11 of the best hotels in Lagos
Prefer smaller and more boutiquey? Head for Lagos old town instead. The city has a long history as one of southern Portugal's most important ports — and former capital of the Algarve — and its cobblestone lanes and picturesque churches are enclosed by chunky walls dating back to the 16th century. It's a glorious place for a stroll and you'll find some wonderful little hotels tucked away. Here are some of the best places to stay during your next visit to Lagos.
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££ | SPA | POOL | Best for a chic stay in the city
This beautifully renovated 19th-century estate house is tucked away beneath Lagos's city walls and has light-filled suites with smooth wooden floors and a soothing almost all-white colour scheme. You'll find freestanding bath tubs and vintage furniture throughout, while the ground-floor farm-to-table restaurant makes the most of the garden's produce, including eggs from a happy, clucky brood of hens. Deckchairs surround the courtyard pool and treatments can be booked in a small rooftop spa, complete with its own saltwater pool, sauna and steam room.
• Discover our full guide to the Algarve
£ | SPA | POOL | Best for a laidback beachside stay
Just back from the sands of Praia de Porto Mos, a few minutes' drive from Lagos itself, this sea-facing hotel has an alfresco pool for whiling away sunny days and simple, elegant studios and apartments. The latter can sleep as many as six and come with lovely balconies overlooking the gardens and pool or facing out to sea. The on-site Levante restaurant serves up local seafood lunches and delivers drinks and snacks to you poolside, while the hydrotherapy circuit and indoor pool are a welcoming retreat on cooler days.
• Best affordable hotels in the Algarve under £200
££ | POOL | Best for city centre location
This stylish, adults-only hotel in the centre of Lagos has unrivalled views of the marina from its glass-edged rooftop pool, designed to feel like it's suspended above the sea. Many of the bedrooms gaze out this way too, so you can watch the yachts coming and going from your balcony, and there's an easy-breezy vibe throughout, with wood and wicker furniture, flowing white drapes and beachy wall art. Breakfast is served in the ground-floor restaurant, where the best tables have marina views, and it's a ten-minute drive to the sands of Meia Praia.
• Best family hotels in the Algarve
£ | SPA | POOL | Best for keeping the whole tribe happy
This five-star is perched on top of a cliff above the secluded scoop of sands at Praia do Canavial and is easily one of the Algarve's most luxurious stays. There's a huge range of facilities and guests can choose between everything from lazing in its lagoon-like pool to playing tennis or floating around the thermal circuit in the Cascade Spa. When it comes to dinner there are plenty of options too, be it fine dining at Senses or the more casual Gastropub, which serves local seafood and steaks. Rooms run the gamut from chic doubles with contemporary four-posters to private villas that sleep up to ten and come with their own private pools.
• Read our full guide to Portugal
£ | SPA | POOL | Best for couples
Surrounded by lush gardens atop the cliffs overlooking Praia de Porto Mos, this small hotel feels more like a private home — and when it was built in the 17th century, that's exactly what it was. You'll find your eyes constantly drawn towards the sea — from your Adirondack chair amid the trees, perhaps, or from the lounger on your room's private balcony, as well as from the piano-shaped alfresco pool. Rooms are truly individual, with decor that includes bold striped walls and hot-purple window-top lighting. For dinner, it's Mediterranean cuisine on the terrace of the Mirandus restaurant.
£ | POOL | Best for golfers
You'll find three nine-hole golf courses sweeping down to the ocean here, all with glorious views of the sea and the Alvor estuary. Those same views are enjoyed by the (adults-only) hotel, where the 20 rooms all feature generous seaward-facing balconies and the inviting pool is perched overlooking the links. The beach is an easy stroll through the grounds, while the Clubhouse is home to an all-day restaurant and the Michelin-starred Al Sud. Families can stay in the neighbouring apartments that sleep up to six.
££ | SPA | POOL | Best for beach breaks
People drive for miles to visit Praia dos Tres Irmaos, famous for its hidden caves and trio of sea stacks, but stay at this clifftop hotel and you'll find its sands on your doorstep, easily accessed via a direct lift. All rooms have balconies here, and most have sea views, while the buffet restaurant will please the whole family and there are both indoor and outdoor pools plus tennis courts and a (summer only) kids' club. The spa offers treatments as well as a sauna, steam room and hot tub.
