There are several small stores, restaurants, bar etc within easy distance of your apartment or villa. the shops are opposite a very peaceful and popular park (Princess Diana Park) and gardens. Also they just also built a new supermarket (Opencor) on the corner adjacent to the entrance to Riviera.
 

The main entrance to Parque Princesa Diana.
 

You can sit and relax watching the kids play in the Park.
 

A new supermarket - MAS Centro Comercial. This is on the site of the old Cayetano supermarket in Riviera. This is a small shopping area where a variety of businesses are located.

Interior of MAS Supermarket.
 

Another new supermarket - OpenCor has opened adjacent the roundabout at the entrance to Riviera del Sol. It is open 365 days of the year between the hours of 8.00am to 2.00am (yes that is right 18 hrs per day). I found it more expensive than the other supermarkets but for people arriving late at night the OpenCor supermarket is a bonus!
 

If you come off the roundabout in Riviera, drive along the Avda Polaris, for say 100 metres, you will come to  Riviera Comercial. Here you will find  a Car Hire company,Bars and Restaurants, a Pharmacy, Estate Agent, Reflexology, Gifts and Community Administration.
 

In the Riviera Comercial complex you will find the following businesses:

• Charley's Bar & Restaurant
• Orchid Reflexology
• Get Estates
• Centro de Servicios
• Golden Sun Chinese Restaurant
• Papa Luigi Pizzeria
• Lucas Car Hire
• Administraciones Bermejo
• Farmacia (you cannot miss it as it has a flashing green cross erected outside it)
• Regolas Riviera (Gifts and souvenirs etc)

There is also a supermarket located at the top of Miraflores, or if you are travelling up through Riviera and as you come to the top of the Avenida del Golf, just as the central reservation ends, turn right and the supermarket is approx. 100 metres along this road, just passed a couple of bar/restaurants. It is handy for those people with apartments in Miraflores and those who own property at the top end of Riviera - towards the Auotvia. Have a look for it.
 

IF THE LOCAL SUPERMARKETS ARE CLOSED, BE IT ON A BANK HOLIDAY, FIESTA OR FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEN YOU CAN ALWAYS GET FOOD, BREAD, WATER & DRINKS ETC FROM THE CEPSA GARAGE. THIS GARAGE IS LOCATED IN CALYPSO, ON THE A7 (N340) MAIN COAST ROAD, BETWEEN RIVIERA AND CALAHONDA. BEAR IT IN MIND!

 

Two minutes by car / taxi / bus, heading down the A7 (N 340) towards Marbella, in Calahonda at the El Zoco Centre, is a large Supersol [similar to a small Tescos] and a further two minutes away a large Lidle, also in Calahonda.

A well stocked Hypermarket is 10 minutes away in Fuengirola, provides a good range of goods. It is next to Dunnes superstore. Fuengirola and Marbella are exceptionally good for clothes and shoe shopping for all ages.
 

Just outside Marbella, a 10 minute drive away is La Canada, a large shopping mall. To get to this large shopping complex drive onto the A7 (N340) road heading towards Marbella and after approx. 250 mtrs take the first turnoff for Calahonda. Travel along this road until you come to junction, turn right and follow the signs for the AP7 Autovia. At the top of this road you will come across a Tollbooth, cost 2/3 euros, and follow the signs for Marbella and the South onto the Motorway.

After 5-10 minutes of driving look for the La Canada Centre on your right, it sits right on the Autovia, you cannot miss it! Good for fashion shopping, electric goods and items for your holiday homes. Great place to visit if you encounter a rainy day on the Costa del Sol.
 

Another great place to do a spot of retail therapy is the Miramar shopping complex, which is located just off the A7 (N340) coast road, near the old fort, as you travel out of Fuengirola towards Marbella. It is about a 10min drive from Riviera del Sol.
 

There are several bars in Riviera, try David's bar for a relaxing evening drink, or Max's Beach bar, overlooking the beach, and a very popular bar is George's bar. The nearby underpass leads to a safe beach with a number of atmospheric beach bars (chiringuitos). On your right as you come out from the underpass is the Funky Monkey Sports bar.

Photo of the beach at Riviera del Sol and as you can see it is normally fairly quiet. Just next to the beach is a chiringuito (beach bar) where they serve food as well as drinks - try it!
 

Other facilities in Riviera del Sol include a Laundry, Clinic, Car Hire offices, taxi rank and also a Bank with an ATM cash machine-so you don't need to buy loads of euros at the Travel Agent but wait until you get to Spain and get a better rate via the "hole in the wall". Just next to Riviera del Sol is the Calypso urbanisiation, which has a Chemist, Barclays bank and a petrol station (press the Union Jack button on the pump for instructions in English). Calahonda hosts a good range of shops in the El Zoco Shopping Centre,a 2/3 minute car ride from Riviera. 

 

If you wish to check your emails or keep in contact with your family back home, then there is an "internet cafe" called Telecabin S.L. at Los Jarales, Sitio de Calahonda (faces onto the A7 (N340) coast road).
 

Telephones

Most public phones now take pre-paid phone cards, which can be bought at tobacconists. If you do not have enough coins to make your call, there are also manned booths from which you can make your call and will be charged as you leave.

Phoning home
Step 1. Dial 00 (international code), then wait for the continuous high-pitched tone.
Step 2. Dial 44 for the UK or the country code.
Step 3. Dial the number, omitting the first 0 from the area code.

Remember the reduced rate international calls can be made from 10pm to 8am and all day Sunday and public holidays.
If you are dialing Gibraltar you do not need to dial 00 and only need to use the code 9567.
For other country codes/international enquiries, the International information service on 025.
 

