Flirting in Tarifa: a guide to love in the sand
RATE, HERE WE COME
Easter is coming and the winding and narrow streets of this Cadiz town begin to fill with laughter and bustle. in just a few months Rate goes from being a town south of the south where nothing ever seems to happen to one of the 'hot' spots of the Spanish geography . And we use that adjective with several of its meanings: on the one hand, because it attracts more and more people who come to spend the summer season here; on the other, because if there is a place where it is feasible for anyone collect summer rolls is none other than this...
The important is the attitude , of course, so you have to come wanting to have fun and meet new people. Let's say goodbye to the bad vibes and let's welcome the Good vibrations , that of that Tarifa is left over.
And once we are dressed in the holiday jumpsuit, those who are new to the field should only take into account these ‘must’ tarifeños where the air always brings, whether from Levante or Poniente, that unmistakable smell of the sea that gives life.
A guide to love in the sand
THE AWAKENING
The municipality wakes up around noon. In the morning it starts slowly and with a slow pulse , as mandated this season of the year. In the 'town', as its main urban center is called, there is a certain coming and going of people, the neighbors who come to the market, the stores that, despite staying up late, the blinds are raised again, those who go to work supposedly, who go to the bank to make arrangements and, on the way, stop to greet that acquaintance who only sticks his head out there from year to year year… _ Slow life ._
Since you never know where a Cupid is going (which here can only be something rogue), we can take advantage of this little while to go to one of the local shops. Let's go shopping and in this way we will impregnate ourselves with that 'boho chic' style ' (either hippie chic ?) that is so popular in these parts.
To find very original complements and accessories for your beach look, it is worth visiting INS&ELS. , where there are also decorative items of exquisite taste. If what we are looking for is light dresses and blouses, both for day and night, stop by Mimi et Lulu, Boho by Mimi or Utopia 11380 Tarifa. And to put on shoes, La Alpargatería. Another recommended place is Root Sunglasses , in one of the main streets, where we can buy some wooden sunglasses, for him and for her, that we never take off again –almost– on every vacation.
Boho chic decoration for your home (and for you)
MOJITO IN HAND AND LET'S TAKE THE SUN
Around two in the afternoon the people for whom it is 'your beach house' . At least that's how they are defined in ** Tumbao **, an essential that is in the Valdevaqueros beach , to see who is around Tarifa and be seen. DJ sessions, live music and, for lunch, a hamburger of retinto with salad, tomato from the garden and homemade barbecue sauce. Once we have a full stomach and a mojito in one hand, there is nothing else to do but lie down, which is what we have to do. Oh, and what I said, see and be seen. Glances here, smiles there... Remember, attitude above all!
lying down
An alternative, or complementary, why not, is the Tangana beach bar. Garden area like Tumbao, right on the beach and with the possibility of staying in its bungalows . Most of the people who stay are young people, point in favor, huh? And it is the best way to wake up, with the swaying of the Atlantic sun as an alarm clock. Very summery themes in the background and delicious pasta salads. We can have a bowl of fruit with yogurt for dessert, 100% recommended as well, and then take a nap in the sun or directly look for 'war' in the previous one...
Both the first and the second and this third it is reached by the N-340 , which runs parallel to the Ocean and if we are looking for surfboards, wetsuits and kites we should continue in the area.
A hearty salad with sea views
We put the brakes on now at the ** Hotel Arte Vida **. You can book a room or just come here to continue picking up little color and meeting people who, like us, move between these terraces not only to get a good tan. You understand me, right? Well that!
I leave one of my favorites for the end, it is still one of the quietest but it must be here: Pachamama , a kind of oasis of 2,000 square meters that is 'on the other side of the road'. Take a selfie if you feel like it next to the two Mohai at the entrance and start salivating with the goat cheese salad, the country hamburger (they are famous throughout the area) or wood oven pizzas . It is perfect for days when the wind blows strongly, which are not few, as it has a swimming pool for clients. And on Saturdays and Sundays live performances, can you ask for more?
The hotel of beautiful people
AFTERNOON FALLS AND…
We continue on the beach . Those who started with beer or red, went on to mojitos or caipirinhas and continued with gin and tonic and various drinks are probably already sharing that 'I from Madrid', 'I from Seville'; 'I study Economics', 'I work in customer service'. If things go well, there is an exchange of phone numbers, WhatsApp for a 'nonstop' flirt and a meeting for the nightly tapas and cocktails afterwards.
There are also those who join the day at night, but well, regardless of that, there are bars in the center for a tapas of 10: The Mellis It is already a classic, with a delicious tapas and at a good price; ** El Francés **, which you have to go to either very early or give it some patience that will be worth trying some unique bravas, the tuna mount or the warm couscous with sautéed vegetables; The Pecking It is another rich, rich, with its cuttlefish croquettes and loin in butter, but you have to go early because the place is small.
Others that will leave you with a good taste in your mouth are The Varadero , with fresh fish and excellent value for money, next to the port, or The Mandrake behind the church. This one is calmer and everything is delicious: try tuna, boletus casserole, monkfish tagine, pistachio flan, among others.
Tarifa, land of love
THE MOMENT OF TRUTH
And where to go when midnight comes? Nothing to go back to the hotel. Here even Cinderella would go out in rags and without high heels.
First we can stay for the town. The best pubs are not lost because they are full of people. A must visit to La Tetería, And don't let the name fool you. It has a large terrace where there is live music and DJs who play the latest tunes. Since we are here, we can open the night with one of their cocktails.
Others in the historic center are mombassa either The ruin . Both have programming with shows and performances. Here the decibels may play in our favor and finally there are no more words and we start counting.
When the pubs and venues in the center close down – around 3:30 a.m. – you can continue the party in the La Vega industrial estate, in discos and terraces such as Coffee of the Sea either The Saint . Both are usually open on Fridays and Saturdays – in July and April they are probably open on Thursdays – and feature guest artists and top DJs. As a point to keep in mind: La Santa offers a bus service from Tarifa to the door of the disco, a point in favor of not having to take the car.
At this point, it is already up to us whether we return alone or accompanied 'home', the telephone number that we have come to ask for or that we have given, if we have stories to tell that are not suitable for children under 18 years of age and if in the end everything remained –and all experiences are welcome– in a midsummer night's dream.