£ | SPA | POOL | Best for families
With wide, open gardens leading down to the sands of Meia Praia, this beachfront hotel is ideal for families, and it has a kids' club, playground and children's splash pool complete with mini waterslides to boot. That beach is one of the Algarve's best too with miles of golden sands making it easy to find a quiet sunbathing spot, even in high season. Even the smallest rooms can sleep three, while family rooms and junior suites have sofa beds for kids. Of the three restaurants, Massa Fina is the top pick, with tasty pizzas and crowd-pleasing pastas.
£ | SPA | POOL | Best for wellness
Clean, soothing design and a laser-sharp focus on wellness make this hotel unique on the Algarve. This is a place for rejuvenation and many of the guests are following programmes tailored to detoxification, weight loss or mindfulness with the on-site clinic. Book any of its minimalist rooms though and you'll get inclusive spa access, for two warm pools (one for detox, one for relaxation), sauna, hammam and pebble-clad reflexology path, plus a healthy breakfast at vegetarian Pure Café. Note that the en suite bathrooms are separated from the bedroom by only a glass wall.
£ | POOL | Best for value
It's all about the beach at this Lagos hotel, where the bedrooms feature walls filled with sea-themed artworks (think pictures of sandy swirls, starfish and the Algarve's famously caramel-coloured cliffs). The sands of both Porto de Mos and Dona Ana are within walking distance and the hotel can organise water sports, from kayaking to paddleboarding, as well as boat trips along the coast. It's just over a mile into Lagos old town but you might prefer to stay by the pool deck, where you'll find a lively atmosphere with upbeat music and cocktails mixed to order.
£ | POOL | Best for oenophiles
Prefer a more rural feel? Just half an hour's drive outside Lagos is this picturesque winery dotted with whitewashed modern villas. Your stylish home-from-home sleeps up to 14 people and the largest properties come with private pools. There's a gorgeous communal swimming spot though, beside the sculpture garden and overlooking the vineyard, and activities range from wine tasting (naturally) to tennis, padel, boules and mini-golf. Children will also be happy to find a small playground.
• More of the best hotels in the Algarve• Best beaches in the Algarve
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Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
The 30 best restaurants in Lisbon
The Lisbon food scene has undergone an enormous change within the last few years and continues to boom, with restaurants launching fast and furious. An influential wave of young local chefs, such as Pedro Pena Bastos, Henrique Sá Pessoa and, of course, the legendary Jose Avillez, have remained loyal to the culture of the Portuguese table whilst reimagining it afresh, drawing on the endless bounty from the sea and coastline, the mountains, plains and vineyards. International chefs have arrived, too, offering diversity on a previously almost uniquely Portuguese platform. But dining out here is not merely about fashion or trends – food is held in high regard by Lisboetas and eating out is a necessity rather than a luxury. Just make sure you book a table at these top places to eat. Read on for our expert's selection of unmissable restaurants, while here we have our guides devoted to the city's best hotels, bars, shopping and attractions, plus how to spend a weekend in Lisbon. Find a restaurant by type: Best all-rounders Best for families Best for cheap eats Best for fine dining Best for walk-ins Best all-rounders Canalha When Chef João Rodrigues left Feitoria, above, he changed his previous Michelin-style cuisine for something more fun. Step up Canalha, a buzzy restaurant with a real neighbourhood vibe. Start with perfectly crisp codfish cakes and then order the scarlet prawn in garlic, with fried egg and chips or the prawn and onion open tortilla and sit back and watch João and resident chef, Brazilian Livia Orofino, dish up the delights in the open kitchen. Prado Exquisitely balanced, ingredient-led, farm-to-table food served with beguiling simplicity in a low-key, large and leafy space is what makes Prado unmissable when in Lisbon. The urban restaurant is housed in a former 19th-century factory for candied fruit and biscuits, which Ark Studio have designed to brim with a feel of a pastoral paradise, greenery cascading over white walls. At the stove is the young and very talented António Galapito, who celebrates Portugal's bounty with dazzling dishes. Santa Joana The flagship restaurant of the new hotel Locke de Santa Joana comes with Portuguese-born, London-based Nuno Mendes at the helm. Promising 'fun-dining, rather than fine-dining', dishes here celebrate the best of Portugal – shrimp, cockles and mussels from the Algarve, pork from the Alentejo and cheese from the Azores. Try the chickpea fritters, smoked pork chouriço and pickles before a slow-poached hake, with charred fennel and smoky butter sauce, amidst beautiful interiors by Lázaro Rosa Violán. Area: Avenida da Liberdade Website: Prices: ££ Reservations: