Cardenas Real Estate Agent Blog - Gran Canaria

Gran Canaria is such a well known family holiday island, you would think it would be very difficult to find a quiet secluded coastal town with good beaches and easy access to the bigger more well known resorts. Think again, Patalavaca fills all those requirements and more, and as well as making a great family home, it is a great investment for the future.

Patalavaca nestles just between Puerto Rico and Arguineguin, and is a cosy place to live, with bags of charm and character. The sandy beach is unspoilt and a short drive or brisk walk away along the promenade, you will find the fishing harbour of Arguineguin. This is a world away from the nightclubs and loud music of the bigger neighbouring resorts, but if you want to go and sample them, you know you can always return to your own delightful back water to take things at a more relaxed pace. Golfers will find Patalavaca especially enticing as it is close to the modern Anfi Tauro golf resort, another haven of tranquility.

This is what you get when you deal with a real estate company like Cardenas Real Estate that has grown up over 28 years in the area, based at three agencies in Arguineguin, Puerto Rico and Playa de Mogan. Local knowledge counts for a lot in Gran Canaria, and Cardenas know where to find the best properties and the right people to deal with to make the buying process quick and efficient. Patalavaca is just one of many hidden gems that Cardenas has among its current list of 491 properties, and they are changing all the time, so keep a regular check on their website and find your ideal home.

Remember the name, Carla Suarez, this 19-year-old Las Palmas born tennis player is already turning heads, and forced her way through from the qualifying stages to reach the Quarter Finals of the French Open in Paris last week.

It was an amazing achievement for the rising star, and there was no shame in going out to Serbia’s, World number 3 ranked Jelena Jankovic by 3-6 and 2-6 in sets. Carla has had a taste of the big time and wants more, and is already practicing for Wimbledon. The French success will rocket her up the World rankings from 132 to about 50, and she can go straight into major tournaments without having to fight her way through the preliminary event.

It’s hardly surprising that Gran Canaria is a breeding ground for sports stars, it has the perfect climate and a great range of facilities for residents and holiday makers alike. That’s always a big plus for property investors when they think about a better life for themselves and their children. Cardenas Real Estate know the value of an active outdoor life to people moving to live in Gran Canaria and they can always be relied on to produce an ace.

Meloneras is fast becoming the upmarket place to be among the southern resorts of Gran Canaria. Just on the outskirts of Maspalomas, the thriving beach and promenade areas are full of fine restaurants and a new golf course just adds to the appeal. What a perfect setting for a fashion show that focus’s on swimwear, and what a star name attraction they have in Liz Hurley.

On June 21, the Moda Calida (Hot Fashion) show comes to town, and the beautiful people will be striding out on the catwalk to show what it takes to get noticed on the beach this summer. Joining Miss Hurley are male model, Jon Kortajena and Canarian model and rising fashion star, Ariadne Artiles.

Gran Canaria is carving out a reputation for cutting edge fashion design and local designers will be showcasing their talents alongside more established names like La Perla and Dolores Cortes. Liz Hurley has herself recently dipped her toes into the designing waters, to add to her other talents as an actress and model.

Meloneras is at the heart of the southern resort area covered by Cardenas Real Estate , they have local knowledge and great back up to ensure that when it comes to property investment, they are setting the trends, check out their summer collection.

By Cárdenas News

It’s a bit of a coup for the south of Gran Canaria, the newly expanded Anfi Tauro golf course at Mogan, has landed the prestigious Spanish APG championships, to be staged from May 15 to 18. The event will attract a top class field to the par 71 course and add yet another dimension to this vibrant part of the island.

The course was designed by internationally renowned architects Hagge, Smelek and Baril and combines the best of nature with the most thoughtful in design. Palm trees, lakes and volcanic mountains come together to make this course a sheer delight to play, whether it be over 9 or the full 18 holes.

