Seasons
Spring
Spring on the Costa de la Luz is a magical time of year. The air is so clear and pure that the mountains of Morocco across the water seem almost close enough to touch. The countryside is deep green and bursting into bloom: wild herbs and flowers are thick in the hedgerows and it is a wonderful time to explore the cliff-top paths, woodlands and rolling hills of the surrounding area. Sunset over the Cape of Trafalgar at this time of year is particularly dazzling and the clarity of light makes it a great time for keen photographers. Caños itself is very peaceful with a handful of places open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks. The area really comes to life over the vibrant week of Semana Santa (Easter).
Summer
The long, lazy summer nights keep people coming back to Caños year after year. Many people stay on the beach until sunset (around 9.30pm) and then continue on into the night as the village buzzes with life. Nearly every restaurant offers a terrace for dining al fresco, bars host lots of live music and there are numerous beach parties for creatures of the night. The water is a delightful temperature, while the cooling breezes of the Atlantic ensure temperatures remain comfortable. But if you want to escape the crowds you’ll still find Casas Karen a quiet and peaceful retreat.
Autumn
This is the time to visit if you want to come at a quieter time of year but when the water is still warm enough for swimming. After the heat of the summer the landscape changes to deep yellow ochre and terracotta hues (another good time for photographers) and the Atlantic breezes cool the air enough to make it a good time for outdoor sports. Food lovers enjoy foraging for wild mushrooms and asparagus, and shopping for interesting fruit and vegetables like local golden thistle (tagarninas) and cardoon (cardos) that start appearing in the local markets.
Winter
The fresh, bright days of winter are fantastic for long walks on the beach and exploring the natural park. You’ll even see some people swimming and sunbathing on hot days. This is when the madroños (strawberry trees), for which the area around Casas Karen is named, come into fruit. With few tourists about you’ll have many of the towns and villages of the region to yourself with locals going about their daily life. It never snows, but the clear nights offer the best stargazing and the houses at Casas Karen are at their cosiest and most romantic with wood fires burning in the grate. It’s also a very special place to be for Christmas, especially if combined with the Reyes (the arrival of the three kings) who bring candy and small gifts for the children of the local towns and villages on January 5th.
To check out the latest weather report for Los Caños de Meca, visit tiempo.com.
