The Costa Calida is not just the Mar Menor or any of its other summer resort areas, but comprises the long section of the Spanish coast where the rugged landscape of the mountains extends to the tranquility of the sea´s edge.
The area also boasts impressive cliffs, heavenly beaches of endless white sand, lively ports and wild coves with crystal clear water. Stretching from the fishing town of Aguilas to the white dunes of the beach at San Pedro del Pinatar, this enchanting coastline welcomes the arrival of the bather, the sailor, the diver or the fisherman. There are also a number of picturesque fishing villages, like La Azohia or Cabo de Palos, where you can lose yourself for a few days….in fact our logo at Cloud Nine is modelled on the famous lighthouse at Cabo de Palos.
Visitors will also find ports like Mazarron where you can spend a lively evening and enjoy its magnificent restaurants after a lazy day on the beach. La Manga del Mar Menor is a paradise between two seas, with infinite sandy beaches and an excellent hotel infrastructure.
Water sports enthusiasts will find some of the very best places for sailing, canoeing, swimming, water-skiing, jet-skiing, flysurfing, windsurfing, catamaranning and every type of watersport activity in the coast´s numerous clubs and schools. Beginners can hire equipment at the resorts of Mazarron, Aguilas and the Mar Menor.
Mar Menor
Large pond, small sea…throughout history, the Mar Menor has had different names, all of which relate to a phenomenon that nature designed as a great coastal lake (originally an open bay) of 170km2 of warm saltwater.
The warm waters of the Mar Menor have a maximum depth of just 7 metres, and boast conditions that are ideal for those who enjoy open or group sailing. The saltwater lake makes this a superb natural home for a variety of watersports and sailing clubs, situated along the banks of the Mar Menor.
La Manga (del Mar Menor)
Literally meaning “the sleeve”, La Manga has a unique geographical layout, marking it as one of the most emblematic sights that easily identifies this entire region. A chain that stretches along 24km from Cabo de Palos to the Punta del Mojon, La Manga forms the natural edge of the saltwater lagoon of the Mar Menor.
Originally La Manga del Mar Menor was a bay open to the Mediterranean, and at either end, the sands were held back by volcanic reefs. The width of La Manga varies between 200 metres and 1.5 km. In the 1960s the area was discovered as a tourist resort, and the area has now been urbanised as a popular holiday destination.
La Manga now boasts a range of hotels, holiday apartments, sailing ports, sailing schools, recreational centres, shops, supermarkets, bars and discos…everything needed for a great holiday. During the winter, La Manga is kept open to cater for those tourists seeking a relaxing, warm getaway with all of the required services.
La Manga Golf Resort
Most people have heard of the famous La Manga Club. Situated within easy driving distance of San Javier International Airport, the city of Murcia and the Mar Menor resorts, La Manga Club is a unique 5 star golfing destination, offering some of the finest leisure and recreational facilities in the world.
La Manga Golf Resort - facilities Golf
There are three 18 hole golf courses; the South Course designed by Robert D. Putman and subsequently remodelled by Arnold Palmer. This is a classic championship golf course, located in the centre of the valley with wide, palm-fringed fairways; the North Course was recently completely refurbished and offers golfers of all levels a testing game, with its undulating nature, elevated tees and recontoured greens; the West Course is set amidst serene pine woodlands, and is regarded as many golfers´ favourite. With magnificent views, this course is a real challenge.
There are also a golf cubhouse, golf academy, 80 bay driving range, 2 chipping greens, practice bunkers, a large putting green and a par 47 pitch and putt course, complete with its own bunkers and water hazards.
Tennis
The tennis centre at La Manga Club is one of Europe´s finest outdoor facilities, playing host to several prestigious events, such as the Davis Cup and other ATP tournaments.
There are a total of 28 tennis courts, including clay, artificial and hard surfaces, in addition to two paddle tennis courts and a squash court.
In addition there is also a tennis academy with a V1 digital coaching system, one of the world´s most advanced systems. Within the tennis centre, visitors will also find lawn bowls, a comprehensive gym with personal trainers, sauna, Jacuzzi, massages, health and beauty treatments, climbing wall, crazy golf and a large outdoor swimming pool.
