Tenerife trip feedback – February 2026

After spending 15 days in Tenerife in February 2026, here are a few observations that might be useful for you: - Choosing Puerto de la Cruz turned out to be an excellent decision (compared to Santa Cruz, which is Lonely Planet’s pick, for example). Puerto de la Cruz has two large beaches just a 10-minute walk from the center. The atmosphere around the small port is lovely. It’s a human-scale town. The bus station makes it easy to get anywhere on the island. Carnival season is an exceptional time to visit! - Opting for the unlimited weekly bus pass for 50 € is economical (especially if you're traveling solo), eco-friendly, and practical (lots of departures and returns). The roads on major routes are often congested, and the bus network is improving—you can support this effort by traveling this way. - For hikes, I tested Teide National Park (arrival and departure by bus). Starting from El Portillo at the park entrance, the Arenas Negra circuit (2.5 to 3 hours) is stunning toward the end. You can add a section of Route 1 on the other side of the road (maps and great info at the tourist office). At the other end of the park, "Roques de Garcia" is a spectacular route—crowded but a must-see... - Tourist towns like La Orotava or La Laguna are worth the visit. Garachico has a certain charm too...

Hi there,

Thanks for sharing your feedback.

I went a few years ago and got around by public transport, and I don’t remember there being an unlimited bus pass—it’s great! In Spain, people rely a lot on buses, and they’re really frequent and go pretty much everywhere.

Just a small typo: it’s P**ue**rto de la Cruz.

Thanks, I’ve corrected it! I think the bus network has really improved over the past few years. Best, Richard

Carnival season is an amazing time! ..

Tenerife Carnival is the most beautiful in Spain, alongside Cadiz Carnival, and one of the most famous in the world. I haven’t seen either, but generally, they draw huge crowds.

Yes, the Puerto de la Cruz carnival, which lasts a week with lots of highlights, is truly spectacular and joyful! And there are others in different towns on the island...

Thanks for the info, especially about the buses—really helpful for avoiding car rental with that great pass.

A quick note about the buses: you need to buy a 2 € card when you first board. Schedules are available online, but you can also get them at the Tourist Office in Puerto de la Cruz, right by the port. In many of the mountainous areas—and there are *plenty*—it’s way more comfortable to take the bus than to drive a rental car. If you’re heading to Tagana and a bit further along the coast in the Anaga Mountains, the winding road is absolutely stunning...

Hi! Thanks for all the info you’ve shared. For accommodation, do you have any tips for Puerto de la Cruz? I like simple places. I’m also traveling solo, but I’m not exactly young anymore 😉 so I need a bit of comfort. Thanks in advance, and keep up the good work! Marie.

Marie, there’s no shortage of accommodation in Puerto de La Cruz. The place I found was well located but pretty noisy since it was right above several restaurants... For example, on Airbnb, check the map for places near Plaza del Charcot—but not *on* the square. It’s a nice area, kind of set back from the seafront. Otherwise, don’t get lost in the upper parts of town—it’s a pain to climb back up, or you’ll have to take a taxi... You’ll definitely find something!

Thanks so much, Richard. It's true that I don’t often think about Airbnbs! I’ll check out the area around that square. I see that you can get around easily with the local buses. That works well for me. I think there must be travel agencies to organize some day trips. I’d really love to go out to sea to see dolphins! 😄 Thanks again for your help. Have a great evening.