Cueva de Bencomo

Cueva de Bencomo is a natural volcanic cave straddling the boundary between Santa Úrsula and La Orotava in Tenerife, ranking among the Canary Islands' more notable archaeological sites tied to the Guanches, the island's original inhabitants before the Spanish conquest.

What exactly is this place?

The site consists of two large basaltic chambers linked by a narrow passage, with their openings sitting at roughly 350 metres above sea level on the right-hand slope of the Barranco del Pino ravine. Cavities like this formed through past volcanic activity, when flowing lava left behind hollow rock chambers — a landscape feature typical of this part of Tenerife.

In 1986, the Canary Islands Government listed the cave as a Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC), the archipelago's top heritage-protection category reserved for sites of significant historical or archaeological value.

Where does the name come from?

Local tradition links the cave to Bencomo, the last mencey (ruler) of Taoro, one of the Guanche kingdoms that governed parts of Tenerife before Europeans arrived in the 15th century. The story holds that this was his dwelling or refuge. Researchers, however, are divided on whether the cave actually served that purpose — it remains a tradition preserved in local memory and scholarly writing rather than an established historical fact.

What have excavations uncovered?

Archaeological work at the site has turned up human remains, pottery fragments, and beads that likely once formed necklaces. The finds date to before the Spanish conquest of the island, confirming that the Guanche community used the site long before contact with Europeans. For researchers studying the Taoro region, the cave is a key source of insight into the daily life and burial practices of its earlier inhabitants.

How do you get there, and what should you expect?

Cueva de Bencomo sits in open, natural terrain within the Barranco del Pino ravine, between the built-up areas of Santa Úrsula and La Orotava. It isn't a site built for mass tourism — there's no ticket booth, no marked interpretive trail, and no fixed opening hours. Reaching it usually involves a short walk over uneven ground, so sturdy footwear is worth packing, and it's a good idea to check current access conditions locally before setting out.

When is the best time to visit?

Given its nature as an open-air archaeological and volcanic site, visiting during the dry season and in daylight hours offers the best visibility and terrain conditions. This is a destination for travellers drawn to Guanche history and the island's volcanic geology, rather than a stop on the standard tourist circuit.

Frequently asked questions

What is Cueva de Bencomo? A natural volcanic cave between Santa Úrsula and La Orotava, made up of two basaltic chambers joined by a passage, recognised as an important archaeological site connected to the Guanches.

Was it really Bencomo's dwelling? That's what local tradition says, but historians remain divided — it's a long-standing hypothesis, not a confirmed fact.

What did excavations find? Human remains, pottery, and necklace beads dating from before the Spanish conquest of Tenerife.

Is the cave legally protected? Yes — it has held Bien de Interés Cultural status, granted by the Canary Islands Government, since 1986.