El Cotillo is a small, peaceful fishing village located on the island of Fuerteventura, 45 minutes from the airport in the north west of the island. Village life is centred around the small working harbour where you will find a selection bars and restaurants in a beautiful picturesque setting.
The resort is fast gaining in popularity, mainly due to its fabulous beaches and lagoons, which lie to the south of the village.
Beaches The beautiful Playa del Castillo can be accessed by several footpaths from the village. To the south you find the remote, natural beaches of Playa del Ajibe de la Cueva and Playa del Aguila.
This area is surfer and windsurfer paradise and is infamous for its monster waves; its definitely for the more experienced surfers and even swimmers need to stay out of the water unless conditions look calm.
Most of the beaches can be reached by car and then on foot, but beware take a picnic and lots of water, as there majority of these beaches do not have bars and restaurants catering for tourists.
Places of interest On the cliff top, just a short stroll from the village is the Fortaleza del Toston, which is circular fort dating back to the 17th century.
The Museum of Ethnography and the Casa de la Cilla in Betancuria exhibit some of the wonderful arts and crafts that Fuerteventura is famous for.
Eating out Head to the old harbour where there are some delightful bars and restaurants to choose from.
Transport Although not essential, car hire is recommended. The roads are very quiet and easygoing and offer some nice routes to explore the island.
There is a reliable bus service from the village to Corralejo, the main resort in the north.
Climate The climate of Fuerteventura, as with the rest of the Canary Islands, is generally pleasant all year round. The island can be prone to high winds; its name translated literally means Strong Fortune, or Strong Wind. During the summer months temperatures can reach up to 35 degrees, and in the winter rarely drop below 18 degrees.
