Tenerife Hidden Gem: Anaga Hike, Bajamar Pools & Cocktail

An Anaga laurel forest walk, a swim in volcanic pools, and a cocktail facing Mount Teide make this one of Tenerife’s more varied day trips. You move from market stalls to mountain viewpoints, then down to the Atlantic coast, all in a small group of no more than eight.

I like the personal scale and the chance to see several sides of Tenerife without renting a car. I also like the one-hour forest walk, which gives you more than a quick roadside photo stop. The main caution is that the schedule can shift, and the market or cocktail stop may not deliver as promised on every day.

Key points at a glance

• La Laguna market: Start with local produce and everyday island life at Mercado Municipal, though some stalls may be closed depending on the day.
• Anaga viewpoints: Stop at Mirador Pico del Inglés, Camino Viejo al Pico del Inglés, and Mirador de Jardina for broad views and photos.
• Sendero de los Sentidos: Walk for about an hour through Anaga’s laurel forest on a peaceful, manageable trail.
• Bajamar pools: Bring swimwear and a towel for free time beside natural volcanic pools. Swimming depends on sea conditions.
• Small-group transport: A comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle carries no more than eight people, making the day more flexible than a large coach outing.
• Cocktail with a view: Finish at La Baranda terrace, also known as Serendipia, for a drink and views toward the ocean and Teide.

Why this day trip works so well

Tenerife is not one single sort of island. The north has old towns, steep mountain roads, damp forest, black volcanic coast, and wide ocean views. This tour connects those pieces in one long day.

You begin in Puerto de la Cruz at the Mamio Verde Adventures office in La Paz. From there, the route heads toward San Cristóbal de La Laguna, then climbs into the Anaga mountains before descending to Bajamar. The final stop is a terrace with views across the coast toward Mount Teide.

That variety is the main reason I would consider booking it. You do not spend eight hours on a bus heading to one attraction. Instead, the day is broken into short drives, viewpoints, a forest walk, coastal time, and a drink. The tradeoff is that the day can feel busy, particularly if you prefer long, unhurried visits.

The small group matters. With a maximum of eight people, the guide can explain local details, adjust the pace, and handle small changes more easily than a coach tour. One particularly positive account described a group of only three, which made the outing feel close to a private day. That kind of atmosphere is possible here, though the exact group size varies.

La Laguna market and the first taste of local life

The first main stop is Mercado Municipal in San Cristóbal de La Laguna, about 30 minutes after the initial drive. The goal is not simply to buy food. You get a look at the ordinary shopping life of Tenerife, with local and organic products and the flavors used in island cooking.

I like this beginning because it gives the day a human touch before the mountain scenery takes over. A market can tell you more about daily life than a polished attraction. You might see produce, prepared foods, and goods that are less familiar than the standard tourist fare.

There is an important practical point here. Market activity can vary, and one outing found much of the market closed, making the stop feel too short. I would treat this as a useful introduction rather than the main reason to book. If the market is quiet, you have not lost the best part of the day, but you may feel the 30-minute visit is underused.

The route may also include a short visit around La Laguna’s old town, depending on timing. Keep your expectations flexible. The stated stop is a food market, not a full historical walking tour.

Three Anaga viewpoints before the forest

After the market, the vehicle climbs into Anaga. The first listed mountain stop is Mirador Pico del Inglés, with about 10 minutes for photos. A second photo stop follows at Camino Viejo al Pico del Inglés, then the route continues to Mirador de Jardina for another 10-minute pause.

These short stops are built for quick views rather than long walks. From the mountain roads, you get a sense of how sharply Tenerife rises from the sea. The views are one of the strongest parts of the day, especially when the weather is clear.

I appreciate the number of viewpoints because each gives you a different angle, but you should not expect to linger at every one. Ten minutes is enough for photographs and a quick look, not enough for a slow study of the area. Cloud and mist can also change the scene quickly in Anaga, so the view may be dramatic one moment and partly hidden the next.

The air-conditioned van is useful here. Anaga’s roads are winding, and having someone else drive lets you watch the changing scenery instead of concentrating on every bend. The vehicle is described as spacious and comfortable, with coats available if needed. Bring a light layer anyway, since the mountain can feel cooler than the coast.

The one-hour walk through Anaga’s laurel forest

The heart of the mountain portion is the Sendero de los Sentidos, reached near Plazoleta de San Blas. The walk lasts about one hour and passes through Anaga’s laurel forest, an old type of woodland shaped by moist Atlantic air.

The trail is known as the Path of the Senses, and that name fits the experience. You are there for the cool air, bird sounds, plant scents, and soft forest light as much as for the walking itself. The route offers a welcome break from vehicles and viewpoints.

I like that the walk has real time attached to it. Many island tours call something a hike when it is a 15-minute stroll from a parking area. Here, you get roughly an hour on foot, which gives the forest room to work its magic.

Still, you should arrive prepared. Sports shoes and comfortable sportswear are required items, and this is not the place for sandals or stiff street clothing. The tour information does not give a difficulty grade, so anyone concerned about walking ability should ask the operator before booking. Children under three are not accepted, and the tour is not suitable for people over 95.

The guide’s role matters most here. A host who explains the plants, weather, and local setting can turn a pretty walk into a more useful experience. The quality of guiding has varied by day, with some guests finding the guide warm, flexible, and full of local knowledge, while another account found the explanations too quiet and limited. If your guide is speaking softly, ask early so everyone can hear.

