Free Beach parking, lifeguard, sunbed and umbrella rental, watersports and wheelchair access and facilities. There are three beach bars, (serving hot food+take aways ), some open evenings for sipping drinks as the sea laps the sands and the sun sets.
A favourite beach on the island for beach strollers. While the resort is very popular for families the sheer size of the beach makes it easy for those who prefer to avoid the little ones to find their ideal spots! There is an abudance of natural sand dunes that make a very pleasant backdrop.
The beach is separated from the resort by a nature conservation area which means that access is only from the beach side car park. Son bou can suffer from quite strong water currents, so care should be taken ( keep within 40 meters of shore and make sure your are not 'drifting' down the beach) and keep an eye on the red and green flags.
Down the coast ( westwards after Santo Tomas) is the huge virgin beach of Playa de Binigaus which is extremely beautiful, natural and less frequented. Its also a favourite location for nudists but everyone is welcome ( no need to strip OR be 'offended' ).
Purpose built self contained resort with children's entertainments
Plenty to see and do within walking distances
Close to Mahon/Mao and Alaior for a change of scene for mums and dads
Son Bou for couples
Variety Bars and Restaurants
Close to Mahon / Es Castell for livelier entertainment and moonlit harbour people watching
Beautiful countryside walks, and sunset beach strolls
To get to Son Bou / Sant Jaime you travel through beautiful countryside and at the eastern end pass through a rock arch to 'suddenly' enter the resort which sits on ' longest beach at around 2.5 k.m. Mahon is about 30 minutes drive and Ciutadella about 35 minutes. Alaior old town is 15 mins by bus.
Son Bou is a holiday resort of mixed private/commercial Villas,Apartments and hotels built behind a nature reserve along the island's longest beach. The resort is more correctly called Sant Jaime(Jaume) but Son Bou, Sant Jaime and Torre Soli Nou blend into each other, though Torre Soli nou extends further inland if you are looking for a quieter location. Much of the resort sits terraced in delightful planted gardens on a tiered wooded hillside which offers spectacular coastline views.
Being one of the larger dedicated Menorcan holiday resorts it has many facilities to offer for the perfect beach holiday. Water sports - Kayaking, Watersking,banana boat rides, snorkeling, pedalos and a long, long sandy beach backed with extensive sand dunes,not concrete hotel blocks. Ideal for families with younger children and those just looking for a relaxing holiday. Night life at Son Bou is varied with restaurants, bars, shops, hotels. Alternatively you can venture into nearby Alaior early mornings and evenings to wander throught the old towns' pretty streets or travel to Mahon or Es Castell with their lively harbours and old towns for a wide range of shops, restaurants and nightlife.
Menorca Holiday Tips
Self caterers: If you are mobile the supermarkets in Alaior old town and Poligno ( Commercial area ) offer much better food selection and prices. Plus there are some good homemade meals(delicatesans) to take away and bring back to your accommodation.
Menorca Holiday Tips
Obviously the areas just in front of the main car park beach entry points get crowded - go left in front of the hotels if you want to amongst families, or better still for more natural surroundings go right where the beach develops little sandy bays-see Photo Tour
Bring bathing shoes to protect your feet from the underwater rocks that are hidden under the sand and can sometimes be sharp.
Son Bou beach has good (assisted) wheelchair access/facilities to the beach/sea from the car park.
As the whole resort sits behind a natural marshland so don't forget mosquito protection.
The little resort train will take you upto the 'top of resort' - Valentin Hotel where you can sample the view enjoyed by the private Villas and Apartments above the 'valley area'.
For those who want to add special holiday memories, Son Bou is set in dramatic scenery, and long walking beach and nature lovers resort as it is surrounded by pristine landscapes to explore on foot, horseback or Mountain Bike. There are beautiful valleys and landscapes with historical sites nearby ( Torre d'en Gaumes ) to discover.
There are some beautiful trails along the coast east and west using the Cami de Cavalls trails.
Places to visit
A late afternoon / evening trip to Mahon or Alaior is a must to stroll around the old centre, people watch at the Cafe Bars, take in a Tapa or two and perhaps some clothes shopping.
Horse Riding
In countryside, along the beach and excursions to other locations.
Tip
Alaior Fiesta 2nd WE in August, Cala en Porter Fiesta 3rd weekend in September
Son Bou - Near by ( 15-20 min Taxi )
Not that far away in Cala en Porter
Cova d'en Xoroi - Dance Club a location like no other
Located in huge spectacular natural caves some 25m above the moonlight Med. Toast the Moon shining down and dance through to see the Sunrise - literally!