Essential Ramiro Cerveja This much-loved restaurant is famous for its fresh seafood and has been going strong for more than 70 years. The neighbourhood is named after the Moors who were allowed to live here after the Christian re-conquest of Lisbon in 1147. Choose your fare from the giant aquariums with spider crabs and rock lobster. But start with the house pata negra (smoked ham) or a plate of garlicky clams and finish with the delicious azeitão cheese. Tapisco A fun, buzzy atmosphere combined with excellent, tasty bites from the Iberian Peninsula make this a popular option for a quick lunch or dinner. Taking its name from a merging of Spanish Tapas and Portuguese Petisco, Chef Henrique Sa Pessoa highlights the best of both worlds. Try the fried cuttlefish with coriander mayonnaise and lime but start with a drink from the seriously impressive list of Vermouths and red and white wines from either side of the border. Brilhante A timeless, French-inspired, brasserie which just ticks all the boxes. Interiors mix wood panelling with brass studded red leather, red velvet, fringed lamps, and curtained windows. Try the oysters or the blinis with salmon to start with, or the veal croquettes with a selection of mustards. Follow it with their signature steak Brilhante, a twist on a century old, popular, Lisbon dish, steak à Marrare, or a just perfect sole Meunierè with truffle mashed potatoes. JNcQOUI Every city has a see and be seen restaurant, which delivers glamour in equal measure to good food; JNcQOUI is Lisbon's. This is the first JNcQOUI, a growing empire, but should be your starting point. Designed by Lázaro Rosa-Violán, the room is dominated by a dinosaur skeleton, with an open plan kitchen at one end. Try the prawn and lobster with truffle mayonnaise on avocado or, if you want to go local, the codfish gratin. BAHR Perfect on a sunny day when you can sit on the terrace and soak up the views over Lisbon's red roofs to the River Tagus beyond, BAHR serves classic Portuguese ingredients, beautifully presented, with a contemporary flair. A perfect balance between comfort food (smoked barnacles on toast), modern (prawns, endives and yuzu) and traditional (Portuguese scarlet prawn rice) – every dish delights. Also good for brunch at the weekends when you have time to linger. Sea Me Buzzing, crowded, fun and lip-smackingly good, Sea Me is described as a modern fishmonger. At the back they have a sushi bar, where Asia meets Portugal. In the front you can buy fish alongside ordering the catch of the day for your table. Try the seafood selection from the market, which includes oysters and shellfish, or fish soup with coriander, before opting for the shrimp curry or octopus with onion, olive oil and garlic. Café de São Bento A Lisbon classic, going strong for more than 40 years, this is one for meat lovers. They are famous for their steak à São Bento, tender sirloin served in a creamy sauce with French fries. But you could start with a Vesper Martini, followed by a steak tartare and finish with a lime pie. Rather club-like in atmosphere, you need to ring the bell for admittance; once in, service is flawless. Boubou's You can choose a table at the counter to watch the action in the open kitchen or opt for a table in the plant-filled, private courtyard of this charming, family-run restaurant. Chef Louise Bourrat, winner of French television show Top Chef in 2022, delivers original dishes with an obviously feminine touch. Think asparagus, kumquat, elderflower. Wine, selected by Charlie Bourrat, is equally impressive with many great Portuguese labels, so indulge in a wine-pairing menu. Best for families Páteo Considered one of the best places for young children to be entertained whilst parents enjoy some of Portugal's finest fish and seafood. While adults can indulge in dishes like char-grilled octopus with black rice or oven-baked cod with cornbread and chorizo crust, youngsters can choose a pizza from the kid's menu or a Portuguese classic like chicken piri-piri, loved by all ages alike, and set about creating beautiful art with the crayons and paper provided. Area: Chiado Website: Prices: £££ Reservations: Recommended Seen A fun spot for older teenagers (only over 13's accepted) with a cool and sophisticated vibe, and sweeping rooftop views over Lisbon. Seen has great cocktails (like the Wasabi Papi – wasabi with gin, lemongrass, ginger and lime) and a wide choice of cuisine. Try the Wagyu burgers with memorable truffle fries or the Portuguese pica-pau (beef tenderloin with beef broth and mustard sauce) or sashimi and miso black cod. Also open for lunch, dinner is accompanied by live DJ's. Terrace While in the same district as the Oceanarium and the hugely popular Pavilion of Knowledge, it makes sense to fit in lunch or dinner too. The best places for families to head is the Terrace Restaurant in Martinhal Lisbon Oriente, part of the family-friendly Martinhal group. There is a menu of purees for babies and toddlers as well as favourites like spaghetti bolognese for older children. Parents meanwhile can order off the Asian-inspired menu. Best for cheap eats Taberna The deliciously simple tavern food here