Lunch in Cruz del Carmen, at your own expense

After the forest, the route stops around Cruz del Carmen for lunch at a traditional restaurant. Lunch is not included, so you should budget separately and confirm what payment methods are accepted if that matters to you.

This is a sensible point for a meal. You have already had the market and forest walk, and the break divides the mountain section from the coast. The schedule lists only about 30 minutes for lunch and swimming around the coastal part of the route, so do not expect a long restaurant meal followed by a leisurely beach afternoon.

Because no menu or set price is provided, I would ask the guide what the practical lunch plan is at the start of the day. If you want a substantial meal, keep the timing in mind. This is a full itinerary with several stops, not a slow food tour.

A coastal walk and Bajamar’s volcanic pools

The route then heads down toward the water, including a 30-minute walk on Sendero litoral San Juanito. This coastal section gives you a change of pace after the forest. Instead of trees and mountain viewpoints, you get open sea air, volcanic rock, and the feel of Tenerife’s north coast.

Bajamar is the main leisure stop. You have about an hour for photos, free time, lunch, and swimming at the natural pools. The pools are formed by volcanic rock and filled by the sea, giving you a memorable place to cool off without going to a standard hotel pool.

Bring swimwear and a towel. You should also bring shoes that are comfortable around wet surfaces, since pool edges can be uneven or slippery. Swimming is offered only when sea conditions are favorable, so the water portion is never guaranteed. Strong surf or official safety guidance can change the plan.

I would keep expectations realistic about Bajamar. It is a pleasant coastal stop, but not everyone will find it the most impressive beach area on the island. One account felt another beach, including the planned possibility of Teresitas, would have been more appealing. The route can change, and that means the exact coastal stop may not always match your expectation.

The benefit is flexibility. You can swim, take photographs, sit by the water, or simply enjoy the view. If you prefer active time to a drink at the final stop, tell the guide. One guide allowed guests to skip the cocktail stop and spend longer swimming, which shows how the small-group format can work at its best.

The final drink at La Baranda

The day ends at La Baranda terrace, listed as Serendipia, where you receive a cocktail and look toward the ocean and Mount Teide. The stop lasts about 25 minutes, so this is a short final pause rather than an evening out.

I like the idea of ending here. After a forest walk and time beside the sea, a drink gives the day a clear finish. On a clear evening, the combination of coast and volcano should make a fine final photo.

There is also a practical warning. The cocktail venue has been closed unexpectedly on at least one occasion, and the planned drink was not replaced with a refund. Since the cocktail is part of the advertised value, this is worth asking about before departure if the stop is important to you. A schedule change caused by weather, official alerts, or venue problems may affect the ending.

You return to the Mamio Verde Adventures office after about 20 more minutes in the van. The total duration is around eight hours, though exact stop times can change because of traffic, weather, group pace, and local conditions.

What the $112 price buys you

At $112 per person, this is not a budget bus ride. The price makes more sense if you value a small group, a dedicated driver-guide, air-conditioned transport, and a route that joins several areas of northern Tenerife.

You are paying for convenience as much as admission. The tour removes the need to plan Anaga roads, locate viewpoints, decide where to stop, and arrange a separate coastal visit. The cocktail is included, and coats can be provided if needed. Lunch is extra, so add that to your day’s budget.

The value drops if you mainly want a long beach stay or detailed commentary at every stop. Some feedback describes limited explanations, quiet speaking, an unexpected stop, and a cocktail venue that was closed. Those issues do not erase the good parts, but they show why the guide makes a major difference.

The strongest value comes for people who want variety without driving. You get mountain, forest, market, coast, and a drink in one day. If you have a rental car and enjoy planning your own route, you may prefer greater control. If you are staying in Puerto de la Cruz and want a guided overview, the price is easier to justify.

Who should book this Tenerife tour?

I would recommend it to adults and older children who enjoy scenery, short walks, local food stops, and a swim when conditions allow. It suits people who want more than a beach day but do not want a demanding mountain trek.

It is also a good choice for solo visitors and couples who like meeting a small group. The limited capacity can make conversation easier, and the guide has more room to respond to individual interests.

I would hesitate if you need a fixed schedule. The route may be altered by weather, official alerts, traffic, venue closures, or group timing. I would also think twice if your main goal is a long, sandy beach visit, since Bajamar is centered on volcanic pools and coastal scenery rather than a full beach day.

The guide can make or break the experience. Manolo, also referred to as Manilo in tour information, has been described as kind, safe, flexible, and thoughtful, including helping with a return ride on one occasion. At the same time, the quality of explanations may vary. Ask questions, speak up if you cannot hear, and use the small group to shape the day where possible.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a full northern Tenerife sampler with real time in Anaga forest and a chance to swim in Bajamar. Its best features are the small group, scenic variety, comfortable transport, and the one-hour forest walk.

Skip it if you want a carefully fixed itinerary, a guaranteed cocktail venue, or a long and leisurely stop at one beach. Before you go, pack sports shoes, swimwear, a towel, a light layer, and an open mind about timing. At $112, the tour offers fair value when the guide is engaged and the route runs as planned, but the changing schedule means you should see it as a flexible day outdoors, not a precisely timed package.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

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

How long does the tour last?

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

How many people are in 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, so you pay for it separately at the traditional restaurant stop.

Can I swim at Bajamar?

You can swim in the natural volcanic pools when sea conditions are favorable. Swimming may be canceled if conditions are unsafe.

What should I bring?

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

Is the cocktail included?

Yes, the planned cocktail at the final panoramic terrace is included. The stop can be affected by schedule changes or venue availability.

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.