La Palma - Isla Bonita
La Palma has from everything something - high mountains, deep valleys, picturesque villages in the interior where the famous canary hospitality is important, tradition in folklore and craftsmanship; an Island which will hook you on and will never let you go.
Content: Facts & Figures, Climate, History, First Impression, Port of Call, What to See in Santa Cruz, Beaches, Discover the Island, Hiking & Mountain Biking, Fiestas
Click on the name of the island below to reach the destination page :
CANARY ISLANDS Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro
Here you will find some basic Spanish vocabulary for your journey and Information on Spanish food and wine.
La Palma - Facts & Figures
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La Palma (Spanish pronunciation: [la ˈpalma]), also San Miguel de La Palma, is the most north-westerly island of the Canary Islands, Spain.
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La Palma is the fifth largest of the seven main Canary Islands, it has an area of 706 square km . The total population is about 86,000, of which 18,000 live in the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma and about 20,000 in Los Llanos de Aridane.
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La Palma has "sister city" status with El Dorado Hills, California.
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The Island is 445 km from Africa and 1,100 km from Spain away.
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The island is just 47 km/29 mi long and 28 km/17.4 mi wide,
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Its highest mountain is the Roque de los Muchachos, at 2,426 meters (plus 4.000 m down in the Atlantic Ocean) only the Teide (3.718 m) in Tenerife is higher.
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It was formed about three to four million years ago and since 1470 to 1971 seven eruptions occured.
Did you know?
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La Palma is known for its impressive vulcanoes, grandios landscape with forests und beaches.
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La Palma is the first Starlight Reserve on Earth. It is an honour certified by the UNESCO Starlight Initiative for preserve the quality of the night sky. If you like star gazing La Palma offers you with its clear skies and the strict light pollution laws the right ambiance.
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The UNESCO declared La Palma a World Biosphere Reserve in 2002.
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La Palma is a paradise for trekking lovers with 1.000 km of marked paths.
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It is the island with most forest (40%) in the Canary Islands also called Isla Verde the Green Island
Climate
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La Palma has a subtropical-oceanic climate along the coast, very mild and sunny most of the year. Rainfall is concentrating in autumn and winter.
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In Inland areas and with increasing altitude the weather gets cooler and wetter. There are hardly any plains on the island, therefore it is more moist and much greener as most of the Canary Island.
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Most rain occurs between October and March (approx.370mm rain at the airport).
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Temperature: In the summer Min (°C) 21°C / 70°F & Max 27°C / 81°F; in the Winter Min (°C) 15°C / 59°F & Max 21°C / 70°F.
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North east Trade winds bring clouds and haze to exposed slopes.
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The Calima (warm air masses fro Africa) is relatively rare in La Palma then in the eastern islands of the canaries. The Calima brings abnormal heat (exceeding 30 °C (86 °F) and light to moderate winds.
The Calima is more frequent in spring and summer. Due to the landscape of La Palma the Calima can be felt more in the highlands (warm air is lighter and rises up) -
Swimming/sun bathing May to mid-October, the winter has a mild climate and often you can sunbathe
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In the winter bring light clothing for the day and jacket, sweater for the evening, a raincoat or umbrella is also a good idea.
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In the summer don't forget to bring something for windy afternoons
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Prepare yourself with the right clothing if you go hikking.
For more information check HERE
A Brief History
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La Palma’s early history, like the other Canary Islands is a mystery. La Palma was originally inhabited by Berbers from North Africa. Agriculture and fishing were the forms of livelihood for these first inhabitants.
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The Canary Islands where known in the antique as the edge of the know world, Early Phoenician explorer (from Lebanon, Sidon & Tyre) most likely have been the first people to discover The Canaries. The Romans have explored the Canaries (most complete account of the canaries by Pliny the Elder. In the middle ages the Canaries disappeared from the knowledge and have been more myth than reality.
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A Genoese fleet rediscovered the Canary Islands around the end of the 13th century (unter Lancelot Malocello). Nicoloso de Recco made a detailed survey and recorded the language used by the aboriginals, the Guanchens, in 1341.
n 1433 a papal bull gave rights over the Canaries to Henry the Navigator of Portugal, the decision was reversed in 1436 and the rights where awarded to the crown of Castile. In 1479 in a main clause of the "Treaty of Alcáçovas" the Castile's rights over the Canary Islands were recognised while Portugal won the exclusive right of navigating, conquering and trading in all the Atlantic Oceansouth of the Canary Islands. Thus, Portugal attained hegemony in the Atlantic not only for its known territories but also for those discovered in the future. Castile was restricted to the Canaries., in return for Castilian recognition of Portugese sovereignty over Fez and Guinea. (Source: Wikipedia)
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La Palma - First Impressions
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Port of Call - Santa Cruz de la Palma
Arriving in Santa Cruz de La Palma - La Palma
Port
You arrive in the port of Santa Cruz, at the eastern part of the island. From the port to the Plaza de la Constitución (Tourist information, The glass house) is about 4 min away. Google Maps
A shuttle bus to the main port gate is offered by most ships. Taxis you will find near the terminal.
