From Puerto de La Cruz: VIP Tour Around Anaga and La Laguna

Anaga’s laurel forest is the star here: a protected natural area of ancient-looking trees, volcanic rock and deep ravines that feels far removed from Tenerife’s resort towns. You also visit UNESCO-listed San Cristóbal de La Laguna, pairing wild scenery with a historic city in one day.

I like the small minivan format, limited to eight passengers, and the chance to hear about Tenerife’s geology, plants and culture from a local guide. Guides such as Neil and Alex have been praised for making the journey engaging, even on the island’s winding roads.

One thing to weigh is the pace. Eight hours covers several parts of northern Tenerife, so time in the forest can be short; one account described only 25 minutes there. If you want a long hike rather than a broad introduction, this may not be the right fit.

At a glance

• Two sides of Tenerife: Pair La Laguna’s UNESCO status with Anaga’s protected natural area.
• A tiny group: The minivan holds no more than eight passengers, making for a more personal day than a large coach tour.
• A guide who also drives: Expect commentary on the island while navigating narrow, winding roads.
• Volcanic formations: Look for roques, dikes, cliffs and ravines along the route.
• Food is included: The day includes food, and some itineraries have featured lunch and wine tasting.
• Plan for changing conditions: Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen and a jacket.

A city visit before the forest

The tour begins in Puerto de la Cruz, with pickup from your hotel or a nearby point offered. The stated meeting point is the Tamaran/Volcanic office at Calle Aceviño, 12, with an 08:45 start. Since pickup arrangements can differ, confirm your exact location before the day rather than assuming the minivan will collect you at your door.

The first destination is San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. That makes a useful opening to the day: you get a city visit before heading into Anaga’s more remote countryside. The provided details do not set out a fixed walking route or a precise amount of free time, so think of this as an introduction to La Laguna rather than a long, self-guided city visit.

The appeal is the contrast. La Laguna gives the excursion an urban and cultural stop, while Anaga shifts attention to forests, ravines and volcanic rock. If you have only a short stay on Tenerife, seeing both in a single outing can help you understand how much the north of the island changes from place to place.

Anaga’s rock, ravines and cloud cover

Anaga is a volcanic formation protected as a natural area, and its appeal is not limited to trees. The route can bring you past roques, the old volcanic chimneys that remain after softer surrounding rock has worn away. Dikes are fractures filled with solidified magma, now visible as sheets of rock that resemble walls.

Cliffs and deep ravines add another scale to the scenery. The views can feel dramatic, especially when cloud hangs over the area. That blanket of cloud is part of Anaga’s character, but it also means conditions can shift. A jacket is worth packing even if Puerto de la Cruz feels warm when you set off.

The road itself is part of the experience. Tenerife’s mountain routes bend and narrow, and the driver has to concentrate as well as guide. A small vehicle helps keep the group together, but it does not turn the trip into a relaxed drive on a straight highway. If you are prone to motion sickness, consider planning ahead for a winding-road day.

Laurel forest, with time to look closely

The tour’s main natural draw is Anaga’s laurel forest, one of the most significant features of the protected area. The forest is a striking change from the island’s more open volcanic terrain, and the tour also introduces other plant life, including dragon trees and cactuses.

You will want comfortable shoes for stops in the natural area. The outing is described as an exploration, but no specific hike length or trail is provided. Don’t book it expecting a long trek or hours wandering independently among the trees. One account of the tour described having about 25 minutes in the forest, a useful warning for anyone whose priority is extended walking.

That shorter stop can still work well if you want a first look at Anaga and prefer not to organize transport or driving yourself. The guide can help make the scenery legible, pointing out geological features and explaining the area’s vegetation. But if you want to linger, take a long walk or photograph the forest at an unhurried pace, a dedicated Anaga excursion may suit you better.

A compact group and a guide who sets the tone

The minivan is limited to eight passengers, which is one of the strongest practical reasons to choose this tour. A small group generally makes it easier to hear the guide and get in and out at scenic stops without the logistics of a full-size coach. The tradeoff is that the ride can still feel close-quarters, especially if you prefer plenty of personal space.

