Tenerife-Puerto Cruz: Avatar Hiking, Punta Hidalgo +Cocktail

The best part of this Tenerife day trip is the change of scene. You move from a local market in San Cristóbal de La Laguna to misty laurel woods, then down to the coast for a swim and a cocktail with a view. It gives you several sides of northern Tenerife without asking you to drive its tight mountain roads.

I like the small group of up to eight, which makes the van ride more personal and keeps the stops from feeling like a herd. I also like the useful mix of food, short walks, viewpoints, and swimming. The main drawback is that lunch is not included, and the one-hour forest hike still requires proper shoes and a reasonable level of mobility.

Key points at a glance

• La Laguna market first: Begin with local produce, food stalls, and a more everyday side of Tenerife.
• Anaga’s laurel woods: Walk the one-hour Sendero de los Sentidos through cool, bird-filled forest.
• Several quick viewpoints: Mirador de Jardina, Pico del Inglés, and the old road near the peak add variety without long hikes.
• Volcanic pools at Punta del Hidalgo: Leave time for swimming, lunch, or simply sitting beside the sea.
• Cocktail with a panorama: Finish at La Baranda Masai, with broad views toward the coast and Teide.
• Comfortable transport: The spacious vehicle removes the stress of curving mountain roads, with coats available if the high forest feels cool.

Why this route works so well in northern Tenerife

This is not a single-attraction outing. It is a full day built around contrast. You begin in a market, travel into the Anaga mountains, walk under laurel trees, pause at high viewpoints, and finish at sea level.

That variety matters because northern Tenerife can feel very different from the sunny resort areas. The forest may be cool and damp while the coast is warm enough for a swim. Pack for both, and you will be ready for the day’s changes.

The tour starts and ends at the Mamio Verde Adventures office in La Paz, Puerto de la Cruz. The eight-hour format gives the route room to breathe, though some stops are brief photo pauses rather than long visits.

The vehicle is especially useful here. Anaga’s roads are curvy, and the route includes several mountain viewpoints. You can watch the scenery instead of concentrating on hairpin turns. The small group also means less time spent loading and unloading people at each stop.

A practical start at Mercado Municipal

After roughly 30 minutes in the van, you reach the municipal food market in San Cristóbal de La Laguna. You have about 30 minutes here, enough to look around and get a feel for local food shopping.

This is a good opening stop because it places Tenerife in an ordinary setting before the mountain scenery begins. You can see fresh produce and local flavors rather than starting with a postcard view. It also gives you a chance to pick up or sample something if you need a snack, though no specific market purchase is included in the tour.

Half an hour is not a huge amount of time. I would treat this as a quick introduction rather than a full market tour. If you like taking your time at food stalls, you may wish the stop were longer. Still, it adds a cultural note that many nature-focused excursions skip.

Appetizers are included during the experience, but lunch is not. The market may be useful for your appetite, yet you should not assume that buying food here replaces the later lunch stop.

Mirador de Jardina and the first mountain views

A 15-minute drive brings you to Mirador de Jardina for about 10 minutes. This is a photo stop, so expect a quick chance to take in the views rather than an extended walk.

The viewpoint helps you understand Tenerife’s geography. You are gaining height above the northern part of the island, and the route is beginning to shift from town and farmland toward the Anaga range. If the air is clear, this is one of those stops where a few minutes can produce some of the day’s best photographs.

The short timing is sensible for a moving tour, but it means you should be ready when the van arrives. Keep your camera or phone handy rather than buried under beach gear.

One hour on the Sendero de los Sentidos

The heart of the trip is the one-hour walk on the Sendero de los Sentidos, in the laurel forest often nicknamed the Avatar forest. The name points to the thick, otherworldly feel of the woods, with old trees, damp air, birdsong, and filtered light.

You are not signing up for an all-day mountain trek. This is a compact forest walk, but you should still wear sports shoes and sportswear. Uneven or damp ground can make ordinary sandals a poor choice, especially if the weather has been wet.

I like this part because it offers a real change from Tenerife’s dry, sunlit resort zones. The laurel woods feel cooler and quieter. Fresh air and birdsong do more for the mood than another roadside lookout.

The route is called the Sendero de los Sentidos because it encourages you to notice the forest through sound, touch, and smell as well as sight. You should expect a calm, sensory walk rather than an athletic challenge. The tour information does not give a detailed difficulty rating, so anyone with concerns about walking should consider the one-hour duration and uneven outdoor conditions before booking.

Cruz del Carmen, Pico del Inglés, and the old mountain road

After the forest walk, you stop for lunch at a traditional restaurant in Cruz del Carmen. The meal is not included, so budget separately. This is an important practical point, since the day runs for eight hours and the later stop at Punta del Hidalgo also includes lunch time.

The restaurant stop gives you a proper break after the walk. It also keeps the day from becoming a string of hurried photo stops. Exact menu details are not provided, so you should expect a traditional restaurant setting rather than a specified tasting menu.

The route then includes three short mountain pauses. Mirador Pico del Inglés gets about 10 minutes for photos and free time. The Camino viejo al pico del Inglés receives roughly five minutes for a break, a photo, and a brief visit.

