Tenerife turns magic on a long day. I love the Avatar forest laurel woods and the Punta del Hidalgo volcanic pools. One tradeoff: it’s a full 8 hours, so you’ll want solid shoes and to be okay with steady walking.

This is a small-group outing (up to 8 people) run with English/Spanish hosts, with comfortable van rides between stops. It’s the kind of day plan that helps you avoid the stress of driving curvy mountain roads while still hitting the best viewpoints.

You’ll also mix in food and downtime: a market visit, lunch on your own later, and a true swim break. Bring swimwear and a towel, because the itinerary expects you to jump in if conditions are right.

Key things to look forward to

• San Cristobal de La Laguna market for local produce and quick taste of everyday Tenerife
• Sendero de los Sentidos for an easy 1-hour nature walk in the Anaga laurel forest
• Avatar forest vibes with birdsong, shade, and that misty-green feeling
• Punta del Hidalgo natural pools plus free time to swim and reset
• La Baranda Masai cocktail with panoramic coastline views and the Teide in the frame

From Mamio Verde Adventures to San Cristobal’s Market Morning

The day starts at Mamio Verde Adventures La Paz in Puerto de la Cruz. That matters, because you’re not spending your morning figuring out transportation or parking in tourist-heavy areas. You get a comfortable vehicle and a guided flow right away.

Next comes the van ride toward San Cristobal de La Laguna, and then the highlight of the morning: the Mercado Municipal market time. This isn’t just a photo stop. Market visits are where you get a real feel for how people in Tenerife eat day to day—fresh produce, local staples, and the smells that make you hungry even if you’re not.

You’ll have about 30 minutes here. That’s long enough to:

• browse slowly and pick up a snack
• look for seasonal fruit and small local items
• watch how the market runs without feeling rushed to a bus departure

One practical note: markets can be loud and crowded. Bring a small mindset shift: treat it like a quick tasting circuit rather than a full shopping trip. If you go in wanting to sample a bit of everything, you’ll enjoy the time more.

Mirador de Jardina: the 10-minute view that sharpens the whole day

After the market, there’s a short van transfer and then a quick stop at Mirador de Jardina. You only get about 10 minutes for a break and photos, which tells you the tour philosophy: lots of short “anchor” moments, not one long scenic session.

Why this stop is still worth it:

• It gives you a big picture before you enter the forest and start hiking.
• It helps you connect what you’ll see later—Anaga’s greenery and the way the coastline sits beyond it.

If you’re the type who likes to frame a few solid photos, this is where you’ll want to take them. If you prefer movement over standing, use the time for water, a quick breath of air, and a couple of angles—not a full “wander and wander” detour.

The Sendero de los Sentidos and the Avatar Forest in Anaga

Now for the main event: hiking in the Anaga area on the Sendero de los Sentidos. This is described as a peaceful 1-hour walk through laurel woods—an easy duration, but with enough time to feel like you left the road behind.

The mood shift is the point. Instead of Tenerife’s sun-blasted shoreline feeling, you get that cooler, shaded forest feeling that makes your shoulders drop and your brain quiet. Expect birdsong and the thick, damp green atmosphere people chase when they come to Anaga.

Here’s what I like about this segment for your planning:

• It’s short enough to be doable for many people, even if you’re not a hardcore hiker.
• It’s guided, so you don’t spend mental energy second-guessing the route.
• You get a focused nature experience without sacrificing the rest of the day.

You should also plan for the forest to feel different than the coast. Wear sports shoes (not sandals), and consider that you’ll likely want long sleeves or at least light layers if you get chilly in shade.

If you come expecting a dramatic “monster adventure,” you might feel slightly too calm. But if you want a nature reset—quiet steps, shade, and a proper break from driving—this hike hits the target.

Pico del Inglés viewpoints and the old path break

After the Sendero de los Sentidos hike, you’ll move to the viewpoint circuit with two quick stops around Mirador Pico del Inglés and then a short break along the camino viejo al pico del inglés area.

You get:

• Mirador Pico del Inglés: photo stop plus free time (about 10 minutes)
• Camino viejo al pico del inglès: short break/photo/visit (about 5 minutes)

These stops work best when you treat them like snacks for the eyes. Ten minutes is not “explore the whole lookout.” It’s enough to:

• find your angle
• watch clouds and light shift
• appreciate the terrain from above without overthinking the route

Practical tip: if you’re photographing, check where the wind is strongest and plan your stance. Viewpoints can get breezy, especially in higher terrain.

This segment also helps you transition from forest to coast. You’ll feel it: after the green shade, the open views remind you you’re still on Tenerife and the ocean payoff is coming.

Punta del Hidalgo natural swimming pools: your reset button

Next is the coastal payoff: Punta del Hidalgo and its natural volcanic swimming pools. You’ll have about 1 hour here for swimming and free time, plus a photo stop and lunch time.

