Puerto Rico is the perfect resort for a sporting holiday, offering numerous active diversions, not least of which are a wide range of watersports available at the marinas at each end of the bay, including windsurfing, jet skiing and banana rides. Out of the water visitors can enjoy tennis; the courts are in excellent condition and lit at night, and rackets and balls can be hired. There are squash courts at the Europa Centre and a gym in the Centro Comercial. Youngsters particularly enjoy the amusement arcades in the three shopping centres, and the mini-golf is popular. A variety of excursions are available to various attractions around the island, while for the adrenaline junkies there is paragliding, skydiving and scuba diving.

Spanish is the official language, but English is widely understood in areas frequented by tourists. Catalan, Galician and Basque are spoken in the relevant areas.

Spain's official currency is the Euro (EUR). One Euro is divided into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at bureaux de change and major hotels, but banks give the best rates. All major credit cards and travellers cheques are widely accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. ATMs are widespread and are generally the cheapest and most convenient method of obtaining money.

Puerto Rico is built on steep cliff sides and most apartment blocks are reached via long stairways. Those with difficulty walking should ensure they find accommodation on the level. The holiday resort is full of touts and 'promotions staff' from various restaurants and shops vying for business. They can be overly insistent and should be dealt with firmly but politely. Entry into nightclubs is usually free, but drinks can be expensive.

Puerto Rico is one of Gran Canaria's hottest nightspots where visitors can party the night away. Happy hour starts as early as 4pm in many bars and pubs, and the clubs don't close until around 4.30am. Popular clubs include Disco Joker and Tango. Centro Comercial is the hub of the action and where most nightspots are found.

Like most holiday resorts on the Canary Islands, Puerto Rico has various top-rated eateries, including Caballito de Mar, Le Petit Lyonnais, Ma Bakers and El Brasero. The restaurants and fast food outlets cater for a wide range of tastes. Here you can dine on anything from fish and chips to haute cuisine. Most of the restaurants are in the Centro Comercial and those who like to dine overlooking the beach will find some good restaurants on the west side of the bay.

Puerto Rico boasts three large shopping and entertainment malls, the largest being the Centro Civico, where visitors can buy literally anything. There is everything from banks to boutiques, florists and fishmongers, and dozens of duty-free stores selling electrical goods, photographic equipment and perfume at great prices. The other two centres are Agua La Perra and Europa, and both have good selections restaurants, souvenir and beachwear shops, and at least one supermarket. Opening hours for shops and supermarkets in the centres are from 9.30am to 10pm. The largest market on the island is at Arguineguin, only 10 minutes away by taxi, and is open every Tuesday. This is a good place to test your bargaining power; hagglers should start negotiating at about half the asking price.

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between the last Sunday in March and the Saturday before the last Sunday in October). The Canary Islands: GMT (GMT +1 in summer).