Tenerife Hidden Gem: Anaga Hike, Bajamar Pools & Cocktail

Anaga is the real prize here: a cool, misty laurel forest high above Tenerife, followed by a swim in Bajamar’s volcanic pools. I like the way this tour links the island’s food, mountain roads, forest paths, and coast in one day. You get several strong viewpoints without having to drive yourself.

I also like the small group of up to eight and the spacious air-conditioned van. The $112 price is reasonable for a full day with a guide, transport, and cocktail, though lunch costs extra. One caution: the guide’s commentary and the final cocktail stop have not been consistent, and the market may be quiet or partly closed.

Key points at a glance

• Anaga’s one-hour Path of the Senses walk: An easy way to see Tenerife’s laurel forest without committing to a long mountain hike.
• Several mountain viewpoints: Pico del Inglés, the old road, and Jardina provide changing views toward La Laguna, the coast, and Mount Teide.
• Bajamar’s natural pools: You can swim or sit by the sea, but swimming depends on conditions.
• Local food market in La Laguna: A short stop for organic produce and a look at daily island life.
• Small-group transport: With no more than eight people, the day can feel personal, although stop times still need to be respected.
• Cocktail with a view: The final drink is meant to cap the day, but check that the venue is open before treating it as a guaranteed highlight.

Why this Tenerife day works

This is not a single-attraction tour. It is a sampler of northern Tenerife, moving from the traditional market of San Cristóbal de La Laguna to the high roads of Anaga, then down to the Atlantic at Bajamar.

That variety is the main reason to book it. In eight hours, you see how different Tenerife can feel within a short drive. The mountain air can be cool and damp, while the coast is suited to swimwear and a towel. You also get scenery that is hard to reach efficiently without a car.

The experience suits you best if you want a guided day with some walking, plenty of driving, and several short stops. It is less suitable if you want a long, serious hike or a slow afternoon at one beach.

Starting in La Laguna’s market

The tour leaves from Mamio Verde Adventures La Paz in Puerto de la Cruz, then takes about 30 minutes by van to the Mercado Municipal in La Laguna. The market stop lasts around half an hour.

This is a useful cultural opening because it puts local food before the mountain scenery. You can look at organic and ecological produce and get a sense of ordinary shopping on the island. It is not designed as a long tasting session or a cooking class, so keep your expectations in the right place.

The stop can vary with the day and opening hours. One account found much of the market closed, making the visit feel less worthwhile. I would treat this as a short orientation stop, not the reason to book the tour. If the market is active, it adds a pleasant local touch. If it is quiet, the day still has its strongest sections ahead.

La Laguna itself is an important part of the route, and the tour may include a short walk through the old town area near the market. The supplied timing lists 30 minutes for the market, so you should not expect a full city tour.

Anaga viewpoints by panoramic van

From La Laguna, the van climbs toward Anaga. The route includes Pico del Inglés, a five-minute photo stop on the old road to the summit, and Mirador de Jardina.

Pico del Inglés gets about 10 minutes. These quick stops are made for photographs, not extended walks. You may find the mountain roads narrow and winding, so the van is a practical choice for anyone who does not want to drive unfamiliar bends.

Mirador de Jardina also gets about 10 minutes. This is one of the more attractive viewpoints on the route, with broad views across northern Tenerife and toward Mount Teide when visibility is good. Clouds and mist can change the view quickly in Anaga, so do not judge the stop only by the weather at the start of the morning.

The short timing is both a strength and a weakness. You see several angles without spending the whole day at one lookout, but you will need to move on before you have fully settled into each place. Keep your camera ready and listen for the guide’s instructions about when to return to the van.

The Path of the Senses in Anaga

The main walk takes place around Plazoleta de San Blas, with roughly one hour on the Path of the Senses. This is the heart of the experience.

The trail passes through laurel forest, one of Anaga’s most distinctive environments. The air is cooler, the trees are often draped in moss, and bird sounds replace the traffic noise of the city. The route is intended as a gentle forest walk rather than a demanding trek, but you still need sports shoes and suitable clothing.

The name Path of the Senses fits the setting. You are there to notice the damp air, the texture of the trees, the sound of birds, and the changing light beneath the canopy. This is not simply a viewpoint with a sign and a five-minute photo stop. It gives you time to walk at a slower pace.

Bring a light coat even if Puerto de la Cruz feels warm. The tour can provide a coat if needed, and the weather in the high forest may be cooler than expected. The route can also be damp, so ordinary sandals are a poor choice.

The guide can add value here by explaining the forest and keeping the pace comfortable. The quality of the commentary matters. Some people found the guide quiet or offered little explanation, while others had a very personal day with a guide called Manolo. If learning about plants, geology, and local life is important to you, tell the guide early that you would like more explanation.

Lunch near Cruz del Carmen

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

The timing shown for the restaurant and coastal walk is limited, so this is not an extended food stop. You should be ready to eat efficiently and return on time. The tour asks you to respect stop times, since delays can reduce time at Bajamar or affect the cocktail stop.

The restaurant setting is part of the appeal. You are eating in the Anaga area rather than relying on a generic roadside stop. Still, the exact menu and cost are not provided, so budget separately for this meal.

A short coastal walk before Bajamar

The route then heads down to the coast, with about 40 minutes in the van followed by a 30-minute walk on the Sendero litoral San Juanito.

This coastal section gives the day a useful change of pace. After the shaded forest, you get open sea air and a more exposed walk. The stop is described as a walk, lunch, and swimming period, so your guide may adjust the order depending on timing and conditions.