The guide is both driver and interpreter, so their skill matters. Neil has been singled out for clear English, humor and broad explanations about Tenerife. Alex has also been praised for sharing information on the Canary Islands’ history, people and plant life. These names are helpful examples, not a guarantee of who will lead your departure.

A good guide adds value on a route like this because the scenery is not only about views. Knowing what a roque or dike is, and why the area’s vegetation matters, gives you more to take away than a collection of photographs. The tour has earned a 4.5 rating from 142 reviews, with praise often focused on the guides, the stops and the chance to reach places that are less convenient to visit independently.

Food, possible wine tasting and the day’s pace

Food is included, and accounts of the tour describe a proper lunch, with one outing featuring local-style food and wine. Some versions of the day have also ended with a wine tasting. These details make the price more attractive, but the exact meal and tasting arrangements are not specified as fixed features, so check what is included for your chosen date before treating them as guaranteed.

The schedule appears to balance driving with stops for views and photos. That can keep an eight-hour trip moving and help you see several parts of the north without getting stuck in one place. It also means you may have to choose between a quick look at a stop and a slower exploration. One account described the stops as well timed overall, while another wanted more time in Anaga.

Some routes have also included a stop in Santa Cruz and time near the beach around Taganana. The exact sequence and length of each stop are not laid out, so approach the trip as a guided overview rather than a custom itinerary. If one place matters most to you, ask the operator what your departure is expected to include.

Is $96 a fair price?

At $96 per person for eight hours, this tour is most compelling if you value having transport, a driver-guide, food and several stops bundled together. Anaga’s winding roads can make independent driving tiring, and reaching multiple points in one day takes planning. The small group and guide commentary are part of the value, not just the ride.

The price is less appealing if you mainly want time to hike or explore at your own pace. You are paying for a guided day that moves between places, not a full day based in the forest. For a short stay on Tenerife, though, the mix of La Laguna, Anaga, scenic viewpoints and included food can be an efficient way to see the north.

Booking terms offer some flexibility: you can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is eligible for a full refund. The activity lists Spanish, Italian, German, English and French as guide languages. It is also marked wheelchair accessible, but the specific access arrangements at each stop are not described, so contact the operator if you need details for your mobility requirements.

What to bring and how to prepare

Wear comfortable shoes, since you will be getting out at stops and visiting a natural area. Bring a hat and sunscreen for exposed viewpoints, plus a jacket for cooler or cloudier conditions in the mountains. Those four items are the practical basics for a day that moves between town, forest and high ground.

Confirm whether your pickup is at your hotel or at a nearby meeting point. The stated office meeting time is 08:45, and the address is Calle Aceviño, 12, in Puerto de la Cruz. Arriving with that detail settled will spare you a needless early-morning scramble.

Should you book this Anaga and La Laguna tour?

Book it if you want a guided sampler of Tenerife’s north, value a small group and would rather leave the winding-road driving to someone else. The mix of UNESCO-listed La Laguna, Anaga’s volcanic forms and laurel forest, food, and an engaged guide makes a full day feel varied. Ask about the expected forest time and whether a wine tasting is planned if those details matter to you.

Skip it, or choose a more focused outing, if you want a long walk in the forest or control over how long you spend at each stop. This tour is best for seeing several sides of northern Tenerife in one day, not for settling into one corner of it.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts eight hours.

Where does the tour start?

The stated meeting point is the Tamaran/Volcanic office at Calle Aceviño, 12, in Puerto de la Cruz. The meeting time is 08:45. Pickup from your hotel or a nearby point is also offered, so confirm your arrangement.

What places does the tour visit?

The tour’s first destination is San Cristóbal de La Laguna, followed by Anaga. The natural area features volcanic formations, cliffs, ravines and laurel forest.

How many people can join the minivan?

The minivan is limited to a maximum of eight passengers.

Which languages are available?

The listed guide languages are Spanish, Italian, German, English and French.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen and a jacket.

Is food included?

Yes. Food is included. The exact meal details are not specified, and a wine tasting has featured on some versions of the tour.