Different Worlds
Its probably many folks idea of paradise, 30 degrees every day, sea warm enough to swim in, hotels right on the beach, amazingly cheap - what more could you ask for? On the other hand a different perspective may see it as a sweaty, barren, over-crowded holiday camp in the sun! Having said that, as a mid-winter break from the UK - it certainly makes a change!
The hills are something different, over 6500′ it is 20 degrees cooler up there, with swathes of pine trees, masses of cliffs and small towns with shady corners. I suppose its good that different folks like different things of the hills would be as crowded as the beaches!
I managed to track down what look like the four main climbing areas;
1) Fataga: - a bit like Arico on Tenerife - accessible and about 70 decent looking sport routes with afternoon shade.
2) Ayacata: nice roadside crag, not many equipped routes, but the ones here look worthwhile and quite high. LOTS or rock in the area.
3) Roca Nublo: the 80m spire of rock visible from much of the island. About 20 routes, some quite large. Cooler than the other cliffs.
4) Tamadaba: supposedly the main climbing area on the island - but - two hours from the coast and a huge and utterly confusing area. It is basically a high plateau with the cliffs around the rim and approached from above. Very difficulty to find you way around - could do with a decent guide!