La Orotava Car Hire: Explore Tenerife's Historic Heart
Perched on the fertile slopes of the Orotava Valley, La Orotava is one of Tenerife’s treasures. For travellers based in the coastal resort of Puerto de la Cruz, a trip up to this historic municipality is well worth making.
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La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz: Twin Towns of the North
La Orotava and Puerto de la Cruz are often described as the "twin towns" of northern Tenerife, yet they offer two very different settings. Puerto de la Cruz developed as a bustling, subtropical port town on the Atlantic shore, while La Orotava was established higher up the valley as the aristocratic and agricultural heartland of the island.
Historically, wealthy landowners built their grand mansions in La Orotava, using Puerto de la Cruz as the gateway to export their wines, sugar, and bananas. Today, the two towns remain closely connected. La Orotava sits directly above Puerto de la Cruz, separated by a short but steep distance of just 7 to 8 kilometres.
Depending on traffic, the drive takes 10 to 15 minutes via the TF-31 or TF-21 roads.
Because of this proximity, many holidaymakers base themselves on the coast in Puerto de la Cruz and use a hire car to explore the historic quarter of La Orotava. The town has a UNESCO-worthy historic centre with cobbled streets, 17th-century mansions, and quiet, shady plazas.
Its most famous landmark is the Casa de los Balcones (House of the Balconies), built in 1632, which showcases traditional Canary Island carved pine balconies. Walking through the steep, narrow lanes of the historic quarter feels like stepping back into the Spanish colonial era, a sharp contrast to the modern resort atmosphere down on the coast.
Getting a Car & Where to Pick Up
Hiring a car for your trip to La Orotava is straightforward and economical. The Canary Islands are known for some of the most competitive and tourist-friendly car hire conditions in Europe.
Local Car Hire Companies
When booking your vehicle, you will encounter local Canarian operators such as CICAR and Autoreisen, alongside highly rated local agencies based in Puerto de la Cruz, such as Volcanic Car Hire.
The Canarian "Gold Standard" of Car Hire
Unlike many mainland European destinations where car hire is burdened by hidden extras, booking with reputable local firms in Tenerife usually includes:
- True No-Excess Insurance: Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) with zero excess is standard. If you scratch the bumper on a tight Orotava corner, you won’t be charged a penny.
- No Deposit Required: Many local firms do not require a massive credit card hold. You simply pay for the rental when you collect the keys.
- Unlimited Mileage: Perfect for long, winding drives up into the mountains.
- Free Second Driver: Often included in the base price, allowing you to swap drivers on challenging mountain routes.
Pickup Options
You have several convenient options for picking up your vehicle:
- Airport Arrival: Pick up your car immediately upon landing at Tenerife North (TFN)—which is only about 20 minutes from La Orotava—or Tenerife South (TFS), and drive straight to your accommodation.
- Hotel Delivery: If you prefer to spend your first few days relaxing by the pool in Puerto de la Cruz, you can arrange for local operators to deliver the car directly to your hotel reception on the morning your road trip begins.
- Puerto de la Cruz Offices: There are several physical car hire offices in the central districts of Puerto de la Cruz, making walk-in pickups easy.
Driving & Parking in La Orotava
Driving in La Orotava requires confidence, patience, and some local knowledge.
Navigating the Streets
Because La Orotava is built on the steep slopes of the valley, many of its streets are very steep—some reaching gradients that will test your hill-start skills. The historic centre has very narrow, single-lane cobbled streets hemmed in by historic stone walls and houses.
- Tip for Manual vs. Automatic: If you are not entirely comfortable with steep hill starts on cobbled surfaces, it is highly recommended to pay a little extra to hire an automatic car. It removes the stress of clutch control on La Orotava’s vertical streets.
- Mind the Mirrors: On narrow streets, oncoming traffic or parked cars can make spaces tight. Keep an eye on your wing mirrors, and drive slowly.
