Cueva de Bencomo

Cueva de Bencomo is an archaeological site featuring two large basaltic cavities connected by a narrow passage at 350 meters above sea level. The location includes three natural shelters and the Fuente de Tamaide water source, positioned between the municipalities of Santa Úrsula and La Orotava.

This site served as the residence of Mencey Bencomo, a leader of the Taoro territory before European colonization reached the island. Excavations conducted from 2017 to 2018 uncovered ceramics, animal bones, stone tools, and beaded adornments from the pre-Hispanic period.

The cave's name honors Mencey Bencomo, a Guanche leader whose connection to this place remains significant to the island's heritage. The walls show traces of closure systems that residents crafted, reflecting how inhabitants adapted the natural space to suit their daily needs.

The site lies in a hillside location between two municipalities where terrain becomes more challenging at higher elevations. Visitors should be prepared for changing weather at altitude and wear sturdy footwear suitable for uneven ground.

The markings on the cave walls reveal the oldest known closure systems documented in Tenerife. These structures offer insight into the craftsmanship and technical solutions developed by the site's early residents.