It’s 11 October 2022. I peer out of the plane window as Tenerife’s Teide looms through clouds. An hour later, host María Mayordomo welcomes us through the green door of Cactus Coliving. Perfect timing: it’s family dinner! I look around at who I’ll be living with for the next six weeks, and the introductions begin.
“I’m Sole! And this is Ramon,” smiles the person opposite. I ask what they do – are they nomads?
“Yep. We’re building an app. Something to help remote workers connect.”
Three years later?
That something is the wonder of MapMelon, Cactus Coliving has expanded, and I once again find myself flying towards Tenerife.
A new type of coliving for Cactus
If you’re anything like me and love coliving, it feels strange not having your next stay to look forward to. That was me this summer: fresh from my third time at Château and craving even more time in community.
So when María invited me and my partner Joe to beta test her new location in Adeje, we jumped at the chance. After all, her Cactus tagline is “community as a way of life”. We arrived a few weeks later.
The first ten people to book Cactus Adeje between 1 February and 31 July using the coupon code OPENING100 will recieve a generous €100 discount
The first thing to know about Cactus Adeje? It’s not a replica of the OG. In fact, this is what initially drew María to the project. She told me:
“I wanted to offer something different. Valle is a vibrant, energetic space, ~20 people when full. But not everyone wants that. Some long-term colivers desire a slower pace of life, a quieter home in which to focus, or a longer stay to build stability and a deeper local connection. Adeje sleeps a maximum of six people across five rooms.”
And here is where I confess something to you, reader. I wasn’t expecting to like this format so much.
Because I love busy colivings. 15+ people. High energy, always someone to chat with. Surely six people would feel too quiet? What if we didn’t get on?!
Well, Cactus Adeje completely reframed my perspective. I’ll explain why. But first: back to those rooms.
Bedrooms at Cactus Adeje
A comfy bed, lots of plug sockets, a desk to work at – so far, so normal. But María has added plenty of thoughtful extras: lamps provide soft uplighting. Unique artwork and custom headboards add character. Quiet electric fans offer heat relief. Intelligently placed shelves, hooks, drawers, and rails provide effortless storage throughout.
The decor is calm but never monotonous. Our room was more than big enough for two of us, and the modern en-suite felt luxurious. The brand new shower was powerful and beautifully tiled.
Three other private en-suites have double beds. One private single room has a shared bathroom just across the courtyard.
Cactus Adeje’s shared spaces
Walk through the front door and into a cosy living area. A sofa and TV invite you to put your feet up, and a dining table seats four for meals or coworking. María has added a range of card and board games. A door off to the side opens to Perenquen room.
Down the corridor into the courtyard – which is half open to the sky – are a range of tables, chairs, and the comfiest beanbags I’ve ever lounged on. The other four bedrooms all have windows looking out onto this area, so natural light permeates the space.
Further in is the kitchen. It’s decked out with brand new cooking equipment, adjustable lighting, and high-quality appliances, including a dishwasher, microwave, and tall fridge freezer. A door opens to the shared bathroom.
Whether it was time for breakfast, games, evening work sessions, or yoga, the back terrace was the beating heart of Cactus Adeje for our group of colivers.
A strung canvas shade protects while allowing glimpses of the stars or surrounding scenery, and screens keep the ample laundry facilities discreet. It’s a welcoming space that draws everyone in.
Crucially, the Wifi is flawless throughout the property. It didn’t drop or lag once.
Location, location, location – what to find around Cactus Adeje
Cactus Adeje is possibly the best situated coliving I’ve ever enjoyed. It’s served nicely by both its immediate surroundings, the wider area, and the connected community.
The town around: what Adeje has to offer
A 30-second walk takes you to a beautiful terrace looking out over Roque de los Brezos and Roque del Conde and the surrounding barrancos.
Two roads over is Calle Grande, the main street of this part of town. Lively and tree-lined, we were treated to bakeries, cafes, restaurants, bars, fruiteria, a pharmacy, supermarket, and gelateria (I recommend the hazelnut flavour), all just a five-minute walk from home.
