Yesterday, both residents and visitors explored the iconic sites of Puerto de la Cruz on a double-decker, open-top sightseeing bus, an initiative that is set to be established in the upcoming months, extending to the other two municipalities in the Valley, La Orotava and Los Realejos.
Commencing at 11:00 a.m. and at no cost, the 4-metre-high City Sightseeing bus traversed twelve locations across the city, beginning at Avenida Familia de Betancourt and Molina leading towards Avenida Colón. This venture formed part of the inauguration of the Multicultural Tourist Days, which will be held until Saturday, aiming to showcase the cultural richness and diversity of this tourist destination.
Nonetheless, the original concept was initiated several years ago by Ashotel to offer an additional attraction for tourism in Puerto de la Cruz, but it has only recently come to fruition. Due to the synergies created, the project has now been expanded to encompass the entire La Orotava Valley, states the vice president of the hotel association, Enrique Talg.
Since taking office in Puerto de la Cruz over a month ago, the Councillor for Tourism, Desirée Díaz, has been dedicated to making this a reality next year, pending discussions with the Cabildo de Tenerife, as it pertains to the realms of Roads and Tourism.
Her counterpart in La Orotava, Delia Escobar, mentions that while the routes have yet to be finalised, there is consideration for including the Mirador de Humboldt, making two stops in the historic centre and subsequently heading towards Los Realejos, via La Perdoma, to explore the vineyard region. “This is the initial proposal but not all routes have been established yet,” she clarifies.
Navigating with a vehicle of such nature within the urban structure of Los Realejos is challenging, given its steep inclines. Consequently, the alternative of a “shuttle bus” has been proposed, which would connect various historical sites in Realejo Bajo and Realejo Alto, as well as visit the San Pedro viewpoint, Rambla de Castro, the national monument that houses the principal parish of Apostle Santiago, the BIC area of San Agustín, the sanctuary of Nuestra Señora del Carmen, concluding at the El Lance viewpoint, offering a panoramic view of the entire La Orotava Valley, “much like a genuine natural balcony.”
In this context, the Councillor for Tourism, José David Cabrera, explains that “it would be a standard bus, not a convertible, and it would be marketed as an excursion within the same initiative.”