Mogan is a growing centre for tourists and investors alike as it has so much to offer from Puerto de Mogan with it’s marina served by a series of channels that has earned it the name of the Venice of the Canaries, to Playa Mogan, a small village clinging to the cliff-side that has grown into a classy resort with a great beach. This is the heartland of Cardenas Real Estate, an area they have watched develop since they were founded in 1980 by a local family. This insight, coupled with experience and multi lingual staff makes them the wise choice for property investment in Gran Canaria.

The south of Gran Canaria is a golfers paradise and the top male and female players that turn out for this big tournament are bound to be impressed by the warmth of the weather and the local people.

By Cardenas News

It doesn’t take long for people to fall under the spell of Gran Canaria, even cynical tabloid journalists soon mellow out when faced with the multiple charms of a major southern resort like Maspalomas.

The UK’s top selling daily newspaper, The Sun, sent a reporter and her boyfriend over to get away from the spring snow, yes that’s right, spring snow. They certainly picked a nice area as Maspalomas is blessed with the sand dunes of the National Park and 2 full size golf courses. It just happens to be right in the heart of Cardenas Real Estate’sstronghold of excellent and affordable properties in the main southern holiday resorts.

If anyone can offer sound local knowledge, it’s Cardenas, a family company with 28 years experience in the business and three offices in the south at Puerto Rico, Playa de Mogan and Arguineguin. Not that their expertise ends there, they also have a strong network of contacts around the island to find the right premises for a potential customer, whether it is for a holiday home, a long term investment or a business premises.

Most people who make the move full time to Gran Canaria are looking for sun and fun but some prefer something a little more subdued, and Cardenas has a range of properties in more rural settings, where the weather is just as special, but there is a more sedate way of life. Maybe you will be next to make the big move, come for a holiday and end up wanting much more.

By Cardenas News

The southern tourist hotspots of Gran Canaria are bright, modern and vibrant but local experts, Cardenas Real Estateare well aware of the ancient wonders of nature that surround their key investment areas of Maspalomas, Puerto Rico, Puerto de Mogan, Arguineguin and Playa del Ingles.

The seas surrounding the Canary Islands are used by a third of all whale and dolphin species in the world. These proud independent creatures are a symbol of the islands and a popular attraction to visitors. Sometimes they need our help, and this last weekend the animal loving people of Playa del Ingles were able to give a helping hand to a young male dolphin.

The dolphin had become stranded in shallow water near the shore and was in some distress. The local maritime rescue and animal welfare agencies sprung into action and captured the stricken animal, and with great care, transported it to the Taliarte rescue centre, where vets from the University of Las Palmas were waiting to treat it.

Thankfully there was little damage, but the dolphin was kept under watch for 12 hours and checked out for stress and disorientation. Once recovered, the dolphin was taken by boat, out 6 miles from the shore of Playa del Ingles and released to join it’s pod of friends back in the wild.

There are plenty of pleasure boats that can take you out to see whales and dolphins in their natural habitat, from Gran Canaria. They are all licenced and have to conform to a strict code of conduct, to make sure they give these magnificent creatures the room and respect they deserve. Just more examples of the wonders that the island of Gran Canaria can bring into your lives every day when you relocate to this sunshine corner of the Atlantic.

By Cardenas News

Well if there was an Oscar for best location and best quality of life, Gran Canaria would be a sure fire favourite. Alas there isn’t but at least Gran Canaria can bask in the reflected glory of Las Palmas born Javier Bardem who lifted the Hollywood statuette as best supporting actor. With the warmth of the climate and the locals welcome, we already know that Gran Canaria is No Country For Cold Men - or women.

Whatever sort of property you are looking for, Cardenas Real Estate can find somewhere to suit you, residential, rural or commercial. The tourist south is the stronghold of Cardenas Real Estate, as they were founded in 1980 in Arguineguin and have grown to become experts in Puerto Rico, Maspalomas and Puerto de Mogan, to name just a few.

