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The tiny, modest church in this fishing village is dedicated to the Virgin of the Happy Journey (Virgin de Buen Viaje), the reason doubtless being the village’s long tradition as a smuggler’s harbour. From here, goods were shipped off to Gran Canaria untaxed and duty-free, particularly grain, as the prices were better there than on the home island, plagued as it was by drought, famine and poverty.
Built in 1743 as a reaction to repeated pirate attacks by the English, who three years previously had been so victoriously routed near Tuineje (see History), the Castillo de Rico Roque (or El Toston) bears witness to the importance of the seemingly uninteresting little harbour up to the 18th century. The round, tapering fort consists of two floors (like the one in El Castillo): downstairs, the soldiers lived, upstairs was the water reservoir. It has been restored. El Cotillo has preserved its original tranquillity up to the present day, despite the occasional football matches in the sports stadium on the edge of town and numerous restaurants for day-trippers. There are hardly any shops suitable for just browsing. Considering its standard of comfort, the holiday accommodation in the village and at the sandy bay attracts a surprising number of guests, and are growing in popularity among those in the know - privacy at a cost. It is not far to the lighthouse. The walk there, along the windy coast, where jagged black rock alternates with gentle sandy beaches, is worth the effort in any weather. In the other direction, towards the south, ace surfers show off their prowess in a series of fascinating loops.