Puerto de la Cruz (which in English translates as and was formerly known as "Crossport", although nowadays it is usually known in all languages by its Spanish name) is a city and municipality located in Spain, on the north coast of Tenerife island, in the Orotava Valley. It is located 4 km (2 mi) west of La Orotava, and 37 km (23 mi) W of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and 25 km (16 mi) from Tenerife North Airport both on the TF5 Motorway. In Spanish the inhabitants are known as portuenses. The municipality is the smallest in area in Tenerife.
The population is 31,830 (ISTAC, 2003), its density is 3,646.05/km² and the area is 8.73 km2 (3 sq mi). The elevation is 9 m (30 ft) MSL. The lowest point is the coastal Atlantic zone, the highest is Las Arenas, a volcanic cone with an elevation of 249 m (817 ft). Farmland is tucked into the valley areas and within the Atlantic coastal zone; urbanisation covers much of the area and the terrain rises rapidly to the south.
Prior to the development of hotels and buildings, much of the area consisted of agricultural land. Considerable fiscal pressure led to the land being developed and the population shifted from rural to urban and tourism. The population is mainly urban today.
Tourism is an important industry in Puerto de la Cruz, as evidenced by the number of large hotels on the skyline.
Puerto de la Cruz is frequented by the Northern European during the winter months, due to its mild climate, and is particularly popular over Christmas and the new year periods.
The Western European tourist contingent to Puerto de la Cruz tends towards more mature couples, in comparison to resorts such as Playa de las Americas Puerto also has a modest gay scene centred around Generalisimo Avenue.
The summer months sees more Spanish tourists, particularly during the very hot month of August on the Spanish mainland.
