The tip of Teno is among the few natural areas in Tenerife that has managed to endure with minimal alterations for centuries. Those wishing to explore the westernmost part of the island can only do so via public transport, and the preservation of this unspoilt location has enabled it to maintain countless cultural treasures. Currently, amidst a wave of protests against the destruction of the landscape, the renovation of the historic lighthouse overseeing this corner has raised alarm bells across the island. The initiative does not involve expanding the built area, but rather renovating the existing structure. Nevertheless, in addition to establishing an interpretation centre, there are plans to open a restaurant and install bathrooms and parking spaces in an area that previously lacked sanitation or supply services.
The works have been awarded a budget of 1.5 million euros and must be completed within ten months. The construction firm responsible for the project is the Canarian company Satocan SA, which has garnered attention for its plans to search for rare earth elements in three municipalities of Fuerteventura, an idea that has been firmly rejected by the locals and regional authorities.
The renovation of this historic lighthouse, built in 1897, is funded by the Next Generation funds of the European Union, as part of the recovery, transformation, and resilience plan.
The capacity of the Interpretation Centre, according to documents reviewed by this publication, will accommodate 79 individuals. The café will cater for eleven customers and one staff member, while the toilets will be designed for five users. This infrastructure, as acknowledged in the documentation, will necessitate the installation of a permanent tank, as there is no supply network in this area. Additionally, a pumping well will be created for sanitation purposes. According to the project engineers, a specialised company will oversee the “regular emptying” of this tank. They also affirm that “large quantities of waste” will not be produced, allowing for daily rubbish removal.
Regarding the lighthouse, which is listed in the Ministry of Education’s Catalogue of Lighthouses of historical significance, its light source will be restored. According to Rosa Dávila, president of the Cabildo de Tenerife, this is a project “of significant importance to all.” “The Interpretation Centre will provide essential services to highlight the cultural and social values of the Teno Rural Park and will also transform the lighthouse into a local economic hub,” she stated.
Eustaquio Villalba, a geographer and spokesperson for the Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN), agrees on the necessity of creating a visitors centre to “showcase the immense biological and geological wealth of the area.” Conversely, he argues that opening a bar would mean “increasing human pressure” on an environment that is already overstressed despite access restrictions. To date, entry and exit to the tip of Teno can only be made via private vehicles or taxi guaguas. Despite these limitations, 22,955 visitors flocked to the site in March of this year, according to daily statistics released by the Cabildo.
Villalba emphasises that Teno possesses natural attributes “worthy of preservation.” “If visitors were educated about these values, there would be no need to construct anything—merely enabling the old lighthouse as a space for educating people would suffice,” he highlights. The geographer points out that within this enclave, ancient archaeological deposits containing marine mollusc remnants are plentiful. Furthermore, its flora is among the best conserved in Tenerife. “It features one of the largest tabaibal cardonal and a species of smoke tree that only grows there,” he recalls. Along these lines, the proposed project includes planting several native species such as the sweet tabaiba, the Canarian cardon, the sea grape, or the sea always.
40 parking spaces
In November 2024, the Cabildo de Tenerife allocated 987,938 euros to the company Tafuriaste SL for the “upgrading of parking, vehicle turning areas, and pavement replacement at the access to the lighthouse in Punta de Teno”. According to the contract details, the Insular Tourism Area is implementing initiatives to “enhance the tourist spaces of the island”. Among these projects is the refurbishment of the coastal areas. In the Municipality of Buenavista del Norte, these efforts translate into “the maintenance and improvement of access to Teno Punta”. The aim is “to ensure that buses accessing the area can manoeuvre easily and create a stop in safe conditions for users.”
Beyond public transport, the project plan includes the establishment of 40 designated parking spaces. Each will measure five metres in length, separated by a curb to “prevent staining the concrete”. Additionally, there will be a designated area for emergency vehicles, a pedestrian crossing, two spots for individuals with reduced mobility, and a roundabout. As this roundabout represents a new construction rather than a renovation, it must be located outside the designated maritime land. The document also hints at the potential, “for the future”, to replace the old tomato greenhouses that remain in this area with a car park.
Guincho protection
The Taran spokesperson highlights that Teno is also impacted by other forms of activity that have significant repercussions, such as the presence of recreational vessels. Villalba stresses that the area is home to the Guincho, the most endangered raptor species in the Canary Islands. “Often, the young do not even manage to come to maturity because they cannot withstand human pressure,” he lamented. In the archipelago, very few Guincho specimens are still in existence; hence in 2023, the Government of the Canary Islands allocated 31,000 euros for monitoring, conservation, and control efforts.
This species, known outside the Canary Islands as the fishing eagle, could also be spotted in the Masca ravine, adjacent to the tip of Teno and one of the busiest locations in Tenerife today. Residents of the Barranco have urged the City of Buenavista del Norte and the Cabildo to take action in light of the “daily congestion” experienced by the community. “Everything is focused on tourism, but when do we consider the local residents?” the inhabitants expressed. For a week, access is only available via public transport to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance “the safety of visitors and locals.”
