Always progressing and always striving to better itself, that’s Callao Salvaje on the western edge of Costa Adeje. This popular resort has grown steadily over the last 30 years and is now ready for its crowning glory, a 2.3 million euro upgrade of the beach at Playa de Ajabo.

The large sheltered bay currently has a mix of dark volcanic sand and shingle but has long been promised a coating of softer, lighter sand, changing facilities and showers. The Adeje council has drawn up plans, put them on public display and is now ready to start work on the area. As well as the beach, a new coastal walkway will link Callao Salvaje to the nearby resort of Playa Paraiso to the east, this area of coast is very rugged and attracts a rich variety of wildlife.

The access road down to Callao Salvaje has been resurfaced in recent years and a new roundabout at the top, makes it easier and safer to approach. Half way down the road, a new church and sports centre are taking shape, the high vaulted, slanting roof of the church is striking, especially as stained glass windows have been installed. Many ex pats have settled in Callao Salvaje, some of the villas that line the main road in are large and lavish, further down they give way to some big modern hotels and a thriving commercial area with a good choice of bars and restaurants. A newly terraced and planted viewing area looks out onto the Atlantic and the island of La Gomera.

The new beach is a fitting reward for a community that has worked closely together to keep up the steady improvement in the look and content of Callao Salvaje.

Passing through the bustling shopping area of San Eugenio, you could easily overlook Puerto Colon, but a short walk down the slip road will bring its reward in a whole range of water based fun. The beach is a real family favourite, small and intimate and with fine grain sand that brushes off easily. The sea shelves gently out into the partly enclosed bay and is always calm. A popular summer addition is the series of inflatables moored just off the beach, for a small charge, children can clamber over them, slide off them and generally have a good time whilst supervised by life guards.

At the back of the beach, a selection of bars and restaurants are just a step away, and with no traffic to worry about, the little ones will be in their element. To the left of the beach, the walkway leads round to the marina. Here you can find every sporting and leisure pursuit you could wish for, from dolphin and whale watching trips to jet ski hire or diving schools. There’s a buzzing social scene here day and night with a wide choice of restaurants and plenty of live music later in the evening. Puerto Colon is one of those hidden gems that is popular with locals or those who have bought a second home here, and a great discovery for holiday makers.

Between Bahia del Duque and La Caleta, the beach of La Enramada is about to take on a new look. The Costas coastal authority has pledged 11 million euros to upgrade the area and add green spaces and new sand to the large pebbles that currently dominate the beach.

It’s a controversial plan as there has already been a backlash against the closure of El Chiringuito, the small white sand area at the La Caleta end, where sun bathing, beach volleyball and chilling are the order of the day around a small beach bar. Some 10,200 signatures were collected against the plans to change the area. This was before the full extent of the makeover for the whole area was known, but there promises to be a lot more discussion between the two sides as the plans begin to move forward.

Three stages have been set out for the project. The first will involve a detailed study of what can be done, including some calming of the sea, possibly with dykes, to tame the big waves that can rise up there. Secondly, the intention is to build a promenade from the Costa Adeje Palace Hotel to La Caleta. Thirdly, and the most expensive part of the project, is the plan to build an urban park with green and sporting areas.

Keeping all parties happy will be a delicate balancing act, and changes are sure to be made to the original intentions along the way but after much discussion, it seems that Costa Adeje is about to embrace a new era of development.

Welcome to Costa Adeje, one of the fastest growing, fastest changing and most diverse of all the regions in Tenerife. This south west corner may delight you, challenge you, even frustrate you at times, but it will always surprise you.

The contrasts are amazing, from the long established, young and brash nightlife of Playa de Las Americas to the up market designer shops and hotels of Fanabe and Bahia del Duque, and on to the develoing coast of La Caleta and the fishing village beyond, Costa Adeje is never afraid to change. Moving inland, Golf Costa Adeje

Shopping takes on a new dimension in Costa Adeje, whether it be dipping into the book and craft fairs in Adeje old town or name dropping designer labels at Gran Sur and Plaza del Duque. If you want something a little unexpected, you can find a multi screen cinema, beach volleyball or a centre of sports excellence. The main motorway passes through so you are only a short drive from the south airport or a direct route up north to the Tenerife capital, Santa Cruz.

No two visits to Costa Adeje are ever the same, there is always something to discover, and it is our pleasure to help point you in a few interesting directions. Feel free to add your comments and suggestions and share youur favourite places with those that follow in your foot steps.