is a Lisbon favourite. In the shadow of huge hams hanging from the ceilings and a counter with the best of Portugal's cheeses, delve into favourites such as the Prego (beefsteak) sandwich with mustard butter, made from the typical bolo do caco flatbread. But don't miss the traditional beef croquettes or the octopus with garlic, kimchi sauce and sweet potato. Finish with a glass of port and Taberna's own chocolate cake. Area: Chiado Website: Prices: £ Reservations: Recommended Liberta Kitchen Liberta Kitchen entices with its affordable Italian cuisine from talented Chef Silvio Armanni, whose product-driven menu draws on the best seasonal ingredients from both Portugal (think beef from the Azores, clams from the Algarve) and his home country (polenta from Rovetto, olives from Sicily, flatbread from Sardinia) to ensure you return and return. Not to be missed are his home-made meat ravioli, casoncelli alla Bergamasca, with pancetta, sage, brown butter and parmesan. Las dos Manos Situated right opposite one of Lisbon's scenic points, or miradouros, this Mexican restaurant fused with Japanese touches proves as much of an attraction with its dazzling turquoise tiles and mural of Frida Kalho as the view opposite of the capital's red-roofs. At the helm is acclaimed chef Kiko Martins, who here delivers a fresh and vibrant take on Mexican cuisine, weaving the best of Portuguese ingredients and Japanese techniques through a Mexican base. Magnolia Set in Praça das Flores, where much of Lisbon seems to gather in the evenings, a table at tiny Magnolia is hard to come by. Open every evening for dinner and Thursdays to Mondays for brunch, the fare is simple. Brunch offers dishes such as shakshouka, whilst the baked camembert with honey or the tuna tartare are favourites at dinner. Wines here are also a draw, with natural and organic bottles from Portugal and further afield. SNOB Open since 1964, this is one of Lisbon's most iconic addresses. Frequented by politicians and presidents, writers such as José Saramago, film makers and intellectuals, this is a place where journalists came to discuss history in the making. With its small wooden tables, brass lamps and dim lighting and its menu, mostly untouched over the decades, this offers a glimpse of a Portugal from yesteryear. Famous for its meat croquettes and steaks, with home-made, crunchy, French fries. Area: Bairro Alto Website: Prices: £ Reservations: Recommended Best for fine dining Feitoria Feitoria is found right on the banks of the River Tagus in historical Belém, where the great Portuguese explorers set sail. This gourmet restaurant, with a gold Nanban panel at its entrance, pays homage to the spices found on those journeys, weaving them through the menu. Chef Andre Cruz serves two tasting menus based on roots and leaves, each paired with a vegetarian option. Wine pairing is expertly done with little known gems from around the country. Area: Belém Website: Prices: £££ Reservations: Essential Cura Cura raised the gastronomic bar in Lisbon when it opened with Portuguese Chef Pedro Pena Bastos setting the tone with dishes such as turbot paired with black trumpet mushrooms, barnacles and lemon grass or onion with black truffle, buckwheat and lemon-thyme. Best though was the squid; a delectable dish with hazelnuts, bergamot, roasted seaweed butter and caviar. It even outshone the elegant interiors by Miguel Cancio Martins. Now in the hands of previous sous-chef Rodolfo Lavrador. Alma This warm and welcoming restaurant has simple interiors of stone floors, wooden tables and vaulted stone arches, all illuminated by bronze lamps. In the open kitchen you will find Henrique Sá Pessoa, who won his first Michelin star here in 2017 and second in 2019. Low ceilings and the intimate atmosphere allow you to concentrate on the plates which lay the foodie heart of Portugal before you. Don't miss the scarlet shrimp with pumpkin, harissa and black garlic. Sala by João Sá João Sá displays his passion for the ocean in his sublime tasting menus. Here you find the typical Portuguese flavours of caldo verde soup reimagined into a clear broth, or clams à bulhão pato encased in a bite-sized tartlette. The small and charming restaurant sits near the waterfront, in an area with a rich multcultural history. João also pays homage to his Angolan heritage and the culinary melting pot of his beloved Lisbon. Belcanto A must if you want to understand the nuances of Portuguese cuisine, the traditions that the country holds close and the flavours they hold even closer. Here you will feel the Lisbon light that reflects off the Tagus River, the pull of the sea woven through the DNA of the people and you will taste Chef José Avillez's signature dishes over the years from The Garden of the Goose that laid the golden eggs to his suckling pig with orange peel purée. Area: Chiado Website: Prices: £££ Reservations: Essential Kabuki Justly rewarded with a Michelin star for its skilful fusion of Japanese and Spanish cuisine. Opt for the tasting menu with delicacies from Wagyu teriyaki to hamachi with ponzu, or choose from wide variety on the a la carte menu, which includes sushi, nigiri sushi, makis