Tenerife Hidden Gem: Anaga Hike, Bajamar Pools & Cocktail

Tenerife’s best scenery arrives in quick succession on this day out: a local market, misty Anaga laurel forest, cliffside viewpoints, and Bajamar’s sea pools. The small vehicle and group of no more than eight make the route feel far more personal than a standard coach trip. Anaga is the star, with its cool forest air and twisting mountain roads.

I like the mix of places. You get a taste of daily life in La Laguna, a gentle forest walk, and time by the water rather than eight hours of sightseeing from behind glass. I also like the flexible spirit of the guide, who may adjust the final stop when swimming conditions, weather, or group wishes make that sensible.

The main caution is that the tour can vary. The market may be partly closed, the cocktail stop has occasionally been unavailable, and one guide received criticism for speaking too quietly and giving too little explanation. The scenery is reliable; every planned service is not.

Key points to know before booking

• Anaga gets the best part of the day: Expect viewpoints around Pico del Inglés and Jardina, followed by about an hour on the Path of the Senses.
• The group is capped at eight: This is a strong choice if you value conversation, flexible timing, and a smaller vehicle.
• Bajamar is a swimming stop, not a beach resort: You can use the natural volcanic pools if sea conditions are safe, or simply enjoy the coast.
• Lunch costs extra: Plan for a meal at a traditional restaurant around Cruz del Carmen, with another food stop listed near Bajamar.
• The cocktail finale needs a little flexibility: The closing terrace is described as La Baranda and listed as Serendipia, and one scheduled bar was closed on a past outing.
• Bring proper gear: Pack swimwear, a towel, sports shoes, sports clothing, and identification. A coat can be supplied if needed.

Why this Tenerife day trip works

At $112 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Anaga. It is priced as a small-group, guided outing rather than a basic transfer service. You are paying for transport on a winding route, a bilingual host, several viewpoints, local context, and the convenience of linking inland Tenerife with the north coast in one day.

That price makes the most sense if you do not have a car, do not want to handle mountain roads, or prefer a guide to organize the day. It is less compelling if you already have a rental car and enjoy stopping wherever you please. You may also find the pace a little brisk, since the route includes many short stops.

The tour begins at the Mamio Verde Adventures office in La Paz, Puerto de la Cruz. From there, you ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with room for a maximum of eight people. A small group matters here. The roads into Anaga are narrow and curving, and a compact vehicle is easier to manage than a large bus. It also gives you a better chance to ask questions or request a small change when the schedule allows.

Guides speak English and Spanish. A guide named Manolo, also referred to as Manilo in the booking information, has been praised for being friendly, careful behind the wheel, and flexible. Still, communication quality can vary. One outing was marked by a guide who spoke too softly on the bus and offered little explanation, so do not book this expecting a long, lecture-style interpretation of every stop.

La Laguna market and the first taste of local life

The first planned stop is the Mercado Municipal in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, about 30 minutes from the starting point. This is a useful opening because it puts Tenerife’s food culture before the mountain views. You can look for local produce, organic and ecological products, and everyday goods rather than starting with a polished tourist attraction.

The stop is short, so think of it as an introduction, not a full market tour. Opening schedules matter. On one outing, much of the market was closed, which made the visit feel like a weak use of time. If the market is operating normally, it adds a welcome local note. If not, the stop may amount to a quick look and a walk through the surrounding old town.

The visit is also described as including time in the historic center of La Laguna. That helps round out the stop, since the town itself gives you a sense of Tenerife beyond the resort coast. You will want comfortable shoes from the start, since the day includes several walks and uneven outdoor surfaces.

Pico del Inglés and Jardina viewpoints

The van then climbs toward the Anaga mountains. Short stops at Mirador Pico del Inglés, Camino Viejo al Pico del Inglés, and Mirador de Jardina give you several chances to see the island from above.

Pico del Inglés is a quick photo stop of about 10 minutes. The route also allows a brief pause at the old road and another 10-minute stop at Jardina. These are not long walks, but they break up the drive and let you take in the scale of the mountains and coast. The views are a major reason to choose this tour, and clear weather can make these short pauses very rewarding.

Do not judge the tour by the number of minutes at each viewpoint. The schedule is built around several compact stops, not one long picnic at a single lookout. You will need to be ready to get out, take photographs, and return to the van on time. The operator warns that stop lengths can change because of traffic, weather, and the day’s timing.

The one-hour walk through Anaga

The heart of the outing is the Anaga forest, reached through Plazoleta de San Blas and the Sendero de los Sentidos, or Path of the Senses. The walk lasts about an hour and passes through laurel forest with cool air, bird sounds, and thick greenery.

This is not presented as a hard mountain hike. It is a gentle nature walk, but you still need sports shoes and clothing suited to walking. Anaga weather can change quickly, so a light layer is sensible. The tour can provide a coat if necessary.

The Path of the Senses is a good fit for anyone who wants a close look at Tenerife’s plant life without committing to a demanding trek. Rather than racing from viewpoint to viewpoint, you get time to notice the forest itself: damp air, old trees, shade, and the quiet that comes with being away from the coast.

The word Avatar is used to describe the forest, but keep your expectations grounded. This is a real laurel forest, not a film set or a fantasy attraction. Its appeal comes from the natural setting and the change in atmosphere from sunny Puerto de la Cruz. The mountain roads and weather are part of the experience too. On a cloudy day, the forest may feel especially atmospheric, while a wet day can make paths slippery.