Where to Park in La Orotava
Do not make the mistake of trying to find free on-street parking in the historic heart of La Orotava. The streets are mostly reserved for residents, and spaces are very tight. Instead, aim for one of the dedicated car parks on the edge of the historic centre:
- Parking El Puente: Located centrally, this underground, paid car park is the most convenient spot to leave your vehicle. From here, you are just a short, flat walk away from the Town Hall and the Casa de los Balcones.
- Plaza de la Constitución Parking: Another excellent central parking option.
- Open-Air Parking Lots: There are several gravel parking lots (aparcamientos) on the outskirts of the historic zone where you can park for free or for a small voluntary tip to a local attendant (often referred to as gorrillas).
Once your car is parked, the best way to experience La Orotava is on foot.
The Gateway to Teide
For many visitors, La Orotava is the starting point for one of the most spectacular road trips in the world. The town sits at the foot of the TF-21 highway, the main northern artery climbing up into the Mount Teide National Park.
As you leave the upper residential areas of La Orotava, you begin an ascent through shifting ecological zones. You will drive through rich agricultural land, climb through the dense, humid Corona Forestal pine woods, rise above the clouds, and finally emerge into the volcanic crater of Las Cañadas.
To plan your journey, check out our comprehensive guide to the Puerto de la Cruz to Teide drive.
Important Preparation Tips
- Fuel Up Early: There are no petrol stations once you enter the National Park crater. Always make sure your tank is at least half full before leaving La Orotava.
- Winter Ice Caveat: Between December and March, it can get incredibly cold at altitudes above 2,000 metres. Even if you are wearing shorts down on the beach in Puerto de la Cruz, temperatures near Teide can plummet to freezing. Check local weather reports before setting off, as the TF-21 can occasionally close due to black ice or snowfall.
Day Trips from La Orotava by Car
With your hire car parked in the valley, a wealth of day trips are within easy reach. Here are some of the best itineraries starting from La Orotava:
1. Mount Teide National Park
Take the TF-21 directly from La Orotava. Spend your day hiking around the Roques de García, riding the cable car to the peak, or simply marvelling at the lunar landscapes.
2. The Northern Coastal Route (Icod & Garachico)
From La Orotava, join the TF-5 motorway heading west. Within 25 minutes, you will reach Icod de los Vinos, home to the famous ancient Drago Tree (El Drago Milenario). From there, continue along the coast to Garachico, a historic port town that was partially destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1706. Today, you can swim in its natural rock pools (El Caletón) formed by solidified lava.
3. Puerto de la Cruz Seafront
Head back down the hill to enjoy the coastal atmosphere. Check out our guide on things to do in Puerto de la Cruz by car to plan an afternoon at the world-famous Lago Martiánez swimming pools or the volcanic black sands of Playa Jardín.
Local Money-Saving Tip: Find the Cheapest Petrol
Fuel prices in the Canary Islands are heavily subsidised compared to mainland Europe and the UK, making road trips cheaper. However, you can save even more by avoiding motorway service stations.
For the best prices, head to the automated, low-cost petrol stations in the commercial and industrial zones (polígonos) around La Orotava and neighbouring Los Realejos.
- Keep an eye out for brands like Petroprix or Plenergy in the Polígono Industrial San Jerónimo (just off the TF-5 on the border of La Orotava).
- At these stations, petrol prices typically run around €1.28 to €1.38 per litre (indicative prices as of June 2026; prices fluctuate with global markets), saving you up to 10–15 cents per litre compared to the prime coastal tourist spots.
Book Your Orotava Valley Adventure Today
There is no better way to experience the dramatic landscapes, historic colonial architecture, and pine forests of the Orotava Valley than by car. By skipping the crowded tour buses, you can explore at your own pace, stop at local guachinches (traditional family-run restaurants) for a plate of slow-cooked goat and local wine, and stand above the sea of clouds at sunset.
Ready to start planning your northern Tenerife road trip? Use our search tool to compare the best local and international car hire deals, featuring fully comprehensive insurance and transparent, no-hidden-fee pricing.
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