and temaki. Not to be missed are the scallops with foie gras or the Pa Amb Tomaquet where tuna meets the Spanish combination of bread and tomato. Marlene In a glass fronted building near Lisbon's cruise terminal, Portugal's only current female Michelin star holder delivers a symphony of flavours. In a tasting menu of either nine or 12 moments, expect dishes such as a choux bun of cured sheep cheese and truffle, stone crab with avocado or a memorable combination of morels and hazlenuts. Sit at the counter surrounding the open kitchen, to watch the team at work, adding the pleasure of anticipation to the experience. Arkhe Open for lunch, as well as dinner, during the week, unusual on Lisbon's fine-dining scene, Arkhe is well worth a visit at any time of the day. Awarded with a Michelin star this year, it offers vegetarian and vegan dishes with trademark delicate sauces. A partnership between Chef João Ricardo Alves and sommelier/front of house Alejandro Chávarro. The interior of the restaurant, with its mellow, exposed stone, adds to the pleasure of the whole experience. Area: Chiado Website: Prices: £££ Reservations: Recommended Best for walk-ins A Taberna da Rua das Flores Taking you back to the Lisbon of old (and be warned it is cash only here), this little tavern, with acclaimed chef, André Magalhães at the helm, serves traditional dishes with a contemporary twist. It might offer sardines one night, clams another, lunch might be cod salad with chickpeas but everything will be full of flavour with wines from all over Portugal that impress just as much. Basically, it is worth joining the inevitable queue at the door. Area: Chiado Contact: @tabernadasflores; 00351 21 347 9418 Prices: £ Reservations: Walk-ins only A Cevicheria No reservations are taken here, which often means a queue at the door, but they do serve drinks through the hatch while you are waiting. Highly recommended is their Pisco Sour. Once inside, in a small restaurant, dominated by a large (model) octopus suspended from the ceiling, try the shrimp ceviche with sweet potato, the potato causita with Algarvian prawns or anticuchos of black pork belly with roasted octopus. An intoxicating blend of Portugal and Peru. JNcQUOI Delibar Avenida The perfect place to drop in when you decide to treat yourself on a whim or want a fun catch up with a friend, this is tucked under their main restaurant. Start with a signature martini (Absolut Elyx, passion fruit and chilli) before ordering oysters or a lobster hot dog, a truffled beef tartare or a selection of Portugal's best cheeses. Save room to indulge in their creamy tiramisu and ice-cream, it is worth it. Area: Avenida da Liberdade Website: Prices: £££ Reservations: Essential How we choose Every restaurant in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood favourites to Michelin-starred restaurants – to best suit every type of traveller's taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest opening and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Mary Lussiana I have lived in southern Portugal for over 20 years. When in Lisbon, you can find me chatting with the chef at the latest culinary hotspot, checking out a new rooftop bar or sampling the newest hotel on the block.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Rebekah Vardy looks sporty in bright yellow shorts as she leaves the gym during the holiday to Portugal
Rebekah Vardy out on a sporty display as she left the gym in Portugal on Thursday during her family holiday. The WAG, 43, wore a pair of bright yellow running shorts with a fitted vest top as she made sure to get her workout in. Rebekah went makeup free, pulled her hair back into a practical bun and puffed on a vape while walking to her car. It's the second time she has been on holiday in recent weeks, as she went away with her partner Jamie and his football pals Harry Maguire and James Maddison in July. Jamie and Rebekah had been enjoying a few weeks at their £9.7million villa in the Algarve. The sighting comes just days after she fuelled speculation about Jamie's next club by posting a photo of their children wearing Inter Miami kits. The WAG, 43, wore a pair of bright yellow running shorts with a fitted vest top as she made sure to get her workout in Rebekah shares kids Sofia, 10, Olivia, four, and Finley, seven, with her husband Jamie while she also has Megan, 19, and Taylor, 14, from previous relationships. The Leicester City legend drew the curtains on his 13-year chapter with the Foxes earlier this summer, after announcing his departure as a free agent. But with less than four weeks remaining before the start of the top-flight season in England, and even less before the resumption of the Football League, he remains without a club. However, fans are now convinced of the striker's next move after his wife Rebekah posted an image of three of their children wearing each of Inter Miami's kits on Instagram. The WAG accompanied the playful post with a 'smiling face with sunglasses' emoji. Rebekah's post left many convinced that the England international is set to join a star-studded roster led by Lionel Messi, that includes his former Barcelona team-mates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, as well as his Argentina colleague Rodrigo De Paul. But a source close to the club has poured cold water on the possibility, telling Daily Mail there is 'absolutely no way' Vardy is joining the MLS outfit. 