For Mum & Dad

Both the water and the underlying mud from the Mar Menor have a high concentration of salt which has been found to carry healing powers for people suffering from various bodily aches. A swim in the lagoon can prove an effective medicine for people with arthritis, rheumatism, tendonitis, and joint ailments, as well as enhancing blood flow around the body.
Whilst taking a swim you may find yourself been tempted to stop off at one of the many beauty places along the shore, all of which use a particular substance from the lagoon as their main source of therapy - the mud. With a mixture of the highly concentrated salt water, and the excessive sunshine over the Mar Menor, the build up of mud contains many advantageous minerals. Although a mud bath alone proves an all round enjoyable experience, it is a particular recommendation to any persons suffering from skin disorders: abscesses, ulcers and boils, to name just a few.
To really spoil oneself, there are centres in the nearby region that offer many luxurious treatments, including hydrotherapy, of whose details can be find below.

Los Alcazares - Pension-Balneario, La Encarnacion - Tel 968575007
Lo Pagan - apartments Aguas Salinas - Tel 968184136/15
Santiago de la Ribera - Centro de Talasoterapia Sol Y Mar - Tel 968187092

For the kids, the teens, and often the adults too...

Little people normally equal little patience and the Spanish know this, hence the variety of activities for the young.

• Let the children do the driving for a change - a child to adult, outside go karting course, lies just minutes from Los Alcazares. With karts ranging from snails pace to Ferrari speed……it's just a question of who will be the one spraying the champagne at the end of the Mar Menor Grand prix - dad or daughter?!
  
• Various play centres lie on the coastal fronts and high streets across the region.
  
• On certain nights of the week, recent releases at the multiplex cinema, can be seen in English.
  
• For the older teens the Mar Menor wakes up when the average teen does - when it's drinking time. At night the towns are alive with clubs and bars serving up your favourite cocktails, and for the less adventurous - your average pint! But parents rest at ease, for the buzz of the town does not carry to the villa, and you can still enjoy a night in the privacy of your villa, minus a few teenagers!

Golf lovers

A golfer can't live without golf, like a woman can't live without shopping. So luckily the Mar Menor region caters for both. With at least six 18-hole golf courses, and a further five on their way…….the lady bending your credit card in the local Spanish markets, is just a small price to pay for a day on the glorious courses. Included in the range of clubs is the famous, La Manga course, with its magnificent grounds. Others include:

• Torree Pacheco
• Golf Altoreal
• Villamartin
• Las Ramblas
• Campoamor

Water sports

Sailing, windsurfing and canoeing schools along the coast, offer activities all year round below are just a few;

• Sailing on calm waters 365 days a year. With no rip tide and no heavy surf rolling, the lagoon is a perfect place for those 'newly born sailers' to begin their life. For the more advanced, the Mar Menor provides a calm and relaxing sail, whatever the season.
• Calm for the sailors, but with hidden waves for the surfers. In certain areas of the lagoon, waves are high enough to make wind-surfing another activity on the Mar Menor. Once again, been a lagoon, the waves are big enough to surf, but small enough to learn on.
• Underwater sports and official skin diving courses are offered by the clubs. Hidden by the blue waters, lay the shipwrecks of pirates and sailors vessels. Skin Divers personally recommend venturing around the under water life of the Islas Hormigas islands.
• Canoeing and parasailing is just a couple of other activities offered by the sailing clubs - details of which are below.

International sailing school - Pieter van Driel - Tel 968437059
Los Alemanes sailing school aqua sport centre - Tel 968140002
Isla del Ciervo sailing school nautic centre - Tel 9681415331
Isla del Ciervo sailing school manga surf - Tel 968145331
La Gola sailing school golasurf - Tel 968564033
Torre Riveria sailing school - Tel 968141940

Dry land sports

For those who prefer to get their tan on dry land, the region has a selection of sports on land.

• Tennis
• Indoor sports complexes
• Football fields
• Basketball and handball courts
• Fitness centres
• Cycling
• Horse-riding offered by the Equestrian centre. Treks can vary between, strolls along the long sandy beaches, or a gallop over the countryside. The centre caters for all levels of experience.

For Bird Watchers

A nature discovery centre in the regional park of Cabo De Palos, poses as not only a rich fountain of information for wildlife fanatics, but also as a ideal location for bird watchers to observe the many breeds and colours of birds landing in the pools of the Mar Menor. In autumn the pools and surrounding areas can be seen to have a pink tint, as flamingos flock to the Northern end of the lagoon, while proceeding on their long migration.

For Walkers

It's not just the bird lovers that benefit from the Cabo De Palos nature centre, among their resources lies many maps enabling an 'escape route', in the form of a picturesque and serene walk. Upon our highly recommended list is the walk, cycle or horse ride, around Calblanque, the long golden beaches and wide variety of unique plants makes this often secluded area one of relaxation and beauty. And for the naughty's or naturists, a certain walk tour takes you to and past some of the nudist beaches offered by the Spanish coast. Nude sunbathing is allowed in Las Canas, Negrete and Calblanque.

And just a couple of extras we found…

Throughout the summer months a boat trip is available, leaving from Los Alcazares, Satiago de la Ribera or La Pagan, and arriving at the Isla del Perdignera. Upon the island you can absorb the rays, while eating freshly caught fish and sipping from your bucket of sangria.

Coach services from Murcia run on a regular basis to both Barcelona and Madrid.

Markets are held throughout the Mar Menor every day of the week:

• Monday - San Pedro del Pintar
• Tuesday - La Union, Los Belones, Los Alcazares
• Wednesday - Santiago de la Ribera, Cartgena, El Mirador
• Thursday - San Javier and Los Urrutias
• Friday - El Algar and Torrvieja
• Saturday - Los Narejos and Torre Pacheco
• Sunday - Cabo de Palos and Los Nietos

Tourist offices

Below are a list of the local tourist offices in case you require any further information.
Los Alcazares - Tel 968 171361
Santiago de la Ribera (San Javier) - Tel 968571704
Lo Pagan (San Pedro del Pinatar) - Tel 968182301
La Manga de Mar Menor - Tel 968146136
Cartagena - Tel 968506483