Caving in Icod de los Vinos

The caves (Cueva de San Marcos) are located next to San Marcos beach and are around 1,800m long. These caves are believed to have been a summer abode to the indigenous people of Tenerife (The Guanches).There is an interesting trail that takes you through rich archaeological sites from these caves to Boquin- where you can see the caves of Don Gaspar, on the left of the Barranco (ravine) de Caforiño, which are thought to be a permanent home of the indigenous people. There is also the Cave of the Wind, (particularly Bocas del Sobrado), the longest topographically surveyed volcanic tunnel in the world (14,870 m.). The path goes through a dense wood of Canary Islands pine towards Arenas Negras, in the Municipality of Garachico.

La Orotava

La Orotava is a particularly pleasant Town that is located in the Orotava Valley. The whole of the old town centre has been declared a Monument of National Historical and Artistic Interest, houses some architectural beauty’s of notable character. The town of La Orotava is enclosed by banana plantations and wooded hillsides and has some panoramic views of Mount Teide. A good time to visit Orotava is during the festivities of Corpus Christi, when it is festooned with countless flowers and the streets are covered with earths of six different colours (which are found in the surrounding area).

Pueblo Chico is located in La Orotava; it is the first city to be created in miniature in the Canary Islands. Landscapes and buildings from all of the Islands have been reproduced to 1.25 scale models. The park has been planned as an open air attraction where visitors can study the architecture, customs and sites of the Islands. There are special effects lighting, sound and movement, all in an area of around 20,000 sqm. The facilities include a café and souvenir shop, a hall for presentations and there is also a botanic garden.

The Oasis Del Valle is located in the centre of the Orotava Valley; these sub tropical gardens have a variety of animals and plant life. Camel rides through the gardens are available or pony rides for children. The facilities include a restaurant and café bar.

The El Guanche Banana Plantation is located in La Orotava and covers an area of some 12,000sqm. A tour of this banana plantation includes a video presentation. You will be able to see a range of more than 900 species of plants and 1,400 cacti, including coffee plants, papaya trees, sapota plum trees and other tropical plants.

The Casa Tafuriaste Ceramics Museum and Workshop is located in the historic centre of Villa de La Orotava, La Orotava. Here you can see how Spanish ceramics are made and purchase items if you so wish.

The Casa Torrehermosa (Island Craft Company) is located in La Orotava. Here you will find exhibitions of over a thousand various Tenerife crafts. Attached to the 17^th Century building are the workshops where craftsmen will give details of their work.

Playa de los Patos beach is located in La Orotava and is popular with nudists and surfers. Access to this beach is difficult and can be around a half hour walk from Puerto de la Cruz.

El Jardin de Aclimatación de La Orotava (La Orotava Acclimatisation Garden) is located between Puerto de la Cruz and Orotava. This botanical garden was created in the 18^th Century as a test to see if plants could survive in different climate zones. It has a diverse range of plants from around the world and includes around 4,000 varieties of plants. In the garden there are cinnamon trees, pepper trees, breadfruit trees and tulip trees mingle with coffee bushes and mango trees are just a few. You will also be astonished by the gorgeous hothouse orchids.

Tenerife Dive sites include:

Wreck Tabaiba – Nr Santa Cruz: This dive is suitable for advanced divers. This is a ship wreck that was sunk in 2006. Marine life includes Pelagics and garden eels. Depths are from 18m to 32m.

Stingrays - Las Galletas: This dive is suitable for advanced divers. Marine life includes stingrays that are used to being fed by divers over the years. Next to the site, there is a small wreck on the ocean floor, which is home to many species of subtropical fish including damsel, bream, parrot and a resident moray. The average depth is 20m.

The Mushrooms – Nr Las Galletas Harbour: This boat dive is suitable for advanced divers. This site has large reef formations with narrow passageways and an abundance of marine life, including Pelagics. Depths are from 22m to 32m.

Palm Mar Groves: This boat dive is suitable for advanced divers. You can view the entrance to a large set of caves, with a tribute to Jacques Cousteau. Marine life includes Eagle Rays, Angel sharks, Giant Tuna, Sponges and Anemones. Depth of this dive is 34m.

Yellow Mountain: This dive is suitable for beginners to advanced divers. The bottom is rocky, with walls, grottos and crevices. Marine life includes cuttlefish, Lizard fish, Spider fish, Plaice, Rays, Garden eels, Moray eels, Barracuda, Crabs, Trumpet fish, Parrot fish, Band tail Chromis and some shoals of Grunt. Depths are from17m to 25m, with an average depth of 15m.

El Condesito: This boat dive is suitable for all levels of divers. The Condesito sank 25 years ago, settled at 20m and is now home to an extensive range of marine life including, trumpet fish, damsels, barracuda and wrasse. Volcanic lava flows have formed canyons and drop-offs around the wreck.