Do not expect a long beach hike. Thirty minutes is enough to stretch your legs and see the shore, but not enough for a serious coastal route. Wear sports shoes that can handle both the forest and the coast, and bring swimwear underneath if you want to make the most of the water time.

Swimming in Bajamar’s volcanic pools

Bajamar natural pools receive about an hour, including free time, photographs, and swimming. This is the most practical place to use your towel and swimwear.

The pools are formed by volcanic coastal rock and filled by the sea. Their appeal is simple: you can sit beside the Atlantic, watch the water, and swim in a protected pool when conditions allow. The tour specifically says swimming is available only if sea conditions are favorable, so the water activity is not guaranteed.

That weather clause matters. Ocean swell, wind, or official safety guidance can change the plan. The provider may modify or suspend parts of the route when authorities issue alerts or instructions. Bring your swimwear anyway, but think of swimming as a welcome possibility rather than the central promise of the day.

The Bajamar stop has drawn mixed reactions. Some people prefer other beaches and find Bajamar less impressive than the Anaga viewpoints. I would agree that the forest and mountain scenery are the stronger parts of the tour. Bajamar works best as a refreshing break after the hike, not as a full beach day.

You have only around an hour, so do not spend too long changing if you want time in the pool. A towel, dry clothes, and a small bag for wet swimwear will make the stop easier.

The final cocktail and Mount Teide views

The final stop is listed as Serendipia and is also described as the La Baranda terrace. You get about 25 minutes for a cocktail, photographs, and a panoramic view toward the ocean and Mount Teide.

This is a pleasant way to finish a busy day. After market stalls, mountain roads, forest trails, and the coast, you can sit down with a drink and look back across the island. The volcano view depends on visibility, but the high viewpoint gives the stop its purpose.

There is an important practical caveat. One outing found the cocktail venue closed, and the group did not receive a refund for the missed drink. Another person chose to skip the bar and spend more time swimming instead. Because of this, I would consider the cocktail a bonus, not a guaranteed part of the value.

The schedule may also change. Stops can be shortened or moved because of traffic, weather, venue hours, or group delays. If the cocktail is especially important to you, confirm the venue and current plan with the provider before departure.

The small-group difference

The group limit is eight people, and this is one of the strongest reasons the tour costs more than a basic coach excursion. A smaller vehicle can use mountain roads more easily, and the guide has a better chance to speak with you directly.

A small group also makes the day more flexible. One person described a nearly private experience with only three people, and the guide adjusted the plan so more time could be spent swimming. That kind of change is possible in a small group, though it should not be assumed on every departure.

The tradeoff is that the experience still follows a timed route. You must return to the van promptly, and the guide may alter stops to keep the day moving. If you dislike fixed schedules, the number of stops may feel rushed.

The van is air-conditioned and described as comfortable and spacious. That matters because the route includes repeated drives of 30 to 40 minutes, plus shorter transfers between viewpoints.

Guide quality and what to expect

Guides speak English and Spanish. A guide called Manolo was described as friendly, safe, flexible, and willing to offer a more personal day. Another outing had a guide who spoke too quietly, gave little explanation, and did not always follow the expected schedule.

That difference is worth taking seriously. This tour is not only about transport. The guide connects the market, forest, viewpoints, and coast into a story about Tenerife. If the explanations are strong, the day feels much more worthwhile. If the commentary is limited, you are mainly paying for the route and driving.

You can help by asking questions at the first stop and making clear that you want information during the van rides. You should also listen carefully to meeting times. Delays caused by participants can shorten later stops, and the provider specifically asks everyone to respect the schedule.

Is $112 good value?

At $112 per person, this is not the cheapest way to see Anaga. You still pay for lunch, and the cocktail stop may change or be unavailable. The market visit is brief, and several viewpoints allow only about 10 minutes.

The value comes from the combination of transport, a small group, a guided forest walk, coastal time, and the convenience of returning to Puerto de la Cruz after a full eight-hour circuit. Renting a car would give you more freedom, but you would take on the driving, mountain roads, navigation, parking, and planning.

I think the price makes sense if you want a guided day and do not have a car. It makes less sense if you mainly want to swim, spend hours at the beach, or take a long hike. In that case, a focused activity may give you more time for your priority.

Who should book this day?

Book it if you want a broad taste of northern Tenerife in one outing. It is a good fit for couples, solo visitors, and small groups who enjoy scenery, light walking, local food stops, and a flexible outdoor plan.

You should be comfortable with a full day in a vehicle and several short visits. The forest walk is about an hour, but the day is not a continuous hike. Children under three cannot join, and the experience is not suitable for people over 95. Sports shoes, sportswear, swimwear, and a towel are the sensible packing list.

The activity runs in English and Spanish. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later, which helps when your Tenerife plans are still shifting.

Final verdict

I would choose this tour for Anaga and the small-group format, not for the market or cocktail alone. The laurel forest, mountain viewpoints, and Bajamar stop create a varied day that is difficult to arrange without a car.

Book it if you value convenience and a personal guide, and accept that weather and venue hours can change the plan. Skip it if you want a guaranteed swim, a long beach stay, or detailed commentary at every stop. Ask about the current guide, cocktail venue, and sea conditions before setting out, then pack a coat as well as your swimsuit.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts 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, viewpoints, the forest walk, coastal stops, and the final cocktail stop.

How many people can join the tour?

The group is limited to eight participants.

What languages do the guides speak?

The host or greeter speaks English and Spanish.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, and you should budget separately for the meal at a traditional restaurant near Cruz del Carmen.

Can I swim at Bajamar?

You can swim in the natural volcanic pools if sea conditions are favorable. Swimming may be changed or cancelled for safety reasons.

What should I bring?

Bring a 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.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.