Tenerife Hidden Gem: Anaga Hike, Bajamar Pools & Cocktail

Anaga packs a lot into one day. This tour links La Laguna’s food market with laurel forest paths, ocean pools, and a cocktail overlooking Teide. I like the small group limit of eight, which makes the van easier and allows the guide to adjust the day. I also like the mix of inland scenery and sea time. The main caution is that the market, cocktail stop, and swimming plans can change.

The $112 price makes the most sense if you value door-to-door transport, a small group, and a guide who can handle Tenerife’s changing weather. I would not book it mainly for shopping or a guaranteed swim. Bajamar conditions, market opening hours, and the final bar stop can all affect the finished day.

What makes this Tenerife day special

• La Laguna market: A short stop for local produce and a look at everyday island life.
• Anaga’s laurel forest: A gentle one-hour walk through a cool, leafy setting often nicknamed the Avatar forest.
• Several mountain viewpoints: Pico del Inglés, Camino Viejo del Pico del Inglés, and Jardina provide different angles over Tenerife.
• Bajamar’s volcanic pools: You get about an hour for swimming, sea views, or a slower break if conditions allow.
• A Teide-view cocktail: The day ends at La Baranda terrace, though the bar can occasionally be closed.
• Small-group transport: The vehicle carries no more than eight participants and includes air conditioning.

Why the small-group format matters

This is an eight-hour outing from Mamio Verde Adventures La Paz in Puerto de la Cruz. The long day works because the route is built around short stops, a single moderate forest walk, coastal time, and a comfortable van rather than a demanding trek.

I like the small-group setup here. Tenerife’s mountain roads are much easier to manage in a compact vehicle, and a group of eight gives you a better chance of hearing the guide than you would on a full coach. One particularly positive account described a group of only three and praised the personal feel, safe driving, and flexibility.

That flexibility is useful, but it cuts both ways. The guide may change the order, shorten a stop, or replace part of the plan because of weather, road conditions, official alerts, or time. One day included extra swimming time instead of the cocktail bar. Another had a planned coastal stop changed. If you need every listed stop delivered exactly as printed, this may frustrate you.

The tour begins and ends at the Mamio Verde Adventures office in La Paz. A coat can be supplied if needed, which is a practical touch for Anaga, where the air can feel cooler than it does at the coast.

La Laguna market: a short look at island food

The first major stop is the Mercado Municipal in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, reached after about 30 minutes in the van. The visit lasts around half an hour.

The value here is not a long guided food tour. It is a quick introduction to the produce and daily rhythm of the island. You can look for organic and locally produced food, and you get a more grounded sense of Tenerife than you would from a resort restaurant alone.

Expect this stop to depend heavily on timing. A disappointing visit found much of the market closed, making the stop feel less worthwhile. That is an important warning. If market stalls are a major reason you want this tour, confirm the departure day and opening conditions before booking, if possible.

The short visit also means you should not expect a full tasting session or much time for buying food. Treat it as a compact cultural stop before the mountain roads, not the centerpiece of the day.

Three viewpoints before the forest walk

The route then climbs through Anaga, with stops at Pico del Inglés, Camino Viejo del Pico del Inglés, and Mirador de Jardina. The schedule allows roughly 10 minutes at Pico del Inglés, five minutes at Camino Viejo, and 10 minutes at Jardina.

These are photo stops, so keep your camera ready and do not expect long walks at each viewpoint. Jardina is especially useful for broad views across the island and toward the coast. The shifting weather in Anaga can make the views clear one minute and misty the next, so a coat is sensible even on a warm Puerto de la Cruz morning.

The frequent stops break up the driving and give you several chances to see the mountains from different angles. The tradeoff is time. Five or 10 minutes goes quickly, especially if the van must keep to schedule. You will get a taste of the views rather than a long, quiet viewpoint visit.

Some of the strongest praise for this experience centers on the scenery. That makes sense. Anaga is the day’s visual high point, and the mountain roads offer a sharp change from the built-up coast.

The Sendero de los Sentidos and Anaga’s laurel trees

The forest section is the heart of the outing. Around Plazoleta de San Blas, you spend about an hour walking the Path of the Senses, also called Sendero de los Sentidos.

The route passes through laurel forest, with damp air, bird sounds, and thick greenery. The nickname Avatar forest gives you an idea of the mood, though this is not a movie set or an adventure course. It is a calm nature walk intended to slow the day down.

The walk is listed as a one-hour hike, but the provided details do not describe steepness or a total distance. Bring sports shoes and sportswear rather than casual sandals. You should be comfortable walking on a forest path, and you should expect the guide to keep the group moving so the later coastal stops remain possible.

This part suits you if you want nature without committing to a full-day mountain hike. It is also a good counterpoint to the viewpoints. The viewpoints give you wide views; the forest gives you shade, texture, and sound at close range.

The guide’s role matters here. One very positive account praised Manolo for sharing local information and making the day feel personal. Other accounts felt that the guide gave too little explanation, spoke too quietly, or did not explain an unexpected stop. If interpretation is important to you, tell the guide early that you want more commentary and make sure you can hear from your seat.

Lunch in Cruz del Carmen, with the bill separate

After the forest, the group heads to Cruz del Carmen for lunch at a traditional restaurant. Lunch is not included in the $112 price.

