Travel in Time at El Pasaje Secreto

REVIEW · TENERIFE

Travel in Time at El Pasaje Secreto

  • 5.010 reviews
  • 3 hours (approx.)
  • From $56.59
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Operated by El pasaje secreto · Bookable on Viator

El Pasaje Secreto feels like stepping into a story world in Tenerife, where a family-led team mixes myth, art, and local history inside lush gardens and cave spaces. I love how the experience treats the past as something you can walk through, not just read about, and I also like that the explanations connect spirituality, ancient civilizations, and everyday ingenuity. One thing to plan for: it depends on good weather, and the venue can be tricky to find fast if you rely only on a regular map pin.

This is a private tour/activity for your group, starting at 4:00 pm and lasting about 3 hours. You’ll meet at Calle la Degollada prolongada 92, 38629 El Roque (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), and it ends right back at the same spot. It’s offered in English, you get a mobile ticket, and you’ll receive confirmation at booking.

Key highlights worth your time

Travel in Time at El Pasaje Secreto - Key highlights worth your time

  • A garden-and-cave place built as a living story, with sculptures and intricate drawings you follow in sequence
  • Spiritual myths and Canarian history woven into the walk, not dumped as facts on a plaque
  • Canarian water-collection systems explained as real local problem-solving and land knowledge
  • Guides who bring the setting to life (Maria and her family are a big part of the experience)
  • A family-friendly pace that can work across ages, from kids to seniors
  • A practical tip if you get lost: use coordinates 28.096791, -16.640795 for the parking area

Where the Time Travel Fantasy Comes From

Travel in Time at El Pasaje Secreto - Where the Time Travel Fantasy Comes From
El Pasaje Secreto is not a museum. It is more like a handmade universe—built by a family over many years—where the rooms and paths are arranged to guide you through stories. You’ll move through a lush garden and then into caves decorated with sculptures and detailed drawings, and each stop adds another piece of the larger picture.

What makes this experience interesting is how it blends two kinds of “ancient” you might not expect in the same place. There’s the spiritual side: myths, legends, and the way people used stories to explain the world. Then there’s the practical side: the Canarian people’s water collection systems, shown as a smart response to island conditions.

A subtle benefit for your trip planning: because the format is story-driven, you don’t need to already be an expert on the Canary Islands. You just need curiosity and a willingness to let a guide lead the pace.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Tenerife.

The setting: garden calm, cave wonder

The garden portion sets the tone. Expect a slower, more breathing-feels approach—paths that keep you looking up and around, with art and symbolism placed so you can actually notice it. Then the caves shift the mood. Things get more mysterious, and the sculptures and drawings become the “visual sentences” that carry the story forward.

If you like experiences where you’re allowed to be a little quiet and observant, this kind of design works well. If you’re hoping for big outdoor views the whole time, you’ll get some but this is mainly about what’s built around you.

Inside the Garden and Caves: Art That Explains Belief

Travel in Time at El Pasaje Secreto - Inside the Garden and Caves: Art That Explains Belief
The core of the experience is the way the space is decorated to tell narratives. You’ll walk through areas filled with sculptures and intricate drawings, and the guide connects them to spiritual lives, myths, and ancient civilizations linked to the Canary Islands.

I like that the art isn’t presented as random decoration. It’s treated like a language. You’ll be guided to notice symbols, relate them to stories, and understand the emotional logic of myth-making—how communities used stories to make sense of nature, life, and place.

What you’re really paying for (and why it matters)

At first glance, it’s easy to think you’re paying to “tour a cool property.” But the value is the interpretation. The tour is built around storytelling—someone explains what you’re seeing, why it’s there, and how it fits into local cultural history and spiritual imagination.

That matters on vacation because it turns passive sightseeing into active understanding. You leave with a sense of meaning, not just photos.

Cave time: slower, more focused

Caves naturally pull your attention inward. In places like this, that works in your favor. You’re more likely to notice small details—textures of sculptures, the way drawings are arranged, and the guide’s step-by-step flow. It’s also a format that tends to feel calm rather than rushed, which is a big plus if you’re traveling with family.

The Canarian Water Systems Chapter

Travel in Time at El Pasaje Secreto - The Canarian Water Systems Chapter
One of the best surprises in El Pasaje Secreto is that the story doesn’t stop at myths and symbolism. You’ll also learn about ingenious water collection systems created by Canarian people.

Why that’s valuable for you: it reframes “history” from distant to practical. Even if the fantasy elements are the headline, the water systems remind you that island life required planning, engineering, and deep knowledge of local conditions.

This part also balances the emotional tone. Myth can feel abstract. Water collection is concrete. The blend gives the tour emotional range—wonder, then understanding.