These stops are short, but they add visual variety. Pico del Inglés is a useful place to pause after the forest because you return to wide views after spending an hour among trees. The old road stop is more of a quick roadside moment. Do not expect a long walk or a detailed site visit there.

This is where the small vehicle and compact group help. With up to eight people, the tour can make several brief stops without the delay common to a large coach. You still need to accept that the timing is brisk. If your ideal day includes one viewpoint for 45 minutes, this is not that kind of excursion.

Punta del Hidalgo: volcanic pools and sea time

The longest coastal stop lasts about one hour at the Natural Swimming Pool Punta del Hidalgo. After around 40 minutes in the van from the mountain area, you arrive at the coast for photographs, lunch, free time, and swimming.

This is the day’s most flexible stop. You can swim in natural volcanic pools, eat lunch, photograph the shoreline, or simply rest beside the water. Bring swimwear and a towel, as well as a change of clothes if you prefer not to sit in damp clothing during the final part of the tour.

Natural pools depend on sea conditions and local access, so you should view swimming as an opportunity rather than a guarantee. The provided information confirms time for swimming, but it does not promise a particular water temperature or calm conditions. Take care around volcanic rock and follow any local instructions.

One hour goes quickly once lunch and changing time are included. If swimming is your priority, organize your things before arrival and avoid packing your towel at the bottom of your bag. If you would rather not swim, the coastal views and free time still give you a worthwhile break.

The coast also balances the forest nicely. Anaga can feel shaded and cool, while Punta del Hidalgo brings open sea air and a more relaxed end-of-day rhythm.

The final cocktail at La Baranda Masai

The last major stop is La Baranda Masai, reached after about 30 minutes on the road. You have approximately 25 minutes for a break, photographs, and a cocktail.

This is a smart finish. After a day of walking, mountain roads, and swimming, you get to sit down with a drink instead of rushing straight back to Puerto de la Cruz. The terrace is known for broad views over the coastline and toward Teide, giving you one final chance to take in Tenerife from above.

Twenty-five minutes is enough for one cocktail and photographs, but not for a long bar visit. If you like slow meals and lingering drinks, the schedule may feel tight. The point is a scenic toast at the end of an active day, not a full evening out.

The tour then takes about 20 minutes to return to the Mamio Verde Adventures office. Since the activity ends where it begins, you do not need to arrange a separate return transfer.

What the $108 price really covers

At $108 per person, this sits above a simple viewpoint shuttle but below the cost of arranging several separate activities privately. The value comes from the range of places covered in one day and the driving.

You are paying for a comfortable, spacious vehicle, an English- or Spanish-speaking host, the forest walk, the market visit, coastal time, multiple viewpoints, appetizers, and the final cocktail experience. You are also avoiding the work of navigating Tenerife’s mountain roads.

Lunch is extra, and you should also account for any market purchases. The included cocktail helps round out the package, but the tour is not an all-inclusive food day. I see the price as fair if you want variety and convenience. It is less attractive if you only want a long forest hike or a full beach day.

The small group is a meaningful part of the value. With a maximum of eight people, the day should feel more adaptable than a large bus tour. The supplied rating is 4.3 from 26 reviews, which suggests a generally positive response but not universal perfection. The most praised points are the beautiful views, comfortable bus, friendly driver, and the relief of not having to handle the mountain roads yourself.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want to see northern Tenerife but do not want to rent a car. It suits people who enjoy a little walking, scenic drives, a market stop, a swim, and a drink, all in one package.

It is also a good fit for couples and small groups who value an informal day with several types of scenery. The maximum group size of eight keeps it more intimate than a standard coach trip.

You may want a different plan if you dislike changing locations often. The schedule includes many van rides and several short stops. It also may not suit you if you want a serious hike, a long market visit, or several hours at the coast.

The activity is not suitable for children under three or people over 95. Bring your passport or ID card, sports shoes, sportswear, swimwear, and a towel. A coat can be provided if needed, which is useful because the forest and viewpoints may feel cooler than Puerto de la Cruz.

Should you book the Avatar forest and Punta del Hidalgo tour?

Book it if you want an easy way to connect La Laguna, Anaga, and the northern coast in one well-paced day. The strongest reasons are the small group, comfortable transport, forest walk, and the mix of mountain and sea time.

Skip it if your priority is a long swim, an extensive hike, or a slow lunch. For most people seeking variety without driving, the $108 price is reasonable, especially with the included cocktail and appetizers. Just bring the right shoes, plan to pay for lunch, and accept that several viewpoints are quick stops rather than extended visits.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later. That gives you some flexibility while you decide how the day fits into your Tenerife plans.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The activity returns to the same meeting point at the Mamio Verde Adventures office.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts eight hours. Starting times vary, so you need to check availability for the date you want.

What languages are available?

The host or greeter can provide the experience in English or Spanish.

How large is the group?

The activity is limited to eight participants.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included, although time is provided for lunch at a traditional restaurant in Cruz del Carmen and later at Punta del Hidalgo.

What should I bring?

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

Is swimming included?

Time is provided for swimming in the natural volcanic pools at Punta del Hidalgo. You can also use this stop for photographs, lunch, or free time.

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.