Banana plantations are one of the most distinctive landscapes in northern Tenerife. The green terraces that fill the valleys around Puerto de la Cruz and La Orotava are the result of more than a century of agricultural development.
The fertile soils created by volcanic activity and the mild, humid climate of the northern coast provide ideal conditions for banana cultivation. As a result, bananas became one of the island’s most important agricultural exports.
Even today the plantations form a defining feature of the landscape, particularly in the valleys and coastal slopes surrounding Puerto de la Cruz.
Quick Answer
Where are banana plantations in Tenerife? Most banana plantations are located in the northern part of the island, particularly in the Orotava Valley and along the coastal slopes near Puerto de la Cruz where the climate is slightly wetter and more fertile.
Banana Plantations in the Orotava Valley
The Orotava Valley provides some of the most fertile agricultural land in Tenerife. Sheltered by the slopes of Mount Teide and exposed to moisture carried by the Atlantic trade winds, the valley benefits from a climate that supports a wide range of crops.
Early banana plants were cultivated in the historic gardens of Puerto de la Cruz, including Sitio Litre Garden and the nearby Botanical Garden of Puerto de la Cruz. These early introductions helped demonstrate that the island’s climate and volcanic soils were ideal for growing the crop.
From these early gardens banana cultivation spread across the fertile landscapes of the Orotava Valley, where the plantations that now surround Puerto de la Cruz became one of the defining agricultural landscapes of northern Tenerife.
These conditions are closely linked to the island’s microclimates, which you can explore in our guide to Tenerife microclimates.
The Banana Export Trade and Fyffes
During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries banana cultivation expanded rapidly across northern Tenerife.
One of the major companies involved in exporting the fruit was the British firm Fyffes. The company played an important role in developing the banana trade between the Canary Islands and the United Kingdom.
Bananas grown in the Orotava Valley were transported from the island to European markets, helping to establish Tenerife as an important agricultural exporter.
Walking Through Banana Plantations Near Puerto de la Cruz
Visitors staying in Puerto de la Cruz can easily experience the banana landscape for themselves. Several walking routes pass through the plantations east of the town, particularly along the coastal paths that lead toward Playa Bollullo.
Walking through these paths provides a close view of the terraces, irrigation systems and the distinctive blue protective coverings often used on the fruit.
This video from Puerto de la Cruz Info shows what these plantations look like when walking through them and the complete journey to the beach.
Alfred Diston and the Landscape of Tenerife
The agricultural landscape of northern Tenerife fascinated many nineteenth-century visitors. One of the most notable observers was the British naturalist Alfred Diston, who documented the island’s plants, agriculture and geography.
Diston had connections to both Sitio Litre and the nearby Botanical Garden of Puerto de la Cruz, where early agricultural experiments were taking place. His observations helped record the development of crops such as bananas that would later become central to the island’s economy.
We explore Diston’s work and influence in more detail in our article about Alfred Diston and the natural history of Tenerife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are banana plantations in Tenerife?
Banana plantations are most common in the north of Tenerife, especially in the Orotava Valley and coastal areas around Puerto de la Cruz.
Are Tenerife bananas different?
Yes. Canary Island bananas are typically smaller and sweeter than many varieties grown elsewhere.
Can you walk through banana plantations in Tenerife?
Yes. Some coastal walking routes east of Puerto de la Cruz pass through banana plantations on the way toward Playa Bollullo.
Who exported bananas from Tenerife?
One of the most important companies involved in exporting Tenerife bananas was the British firm Fyffes.