How to make this section land better

When the water systems get explained, lean into it like you would a local survival story. Ask yourself: what problem were they solving, and how does the design fit the land? You don’t need technical background. The guide’s job is to translate it into clear, human terms.

If you’re a fan of how societies adapt to place—whether that’s agriculture, water, architecture, or crafts—you’ll enjoy this segment more than you might at first assume.

Meet Maria and Her Family: The People Behind the Magic

Travel in Time at El Pasaje Secreto - Meet Maria and Her Family: The People Behind the Magic
A big reason this tour gets such strong praise is the human element. Maria and her family are repeatedly named as central to the experience, and their approach is warm, passionate, and welcoming.

In practical terms, that means you’re not dealing with a scripted robot guide. You’re dealing with people who clearly care about what they built and what it means. The story is presented as something alive, not something recited.

Maria and the family also set expectations early: you’re stepping into a fantasy world where stories, mythologies, and history of the local area come to life. That framing helps you relax. You’re not measuring the experience like a strict lecture. You’re joining the narrative.

Family-friendly storytelling style

The tour reads like it’s designed for mixed ages. The guides know how to connect with children without boring adults, and they keep the atmosphere calm enough for seniors. If you’re traveling with kids, this is one of the rare activities that uses imagination as a bridge, not as a gimmick.

Price and Value: What $56.59 Buys You

Travel in Time at El Pasaje Secreto - Price and Value: What $56.59 Buys You
The price is listed at $56.59 per person, with an approximate 3-hour duration. On paper, it’s not the cheapest thing on the island. But for a private, family-led, art-and-story experience, it often lands as solid value—especially when you factor in that you’re not herded into a big group.

Here’s how I’d judge value for your wallet:

  • If you’re traveling with others (even just a small group), a private format can make the total feel fairer than you might expect.
  • You get more than visuals: you get guided storytelling that turns the space into something you understand.
  • The experience is built around two themes that most tourists don’t get together—mythic storytelling and local water knowledge.

One caution on value: since it requires good weather and is weather-dependent, you should avoid treating it like a guaranteed must-do on a tight schedule with poor forecast flexibility.

Practical Logistics: Meeting Point, Start Time, and Finding the Place

Travel in Time at El Pasaje Secreto - Practical Logistics: Meeting Point, Start Time, and Finding the Place
Start time is 4:00 pm, and it ends back at the meeting point. That makes planning easier: you can build a light dinner or earlier sightseeing around it without worrying about transportation changes later.

You’ll meet at:

Calle la Degollada prolongada 92, 38629 El Roque, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

A quick navigation tip that saves time

If the location looks confusing on your map app, don’t force it. Use the coordinates 28.096791, -16.640795 to get to the parking area. This is the kind of practical tip that prevents a stressful arrival—and it’s especially helpful if you’re driving near the end of the day.

Timing sense for the day

With a late afternoon start, plan to arrive a little early. You’ll want a buffer so you’re not rushing into the first explanations. And because you’re indoors part of the time (cave spaces), arriving ready to slow down helps your experience feel smoother.

Who Should Book El Pasaje Secreto (and Who Might Skip It)

Travel in Time at El Pasaje Secreto - Who Should Book El Pasaje Secreto (and Who Might Skip It)
This is a good fit for you if:

  • You like story-driven experiences more than checklist sightseeing
  • You enjoy art with meaning—sculpture and drawings that are explained
  • You’re traveling with kids or mixed ages and want something that can work across generations
  • You want Canarian history in a creative, human scale, not only in strict academic form

It might not be your top choice if:

  • You want a high-energy outdoor tour with big views the whole time
  • You dislike weather-dependent plans and don’t have backup time
  • You’re expecting a traditional guided tour with straightforward museum-style information only

Also, if you’re on a short Tenerife trip, this can be a strong use of time because it’s self-contained. You’re not bouncing between multiple far-flung stops.

Should You Book This Time Travel Tour?

Travel in Time at El Pasaje Secreto - Should You Book This Time Travel Tour?
Yes, I’d book it if you want something different from the usual Tenerife routine. El Pasaje Secreto is one of those places where the experience is the point: walking through a family-created universe of myths, art, and local ingenuity. The private format, the English option, and the calm family-friendly tone make it a smart pick for groups that want a meaningful evening without a long transport puzzle.

I’d think twice only if your schedule is too tight for weather, or if you’re the type who needs strictly factual, lecture-style history. For everyone else, especially families and curious solo travelers, it’s a memorable way to understand the Canary Islands from the inside out.

FAQ

How long is the El Pasaje Secreto tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 4:00 pm.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet at El Pasaje Secreto, Calle la Degollada prolongada 92, 38629 El Roque, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes, it includes a mobile ticket.

Will I get confirmation after booking?

You’ll receive confirmation at the time of booking.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Does the tour depend on weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

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