Tenerife Hidden Gem: Anaga Hike, Bajamar Pools & Cocktail

Anaga is the star here. In one long day, you move from La Laguna’s food stalls to misty laurel forest, then down to the Atlantic for a swim. The small-group format keeps the day personal, with a maximum of eight people and a spacious air-conditioned van.

I like the mix of real island life and outdoor time. The market gives you a quick look at local produce, while the Path of the Senses and Bajamar provide fresh air, short walks, and a chance to get wet. The main caution is consistency: market hours, sea conditions, and the final cocktail stop can affect what you actually receive.

Key points to know before booking

• Anaga gets the best part of the day: Expect viewpoints, a one-hour forest walk, and a short coastal route rather than one long, demanding hike.
• The group is capped at eight: This is a better fit for people who value flexibility and conversation over the lowest possible price.
• Bajamar swimming depends on the sea: Bring swimwear and a towel, but treat the water time as weather dependent.
• Lunch costs extra: You stop at a traditional restaurant in Cruz del Carmen, so budget separately for your meal.
• The cocktail stop is not guaranteed to run exactly as planned: A bar has been closed on one occasion, and the schedule can change.
• You get strong views for the price: At $112, the value comes from transport, guiding, several stops, and a full eight-hour day rather than from included meals.

Why this Tenerife day trip works

This outing covers a lot of northern Tenerife without forcing you to arrange buses, rental-car routes, parking, and mountain roads yourself. You meet outside Mamio Verde Adventures La Paz in Puerto de la Cruz, then spend the day in a comfortable, air-conditioned van.

The route is not simply a checklist of viewpoints. It gives you three different views of Tenerife: the food culture of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, the cool forest of Anaga, and the volcanic coast near Bajamar. That variety is the tour’s main strength.

The day is also designed for people who want activity without a serious trek. The forest portion lasts about an hour, and the coastal walk adds roughly 30 minutes. You should still wear sports shoes and sportswear, but this is not presented as a strenuous mountain hike.

The guide matters here. Manolo, also written as Manilo in the booking information, has led some departures. When the guide is engaged and communicative, the small group allows for local tips, questions, and minor adjustments. One highly positive account described the day as feeling almost private, with the guide changing the plan so the group could spend longer swimming.

That flexibility is useful, but it cuts both ways. A less confident guide can make the van rides feel quiet, and one account described explanations as hard to hear. If local stories and detailed commentary are central to your plans, ask questions early and tell the guide if you cannot hear.

La Laguna market: a brief look at daily Tenerife

The first cultural stop is the Mercado Municipal in San Cristóbal de La Laguna. You have about 30 minutes to look around, see local produce, and get a sense of the ingredients used in island cooking.

This is a practical stop rather than a long food tour. You may find organic and ecological products, but the experience depends heavily on the day and opening hours. One departure found much of the market closed, with roughly 80 percent of the stalls unavailable. That makes timing important.

I would treat the market as a pleasant introduction, not the reason to book the day. If it is fully operating, you get a useful glimpse of ordinary shopping in La Laguna. If it is quiet, the tour still moves quickly toward Anaga.

The stop also needs some expectation-setting. You are not given lunch here, and food purchases are not listed as included. The main value is seeing the local setting and learning about island products from the guide.

Viewpoints above Anaga: Pico del Inglés and Jardina

The van climbs into the Anaga area, stopping first at Mirador Pico del Inglés for about 10 minutes. This is a photo stop, so keep your camera ready and do not expect a long visit.

The route then includes Camino Viejo al Pico del Inglés, another short pause of about five minutes, followed by Mirador de Jardina for roughly 10 minutes. These stops break up the drive and give you different angles over Tenerife’s hills and coast.

Mirador de Jardina is especially useful as a first proper look at the region. On a clear day, you can expect broad views and time for photographs. Weather in the mountains can shift quickly, so cloud or mist may reduce what you see. The tour provides a coat if needed, which is a useful detail for anyone arriving from warmer Puerto de la Cruz.

The short stops are part of the appeal for some people and a drawback for others. You get many viewpoints without having to plan the road yourself, but anyone wanting long, quiet photography sessions may find the schedule brisk. Keep the stops in perspective: they are scenic pauses leading to the forest walk, not full excursions on their own.

The Path of the Senses and Anaga’s laurel forest

The central outdoor section begins near Plazoleta de San Blas and follows the Sendero de los Sentidos, also called the Path of the Senses. You spend about an hour walking through laurel forest, with birdsong, cool air, and dense plant life around the trail.

This is where the tour earns its nickname about an Avatar-style forest. The comparison points to the mood: twisted trees, green growth, and a sheltered, almost otherworldly feel. You do not need a long expedition to get that atmosphere. The one-hour walk gives you enough time to slow down without taking over the entire day.

I like this section because it changes the pace. The viewpoints are quick and visual. The forest asks you to listen, notice the air, and walk at a more relaxed rhythm. It is also a good balance for a group with mixed interests, since you get nature without committing to a major hike.

Wear proper sports shoes. The route is described as a walk, but forest paths can be uneven or damp, and ordinary sandals would be a poor choice. The tour does not promise a particular difficulty rating, so anyone with mobility concerns should ask the provider before booking.

After the walk, you head to Cruz del Carmen for lunch at a traditional restaurant. Lunch is not included, so bring money or a payment method for the meal. The timing is listed at about 30 minutes for lunch and swimming in the broader schedule, although the day can be adjusted by the guide.