You will always get plenty of choice from apartments to houses and villas and the setting is up to you, among their current stock they have apartments in private and holiday complexes in Puerto Rico. If you want to be a little inland and away from the vibrant tourist spots, how about Monte Leon, set among mountains and greenery but still in easy reach of the coastal resorts.

Have a browse and see what properties might tempt you, Cardenas Real Estate are a family company that will guide you every step of the way and take pride in their very own supporting role.

If you want to know where to go for the best holiday, follow the lead of your local travel agent, and if one’s opinion doesn’t sway you, 1,200 of them should give you a very convincing lead.

Gran Canaria is very proud to have been chosen as the venue for the 2008 ABTA (Association of British Travel Agents) annual conference, beating off competition from Tunisia. The prestigious event will take place on October 7, 8 and 9 in the Maspalomas Conference Centre. The centre at Meloneras, just 700 metres from the beach, has a stunning architectural design and can hold 3,000 people in it’s series of halls and meeting rooms.

The Gran Canaria tourist board are rolling out the red carpet and has donated 200 free hotel rooms for delegates. Many of the representatives from Britains top travel firms, will arrive a few days before the conference and enjoy the islands hospitality and a chance to explore. Decisions and impressions made at this conference will shape the tourism market for 2009, and Gran Canaria will use it as a showcase to keep visitors flowing in.

Maspalomas is sure to impress them with it’s golf course and rolling sand dunes, no wonder so many people chose to invest in a holiday home there. Cardenas Real Estate specialise in Maspalomas and the surrounding resorts of Puerto Rico, Mogan and Arguineguin and has some great new additions to it’s Mapalomas properties including villas, bungalows and apartments.

No Don’t Stop The Carnaval, said the 1960’s hit record, and in the Canary Islands no one would want to try. Las Palmas 2008 Carnaval is in full swing and on Friday night one of the key events took place, the election of the Carnaval Queen. The theme this year is Olympia-home of the Gods, and the symbol is the winged sandal of Hermes. All feet have wings at this time of year, as they dance non stop through the night spurred on by the colour, tradition and driving rhythm.

The tension crackled in the night air at Santa Catalina park before the biggest smile of the night outshone even the cascade of fireworks that greeted the announcement. the crown belongs to 21 year old Iraya Viera in her creation entitled, Las Palmas Mon Amour. There is so much glitter and material these days that a metal framework and castors for wheels are needed to make the contestants glide across the stage. Iraya was floating on a cushion of emotion as she accepted her crown, the signal to the 4,000 crowd to dance into the early hours with Colombian superstar Juanes whipping them into a musical frenzy.

The moment has gone but there are many more to come before the final night, the funeral of the sardine on February9, dance, dance, dance.

 By Cardenas News

Following up on our earlier story about the valiant attempt by two rowing boats to race each other across the Atlantic from Puerto Mogán to Barbados we are delighted to let you know that the British boat “La Mondiale” landed safe and sound in Port St. Charles Barbados on Thursday 17th January at 20.35 our time. 

This breaks the current record held by the French by two days, setting a new world record at 33 days, 7 hours and 30 minutes. La Mondiale also broke two further world records during the crossing, being the first rowing boat to cover 117 miles in 24 hours and to travel more than 100 miles a day for 9 consecutive days. The boat experienced bad weather in the early part of the crossing and lost valuable time riding out the storm for more than two days on its sea anchor. Tempers became frayed on occasions due to the cramped space on board but weather conditions were perfect as the men approached Barbados and their spirits were lifted by the proximity of land.  We understand that the American rowing boat “La Orca”, which left Puerto Mogán together with “La Mondiale” on 15th December, has been troubled by technical difficulties severely hampering its progress.  Meanwhile the champagne celebrations continue in Barbados where overjoyed wives, girlfriends, families and friends had been counting the hours until the heroes landed.

Anyone wishing to find out more details on the race: www.oceanrowevents.com and www.oceanrowing.com

By Luisa Baldwin & Theresa Bona