About the Caldera del Rey
La Caldera del Rey translates simply as "The Kings Crater" and it is easy to see why; as you drive down from the summit road above Las Americas, the shape of a volcanic crater is clearly visible which, due to its fertile soil is incredibly lush green.
Since the 1500īs the Caldera has been a working farm, belonging
to the Alfonso Dominguez family from Arona. The variety of crops farmed
has always been varied from basic staples such as potatoes and
wheat to more commercially viable crops for export such as cotton,
tobacco and cochineal (the colorant used in make-up and clothes
dye).
Today banana plantations and tomato cultivation under
greenhouse are the most prevalent crops, grown for
export to mainland Spain and the rest of Europe.
Avocadoes, mangoes, oranges and lemons are also farmed here.