Continue downhill for more green spaces, bus services, a huge gym, and a larger supermarket.
Adeje is clean and welcoming, with plenty of history to discover. Read María’s local tips on the Cactus Coliving blog.
Community at Cactus Coliving
Cactus Adeje has a huge coliving bonus: it’s near the very first Cactus location in Valle de San Lorenzo. All Adeje colivers will have full access to all of the activities and coworking spaces in Valle – and at no extra cost. You’re essentially getting to coliving spaces for the price of one!
María said:
“There is a natural flow between the two spaces. Adeje colivers are welcome to cowork at our Valle house. We share activities, family meals, and even yoga so the two Cactus communities can feel like one. But when Adeje guests arrive home, they get the added benefits of a cosy house and a more long-term friendship group.”
This is another key difference of the new Cactus Coliving: a two-month minimum stay. It’s a well-known fact that guests who stay longer at colivings usually find it easier to connect with people and the location on a deeper level.
But what about in the house? Did I find it claustrophobic in a smaller space and only four others to get to know?
Absolutely not. On the contrary, by the end of day two, it felt like we’d known each other for weeks. Not having to constantly introduce myself and meet new arrivals meant I felt calmer and more at ease in my surroundings. I reckon it takes a fortnight for a group to really flow in a coliving of around 20 people. Here, it took a matter of days. Turns out I’m the newest fan of small, homely colivings.
Rebecca Broad’s top tips for living at Cactus Adeje
There’s so much to explore that I barely feel like I’ve scratched the surface. Here’s what I suggest when you colive at Cactus Adeje.
Choose your coliving routine
Figure out what you need from your day and how it aligns with the group. Do people usually rise early for a coffee and chat? Are after-work Teide sunsets the thing? Or are the weeks for focusing on work, with weekends saved for big trips, like to the north of the island?
With six people in the house and many others in Valle, there’s always someone up for joining your plan – or running an activity for you to join. Stay flexible to have the most fun. And make the most of the Valle house for coworking sessions, family meals, and so much more.
Support independent (eat food)
We put the local eateries to the test: our group included vegan, vegetarian, dairy-intolerant, and gluten-free colivers!
My top five recommendations (all within walking distance) are:
- El Cafe de Mamá for coffee and gluten-free cakes
- Buddha Sano Canarias for generous and healthy eat-in or takeaway bowls
- Rincón del Pan (small Canarian chain) for sandwiches and breads
- Heladería paradise for afternoon treats (aka gelato and pastries)
- SIMPLE for group brunches
Rent a car to explore further afield
Buses are reliable, but for ultimate independence and daily adventures, rent a car. We paid ~€80 for ten days’ rental of a manual from Autoreisen. Choose the smallest car available, as streets are narrow. Once I was used to driving on the wrong side of the car, and the wrong side of the street (sorry, I’m British) I found the roads to be smooth and easy to understand.
I’d particularly recommend a car if your work is flexible and you can head to hotspots on weekdays. Click here to open a custom Google Maps I made with some of my tried-and-tested locations. It’s a good start, but it’s best to ask the community manager for the most recent under-the-radar visits!
Mix it up: other coworking locations
One workday, four of us went to the coastal town of San Juan. I run a marketing and communications business, and had a busy day of meetings, so I rented a desk at Coworking South Tenerife for €10.
At lunchtime, we ate at Panier. After work, we hiked along the coast, then swam at a nearby beach. It felt like the perfect mix of work and play – which is what this lifestyle is all about.
Book Cactus Adeje ASAP!
There’s not much else for me to say other than: get booking! The first ten people to book Cactus Adeje between 1 February and 31 July using the coupon code OPENING100 will receive a generous €100 discount.
Cactus Adeje’s next availability is February 2026. If it all gets snapped up, try Cactus locations on La Gomera or in Tenerife’s Valle de San Lorenzo.
DM me over on Instagram and I might see you there…
