(‘The Warm Coast’)
This stretch of coastline runs from San Pedro del Pinatar, at the northern end of the Mar Menor (‘Little Sea’), to south of Puerto de Mazarron. It is in two parts: the most northerly section consists of the La Manga peninsula and Mar Menor, the southerly section extends from the promontory of Cabo de Palos to the resort town of Aguilas.
Like the Costa Blanca South it consists of beaches and rocky promontories with a backdrop of hills and mountains, and above all the unique La Manga peninsula that creates the Mar Menor. Compared with the other southern Costas it is still relatively unspoiled and apart from the historical city and port of Cartagena, there are no major towns along the coast.
In addition to its geographical attractions, the Costa Calida boasts three nature reserves: at the northern extremity the salt flats of the Regional Park of San Pedro are heavily populated with flamingos, herons, storks and other migratory bird life. Specially made wooden walkways allow tourists to visit the whole area. Along the coastline from Cabo de Palos, westwards towards the village of Portman, is the Calblanque Regional Park, a stretch of virgin coast with hills and empty beaches. The Marine Reserve of the Hormogas Isles, near Cabo de Palos, is world famous.
No more than 7m at its deepest point, the ‘Little Sea’ contains 5 islands, and is on average 2 degrees warmer than the Mediterranean, which is accessed by a narrow channel at the northern tip of the peninsula. Two man-made canals traverse the peninsula at strategic points. Many shops and restaurants on La Manga now remain open all year round, though it is still principally a holiday resort.
TOWNS (from north to south)
SAN PEDRO DEL PINATAR / LO PAGAN
A compact but important town, with a good shopping centre and weekly street market on Mondays. San Pedro is well liked and has a pleasant center with plenty of shops and entertainment all year round. It is of easy access with the motorway nearby. The suburb of Lo Pagan boasts a long beach and promenade area with a marina.
SANTIAGO DEL RIBERA
Long palm-lined promenade. Relatively undeveloped but this is shortly to changed with several large urbanisations planned on the edge of town. The town center boasts a small but attractive shopping street which starts on the promenade and goes inland.
SAN JAVIER
San Javier is another medium sized center on the Mar Menor. It has a beautiful church and narrow streets. As usual it has banks, supermarkets, shops etc... A few developments have a foothold here.
SUCINA
Small inland typical Spanish village. Located about 10km inland between San Javier and Murcia. An almost perfectly strait road takes you directly to Sucina which burst into view in front of mountains with its church tower in its middle. With a new urbanisation being built within walking distance of its center and a new golf course planned for 2005 in the vicinity, this village promises to become a major center for expats. Despite its small size, it boasts a few banks, a pharmacy, a post office, a couple of supermakets, restaurants etc...
LOS ALCAZARES
Largest settlement on the Mar Menor. Mile long promenade, large marina, and beautiful beaches. A larger center than other towns on the coast, with many shops, restaurants, bars, and a new shopping mall with a Cinema are being built in the northern side of town.
LOS NIETOS
Small seaside resort also with a promenade, safe beaches, and a small marina. Several new developments under construction.
PLAYA HONDA
New town. Major developments and low prices have resulted in a large influx of foreigners. Flat, safe beaches. Sea front promenade planned.
CABO DE PALOS
Ancient fishing port and marina, with famous lighthouse. Many gourmet restaurants. Now becoming very popular with expatriates. The marine reserve of the Hormigas Isles lies a few miles offshore. Although located at the southernmost tip of the almost non stop developments starting in Torrevieja, one could scarcely tell. Cabo de Palos has every aspect of a small, isolated Mediterranean fishing village. Its small pedestrian streets and quaint shops belie a strong dependence on tourism. Unlike La Manga however, Cabo de Palos has an all-year-round economy and a most singular feature would be the Aussie Bar near the Marina.
CARTAGENA
Ancient seaport and naval dockyard, where the first submarine was built in 1900 and where they are still built today. Large shopping centre, with a Corte Ingles department store due to open in 2004. Unlike Murcia which has no direct route from Torrevieja, and Alicante which is linked only by busy roads, Carthagena is easy of access and a growing commercial center. It is the ideal center for the Costa Calida Developments between Puerto de Mazzaron and San Pedro del Pinatar.
PUERTO de MAZARRON
Busy fishing town with port and marina. Increasingly popular with expats. Very pleasant surroundings. It will not become another Torrevieja or Benidorm mainly because of the lack of space for developments in it's immediate vicinity. It does, nevertheless, have a lot of potential for limited growth and will eventually become the commercial heart of the Southern Costa Calida.
AGUILAS
Much as Los Nietos, Playa Honda, etc.
LA MANGA
The 30km peninsula is now about 80% developed, mostly with apartment blocks. The Mediterranean and Mar Menor coasts are mostly sandy, and it boasts three marinas. Formerly a ‘summertime only’ resorts it is becoming increasing popular as a residential area.
Nearby is the renowned La Manga golf complex, consisting of three 18-hole golf courses of international standard.
Almost needless to say, the Costa Calida is warm and dry, with around 300 days of sunshine annually, and only about 20 days with any measurable rainfall.
For information on properties and prices. Click HERE
| Return to front page |
Go
to properties index |