Module 2: Benidorm and parks Aqualandia and Mundo Mar

Benidorm: A great destination for theme parks

Benidorm is probably the only resort in the Mediterranean lucky enough to have 3 leisure parks already … and there’ll be 4 by spring 2005 … and be more than just a traditional beach resort.  Benidorm is going to become the most important and unique leisure and entertainment destination in the Mediterranean.

Benidorm is the region’s most important resort in terms of visitors and infrastructure. It offers a great variety of activities, making it one of Britain’s favourite resorts with a high repeat clientele especially in winter. 

It has an excellent location, with an exceptional microclimate all year round as it is surrounded by mountains that protect the resort from northern winds.

It has developed as a tourist resort since the 1950s. The resort is approx 60km from Alicante airport reached by the A7 motorway.

Benidorm has 3 distinct areas

• Levante beach area, where most of the hotels, shops, bars etc are situated.
  
• Central old town area, for shops, Spanish restaurants and main hub of resort
  
• Poniente beach area, is the quieter part of the resort with less hotels

Benidorm has areas to suit all types of holidaymakers with different needs

The beaches Benidorm has three lovely south facing natural sandy beaches, all awarded blue flags. Levante beach 2,084 m long Poniente beach 3,100 m long Mal Pas beach 110m

Local buses/trains
Local buses run regularly throughout the resort, to both beaches and the shopping centre La Marina.The local train line runs from Denia in the north to Alicante (via Benidorm, with stops at Terra Mitica, Benidorm train station and shopping centre La Marina). There is also a bus network to surrounding resorts and towns

Shopping
Benidorm has around 2,000 small/medium size shops so there is plenty of variety to choose from all year round. Outdoor market days are Wednesday and Sunday morning (Levante beach area, near to Hotel Pueblo)

Boutiques, perfumeries, shoes, leather, quality souvenir shops can be found throughout the resort but most quality ones are in the old town area. “La Marina” is a large indoor shopping mall, close to Benidorm, accessible by bus, train & taxi and is also next to a large Hypermarket called Carrefour.

Restaurants
There are approximately 390 restaurants offering international, local and Mediterranean cuisine and tapas.

Accommodation
After Paris and London, Benidorm offers more hotel accommodation than any other destination.

90% of Benidorm´s hotels have recently been refurbished with a lot of investment into improving hygiene and safety standards. There are around 40000 hotel beds and approximately 20000 tourist apartment beds.

Whilst Benidorm is know for its tall buildings, one thing to bear in mind is that a byelaw states that in areas outside of old town centre, maximum construction allowed on a plot of land is 30%, which leaves ample space between buildings.

There are also 10 campsites open all year round in the Benidorm region.

What’s in it for families?

• Very safe sandy beaches
  
• Plenty of resort attractions suitable for families close by without having to travel too far
  
• Very reasonably priced restaurants
  
• Family friendly bars

What’s in it for young people?

• Good beaches
  
• Plenty of nightlife all year round
  
• Plenty of activities

What’s in it for older couples?

• Plenty to see and do in resort and local area
  
• Lots of good evening entertainment in resort with variety acts in the bars
  
• Good beaches
  
• Mainly a flat accessible resort
  
• Disabled access points
  
• Good shopping

Benidorm: A great destination for theme parks!

Aqualandia – Spain’s first water park, opened in 1985.

Aqualandia is a natural environment in which to enjoy varied and surprising water attractions and other facilities.

With an extension of 200,000 square metres, plus free car park, Aqualandia also has landscaped grounds which have been replanted with varied native vegetation.

THE WATER PARK Aqualandia’s location lends it special characteristics, as the Park is set in peaceful surroundings with lush vegetationThere are a total of 14 pools, 27 slides and 10 children’s games.Millions of litres of water move around Aqualandia.   This water is drawn from Aqualandia’s own wells, and is constantly filtered and recycled.

Aqualandia’s attractions:

Wave Pool – A huge pool, with an entrance in the form of a beach and waves for fun.
 
Zig-Zag – Five 150m slides situated in the upper area of the Park which spiral down into the pool.

Mini Zig-Zag – Water slides with gentle twists.  This is an ideal attraction for children to enjoy with their parents.
 
Rapids – Attraction formed by eight pools connected by ramps down which you descend with a float.
 
Niagara – This is one of the most relaxing areas in the Park, formed by a lake with large waterfalls, springs, grottos and beach areas.

Kamikaze – Two very high parallel slides with a steep slope to reach a high speed.
 
Amazon – This is a slow river surrounding the Wave Pool.  It is shallow and has a slow current to get carried away by the most sensational feeling of relaxation.
 
The Lake – This is formed by a series of activities such as rings, tubes, climbing walls, ramps…
 
Adventureland – This area is set aside for the kids, with slides, ball games, water games…
 
Soft Slides – Five parallel padded slides which descend into the pool
 
Black Hole – Two completely enclosed slides to be used with a float for two people.  Experience different light and sound effects inside these tubes.
 
Splash – An experience especially suitable for families and groups of friends.  It is formed by six parallel undulating lanes down which you descend head first on a mat.
 
Big Bang – A high-speed attraction comprising four slides with heights varying between twenty and thirty metres with a slope of 66% which provides a sensation of vertigo and weightlessness in freefall.

For further information please visit www.aqualandia.net

MUNDOMAR

EXPERIENCE NATURE WITH MUNDOMAR

Mundomar is open to the public all year round, offering our visitors the opportunity of enjoying the wonderful world of marine mammals and tropical life.

Mundomar is located next to the water park with an extension of 60,000 square metres in natural surroundings which make the park exceptionally attractive. 

Mundomar is a park which shows the animals which inhabit it, from two points of view, one educational/cultural and the other entertainment, which makes learning more fun. 

Buildings of rustic appearance, primitive architecture, lakes crossed by wooden bridges surrounded by rocks and lush vegetation induce the visitor to embark on a great adventure and to experience close contact with nature. Among the species which can be seen at  Mundomar we would highlight the pinniped area, where the friendly seals, sea lions and fur seals can be observed through large windows or in a lake with rocks, water games and waterfalls. Dolphins that will delight grown-ups and children alike can be viewed in the different pools which make up one of the largest dolphinariums in Europe, or from the inside of an old galleon which will fire the visitor’s imagination.
The children also have an attraction especially designed for them, a small playground where they can have fun.

There is also a series of additional facilities which will make this trip even more attractive.  A restaurant, a bar-cafeteria, a self-service restaurant, different stands… and a spectacular souvenir shop where exoticism is also present in all its articles.

For more information please visit www.mundomar.es
 
Now you are ready to take the test. Good Luck!