Santa Cruz Aims to Transform Las Teresitas Beach
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council continues its efforts to redevelop the city’s most famous beach. Led by Coalición Canaria and the Partido Popular, the municipal government seeks to revive the Las Teresitas urbanization project through minor modifications to the city’s General Urban Planning Plan (PGOU). A draft proposal from July 2024 outlines plans for a 500-bed hotel, underground parking, and tram access, aiming to “serve the undeniable public interest of this significant location.”
A Beach Shadowed by Controversy
Las Teresitas carries a troubled history marked by corruption. The beachfront was central to one of the Canary Islands’ biggest urban scandals—the Las Teresitas case. Dating back to 2001, the scheme led to the imprisonment of former mayor and senator Miguel Zerolo (CC) for misconduct and embezzlement. The city bought land already publicly owned from businessmen Antonio Plasencia and Ignacio González for €52.2 million—over €30 million above its appraised value. Both businessmen were also convicted in the case.
New Plans for a Troubled Shoreline
After a failed 2016 beachfront plan was overturned in 2017 due to lacking environmental assessments, the new proposal seeks to establish “high-quality environmental and landscape standards” while providing necessary public amenities. The 178-page draft, prepared by public firm Gestur, emphasizes it is not yet binding but serves as the foundation for strategic environmental evaluations.
Current Challenges at Las Teresitas
The document highlights several issues: missing sidewalks, excessive private vehicle use, poor preservation of heritage elements, and difficult beach access. Current parking layouts and car dominance limit other potential leisure uses. Public consultations in 2014 revealed concerns about cleanliness, parking shortages, traffic congestion, overcrowding in San Andrés village, and the need for better restrooms and local cultural preservation.
Four Potential Futures for the Beach
The draft presents four development alternatives. Option 1 suggests an urban park with parking and sports areas but no hotels. Options 2 and 3 include hotel developments, with Option 3 deemed “most suitable”—featuring a large beachfront park, surface and underground parking, sports facilities, small-to-medium commercial spaces, a tram line, and a hotel complex. The proposed five-star hotel near San Roque Mountain could accommodate up to 500 guests across 25,000 square meters, plus 15,000 square meters for complementary uses. The plan claims the hotel’s location won’t disrupt beach views.
Local Backlash and Environmental Concerns
The tourism-focused proposal has alarmed residents demanding limits on overcrowding. The Tenerife Association of Friends of Nature (ATAN) calls it “another assault” that would sacrifice a beloved local leisure spot for tourism. Public comments in the draft include a regular beachgoer’s complaint: “A five-star hotel near the beach is absurd—it would create problems without benefits.”
Preserving Historical Treasures
The plan dedicates a section to historical preservation. While no officially protected cultural assets exist, significant heritage elements include a paleontological site—the only one in the western islands containing Strombus bubonius fossils from the last Mediterranean-Lusitanian interglacial period. The 1893 San Andrés cemetery, built after a cholera epidemic, will remain untouched as a cultural landmark. The document also notes the historic Igueste agricultural trail and San Roque Mountain’s old military battery.
Officials Defend the Proposal
Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez (CC) responded to critics: “Some specialize in criticizing before we even have an approved document.” He emphasized the public ownership of the land and plans for non-tourism uses like a healthcare center and office building to diversify employment. Urban Planning Councilor Zaida González estimates final approval by late 2026 or early 2027, with construction following the minor PGOU modification’s approval.
