The Papagayo coves in Lanzarote: access, beaches and tips

Papagayo, east of Playa Blanca in southern Lanzarote, refers to a group of protected wild coves (Monumento Natural de Los Ajaches) reachable by car along an unpaved track, on foot via the coastal path, or on a boat trip from Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca.

The Papagayo coves: a string of wild beaches

Papagayo is really a string of successive coves rather than one single beach: Playa Mujeres, Playa del Pozo, Playa de la Cera, Playa de Papagayo — the best known and most photographed, tucked between two rocky points — and Puerto Muelas, a little further off. Each has its own character: some more sheltered, others more exposed to the wind, all fringed with turquoise water and low ochre cliffs.

The whole area sits inside the Monumento Natural de Los Ajaches, a protected nature reserve: this status explains both the near-total absence of development and the basic state of the access routes.

How do you get to Papagayo by car?

Reaching Papagayo by car means taking an unpaved track from Playa Blanca, occasionally quite rocky depending on the stretch; an access fee to the protected area may be charged at the entrance (check the amount on site, as it changes with the season).

We tried to reach the Papagayo coves with our hire car: the very rocky dirt track looked impassable for our tyres, and we chose to turn back rather than risk any damage. We fell back on the far end of Playa Blanca where, parking at the edge of town and following a dirt path, we found a little "secret" beach with fine sand and clear, cool water — still a very good swimming spot.

If you do try the track, a standard hire car is generally fine in dry weather, but it's best to drive slowly and be ready to turn back; a 4x4 isn't essential, though it's more comfortable.

Getting there on foot via the coastal path

A coastal path links Playa Blanca to the Papagayo coves for walkers who'd rather skip the track by car. Allow a walk of roughly 5 to 8km round trip depending on which cove you're heading to, with no real technical difficulty but very little shade — best kept for the cooler parts of the day.

The boat option: a catamaran trip

A catamaran trip remains the most comfortable way to discover these coves without worrying about the track: several boat or catamaran excursions leave from Puerto del Carmen or Playa Blanca, with a swimming stop facing the coves and views of the coast from the water.

What to bring with you

There's almost nothing built up on site: little to no shade, very few services (occasionally a mobile vendor in high season, no guarantee). Bring water, a parasol or beach tent and something to eat — and always take your rubbish away with you, since the area is protected.

To extend the trip or choose somewhere to stay nearby, head to our page on accommodation in Lanzarote or our guide to car hire if you're planning to try the track.

To go further, explore our Lanzarote guide or head back to the Canary Islands guide to compare the islands.