This is the kind of break that makes the earlier hiking and viewpoints feel worth it. After hours on foot and in vans, swimming isn’t just fun—it’s recovery. The pools are a real Tenerife experience because they’re not a standard pool at a hotel. You’re playing in rock-and-water conditions shaped by volcanic geography.

You’ll also have downtime options:

• swim if you’re comfortable with the water
• relax and change pace
• hang around for sea views and coastal light

What to plan for:

• Bring your swimwear and towel since you’re expected to use the swimming time.
• Wear easy-to-remove footwear if you can, because you’re going from walking areas to a water setting.

Lunch is on your own, even though there’s a designated lunch moment. The tour description mentions lunch at a traditional restaurant in the Cruz del Carmen area, and the meal isn’t included. So consider your budget and decide in advance if you want to eat local or keep it simple.

La Baranda Masai cocktail with Teide-and-ocean views

You’ll finish at La Baranda Masai, an iconic terrace bar for a cocktail with panoramic coastline views and the Teide. This is about 25 minutes for the end-of-day break, with a bit of time to get photos.

This final stop is more than drinks. It’s the built-in “close the loop” moment:

• You’ve hiked in the laurel forest.
• You’ve looked out from high viewpoints.
• You’ve swum in volcanic pools.
• Now you get to sit, cool down, and let the day land.

If you’re deciding what to order, keep it simple: focus on the view and the chance to rest your legs. You don’t need a heavy meal here—think of it as a celebration drink after a good stretch of walking.

The best part is the contrast. From the ocean to the volcano in the background, Tenerife feels connected—nature, coast, and altitude all in one frame.

Price and value: what you really get for $108

The price is $108 per person for an 8-hour guided day. For that money, you’re not just paying for transportation. You’re paying for a full sequence of stops that would be a hassle to stitch together yourself—market time, multiple viewpoints, one guided hike, a swimming window, and a final cocktail stop.

Here’s what’s included:

• a comfortable and spacious vehicle
• appetizers included
• coat if necessary (handy if the forest feels cool or misty)

And what’s not:

• lunch (it’s time built in, but the meal isn’t included)

This is also a “value” tour because the schedule is tight in a good way. You don’t lose half your day stuck in transit. Instead, you get just enough time in each place to enjoy it.

The small group size (up to 8 participants) is the other big value point. With fewer people, you spend less time waiting and more time actually moving through the plan.

Who should book this, and who should skip it

This tour is ideal if you want a day that balances:

• culture + nature (market plus Anaga forest)
• views + walking (short hikes and viewpoint stops)
• adventure + comfort (swim time and an end bar)

It’s not for everyone, though. The tour info says it’s not suitable for children under 3 and not suitable for people over 95. Beyond age limits, the real practical question is fitness comfort: you’ll do a 1-hour hike plus walking around viewpoints.

If you’re recovering from an injury or you dislike standing for photo time at lookouts, you might find the day a bit busy. On the other hand, if you like structured sightseeing—where you don’t have to plan driving—this fits your style.

Before you go: gear that matters (and what to wear)

Based on the tour’s expectations, pack for movement and a real water moment:

• Passport or ID card
• Swimwear and towel
• Sports shoes and sportswear
• If you get cold in shade, plan on layers. The tour offers a coat if necessary, but you’ll be happier if you’re not relying on borrowed gear.

Clothing tip: choose shoes you can walk in comfortably for the hike and also handle damp areas near the pools. And keep a small plan for dryness—once you’re wet, you don’t want to spend the rest of the day hunting for a place to change.

Should you book Tenerife-Puerto Cruz: Avatar Hiking, Punta Hidalgo +Cocktail?

I’d book it if you want a true Tenerife mix in one day: market culture, Anaga forest hiking, natural pool swimming, and a relaxing finish at La Baranda Masai.

Skip it if you’re looking for a slow, leisurely tour with lots of long stops, or if you don’t like being scheduled around a tight sequence of viewpoints and guided timing.

In short: this is a strong pick for people who like action but still want comfort. You get variety without needing to drive, and the day ends the way it should—sitting down, sipping something, and letting Tenerife’s views do the talking.

FAQ

How long is the Tenerife-Puerto Cruz tour?

It lasts about 8 hours.

Where do I meet and where does the tour end?

You meet in front of the Mamio Verde Adventures office (Mamio Verde Adventures La Paz) and the tour returns there at the end.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes a comfortable vehicle, appetizers, and a coat if necessary.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included. There is a lunch time built into the day while you’re in the Punta del Hidalgo area.

How long is the hike?

The Sendero de los Sentidos hike is about 1 hour.

What should I bring for the tour?

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