The coast near San Juanito and Bajamar pools

After the mountain section, the van heads toward the sea. You get a 30-minute walk along Sendero litoral San Juanito, then free time at Bajamar’s natural volcanic pools.

Bajamar gives the day a welcome change of scene. Instead of forest shade, you have open sea views and black volcanic rock shaped by the Atlantic. The pools are the main attraction, but swimming is allowed only if sea conditions are favorable. That is not a minor footnote. Coastal water can be rough, and the guide may need to limit or suspend swimming for safety.

Bring swimwear and a towel even if you are not certain you will enter the water. You can use the stop for photos, sea air, or a rest if conditions are poor. The schedule allows about an hour at the pools, which is enough for a swim and some relaxed time, but not a whole beach afternoon.

You should also know that Bajamar may not satisfy someone seeking Tenerife’s most polished beach setting. One account found the stop less interesting than other beaches and expected a different coastal location, including a planned visit to Las Teresitas that was changed. The strength here is the volcanic pool setting, not soft sand or a long resort-style beach visit.

If you want the day to focus more on swimming, speak up. A guide has adjusted the final stop before so the group could spend more time at the beach and natural pool. That is one of the real benefits of a small group, provided the schedule and conditions allow it.

The final cocktail at La Baranda

The last planned stop is Serendipia, described as a terrace at La Baranda, for a cocktail and views toward the ocean and Mount Teide. You have about 25 minutes here before returning to Puerto de la Cruz.

This is a pleasant way to finish a busy day. After the van rides and walks, you can sit down, look back over the coast, and see the volcano from a different angle. The cocktail is included, unlike lunch.

Still, keep a little flexibility in mind. On one departure, the cocktail bar was closed, and the group did not receive a refund even though the drink had been part of the booking. That appears to be an operational risk rather than the normal plan, but it is worth knowing before you pay for the experience.

The final stop can also be shortened or skipped if the group prefers extra swimming time. You should see that as flexibility, not a guarantee. The guide may need to follow opening hours, road conditions, and the day’s timing.

Is $112 good value?

At $112 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Anaga. You are paying for an eight-hour guided day, transport from Puerto de la Cruz, a small group of no more than eight, the cocktail, and someone else handling the mountain and coastal route.

I think the price is fair if you do not have a rental car and want several different stops in one day. Hiring a car would still leave you to manage narrow roads, parking, navigation, and the timing of the forest and coast. Public transport would be less convenient for this particular route.

The value is weaker if you mainly want one long hike or a full beach day. The day includes many short photo stops, a one-hour forest walk, a 30-minute coastal walk, lunch, swimming time, and a cocktail. It is broad rather than deep.

The small group is the key reason to choose it over a larger coach tour. You can ask for help, request that the guide repeat something, and sometimes adjust the order or length of a stop. That personal service is where the extra cost can make sense.

Practical details for a smoother day

Meet in front of the Mamio Verde Adventures office at La Paz in Puerto de la Cruz. The full activity lasts about eight hours, and starting times depend on availability.

Bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sports shoes
• Sportswear

A coat may be provided if necessary. That is helpful because Puerto de la Cruz, the Anaga highlands, and Bajamar can feel very different on the same day.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Tell the guide at the start if you need explanations spoken louder or repeated, especially during the van rides. The schedule has many moving parts, so respect the stop times if you want the group to keep the later swimming and cocktail stops.

Authorities can change or suspend the route during alerts or other official directives. The operator can also adjust visit times for logistics. You should not book this expecting every stop to run to the exact minute.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The tour is not suitable for children under three or people over 95.

Who should book this Anaga and Bajamar tour?

I would choose this for a first visit to northern Tenerife if you want scenery, a taste of local life, light walking, and swimming in one day. It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who prefer a personal guide to a large bus.

It is also a good match if you are staying in Puerto de la Cruz and do not want to drive into Anaga. The van saves time and lets you enjoy the views instead of concentrating on the road.

I would hesitate if your main goal is a serious hike, a long market visit, or a guaranteed beach swim. You should also be comfortable with schedule changes and the possibility that a viewpoint, market, or cocktail stop may not work exactly as planned.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you value variety and a small group more than a bargain price. The combination of Anaga forest, local market, volcanic pools, and Teide views gives you a broad, memorable picture of Tenerife in eight hours.

Before booking, accept two conditions: lunch is extra, and swimming and the cocktail stop are subject to conditions. If those limits work for you, the $112 price is reasonable for a carefully packed day with transport and a chance for personal guidance. If you want one deep, unhurried activity, spend the money on a dedicated Anaga hike instead.

FAQ

How long does the Tenerife tour last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including transport from Puerto de la Cruz, sightseeing stops, walking time, lunch time, swimming time, and the final cocktail stop.

Where does the tour begin and end?

The meeting point is in front of the Mamio Verde Adventures office, Mamio Verde Adventures La Paz, in Puerto de la Cruz. The tour returns to the same location.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. You stop at a traditional restaurant in Cruz del Carmen, so you should budget separately for your meal.

Can I swim at Bajamar?

You can swim in Bajamar’s natural volcanic pools if sea conditions are favorable. Bring swimwear and a towel, but swimming is not guaranteed.

What languages are available?

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Hosts or guides may include Manolo, also written as Manilo in the booking information.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to eight participants, making it a small-group experience.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, sports shoes, and sportswear. A coat can be provided if necessary.