Puerto de la Cruz
BOTANICAL GARDENS
C/ Retama, 2 - 38400 Puerto de la Cruz
Open: (daily) Gardens: 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Closed: 1st January, Good Friday and 25th December
Library and Herb Garden: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Monday to Friday)
Tel and Fax: +34 922 922 981 / +34 922 922 978 / Fax: +34 922 923 138
http://www.instagram.com/jardin_botanico_jao/
La Orotava Acclimatisation Gardens was created by Royal Order of Carlos III on the 17th of August, 1788, due to the need to cultivate species from the tropics somewhere in Spain with a suitable climate. The intervention of Alonso de Nava y Grimón, VI Marquis de Villanueva del Prado was essential both in the decision making and also to establish and develop the gardens in the early stages. In 1790, the plans and memo were drawn up and work starts on the plans drawn by Nicolás Eduardo, architect from La Laguna. In 1792 new plantations are started.
French naturalist P. Ledrú, who visited the island in the late 17th century, was the first to catalogue the species grown in the Gardens. He proposed a systematic organisation of the collections based on the Linnean classification of 1753.
From 1832, the year in which Alonso de Nava, founder and first director of the Gardens, died, it has become dependent on several different agencies until 1983, when responsibility was transferred to the Canary Island Regional Government, where it came under the Research and Agrarian Technology Centre of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
It has major collections of tropical and sub-tropical plants, with special emphasis on varieties of palms such as Bromeliacea, Araceas and Moracea. There are many plants and trees that are interesting because of their beauty, size, age, rarity or remote place of origin.
As a scientific institution, the Gardens carry out international germo-plasm exchanges, it has a herb garden specialising in native Canary flora, with more than 30,000 files and develops research programmes on the flora and vegetation of the Canary Islands and the conservation of endemic species.
Ever since it was created, the Gardens have had an exhibition area of 20,000 m2, which is presently being increased, and an adjacent area of 40,000 m2.
SITIO LITRE
Camino Sitio Litre, s/n
Tel. 922 382417 - Fax: 922 384051
Visiting times: 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. all year round.
The oldest garden in Tenerife, over 220 years, it has a private mansion that dates from 1730. The owners have decided to open this magnificent garden to the public.
They have the largest collection of orchids on the island, the largest and oldest dragon tree in Puerto de la Cruz and souvenirs from important visitors like the famous German botanist and explorer Alexander von Humboldt and Agatha Christie. It has a café and a shop that specialises in typical products. There is an exhibition of paintings on loan from the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew in London, with whom they have a collaboration agreement.
TAORO PARK
Altos de Taoro s/n
Access via the Botanico road and via Las Arenas.
Tel: 922 378400 (Puerto de la Cruz Council Parks and Gardens Service)
Visiting times: permanently open.
Waterfalls and water gardens from 6 p.m.
Entrance: Free
The Taoro Park is a promontory that gives excellent views over the city. It covers an area of 100,000 square metres, with gardens, pathways, lookout points, illuminated fountains and waterfalls, a children's playground and a stall with a restaurant, bar and terrace.
The park is divided into three sections: La Atalaya, El Camino de La Sortija and the Taoro Gardens. The first sector is where you will find the "Dulce María Loynaz" lookout point.
The former Hotel Taoro is a symbol of the tourist tradition of Puerto de la Cruz; the central building was opened in 1890, based on the plans of French architect Adolph Croquet. There is also a conference centre in the park.
HOTEL TIGAIGA GARDENS
Carretera del Taoro, s/n , Puerto de la Cruz
Tel: 922 383 500 Fax: 922 384 055
Visiting times: Open all the time. Every day. Guided tours ON TUESDAYS.
Exceptionally well cared for gardens in a traditional hotel, with open-air terrace. It has a fine collection of plants, all of which are catalogued. Cacti predominate. The gardens have won the acclaim and praise of international experts. Guides to the garden are available in reception.