The beach bars listed extend from La Cala de Mijas along to Calahonda and it is well worth visiting them as you walk along the beaches.The majority have sunbeds for hire which cost from 2.50 €. up to 6.00 €. for the day. The food is similar in many of the restaurants but with plenty of Mediterranean specialities to tempt the palate.  Fresh fish and paellas are the dishes I would especially recommended in these locations.
 

Restaurante Arroyo
Calle Málaga
La Cala de Mijas
La Cala de Mijas exit
Opening hours from 10.00am to 11.00pm
Closed November & December
Parking available
Mediterranean & International menu specializing in fish, approx. 12 € to 30 € per head.
A pleasant beachside restaurant located in the heart of La Cala de Mijas.

Trópico Bar
Calle Reina Fabiola
La Cala de Mijas
La Cala de Mijas exit
Opening hours from 9.00am to 2.00am
Closed from March to November
Parking available
Baguettes, Hot dogs, Burgers & Salads, approx. 3 € to 9 € per head.
A basic but popular beach bar, good for a snack lunch & on a good area of beach.

Kiosko Cristobal
Playa de la Butibamba
La Cala de Mijas
La Cala de Mijas exit
Opening hours from 12.00pm to 12.00am
Closed from September to Easter inclusive
Parking available
Mediterranean menu including snacks & sandwiches, approx. 6 € to 18 € per head.
A popular & friendly beach bar with live music on Saturdays from 6 to 8 pm except in August.

Chiringuito Los Moreno
Playa de la Butibamba
La Cala de Mijas
La Cala de Mijas exit
Opening hours from 10.00am to 8.30pm
Closed from mid September to Easter
Parking available nearby
Mediterranean menu specializing in fish, paella & shellfish, approx. 12 € to 18 € per head.
A popular & pleasant chiringuito located near La Cala de Mijas.

Merendero Papa Ó
Urb. Las Mimosas
Torrenueva
Mijas Costa
Las Mimosas exit
Opening hours from 11.00am to 12.00am
Closed from October to Easter
Parking available on the beach
Mediterranean menu including fish, meat & shellfish, approx. 12 € to 18 € per head.
A popular beach bar restaurant on a wide stretch of beach.

Nacho Playa Beach
Urb. Las Mimosas
Torrenueva
Mijas Costa
Las Mimosas exit
Opening hours from 9.00am to 10.00pm
Closed from October to Easter
Parking available
A small menu including sandwiches, snacks, sardines etc., approx. 6 € to 12 € per head.
A cheap & cheerful beach bar, popular for a quick lunch & located on a fairly crowded.

Merendero el Bombo
Playa Bombo
Ctra. Cádiz Km. 200
Mijas Costa
Torrenueva exit
Opening hours from 12.00pm to 11.00pm
Closed from October to Easter
Parking available
Mediterranean menu, specializing in fish, approx. 12 € to 24 € per head.
A friendly family run restaurant & beach bar, popular with residents & tourists alike.

Merendero la Familia
Playa Torrenueva
Mijas Costa
Torrenueva exit
Opening hours from 10.30am to 11.00pm
Closed from December to February inclusive
Parking available
Mediterranean & International menu, approx. 9 € to 15 € per head.
A popular beach bar restaurant located on a wide but crowded area of beach.

Hotel El Oceano
Ctra. Cádiz Km. 199
Urb. Torrenueva
Mijas Costa
Parking in hotel
Upmarket beachside restaurant attached to the hotel.

Merendero el Juncal
Riviera del Sol
Mijas Costa
Km. 198 exit
Opening hours from 11.00am to 11.00pm
Parking on the other side of highway
Mediterranean menu including fresh fish & paellas, approx. 9 € to 15 € per head.
An attractive beach bar restaurant on a good area of beach.

Chiringuito La Lucera
Urb. La Lucera
Calahonda
Mijas Costa
La Riviera or petrol station exit
Opening hours from 10.00am to 12.00am
Closed from November to Easter
Parking available
Mediterranean menu specializing in fish & paellas, approx. 9 € to 15 € per head.
A friendly beach bar restaurant on a wide & less crowded area of beach.

Doña Lola Club
Mijas Costa
Mijas Costa exit
Opening hours from 12.00pm to 4.00pm & 7.00pm to 10.00pm
Parking available
Spanish & Mediterranean menu, approx. 12 € to 24 € per head.
An attractive restaurant located in a Barrats resort but open to the public.

Bar Bananas
Complejo Alhamar
Edificio Almirante
Mijas Costa
Alhamar exit
Opening hours from 11.00am to 12.00am
Closed on Mondays
Parking available
Fresh fish, Mediterranean menu including tapas, approx. 6 € to 18 € per head.
A cheap & cheerful little bar restaurant set back a little from the beach, popular with the locals.

Restaurante Royal Beach
Urb. Royal Beach
Calahonda
Mijas Costa
Macdonalds exit
Opening hours from 1.00pm to 4.00pm & 7.00pm to 10.00pm
Closed from December to March
Easy parking
International menu, approx. 9 € to 15 € per head.
A pleasant restaurant & beach bar located in the heart of Calahonda.

La Luna de Calahonda
Ctra. Cádiz, Km. 196
Calahonda
Mijas Costa
Calahonda Km. 196 exit
Opening hours from 10.00am to 10.00pm
Closed from October to Easter
Easy parking
International menu including fresh fish, snacks also available, approx. 9 € to 21 € per head.
A pleasant enough beach bar located in the popular resort of Calahonda.

Here are some more shots of the beautiful landscape, and sights and sounds that you're sure to encounter within a 10 minute drive of Riviera del Sol: