Tenerife Hidden Gem: Anaga Hike, Bajamar Pools & Cocktail

Anaga rewards curious day-trippers. This eight-hour small-group tour links a La Laguna food market, misty laurel forest, volcanic pools, and ocean views in one well-planned day. I especially like the small group of no more than eight people and the mix of nature and local life rather than a day spent only at famous viewpoints.

I also like the flexible feel of the outing. A good guide can adjust time between swimming, walking, and the final drink, which mattered when one group chose extra time in the water instead of the cocktail stop. The main consideration is that the experience depends heavily on the guide, weather, sea conditions, and open venues. Some recent outings had little explanation, a closed cocktail bar, or changes to the advertised route.

The best parts of the day at a glance

• La Laguna market: A short stop for local produce and a look at everyday island life, though opening hours may affect what you see.
• Anaga’s laurel forest: The one-hour Path of the Senses walk gives you cool air, birdsong, and a quiet break from Tenerife’s resort areas.
• Several viewpoints: Pico del Inglés, the old road, and Jardina provide changing views and useful photo stops.
• Bajamar’s natural pools: You get about an hour for swimming, free time, and coastal photos, provided sea conditions are safe.
• A premium small-group format: The air-conditioned van and maximum group size make a long day easier and more personal.
• A final cocktail with a view: The closing stop is designed to pair ocean scenery with Mount Teide, but you should confirm the venue and inclusion before departure.

Why this Tenerife day trip works

At $112 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Anaga. You are paying for an eight-hour outing, a small group, an air-conditioned vehicle, a bilingual host, and a route that connects several parts of northeastern Tenerife without renting a car.

That price makes more sense if you value convenience. The day moves from Puerto de la Cruz to La Laguna, into the Anaga mountains, down to the north coast, and back again. Driving those roads yourself is possible, but the route includes narrow mountain roads, frequent stops, and several places where parking or navigation can slow you down.

The group limit is a real advantage. With only eight people, the outing can feel close to a private day, especially when the guide is engaged and willing to adjust the plan. Manolo received especially warm praise for being kind, safe behind the wheel, and flexible with the schedule.

Still, this is not a tour I would book only for detailed guiding. One outing had a guide who spoke so quietly that several people could not hear him. Another included very little explanation and an unplanned stop without much context. Your experience will depend on who leads the day and how well the schedule is handled.

Lunch is not included, so allow extra money for the restaurant in Cruz del Carmen. The published description also includes a cocktail, but one account says the bar was closed and the group was still charged for the drink. I would confirm this point before setting out.

Starting in Puerto de la Cruz and reaching La Laguna

The meeting point is in front of the Mamio Verde Adventures office in La Paz. The first van ride lasts about 30 minutes, giving you a quick transition from Puerto de la Cruz toward San Cristóbal de La Laguna.

The first substantial stop is the Mercado Municipal. You get around 30 minutes to look at local produce and see a more ordinary side of Tenerife. Organic and ecological products are part of the focus, so this is a useful stop if you enjoy food markets more than souvenir shops.

Keep your expectations measured. Thirty minutes is enough for a look around, not a full market visit or a long old-town walk. Opening hours also matter. On one outing, roughly 80 percent of the market was closed, which made the stop feel thin. If markets are a major reason you are booking, ask whether the market will be fully open on your date.

The market also gives the guide a chance to explain what people buy and eat locally. That human detail can be more memorable than another scenic overlook, but it requires active commentary. If you want to know more, ask questions rather than waiting for a long talk from the front of the van.

Anaga viewpoints: Pico del Inglés and Jardina

From La Laguna, the vehicle heads toward Anaga and begins a series of short scenic stops. The first is Mirador Pico del Inglés, with about 10 minutes for photos. The route then includes a brief stop at Camino Viejo al Pico del Inglés, followed by approximately 10 minutes at Mirador de Jardina.

These stops are short by design. You are not settling in for a long picnic or a serious walk. Instead, the van keeps moving while giving you several angles on the mountains, valleys, and coast.

Jardina is particularly useful for photographs because the view opens across northern Tenerife. On a clear day, you may also have a strong view toward Mount Teide and the ocean. Clouds and mist can change everything in Anaga, though. The same weather that gives the forest its moody feel can hide the distant views.

The sequence can feel rushed if you want to linger. Ten minutes is enough to stretch, take photographs, and get back to the vehicle, but not enough to explore. I would have your camera ready and wear shoes that let you move safely over uneven ground.

Walking the Path of the Senses through Anaga

The main forest experience comes at Plazoleta de San Blas and the Path of the Senses, where you spend about an hour walking through laurel forest. This is the heart of the day for anyone who prefers natural scenery to shopping or beach time.

Anaga’s laurel woods feel cool, damp, and far removed from Tenerife’s dry southern resorts. The route is presented as a peaceful walk with birdsong and fresh air, and the hour gives you time to notice the forest rather than simply photograph it from a roadside viewpoint.

The path is described as a gentle, sensory-focused trail, but you still need sports shoes and sportswear. Bring a light layer too. A coat can be provided if necessary, which is useful because Anaga can feel much cooler than Puerto de la Cruz or Bajamar.

This is not a full mountain trek. The walking section lasts about one hour, and the day includes several short walks rather than one long hike. That makes the experience suitable for people who want contact with the forest without committing to a demanding all-day route.

I would ask the guide to explain the plants, forest, and local setting. The scenery is pleasant on its own, but the walk becomes far more worthwhile when you understand why this part of Tenerife feels so different from the coast.

Lunch at Cruz del Carmen and the trip to the sea

After the forest, the tour heads toward Cruz del Carmen for lunch at a traditional restaurant. Lunch is not included, and the published timing lists only about 30 minutes for lunch and swimming in this part of the day, followed by another van ride toward Bajamar.

That timing deserves attention. You will not have a long, leisurely meal unless the schedule changes. If you enjoy sitting over lunch, ask how much time is planned on your departure date. A quick meal may be the practical choice because the tour still has the coast and final cocktail stop ahead.

The restaurant stop is valuable because it keeps the day connected to local food rather than relying only on viewpoints. It also gives you a chance to eat before swimming. Bring some flexibility, since exact stop lengths can shift when traffic, weather, or group timing changes.

The van ride to the coast takes about 40 minutes before the coastal walk at Sendero litoral San Juanito. You then get around 30 minutes for a seaside walk before the longer Bajamar stop.

Bajamar’s volcanic pools and coastal walk

Bajamar is the day’s most refreshing change of pace. The natural pools sit beside the Atlantic, and you get roughly one hour for photographs, free time, lunch if needed, and swimming.

The pools are volcanic formations shaped by Tenerife’s coastline, but they are not a guaranteed swim. The activity clearly states that swimming happens only when sea conditions are favorable. Waves, currents, and official safety decisions can change the plan, so bring swimwear even though you may end up enjoying the view from dry ground.

The coastal walk at Sendero litoral San Juanito comes before the main pool stop. Together, the walk and pool time give you more than a quick photo beside the water. You can choose an active hour, a quiet sit by the sea, or a swim if conditions allow.

Do not assume Bajamar is the island’s most beautiful beach. One account found the stop less interesting than other beaches and expected a visit to Las Teresitas that did not happen. That is an important distinction: this tour is about volcanic pools and the north coast, not a classic wide sandy beach day.

Pack a towel, swimsuit, and dry clothes. You will be much happier after the pool if you can change before the final vehicle ride. A waterproof phone pouch is also sensible, although it is not listed as required equipment.

The final drink and the long ride home

The final stop is listed as Serendipia, with about 25 minutes for a cocktail, a break, and photographs. The description presents it as La Baranda terrace, with broad views toward the coast and Mount Teide. Since the two names appear in the supplied details, I would confirm the exact venue when booking.

The idea is a pleasant one: finish the day above the coast, drink in hand, with the volcano in the distance. After a forest walk and a swim, a short pause with a view gives the day a relaxed ending.

The weak point is reliability. A bar was closed during one outing, and the planned cocktail stop did not happen. Another group felt the guide did not explain the change and was not refunded. Since the cocktail is presented as included, you should ask what happens if the venue is unavailable.

One group chose to skip the cocktail and spend more time swimming. That flexibility is worth requesting if your priorities are clear. If you care more about the pools than the drink, tell the guide early. If the final viewpoint is a major reason for booking, confirm that the stop is operating.

The return van ride takes about 20 minutes to the Mamio Verde Adventures office. In practice, the whole day lasts around eight hours, though delays or changed stops may affect the exact return time.

What to pack and how to prepare

The required items are simple:

• Passport or identity card
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sports shoes
• Sportswear

I would add a light jacket or sweater, especially for the Anaga section. A coat may be provided if needed, but bringing your own layer gives you more control.

Wear shoes that can handle a forest path and a coastal stop. Flip-flops may be fine around the pools, but they are not the right choice for the walking sections.

Keep your schedule flexible. The operator can change or suspend the route if authorities issue alerts or directions. The guide is not responsible for delays caused by late participants, and the tour asks everyone to respect stop times so the group can keep moving.

The activity is offered in English and Spanish. You should also note the age limits: it is not suitable for children under three or people over 95.

Who will get the most from this tour?

I would recommend this day to you if you want several sides of Tenerife in one outing: local food, mountain forest, viewpoints, coast, and a drink with a view. It works particularly well for visitors without a rental car and for people who prefer a small group to a large coach.

It also suits mixed-interest couples or friends. One person can enjoy the forest, another can look forward to swimming, and both can share the viewpoints and meal stop. The one-hour forest walk is active but not an extreme hike.

I would be more cautious if you want a strict, perfectly timed itinerary or detailed commentary at every stop. Route changes have happened, a market has been mostly closed, and a cocktail venue has not always been available. If you need a guaranteed swim, beach, or sunset, this is not the safest choice because weather and local conditions control parts of the day.

The free cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Tenerife plans are still shifting, but they do not remove the need to check current availability and starting time.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the Anaga forest and small-group format are your main goals. At $112, the value is fair when you want transport, several scenic stops, and a guide to connect places that are awkward to combine independently.

I would book with two questions ready: Who is guiding the date, and is the cocktail venue confirmed? Also ask how much time is expected at Bajamar and whether swimming conditions look favorable. If the answers are clear, this is a strong choice for a varied day with plenty of scenery and some local flavor.

Skip it if you mainly want Las Teresitas, a long beach session, a serious mountain hike, or a guaranteed cocktail. For those priorities, the tour’s changing schedule may leave you wishing you had chosen a more focused outing.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Starting times depend on availability.

How large is the group?

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

What languages are available?

The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you should budget for the traditional restaurant stop at Cruz del Carmen.

Can I swim at Bajamar?

Swimming is available in Bajamar’s natural pools if sea conditions are favorable. The route may change when conditions are unsafe.

Is the cocktail included?

The activity information says a cocktail is included at the final scenic stop. Because a venue has been closed during one outing, confirm the current arrangement before departure.

What should I bring?

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

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.