The coast of one of the main tourist hubs in Arona is set to receive a significant facelift soon.
This Monday, the Cabildo of Tenerife announced the public exhibition period for the long-awaited project to remodel the promenade of Las Vistas Beach in Las Américas. This project has recently been updated and, once it is tendered, will take four months to complete.
Local residents are pleased with the plan, which they are now able to anticipate, but they are asking that other projects affecting the coastline in the same area, which have been stalled for over a decade, are not forgotten.
Miguel Toledo, president of the Vecinos Playeros neighbourhood association, explains to Atlántico Hoy that they support “any improvement” of the promenade, especially if — as is the case here — the reform is designed to be accessible for all.
Toledo reminds us that, just a few hundred meters from the Las Vistas Beach promenade, there is another seafront and a beach in Los Cristianos that have been waiting for a comprehensive renovation since 2013, which has yet to materialise.
This concerns the beach of Los Tarajales, “a massive integration project involving the renovation of the beach,” of which only one phase has been completed, Toledo recalls.
The regeneration project for the Los Tarajales seafront began to take shape on paper in 2013, aiming to transform a degraded stretch of coastline into a dignified, accessible space in harmony with the surroundings.
As of now, progress is tangible but partial. Some phases have been executed, while others remain on the drawing board, and small immediate actions have resolved emergencies that, although not part of the general plan, directly impacted the same space.
In April 2013, the Ministry for the Environment issued a favourable Environmental Impact Statement for the “Regeneration Project of the Los Tarajales Seafront.” This was a comprehensive plan with two phases: the environmental restoration of the beach and the construction of a modern promenade that would connect the Los Tarajales area with the surroundings of the Gran Arona Hotel.
The proposal included the demolition of illegal constructions, the provision of sand, improved access to the sea, and the installation of breakwaters to protect the coast. In total, it was planned to act on over 9,000 square metres of maritime-terrestrial public domain.
The project saw its first results in 2020 when the first phase was completed.
This stretch, approximately 265 metres long, runs from the Casa del Coronel to the H10 Big Sur Hotel. During this stage, demolitions were carried out (such as that of the old Casa Soprani), as well as the setback of the existing wall, the construction of a new promenade, and improvements in accessibility, urban furniture, and landscaping.
The total cost amounted to 1.5 million euros, jointly funded by the Arona Town Council and the Cabildo of Tenerife.
Although this is not part of the overall project, it is worth noting the repair of the wall and the railing of the promenade following its detachment in 2022, caused by strong waves. This work was located exactly in the same section of the promenade that had already been intervened.
The Arona Town Council put out to tender in 2023 a specific job for over 500,000 euros, which was ultimately awarded to the company Lantania for nearly 382,000 euros.
The work involved reinforcing the retaining wall, replacing the railing, and improving the structural safety of the promenade. This project had a two-month execution period and was independent of the general plan but crucial for keeping the area operational.
The second phase of the project is still in planning and management.
This stretch covers an additional 200 metres and encompasses the rocky area of the Aquilino ravine, adjacent to the already rehabilitated area.
Among the planned actions is the demolition of illegal buildings that still stand, as well as the regeneration of the beach through the provision of sand.
There are also plans to construct two breakwaters to help protect the new coastline, in addition to extending the promenade to reach the surroundings of the Gran Arona Hotel.
In December 2022, the Ministry for Ecological Transition signed an agreement with the Arona Town Council, allocating two million euros for the drafting, tendering, and execution of this pending phase.
The agreement sets a deadline for completing the works by 31 December 2026, although a possible extension of up to two additional years is included.
As of today, the total execution of this second promenade phase and the completion of the pedestrian connection to the Gran Arona Hotel remain pending.
Moreover, it is necessary to address the planned maritime works — such as the construction of breakwaters and beach regeneration — which are fundamental to ensuring environmental stability.
All of this must be done in parallel with resolving various urban planning issues that continue to affect the final layout of the project.
