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San Blas Environmental Reserve, the home of Barceló Tenerife
Nature Reserve
The San Blas Environmental Reserve is a natural and culture treasure in the Canary Islands. More than 500,000 square metres of protected space where you can see the traces of the island's volcanic past, the endemic flora and fauna that settled in this area thousands of years ago and the remnants that humans have left in the territory: from the Guanches to the present day. San Blas is a true example of heritage conservation.
- Information
- History of San Blas
- Fauna and flora
- Geology
- Activities
- Gallery
Being almost untouched, its actual state is believed to be very similar to that of hundreds of thousands of years ago, which has contributed to the survival of many endemic ecosystems, preserving its significant archaeological, biological, geological and historical importance. There are endemic species that have been preserved to this day, numerous archaeological sites, aboriginal caves and remnants of a more recent past that help us understand how people lived here before our time.
To live a unique experience and discover the San Blas Environmental Reserve, the best option is to stay at the Barceló Tenerife hotel, located next to the Reserve and perfectly integrated into the landscape of Tenerife, with a strong commitment to sustainable and regenerative tourism.
Booking telephone number
+34 922 09 70 40
Information
Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 9:15 to 13:00 *Check schedule.
San Blas Environmental Reserve houses numerous archaeological sites from the Guanche era that have been subject to preservation and protection works, as well as research, to obtain from them all the possible information about the first humans who inhabited this space: the Guanches. From the caves where they lived to ritual areas where they invoked their gods, they are part of the rich archaeological heritage of San Blas. The ravines and hills of San Blas also hide the traces left by people that used this place to grow their food, obtain raw materials or store rainwater in a more recent past. Cereal and tomato orchards, threshing floors, stone quarries, irrigation systems or the dam itself are part of the cultural heritage of this place.
Millions of years ago, the same species of flora and fauna that populated the Macaronesia arrived here, later adapting to the environmental conditions of the place and adopting new forms, creating a landscape of endemic species that have been preserved to this day. The tabaiba and the spectacular cardón are the greatest examples of the flora that inhabits this arid land in the south of Tenerife. As for the fauna, birds and lizards are the most represented species in the Reserve.
The San Blas Environmental Reserve is a unique volcanic landscape that began to form
4 million years ago, when the first basaltic flows descended from the summits and reached the ocean. The ash produced over 500,000 years ago gave this territory the yellowish colour it has today. Then, the wind and the water sculpted what today is the lunar landscape of San Blas.
The orography of San Blas, besides its stunning shapes, is also part of the legacy that has been developed over the centuries and that often was an essential part of the life of the inhabitants of the area.
Nature, creativity, fun, excitement, culture and technology come together in one of the best-kept secrets on the island. Enjoy a unique experience in the heart of the volcanic landscape!
Activities
Tour of the Nature Reserve
Interpretation Centre
San Blas Canyon
Historic experience tunnel
Stargazing
Interpretation Centre
San Blas Environmental Reserve has a
state-of-the-art interpretation centre. It consists of different rooms in which visitors can learn the secrets
treasured in this natural space through modern
audiovisuals, recreation of interactive spaces, 3D images, etc.
