If you’ve eaten a banana today, great. But if you’ve never stood next to a banana plant that’s taller than you, learned how bananas actually grow, and then tasted half a dozen banana-based treats five minutes later… this one’s for you.
The Banana World Guided Tour at Hacienda La ReKompensa is one of those easy, low-effort activities that ends up being far more interesting than you expect. Short, informative, genuinely fun, and yes, delicious.
🍌 What Is Banana World, Exactly?
Banana World is a guided visit to a working banana plantation and museum in Gran Canaria, located at Hacienda La ReKompensa. This is not a theme park or a gimmicky attraction. It’s a real agricultural estate with more than 7,000 banana plants, avocado trees, and other fruit crops spread across 56,000 square metres.
You walk through the plantation with a local guide who explains how bananas grow, why Canarian bananas are different, and how this crop shaped the island’s history. Then you finish with tastings. Always a good ending.
🌱 The Guided Tour Experience
The tour lasts around 40 to 45 minutes, which honestly is perfect. Long enough to learn a lot, short enough to keep everyone engaged.
Your guide walks you through:
- Different banana plant varieties, including 13 types grown on-site
- How bananas grow, flower, and are harvested
- Traditional and modern cultivation techniques used in the Canary Islands
- The role bananas played in Gran Canaria’s economy and daily life
The guides get consistently great reviews for being friendly, funny, and very good at explaining things in a simple way. Even people who thought they were “not really into farms” tend to walk away impressed.
🏛️ The Banana Museum and Interpretation Centre
Part of the visit includes the Museo del Plátano, which sits inside a beautifully restored Canarian house dating back to 1804. From here, you get lovely views over the plantation and the Atlantic Ocean, plus a bit more context about banana production on the island.
It’s compact, well laid out, and easy to follow. No reading overload, no boredom setting in halfway through.
🍯 The Best Part: Banana Tastings
Let’s be honest, this is what most people are quietly waiting for.
At the end of the tour, you’ll get to taste a selection of local products made with Canarian bananas, including:
- Banana jams
- Banana quince
- Banana wine
- Juices and other small artisanal products
You can also browse the on-site shop if you want to take something home. Banana cosmetics are a thing, and yes, they smell surprisingly good.
🌊 Views, Nature, and a Relaxed Setting
One thing that really stands out is the setting. The plantation combines greenery, ocean views, and open space, making it feel calm and unrushed. It’s an easy activity to combine with other plans, especially if you’re exploring the north of Gran Canaria.
Just wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking on farmland paths, not polished museum floors.
📍 Practical Info Before You Go
- Duration: Around 40 to 45 minutes
- Languages: English and Spanish
- Starting point: Hacienda La ReKompensa, Museo del Plátano
- Accessibility: Not suitable for people with mobility impairments
- Weather: The tour runs rain or shine
When you arrive, park in the large parking area, follow the signs for “Banana Museum,” and meet your guide inside.
⭐ Is It Worth It?
With a 4.8 out of 5 rating from thousands of visitors, this tour clearly delivers. It’s informative without being heavy, family-friendly without being childish, and ends with food. That’s usually a winning formula.
If you’re looking for something different from beaches and viewpoints, or you want to understand Gran Canaria beyond the postcard version, Banana World is a surprisingly solid choice.
🎟️ Book the Banana World Guided Tour
You’ll find the booking widget below where you can check availability, reserve your spot, and cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance if plans change.
Easy to book, easy to enjoy, and you’ll never look at a banana the same way again.
