Since arriving on this lovely island over four years ago, there was always a feeling that Puerto Del Carmen was unfairly given the worst press out of the three major resorts. The main reason being that because it is the largest and most established resort it therefore has the most bars and restaurants which means its the hardest to keep updated. Therefore over the years it had begun to get tired around the edges and investments were needed in many areas.
Well now fast forward to 2010 and Puerto Del Carmen has now had the much needed investment in many areas and is now attracting new bigger shops and investors along with its own newly opened Golf course. The main "Strip" of PDC is now completely renewed with all new sidewalks and road system with all new Street lights. If you are heading into PDC from the airport upon arriving then you can simply drive from One end of the Strip (Matagorda) through the main "Avenida" with its many bars, shop and restaurants. You will pass the new shops including Fund Grunbe, Charlie’s perfumes, Natura as well as the new up market wine bars including Cafe Del Carmen and Woodley’s with more on the way.
From the end of the main Strip you start to enter the Old town area of the resort which starts at the lovely Biosfera shopping centre with its many top brand name shops including Timberland, Levis, Jack Jones, Vodafone, Zara, Hagan Dais and many more including cafes and restaurants. The old town area is famous for its many Irish bars surrounding the newly upgraded harbour area which offers some excellent sea food restaurants and a real Spanish feel with many local people preferring to eat and drink here on their weekends off.
With many locals (premises) lying empty all over PDC during the past two years of the "Crisis" there is now fresh blood in the resort with new cafes and shops opening virtually every week.
There’s a feeling that the recession is finally behind us and for the first time in two years we have seen both commercial and long term rental prices starting to finally increase. Prices are at their lowest for ten years so it really is time to get the last few bargains before prices get back up to normal levels.
When we arrived four years ago a front line local would cost €60,000 for literally an empty premises and now the same locals can be found for a small investment of as little as €3,000. Bars are now turning over quickly with many new investors realising that now really is the time to get on the ladder with a small investment to escape the doom and gloom of the UK. Property prices have also bottomed out with one beds costing as little as €69,950 and some having excellent bank valuations of up to €131,000!