The schedule allows about 30 minutes for lunch and swimming around the coastal section, so this is not a leisurely restaurant outing. You will want to keep an eye on the time and be ready when the group moves on. The tour information does not state a fixed menu or lunch price, so budget separately.

This is one area where the tour’s value depends on your expectations. A meal at a local restaurant can make the day feel more connected to Tenerife, but you do not have the freedom of a long independent lunch break. If you prefer choosing your own restaurant and eating slowly, you may find this schedule tight.

Bajamar: volcanic pools and a change of pace

The coastal portion includes the Sendero litoral San Juanito, a walk of about 30 minutes, followed by Bajamar’s natural pools. The pool stop lasts roughly one hour, with time for photos, swimming, and free time.

Bajamar’s pools are formed by volcanic rock and filled by the sea. They offer a memorable change from the forest, especially if the water is calm and clear. Pack swimwear and a towel, even though swimming is not guaranteed.

The important phrase is if sea conditions are favorable. The guide may shorten or suspend swimming when conditions are unsafe. This is the right call, but it means you should see the pool time as an opportunity rather than a promise.

Bring dry clothes for the ride back. The schedule combines a coastal walk, lunch, and swimming in a fairly compact block, so you may prefer to swim briefly and spend the rest of the time by the water. One highly positive account valued extra time at the beach and natural pool more than the cocktail stop, and the guide adjusted the plan accordingly.

Not every account found Bajamar especially impressive, with one person preferring other beaches. That is fair. The pools are interesting for their volcanic setting, but this is not a classic sandy beach day. Choose this tour for variety, not for a full afternoon on a wide beach.

The final cocktail at La Baranda

The planned finish is at Serendipia, on the impressive La Baranda terrace, after about 30 minutes in the van from Bajamar. You get around 25 minutes for a cocktail, photos, and views toward the ocean and Mount Teide.

This is a pleasant closing note. After the forest and sea, you can sit down, take in the horizon, and end with a drink rather than another walk. The view is the main attraction, so keep expectations focused on the setting rather than a long bar visit.

There is a practical risk here. On one occasion, the bar was closed, and the planned cocktail was not provided. Another coastal plan also changed during a tour. Ask at the start of the day if the final stop is operating and what happens if it is not. Since the cocktail is part of the advertised experience, a substitute or adjustment should be explained clearly.

The stop is short even when everything works. It is best viewed as a final toast with a view, not an evening spent at a terrace.

How good is the $112 value?

At $112 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Anaga or Bajamar. The price is easier to justify if you are staying in Puerto de la Cruz and want one organized day covering places that are awkward to connect by public transport.

You are paying for:

• Eight hours of transport in an air-conditioned vehicle
• A group limited to eight people
• A guide in English or Spanish
• Multiple Anaga viewpoints
• The forest walk
• Coastal pool time when safe
• A cocktail, if the planned bar is open
• A coat when necessary

Lunch is extra. You also need to bring your own swimwear, towel, sports shoes, and sports clothes.

The strongest value comes from the route design. In one day, you move from a market to high mountain viewpoints, laurel forest, volcanic coast, and a Teide-view terrace. Doing all that independently would require careful driving, navigation, and timing.

The weaker value appears when several included elements fail at once. A closed market, a closed bar, little guide commentary, or a changed route can make the day feel less complete. The small-group format and personal service can make up for that, but only if the guide communicates changes well.

Who should book this day?

I would recommend it for you if you want a broad taste of northern Tenerife without renting a car. It suits couples, friends, and solo visitors who like switching between scenery, light walking, swimming, and food.

It is also a good fit if you enjoy a flexible day. A guide may spend more time at a pool, adjust the route for weather, or shorten a stop to keep the schedule moving. One account praised the guide for even providing a ride home after the tour, though that should not be treated as a guaranteed service.

I would think twice if you want a serious hiking day. The forest walk lasts about an hour, and the coastal walk about 30 minutes. This is a sightseeing day with light activity, not a long-distance trek.

I would also be cautious if you need extensive historical or natural interpretation. The quality of explanation appears to depend on the individual guide and the day. Manolo received warm praise for local knowledge and personal service, while other feedback described quiet or limited commentary.

Children under three and people over 95 are not accepted. The tour is offered in English and Spanish, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if convenience, small-group transport, and variety matter more to you than a guaranteed market visit, cocktail, or swim. The best version of the day gives you Anaga’s excellent views, a peaceful laurel forest walk, a refreshing coastal stop, and a friendly guide who adapts to the conditions.

Before booking, ask about the market’s opening status, the cocktail bar, the expected coastal stop, and who will guide your date. If those pieces are confirmed, $112 is a reasonable price for a full northern Tenerife day without the work of driving mountain roads yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

It starts and finishes in front of the Mamio Verde Adventures La Paz office in Puerto de la Cruz.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including transport and stops.

How large is the group?

The group is limited to eight participants.

What languages are available?

The host or guide speaks English and Spanish.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the price and is taken at a traditional restaurant in Cruz del Carmen.

Can I swim at Bajamar?

Swimming is available when sea conditions are favorable. The tour provider may change or suspend this part of the route for safety.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, swimwear, a towel, sports shoes, and sportswear.

Is a coat available?

A coat can be provided if necessary.

Is the cocktail included?

A cocktail at the planned final terrace is included when the stop operates as scheduled. The stop may change if the bar is closed or circumstances require a route adjustment.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.