You may have seen photos of this little bay covered in colorful hearts on social media. Here is everything you need to know about visiting Boca Cangrejo in Tenerife.
This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products or services I have tried and/or find useful and reliable.
On one of my many trips to Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, I finally managed to visit this adorable little seaside village not far from Santa Cruz. Whether you’ve already seen in on Instagram or have never heard of it, I absolutely recommend taking half a day to check it out. Let’s see what it’s all about.
The colorful hearts of Boca Cangrejo
Boca Cangrejo would be just another seaside village in Tenerife if it weren’t for the wonderful artworks of a local artist, Rafa. The village became famous all over social media for its little bay surrounded by houses covered in colorful hearts.
Rafa, who lives in a small house on the cliffside facing Playa de Berruguete, has decided to bring a splash of color to the place by painting hundreds of hearts in all sizes and colors. The entire bay is now a rainbow of hearts, from the house walls to the pavement that Rafa cleans carefully every day.
I arrived in Boca Cangrejo one late afternoon to find Rafa cleaning the heart-covered pavement in front of his house. At first, he seemed almost annoyed at me and the other two people around, but he gestured for us to come down, so we did. After wandering around the little bay and taking some photos, I stopped to talk to Rafa.
I found out that he’s been doing this for years, painting every surface of the little bay and keeping it in tip-top shape. From the way he spoke, one could tell he truly loved his work and didn’t expect anything in exchange. He then pulled out a bag filled with colorful bracelets and offered me two as he spoke about life challenges and how we should never give up, always look forward, and keep doing the things we love. It’s a conversation I cherish to this day, alongside the bracelet still on my wrist.
If you bump into Rafa when you get here and you speak a bit of Spanish, talk with him. You can also leave a donation in a small box right by Rafa’s house. And don’t forget to have a closer look at all the quirky sculptures placed all around the house.
What else to do in Boca Cangrejo
While most people head to Boca Cangrejo to see Rafa’s artwork, it’s worth exploring the rest of the village. The place is small, so you can walk around in about half an hour and see pretty much everything. But be sure to explore the narrow alleys and stairways.
You can also find a few lovely viewpoints to enjoy the sunset if you’re around in the evening. There isn’t much around in terms of bars and restaurants, except for the only restaurant in the village, called Bar Camarón Loco, near the local church, Ermita de la Virgen del Carmen.
Given the size of the village, you shouldn’t plan to spend more than a couple of hours, or slightly more if you stop for lunch. Boca Cangrejo is the ideal stop when exploring other places on the southern coast, like the lovely Candelaria or Güímar.
If you’re looking for other quaint villages in Tenerife, I highly recommend Garachico on the northern coast and Taganana in the Anaga Rural Park. You can also check out my article on the best spots to visit in Tenerife for first-time visitors, and this one with the coolest activities in Tenerife South.
If you want to get really off the beaten path, check out this stunning hike close to Puerto de la Cruz, Sendero El Jagre.
How to get to Boca Cangrejo
Rent a Car
The easiest way to get to Boca Cangrejo is by car. Renting a car in Tenerife can be relatively inexpensive most of the year. If you plan on exploring more off-the-beaten-path places, this is something you should consider. DiscoverCars offers great deals. This is always my go-to website for car rentals.
That being said, I went to Boca Cangrejo by public transport. However, I won’t recommend my exact itinerary, as I visited the village the same day I went to Candelaria, and just walked a lot and took a bus for a short portion. However, I’ll recommend the easiest options.
Boca Cangrejo by Bus
Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the closest city to Boca Cangrejo, so if you’re staying anywhere in the north, you must get there first. From the Intercambiador (main bus station), you can catch bus 122 or 111 and get off at Radazul. From there, it’s a half-hour walk downhill to the village. The challenge is climbing back up. Both buses run pretty frequently (every 20/30 minutes).
Another option is to catch bus 138 to Puerto de Radazul and walk roughly 15 minutes to Boca Cangrejo. The bus takes longer and runs less frequently than the other two, especially on weekends and holidays. Bus 139 also stops at Puerto de Radazul and is faster, but this one, too, has just a few departures.
From the south of Tenerife, it takes much longer. Bus 111 from los Cristianos to Santa Cruz is your best option. The ride takes roughly 1.5 hours and stops at Polígono la Campana.
A bus ride from Santa Cruz costs 1.85€, while from Los Cristianos, it’s 9€. I highly recommend getting the Ten+ card to top up and pay as you go. The fare with the Ten+ is discounted, so if you take the bus a lot, you can save a lot of money. Titsa, the transportation company in Tenerife, has the most up-to-date information about bus schedules and fares.
Travel Resources
Here are some of my favorite websites and apps for travel planning.
| Website/App | Category | Description | Book Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | Accommodation | My favorite website for great accommodations for different budgets. | Find a Place |
| Kiwi.com | Flights | My new favorite platform for finding affordable flights. | Find Flights |
| Omio | Transportation | You can book everything from buses and trains to ferry rides. | Transportation |
| SafetyWing | Insurance | One of the best travel medical insurances for frequent travelers. | Get Insured |
| Manawa | Activities | A great platform to book activities and adventures with local hosts. | Find Activities |
| GetYourGuide | Activities | My go-to platform for tours and experiences with lots of options. | Experiences |
| Viator | Activities | A great alternative for activities all over the world. | Experiences |
| GuruWalk | Free tours | A great platform for free walking tours (tipping is recommended). | Book a tour |
| DiscoverCars | Car rental | My go-to platform for car rental anywhere in the world. | Rent a Car |
| Airalo | eSIM | My favorite app for buying digital SIM cards when traveling abroad. | Get an eSIM |
| Saily | eSIM | A great alternative to Airalo, with cheaper plans in some destinations. | Get an eSIM |
| Xe | Currency | A currency converter showing real-time rates. Website or app. | Get Xe App |
| Maps.me | Navigation | My favorite navigation app for hiking trails and remote areas. | Get Maps |
Pin this post for later!
I’m thoroughly captivated with your keen analysis and superb ability to convey information. The knowledge you share is evident in each paragraph. It’s obvious that you put a lot of effort into researching your topics, and this effort is well-appreciated. Thank you for sharing such valuable insights. Keep on enlightening us! https://www.elevenviral.com