Football
La Manga Club is also home to one of the finest football academies in Europe, and many of the top professional teams from throughout the world take full advantage of its eight international-standard size pitches, training and match-practice facilities throughout the close season and mid-season breaks.
Spa & Wellness
Spa La Manga Club offers its guests the ultimate spa experience. Featuring saunas, steam room, jacuzzis and a relaxation area, the spa is set over two floors. It also includes 13 treatment rooms offering a vast array of soothing and invigorating treatments. There is also a large gymnasium, fitness studio and lap pool.
Other Recreational Activities
La Manga Club is also home to several other activities, such as scuba diving, water sports, horse riding, jogging, hill walking, trekking, mountain-biking, kayaking and cricket.
Hotel/Eating & Drinking
The Hyatt Regency La Manga Hotel is located in the centre of the resort, and is also the base for the elegant Ampola restaurant, the popular Lorca Lounge and Piano Bar, Spike´s Bar and the poolside Sol y Sombra bar and restaurant.
Las Lomas Village & Spa, in addition to housing the Wellness Centre, also provides Luigi´s Pizzeria, La Pergola poolside grill and bar, the Deli Café, and a new Indian restaurant.
There are further bars and restaurants throughout the resort, including Mulligans Irish Pub, Uncle Sam´s American restaurant, La Bodega tapas bar, Yesterday´s discotheque, Andale Mexican restaurant, El Bistro, The Sportsman Bar, Tie Break Juice & Salad Bar, La Cala Beach restaurant and the golf bars Bar 37 and West Club House.
Murcia City
Just a 30 minute drive from the popular resorts of La Manga and the MarMenor lies the regional capital of Murcia, with its magnificent cathedral at its heart. Construction of the cathedral began in the 14th century, and it contains gothic, renaissance and baroque elements. The surrounding streets and squares of the city also offer some striking examples of 18th and 19th century architecture.
The city was founded in 831 by Abd-Al-Rahman II in a privileged location, in the centre of the Valley of the River Segura. Despite its age and interesting history, Murcia has developed into a flourishing modern city, equipped with all the necessary facilities and infrastructure, an extensive university complex and a Congress Centre, which makes an ideal place to host meetings and events of all types.
Cartagena
A historic coastal city, situated to the south east of Murcia and famed for its modernist architecture, Cartagena is also one of Spain´s most important ports. 2,500 years of history have left their mark on this fascinating city whose ancient monuments date back to Roman times and before.
Lorca
This ancient city, which grew up around its imposing castle, offers some of the finest examples of Spanish Renaissance and Baroque architecture. A stroll through the city will take you back in time to a past dominated by powerful aristocratic families.
Cabo de Palos
A typical fishing village close to La Manga offering a wide choice of gastronomy. Lying just off the coast, the Islas Hormigas marine reserve will delight diving enthusiasts.
Climate
Murcia enjoys an average annual temperature of 21 degrees, characterised by hot summers and mild winters. There are approximately 2,800 hours of sunshine per year, and rainfall is scarce, falling mainly in the Spring and Autumn.
Getting to Murcia
Murcia is ideally situated for travel because of the clear network of motorways linking all the major roads in the area. The region is also superbly served by the two existing airports nearby. The international airport of Murcia at San Javier is situated on the north shore of Mar Menor, while Alicante´s El Altet international airport is a mere 45 minute drive to the north. In addition, a third regional airport at Corvera to the south west of Murcia City is planned for completion in 2007.
The city of Granada is approximately 90 minutes drive, and in the near future there will be a high speed AVE rail link which will connect to Madrid in only two hours.
Once you are there, the region is connected to Andalusia and the Costa delSol by the A92 and the E15 motorways, leading to Granada and Almeria respectively. Albacete and Madrid can be reached via the A3-301 motorway. The connection with the Costa Blanca through Alicante and on to Valencia can be made using the E15 motorway, or via the N332 which follows the coast , beginning at Cartagena. You can also travel from Cartagena to Alicante by a new motorway.
