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Attractions
The Majorca Tourist Information Service (OIT - Oficines d'Informacio Turistica de Mallorca),
has offices in the town at::
Bordils, 53 b
07680
Porto Cristo
Telephone: +34 971 815 103
Opening hours in the summer months are from around 10am to 5pm.
Because of the general lack of commercialisation of the east coast, it is still possible even today to see evidence of mans earliest occupation of the island. A short distance away from the town, there are prehistoric remains at Sa Gruta and Son Moro, and within Porto Cristo itself there’s a Roman basilica on the Avinguda de Joan Amer. Also behind the existing harbour, it is possible to see the site of the original Roman port, and it was here that a few years ago the remains of a Roman ship were discovered.
The main town beach isn't particularly large and can become quite crowded at times. However, in all fairness, it is both clean and sheltered and does offer the usual range of sun loungers and pedalos for hire. About 10 minutes drive away to the south, you’ll find the Porto Cristo Novo beach. Although being somewhat smaller it is however, less crowded and has a sailing and windsurfing school. The local council are very proud that along the 27km of coastline that form the municipality of Manacor, no less than 9 of its beaches have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag for cleanliness.
Public transport on the whole of the east coast is poor, even in the summer months. For the adventurous, 5 buses a day run into the capital Palma.
The town does have a fairly good range of shops for the everyday essentials whilst you are away from home,
and a little further inland, at the town of Manacor, you will find the heart of the Mallorcan pearl industry.
As we briefly mentioned on the general introduction page, these artificial pearls are produced in a special
process that somehow combines glass and pulverised fish scales. The finished pearl is then barely
distinguishable from the genuine naturally formed article. The general public are welcomed to watch the
manufacturing process, and afterwards visit the on site factory shop. Contact details are:
Perlas Orquidéa
Plaza Ramón Llull 14
Manacor
which is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 1pm, and again on a Sunday from 9.30am to 1pm.
Prospective buyers should be aware that these pearls are usually priced based upon 3 distinct grades of quality,
and you should always look out for those that carry the official Orquidéa shield.
A couple of local markets take place each week throughout the year. The first is held in Porto Cristo every Sunday morning, which is then closely followed by another held in the Plaça Ramon Llull at Manacor the following day. By tradition markets on Majorca do tend to start quite early at around 8am, and then traders begin to disappear shortly after lunch.
A holiday to Mallorca wouldn't be the same if you missed one of the local fiestas that take place every year. In common with most of the towns and villages on the island, the first fiesta of the year takes place over the 16th and 17th of January in celebration of Sant Antoni the patron saint of animals. The event begins on the evening of the 16th with the lighting of small bonfires, which the local residents sit around singing traditional songs, and roasting "botifarrons", which are locally made blood sausages. The following day a parade is held through the streets, followed by the blessing of farm animals and domestic pets by the local priest.
Less than a month later in early February is the festival of Sa Rua, or the children's carnival, and the highlight of this event is a fancy dress parade, which is taken very seriously by the participants. Some of the costumes have taken many hours of work to produce, particularly those for large groups. But whatever the costume, the main theme of the carnival is always fun, music and dance. The parade finishes at the main square overlooking the harbour in Porto Cristo, where everyone enjoys dancing to music from a local band.
If you need either Email or internet access whilst in Porto Cristo there is an internet cafe called Academia.
Contact details are:
Carrer Sementera 43
Porto Cristo
Mallorca
Telephone +34 971 822 618
Fax: +34 971 822 618
Email: info@academiaportocristo.com
Web site: www.academiaportocristo.com
About 2km to the west of Porto Cristo are The Caves of Hams, which are known for their peculiar formations
and the marvelous underground lake.
Opening times from March to October is 10am to 6pm and from November to February 10:30am to 5:30pm.
Entrance fee for adults is around £6.00. Their full contact details are:
Cuevas dels Hams
Carretera Mancor
Porto-Cristo S/N
07680
Porto-Cristo
Telephone: +34 971 820 988
Fax: +34 971 820 271
Web site: www.cuevas-hams.com
Nearby are the more famous Caves of Drach which are open daily from April to October from 10am to 5pm,
and from November to March 10:45am to 12:00 and 2pm to 3:30pm. Admission for adults is around 9.50€, and
children under 7 are admitted free. Full contact details are:
Cuevas del Drach
Carretera Cuevas s/n
07680
Porto Cristo
Mallorca
Telephone: +34 971 820 753
Fax: +34 971 815 089
Email: cuevasdeldrach@cuevasdeldrach.com
Web Site: www.cuevasdeldrach.com
The Tropical Park Jumaica, on the road from Porto Cristo to Porto Colom, first opened it's door to the
public in 1995, although prior to this it took the owners almost 22 years to transform the 25,000 square metres
of dry Majorcan countryside to the lush tropical gardens that visitors see today. Walking through the gardens
visitors can discover rare plants, trees, and bamboo groves and a multitude of free flying exotic birds.
The gardens are open in the summer from 9am to 6pm, and in the winter months from 10am to 4.30pm.
Contact details for further information are:
Tropical Park Jumaica
Complejo Ca´n Pep Noguera
Ctra Porto Colom - Porto Cristo, Km 4,5
Mallorca
Telephone: +34 971 833 355 or +34 971 833 979
Web site: www.jumaicapark.com
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