Undoubtedly the most dramatic nightspot on the island. Set high, literally in the cliffs, above the sea it's an atmospheric dance club with one of the most original locations. With themed nights, guest DJs, music and dance acts DJs.
Opening times: 11:30 'til 05:00. Daily May to October and weekends outside of these months.
Menorca Tips
Cova Bus : Pick up service ( from main beach resorts ) arrival Midnight - Depart Xoroi at 5a.m - see nuratravel.com/Experience/cova-de-xoroi/
Special promotions ( check website,flyers and posters in bars) enabling free entrance to the night club if you visit the caves earlier in the day.
Can also be enjoyed as a daytime and sunset venue
Son Bou - Shopping and Supermarkets
Supermarkets: there are several in the resort with everything necessary for a holiday. Located maostly in the central area - see locations map
TABACs - Cigarettes
There is Tabac in Son Bou - see resort map
note they are only open during June-September
There are basic summer clothes, souvenir shops in Son Bou but in Alaior are one or two boutiques, handmade shoes and jewellery shops in the old town, but you really need to visit Mahon combined with a market day there.
In nearby Ferreries there are factory shops for one of the island's most famous upmarket leather shoes and goods manufactuer JAIME MASCARO ( eg pretty Ballerinas ). Many of these shoes and goods you will find in more exclusive shops back home for considerably more than you will pay on Menorca.
Live tribute acts tour the island and are on stage at Club Sant Jaime - Free to watch if you buy a drink and some can be very entertaining.
There are several bars with late opening dotted round the resort each with a different feel and style.
A sunset stroll along the beach.
Organised evening entertainment here is generally to be found in the resort hotels and some Bars. Mahon, Ciutadella and Es Castell however offer alot more with something for everyone, but with none of the "bing drink clubbing" to be found on Ibizia and Majorca. Menorca is not Majorca but that is why many people come here!
Bus Network Map with Son Bou Bus stops to download
TIP:Mahon will mostly be written on timetables, front of buses and signposts as Maó, it's local name. If you are staying longer than a week take a trip on this good network and see some of the other sights, resorts/towns and attractions.
Regular Bus to Alaior/Mahon (L32 ) and Ciutadella* (L36)
Changing at Alaior,Ferreries,Es Mercadal,Mahon,Ciutadella will connect with services to other parts of Menorca.
* In Summer (mid June Mid Sep there is a no. 36 to Ciutadella ) 4 times a day 5 Eur ( via Es Mercadal and Ferreries )
Menorca has no private Cab firms , Uber or ....'Dodgy Touts!'
Taxis are licensed for a MAX. of 4 Passengers. (any Age child counts as 1 passenger)
Taxis main stand at roundabout next to beach access ( by the ugly towers of
Sol Milanos Pingüinos Hotel )
Alaior about X , mahon about X
Summer peak In recent years Taxis have been in short supply due to not enough drivers for licensed areas. Consider a private transfer to reach Airport in good time for flight home.
Son Bou has a range of Restaurants including formal and less formal , with fixed price menus and a la carte options. Like most Menorca beach resorts it caters more for tourists than local cuisine ...our curated Son Bou Bar and Restaurants guide
Son Bou has a range of Restaurants including formal and less formal , with fixed price menus and a la carte options. There are chill out lounge bars, cocktail and music bars.
Son Bou has a mediterranean climate characterised by hot dry summers. Menorca has pleasant cooling Summer breeze. The sea temperatures at Son Bou will be around 22-26 degrees in Summer. In October the water is still warm. Spring time ( early March to April ) will have sunny days with temperatures around 20 and above , ideal for sightseeing, walking, cycling and horseriding activities.
There are no Public shuttles , no direct Airport buses to Son Bou - connections only via Mahon with potential long waits
Taxi or pre-booked Shuttle ?
Daytime Taxis are plentiful outside arrivals - best value for 4 or less to Holiday Resorts within 20km. Airport Taxis do not provide child seats - required by LAW
Son Bou Airport Transfer times
0 Hrs.25 mins.
Menorca Airport
21 k.m
Shared Transfers Waits,restricted drop off/pickup addresses
Transfer Time: variable
from 13 Eur PP
Private Transfers Door to Door,no wait, drop off/pickup any addresses
Transfer Time:0 Hrs.25 mins.
from 40 Eur upto to 3
VIP Transfers Luxury vehicles, Door to Door,no wait , drop off/pickup any addresses
Private Transfers from 40 Eur upto 3 to Son Bou ideal for families and groups , as no waiting for other passengers ( delayed) arrival. Door to Door and child seats can be pre-booked.
VIP Transfers from 61 Eur upto 6 to Son Bou No wait. Travel in style in premium vehicles