These days tourism plays a large part in the lives of the inhabitants, the Portunese, which is evident with the numbers of large hotels and skyscrapers. Most tourists arrive at Tenerife North Airport, which is approximately 15 miles away, and are transferred by coach or car to Puerto de la Cruz.
Northern Europeans flock to Puerto, as it is known locally, in the winter months, as the climate is a lot warmer than back home, the Christmas and New Year celebrations are quite spectacular and should not be missed. The Spanish tourists seem to converge during the summer months, especially during August, the hottest month. Western European tourists that visit Puerto de la Cruz, tend to be more mature, compared to those who visit Playa de las Americas, which is a more livelier resort, although Puerto does have its very own, if not modest, Gay scene, especially around La Avenida del Generalisimo.
The settlers at La Oratava built Puerto de la Cruz in the 17th Century, the original port was destroyed by an eruption back in 1706, but was rebuilt and grew into a busy, major port. Puerto de la Cruz became quite popular with tourists, but they were soon to be shipped south, where the Tenerife Government erected purpose built resorts, such as Playa de las Americas. This meant that Puerto de la Cruz kept its quaint charm and sophistication, although Puerto de la Cruz is still a top tourist attraction, tourism has changed the look of it. Quality hotels were built; shops popped up around the plazas, and pretty public spaces were manufactured into some of the best family attractions that Tenerife has to offer. Besides all these alterations, Puerto de la Cruz, or The Port of the Cross, still remains an important historic port.
What to see in Puerto de la Cruz
Bananera El Guanche is a popular family attraction, if you like bananas that it! The banana is the staple diet of the Islands, and plays a big part in the economy too. Most of the bananas are taken to Spain. The Dwarf Cavendish variety cannot be exported to due to EU regulations – maybe because they are slightly smaller than ‘conventional’ bananas! Bananera El Guanche is set on an old banana plantation and is both entertaining and educational. Visitors can peruse rows and rows of various banana plants, along with other varieties of extraordinary trees. Papaya and mango trees stand along side coffee bushes, cocoa trees, pineapple trees and sugar canes.
You can also see some amazing flowers at the Bananera, including the vivacious strelitzia, known better as the Bird of Paradise flower. The leaves look somewhat similar to those of the banana plant, and they produce the most magnificent flowers, which became the symbol of the Canary Isles. Visitors can purchase a boxed strelitzia, which can be delivered to their hotel on the day of departure, to take home as a momento. The Cactus garden is well worth seeing too, as there are hundreds of different species, but whatever you do, don’t touch! Ouch.
Before you leave the plantation, visitors are offered a glass of Banana Liqueur and a ripe banana. The liqueur is a transparent yellow, sweet drink, and is usually preferred to be drunk in a cocktail, but is quite pleasant served on its own with crushed ice. Treat yourself to a bottle and try it on your ice cream when you get home!
Location: La Finca Tropical, just over a mile away from Puerto de la Cruz, on the road to La Oratava.
Phone: 922 331 853
Open: Daily from 9am to 6pm
Accessibility: not ideal for accessibility as there are only a few facilities for disabled visitors.
Admission charge: Quite expensive, but a whole day can be spent on the plantation, as there are lots of things to do and see.
Food: There is a bar on the site, where drinks and snacks can be purchased, but the main restaurants are back in town. You could always take a packed lunch of course!
Transportation: If you have not hired a car whilst on holiday, a free bus service is available from Puerto de la Cruz, every 20 minutes or so. The first bus leaves at 9.30 in the morning, the last at 5.45 pm.
Did you know?
Bananas were brought to the Canary Isles over five centuries ago? The Dwarf Cavendish banana was introduced in 1855, and is now especially associated with the Canary Islands.
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