'No one at inter Miami will have heard of him, they just signed Rodrigo de Paul who won the World Cup with Argentina.' 'It was nice of them to buy the kits though,' they added. While Vardy's next club is yet to be determined, the Foxes legend has been spotted enjoying his time away from the field this summer. Last month, Jamie and Rebekah were joined by the England striker's former teammates, including Manchester United captain Maguire, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Maddison and also Andy King in Portugal. Rebekah took to Instagram on to share a glimpse of her lavish holiday, including a group shot.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
California city named world's most relaxing...but it's beaches are strewn with SEWAGE from nearby southern border
San Diego has been named the world's most relaxing city - but the tranquility of its golden beaches are under threat from sewage seeping in from the southern border. The California city was ranked first as the 'top city to unwind' based on metrics including spa access, air quality, sunshine hours, happiness and natural spaces. International eSIM provider Holafly gave the coastal metropolis a 'relaxation score' of 68.7 out of 100, followed by Singapore with 66.8 and Vienna, Austria with 63.5. This owed in large part to San Diego having 'the sunniest climate' among the cities listed, with an average of eight hours and nine minutes of bright sunlight per day. The picturesque city's balmy climate draws flocks of residents and tourists to South Mission and Central Beach each year - but the tides have turned in recent months. Analysis of the beaches on both sides of the southern border over the past two years have detected alarming levels of fecal matter in the water stretching 50 miles north of the US-Mexico coastal border, scientists have warned. One Coast Project and Permanent Forum of Binational Waters researchers have said fecal bacteria in the sea exceeded health standards almost every day of the year. The groups have collected water samples since 1999 along 65 miles of western coastline from Carlsbad, California, to Baja California in Mexico. Extremely high levels of enterococci bacteria, which can cause serious infections, were detected in Southern California beaches over the spring in particular. Researchers said they found an average of 15,000 units of the bacterium pre 100 milliliters of water, which is almost 100 times the legal limit in the US and Mexico. Enterococci comes from fecal contamination, and it can cause gnarly gastrointestinal, skin, urinary tract and even heart infections. The bacteria type has been found much more frequently in San Diego waters since 2020, after a sharp rise in the contamination on the Mexican side in 2018. Director of One Coast Project Rosario Sanchez told Fox News there are very different testing protocols on each side of the border. 'In the U.S. side, there's more standardized procedures in terms of how often testing is done, basically daily, but on the Mexico side it can be just once a month if that,' she said. Sanchez said that coastal water quality is way off meeting basic health standards for more than 325 days per year across the coastline. 'This has impacts on both sides on both sides of the border, we're not talking just water quality, but we're talking about health,' she said. The contamination in San Diego is also compounded by toxic sewage spills from the Tijuana River Valley on the south side of the border city. Californians living in the Imperial Beach area have complained about respiratory problems and other complications that they believe are linked to the waste in the river. According to the San Diego Coastkeeper, the 'failing sewage infrastructure in Mexico' and 'negligent operation of the South Bay Plant by the US government' are to blame for the pollution and smell. On the US side, crews have placed riprap - large rocks - in the river in an attempt to stop the foul smell of sewage from plaguing the valley. In Mexico, environment groups are working to replace a section of an ageing sewage pipeline with a newer one made of concrete. However, the only way to rebuild the pipeline with minimal pollution was to allow sewage waste to run through the river during the construction. The International Boundary and Water Commission, a federal government agency monitoring the waterways between Mexico and the US, announced on April 9 that the team in Mexico would be working around the clock to fix the pipeline. The US side of the IBWC said Mexico had informed them that the decision to dump five million gallons of wastewater a day into the river was a 'difficult decision,' but there were no other alternatives to fixing the sewage problem. The IBWC said that even though the sewage dump was 'bad news,' the decision was the best way to prevent wastewater from polluting the Tijuana River long-term.