Lunch around Cruz del Carmen

After the walk, the group stops at a traditional restaurant in Cruz del Carmen. Lunch is not included, so bring money or a card accepted by the restaurant. The schedule allows roughly 30 minutes for lunch and swimming-related time before the main Bajamar stop, though the exact timing may shift.

This is not the place for a long, lazy meal. You are fitting food into a full day with a lot of driving and several outdoor stops. If you prefer to browse a menu slowly, ask your guide about the timing before ordering. The advantage is that you can try a local meal instead of being locked into a package menu.

The food stop also gives you a chance to warm up and reset after the forest walk. If weather has turned cool or wet, this break becomes more valuable. If you are hungry early in the day, do not count on the market visit as a full breakfast or lunch.

The coast near San Juanito and Bajamar

The route heads down toward the coast for the Sendero litoral San Juanito, a coastal walk of about 30 minutes. This section provides a useful contrast to Anaga. You move from mountain forest to sea air, volcanic rock, and open water.

Bajamar’s natural pools are scheduled for about an hour of free time, photographs, and swimming. These pools are formed by volcanic rock and filled by the sea. If conditions are safe, you can swim in the clear water. If the sea is rough, the operator may limit or suspend the water portion. That safety call is worth respecting, even if it means your planned swim is shorter than expected.

Bring a towel and swimwear, and wear shoes that can handle the route to the water. The supplied information does not promise changing facilities, so arrive prepared to manage your own beach gear. You may also choose to sit, take photographs, or watch the water instead of swimming.

Bajamar is not presented as the island’s finest sandy beach. One past itinerary change replaced a planned visit to Playa de las Teresitas with Bajamar, and one assessment found the stop less appealing than other beaches. That is useful context. Choose this tour for volcanic pools and a varied day, not for a classic beach holiday.

The cocktail and Teide views

The final stop is a terrace with broad views across the ocean toward Mount Teide. The description calls this terrace La Baranda, while the stop list names Serendipia. Either way, the purpose is clear: finish with a cocktail, a seat, and a wide view after a long day on the road.

The planned break lasts about 25 minutes. That is enough for one drink and photographs, but not a full evening at the bar. The view should be the main attraction. If you want a slow sunset drink, this may feel rushed.

You should also keep expectations flexible. On one occasion, the scheduled cocktail venue was closed, and the group did not receive a refund for the drink portion. That does not make the whole tour poor, but it is a real risk to consider when judging the $112 price. If the cocktail stop matters greatly to you, confirm the venue and current arrangement before booking.

One particularly good feature is the guide’s willingness to adapt. A group was allowed to skip the bar and spend more time swimming instead. That kind of choice can improve the day, especially when the weather is warm and the sea is inviting. It also means the exact balance between stops may not match the printed schedule.

Timing, transport, and what to pack

The complete outing lasts about eight hours, including the return to Mamio Verde Adventures in Puerto de la Cruz. Expect roughly two hours of driving spread across the day, with more time on winding roads around Anaga. If you get carsick, sit where you normally feel best and bring whatever personal remedy you use.

The route is active but not built around a strenuous hike. You will walk in the market, stop at viewpoints, spend about an hour in the forest, take a coastal walk, and move around the pools. Sports shoes are important. Sandals may be fine for sitting by the water, but they are not the best choice for the full day.

Pack:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sports shoes
• Comfortable sports clothing
• A light layer for Anaga
• Money for lunch

Children under three and people over 95 cannot join. The tour is offered in English and Spanish, and authorities’ weather or safety alerts can lead to changes or cancellation of parts of the route. Keep your schedule open enough to accept those changes.

Who should book this experience

I would choose this tour if you want Tenerife’s north and northeast in one day, especially without renting a car. It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who value scenery, a manageable walk, and a guide handling the roads.

It is also a good choice for people who want variety. You will not spend the whole day in the forest or on the beach. Instead, you get food culture, mountain views, a laurel walk, volcanic pools, and a drink stop.

I would be more cautious if you want detailed guiding at every stage, a guaranteed cocktail, or a fixed beach plan. The quality of the commentary depends on the guide, and the schedule can change. The market and bar may not deliver their full planned experience on every date.

Should you book this Tenerife tour?

Book it if the combination matters more to you than any single stop. Anaga, Bajamar, and the small-group format offer a strong day of contrasts, and the friendly, careful approach of guides such as Manolo can make the long route feel personal.

Skip it if you already have a car, want a slow day, or care most about a particular beach or bar. At $112, the tour is fair value when the market is open, the swimming conditions cooperate, and the final terrace is operating. Go in ready for weather and schedule changes, bring the right clothing, and treat the cocktail as a pleasant extra rather than the reason to book.

FAQ

How long does the Tenerife tour last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including transport from Mamio Verde Adventures in La Paz and the return journey.

Where does the tour begin?

You meet in front of the Mamio Verde Adventures office in La Paz, Puerto de la Cruz.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. The route includes time for a meal at a traditional restaurant around Cruz del Carmen, and the schedule also lists food time near Bajamar.

Can I swim in Bajamar’s natural pools?

Yes, if sea conditions are favorable and the guide considers swimming safe. You can also use the stop for photographs, relaxation, and sea views.

What should I bring?

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

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Children under three years old cannot join the activity. The tour is limited to small groups of up to eight participants and is available in English and Spanish.