders as far as the eye can see.