Costa de la Luz, or Coast of Light, is a coastline that forms the western part of the Andalusian coast that faces the Atlantic Ocean.  It extends from Tarifa, which is situated at the southern-most tip of Spain, and continues to extend to the north and northwest along the coast of Cádiz and Huelvathe provinces, down to the mouth of the Guadiana River.  The entire stretch is often divided into two sections—the Huelva Province section and the Cadiz province section--as it stretches through both localities.

Costa de la Luz has long been a frequented holiday destination for the locals.  In recent years, the coast had been attracting international holiday makers to its shores, particularly the French and German holiday makers.  Most certainly, the pristine beaches of Costa de la Luz, whose sands are finer and more golden than the neighboring Costa del Sol, are the primary attraction for these visitors.  Its beaches are typically more expansive, wherein they are often backed by sand dunes and pine trees.  And although it has been receiving a growing attention from more visitors, it still lacks the trappings of intensive tourism oriented developments.

In addition, the year-round sunshine experienced by the region is ideal for any holiday maker and beach lovers.  The climate in Andalusia is slightly warmer.  During spring and autumn midday temperatures are around 30ºC, and regularly rises up to 40ºc during the months of July and August.  Coastal temperatures during the winter months of December and January could reach up to 22ºC to 25ºC. 

Temperatures in Costa de la Luz are typical of the temperature in the region, with just slightly cooler winters.  During this season, the Atlantic water becomes unsuitable for swimming, except for the fact that it is most enduring.  However, water sport activities are still carried out, with wet suits helping to combat the cold.  During spring, it is typical to experience strong winds that blow on for days.  This phenomenon is called the Levante, wherein it comes in from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic due to the temperature difference between the two bodies of water.  A day in the beach would be impossible should the Levante blow hard because of the sand being blown up.

Aside from the beach and sunshine, Costa de la Luz also offers various facilities for other leisure activities.  Recreational centers, such as the club de golf Isla Canela, provide Costa de la Luz visitors a world-class facility for golf.  Water sports are recreational activities that are commonly seen in Costa de la Luz.  Most resort locations found in the coast provides excellent facilities and services for the said endeavors.  Costa de la Luz also provides excellent venues for Fine dining and a lively night out in town with its list of restaurants, bars and night clubs lining up the coast and nearby fishing villages.  Costa de la Luz cuisine is highly diverse, with strong influences from the Mediterranean diet and mostly centered on fish and seafood.

Costa de la Luz is also abundant in natural attractions, as seen with the remarkable beauty of its natural reserves.  Among these are the Doñana National Park, which is home to many endangered species, such as the Spanish Imperial Eagle and the Iberian lynx; the strikingly scenic Bay of Cádiz; the La Breña-Barbate Natural Park, which where one could find the salt marshes of Barbate and the sea-side cliffs of La Breña; and the Rivers Tinto and Odiel, where a profusion of water fowls and migratory birds are seen.

The towns and villages that are found in Costa de la Luz are equally interesting and often offer cultural and historical attractions.  The list of towns and villages that are of most interest to Costa de la Luz visitors include Ayamonte, which boasts of a preserved Medieval quarter in the central district as well as the natural attractions of its beach and salt marshes; Isla Cristina, which is a popular summer holiday resort  with its kilometers of blue flag standard beaches; Lepe, where one could find centuries-old buildings and monuments commemorating the town’s history, and its brush with pirates and Christopher Columbus; El Portil, which is a stunning tourist center known for its pine forests and wetlands; Punta Umbría, which is notable for its long beach; Matalascañas, a village known for having an ancient upside-down tower, called Torre la Higuera, which was built by Phillip II in the 16th century; Sanlúcar de Barrameda, which is a well-known sherry producing town, is also known for being the origin of horse races in Spain, as well as famous for its gastronomical events, flamenco and jazz seasons, and  several historical monuments; El Puerto de Santa María, which is an all-around tourist destination and quite notable for its gastronomical offerings; Cádiz, which is an island that is well-known for its plethora of well-preserved historical landmarks; and Conil de la Frontera, which is a famous tourist town frequented by Spanish holiday makers.

Clearly, Costa de la Luz is far from being the “forgotten coast” that it claims itself to be.  Turning their attention towards this coast are not just foreign tourists, but as well as foreign property buyers and investors, most particularly of British nationality. 

Costa de la Luz offers to its residents a way of life that is akin to the life in southern Spain as it was before.  It has escaped the mass tourist oriented developments and property construction that is saturating the other Spanish coasts.  The properties found in this coast do not consist of hi-rise developments and construction because these are highly restricted within villages and on any land classified as rural.  Costa de la Luz properties are, therefore, natural choices for buyers who seek to setup residence away from the hustle and bustle of activities connected with the property market of other coastal areas, all of which have been brought about by mass tourism and overdevelopment.

Aside from its geographical allure and its amiable weather, the relatively low cost of living and affordable property prices in Costa de la Luz undoubtedly adds to its appeal as a premiere location for property purchases and investments.  These prices are predicted to rise with the areas growing popularity and with the commencement of daily flights into the nearby airports in Jerez and Seville.  Verily, much of the properties available in this coast are purchased by investors who are anticipating a boom in the local property market.

Although on sale properties can be found in almost any town, city, or village in Costa de la Luz, there are currently several towns that have received preference from property buyers.  These are Ayamonte, Cádiz, Beas, Bonares, Cartaya, Lepe, Canos De Meca, Cartaya, Canos De Meca, Castro Marim, Chiclana, Conil De La Frontera, Guadiaro, Huelva, Isla Canela   Isla Cristina, La Barrosa, La Rendondela, Los Barrios, Monte Francisco, Novo Sancti Petri, Villablanca, and Villanueva De Los Castillejos.

As Costa de la Luz is most likely going to retain its rustic and vastly undeveloped appeal, the purchasers of the properties in this region should be prepared to live a life closely similar to life in Spain as it had been for many years.  Some of the concerns that a potential buyer should look at before purchasing are the relative deficiency in developments and infrastructures, its proximity from international schools, limited establishments that affords sophisticated night life and dining, and shops and supermarkets that largely cater to the Spanish buyers.  People who have a somewhat pioneering attitude and an interest in truly living a genuine Spanish lifestyle are most certainly the ideal buyers for properties in Costa de la Luz.