Puerto del Rosario is the capital of Fuerteventura. It is based around a port that has grown from its humble origins as the Puerto del Cabras (port of the goats) into a busy working port that continues to develop; the latest developments will allow more cruise ships to be accommodated.
Until recently, little of the activity in the capital of Fuerteventura was based on tourism, but this is slowly changing as the Cabildo and other governmental bodies are actively seeking to raise the capitals profile in terms of tourism. However, In January 2007 a new tourism office, in the form of a kiosk, was opened on the "promenade", close to the harbour. The entire sea front in Puerto del Rosario is being developed and improved, and the two beaches in the town are being developed and amplified. Much of this work will have been completed before the summer of this year (2007). Further details of the developments can be found on the Fuerteventura news pages.
Puerto del Rosario is easily visited from other parts of the island as buses run to Puerto del Rosario from all the major towns on Fuerteventura. A bus journey to Puero del Rosario to Caleta de Fuste takes around 20 minutes and to Corralejo about 40, with serveices to and from both every half an hour. A new bus station was supposed to be operational in 2006, but has not yet opened. If you are considering a shopping trip it is worth bearing in mind that lots of the shops close for the siesta.
Puerto del Rosario has its own beaches. The larger one is to be found to the south of the capital. The beach is larger than it was until recently, as the sand dunes that built up behind the beach when a wall was built at the same time as the hotel Parador have been removed. The waves are good, and the beach is used by some of Fuerteventura's surf schools, but there are signs warning of strong currents, so care is needed when bathing here. During the summer months the flag system operates and these should be heeded.
Puerto del Rosario is a good place to practise speaking Spanish and allows an insight into the daily life of Fuerteventurans, or at least those that live in this "city". The Fuerteventuran accent is quite different to the standard Spanish that is used on language course tapes, but if you are talking about food and cerveza, it is not too difficult to follow.
One interesting feature of the capital is the statues that are to be found around the town. These form part of an open air exhibition and many have been produced during competitions that are held in the capital.
Carnival time is important to the residents of Puerto del Rosario and the spring celebrations are held at the end of February.
Part of the carnaval in Puerto del Rosario is an event called Los Achipencos, a sort of raft race.
