The Costa Tropical is situated on the coastline of the province of Granada, famous for its micro-climate and white washed pueblos. The micro climate is genuine as the coastline is trapped between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. In the summer the Mediterranean cools the coast as sea temperatures are only 28º compared to Granada land temperatures of 40º. In the winter the Sierra mountain range protects the coast from inland temperatures below zero. The results are warmer winter temperatures of 18º (10º more than Granada) and summer temperatures with average of 30º ( 10º less than Granada city).This micro climate allows the Costa Tropical to be one of only two places in Europe to grow Chirymoyas or Custard apples. The Costa Tropical is famous for its variety of fruit grown in the area.

To find the Costa Tropical you head east from Malaga, after passing Nerja and the nature reserve, you pass over the border with Malaga and Granada. At this border the Costa Tropical starts. After another 5 km you arrive at the first village of La Herradura (translated mean the horseshoe). This quiet unspoilt horseshoe bay has two well known headlands on either side, Cerro Gordo and Punto de la Mona. La Herradura is a small village with a primary school, bars and restaurants and will be the first exit off the new motorway extension, due to be completed in 2006. Punta de la Mona is home to Marina del Este, a picturesque marina which has 227 moorings and a host of bars and restaurants. This is the destination of the new seven 7 star luxury hotel resort by Banyan Tree resorts, which will start to be built this summer.A major factor in the choosing La Herradura for the first 7 star hotel in Europe is the micro climate and the completion of the new motorway linking the Coast to the historical Granada city (home of the 8th wonder of the world...Alhambra and Generalife) and the arrival of the A7 motorway which will complete the route to Almeria and beyond.

Four km further along the Costa Tropical coast is Almuñecar, a large town with over 30,000 inhabitants comprising of a wide mixture of Spanish (90%) and northern Europeans. Very popular with the Spanish tourists from Madrid and Granada, this vibrant Spanish town has all the facilities needed for business, social and educational requirements. Topped by San Miguel castle, the old town is a labyrinth of narrow streets, small bazaars and boutiques. Due to its privileged Costa Tropical micro-climate and fertile planes, Almunecar has been sort after by numerous people throughout history, who have left many landmarks dating back to the Phoenecians in 400BC. It also boasts 26 beaches stretching over 19km. Fifteen minutes inland there are a cluster of age-old Andalucian white washed villages, with an abundance of wonderful mountain views, namely Jete, Otivar, Lenteji, Itrabo, Molvizar and Lobres.

Further east along the Costa Tropical coast from Almuñecar are the small enclaves of El Capricho, Taramay (the second junction of the new motorway extension, which was completed in 2009) and La Caleta, before arriving at the beautiful coastal town of Salobreña. Caleta is to be the location of a new Marina which finally got full building consents from the Spanish Government in November 2010.

Costa Tropicals Salobreña is a typical Andalucian white washed pueblo perched on a rock, crowned with a castle. This small town has kilometres of beaches and is surrounded by acres of lush fruit plantations. It is quieter than its larger sister Almuñecar but some consider it to be prettier.

Head north of Salobreña on the N325 which has been upgraded to a motorway, towards the great historical city of Granada and the fabulous snow capped Sierra Nevadas mountain range. This area is still considered Costa Tropical even though it is inland. Only 15 minutes along this road you can get access to some other wonderful typically Spanish mountain villages such as La Bernadilla, Guajar Fonden, Guajar Faraguit, Guajar Alto, Velez de Benaudalla. Further along, past the enormous new Rules dam you will find the Lecrin Valley at the foot of the picturesque mountain range, the Alpujarras, with its largest village Lanjaron, famous for its natural spring water, this is another beautiful village with a couple of great restaurants. Back down onto the Costa Tropical coastline, the next town is Motril - the Costa Tropical´s largest commercial centre, where you will find a wide variety of shops and business to cater for your every need. The beaches of Motril remain unspoilt if not a little barren and disappointing and the port of Motril, a busy commercial port, regularly attracts overnight stays from cruise ships. Cruise ships brought 3000 visitors to the Costa Tropical in 2010 alone and figures are set to double in 2011

The Costa Tropical continues beyond Motril however there is an increase in large plastic greenhouses inland and up to the waters edge at places, punctuated by the seaside villages of Torrenueva, Calahonda, Castell de Ferro, La Mamola and La Rabita.