Car rentals: Three car rental companies are in the port terminal (book in time)
CICAR Estación marítima de S/C de La Palma, local 9, open 9.00 - 22.00, Tel. 922 42 01 59
Comouto Estación marítima de S/C de La Palma, local 9, open 9.00 - 20.00, Tel. 922 10 80 50
Pluscar Av. los Indianos, 5C, 38700 Santa Cruz de la Palma, open 8.30 - 16.00, Tel. 922 44 03 88
Driving in Las Palmas
You can reach every point and place on the island with a car comfortable in a day, even a circumnavigation of the island in a day is possible. However, you will have to drive many hairpin bends, winding roads and it will be a permanent Up and Down. At blind bends use your horn. If it rains be very careful as rock fall and landslides are possible.
The arterial road is the expressway Santa Cruz to Los Llanos. The east to west road over the Cumpre (El Pilar) and Roque de Los Muchachos are time consuming but breathtaking.
Rules & Fines:
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Speed limit in towns 50 km/h, country road 90 km/h,
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Safety belt are mandatory,
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to tow are car is only allowed by tow trucks in Spain - call you car hire company,
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white blue border marking means no parking except for a minute stop,
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Fines (multas) are hefty in Spain, especially for over-speeding, the ignoring of no-passing zones and parking at yellow markings
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legal alcohol limit is 0.5
Distances to attractions
Nature
Nationalpark Caldera de Taburiente: Google Maps 36 min 27.3 km
Roque de Los Muchachos: Google Maps 76 min 42.9 km
Vulcan Teneguia: Google Maps 54 min 37.8 km
Charco Azul: Google Maps 114 min 24.4 km
Piscinas de Fajana: Google Maps 44 min 30.2 km
Playa Nogales: Google Maps 23 min 15.2 km
Museums
Museum Naval (Maritime Museum) Google Maps 17 min 1.3 km by foot
Observatorium Roque de Los Muchachos Google Maps 76 min 43.1 km
Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias Google Maps 10 min 5.2 km
Museo de la Seda las Hilanderas Google Maps 36 min 27.0 km
Museo Insular Google Maps 15 min 1.1 km by foot
Benahoarita Archaeological Museum Google Maps 46 min 33.8 km
Archaeological Park of Belmaco Google Maps 22 min 14.3 km
Sightseeing
Salinas Marinas de Fuencaliente Google Maps 22 min 14.3 km
Balcones de la Avenida Maritima Google Maps 22 min 14.3 km
Calle O'Daly Google Maps 22 min 14.3 km
Lookouts
Mirador de la Concepcion Google Maps 14 min 9.1 km
Mirador El Time Google Maps 60 min 45.8 km
Roque de Los Muchachos Google Maps 77 min 43.1 km
Mirador de la Cumbrecita Google Maps 42 min 30.4 km
More Information
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Time difference: The Canary Islands belong to the Western European Time Zone; Time from the Spanish mainland -1 hour
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Opening Hours for shops and supermarkets (tiendas & supermercados), Mo.-Fr. 9.00 -13.00 & 17.00 - 19.00, Sa. only in the morning, in tourist areas supermarkets are aso open on Sunday morning.
Market halls Mo.-Sa. until 14.00; Banks/Post Mo.-Sa. 9.00 - 14.00 -
Cash point are available in most towns.
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The Health care system meets European standards, drugstores (green Maltese cross) open normal opening hours.
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Telephone numbers: Emergency calls 112 ,Hospital La Palma (Hospital Insular) 922185000
Red Cross Los Llanos 922461000 -
Centros de Salud near the Finca Tropical: Los Llanos 922403070, Tazacorte 922482004, Todoque 922460519
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Buses in La Palma (TILP): The Distance to the Bus station (Estación de Autobuses/ Guagua) is about 600 m, 8 min by foot from the Cruise Terminal, Google Maps, Time table for the Buses. Prices bis 8 km 1.80 Euro over 8 km 2.00 Euro
More practical tips for the Everyday life on La Palma
What to see and what to do in Santa Cruz de La Palma
Sightseeing in Santa Cruz de La Palma
Start from the tourist office at The Glass House, Plaza de La Constitución. The plaza is a very busy place, here meets the north south traffic, the bus station is here, a taxi stand is here and the ferry boats are nearby. Not far from the tourist office you see a big building, the post office (el correo); Calle O'Daly, the main street of the town with many shops, starts just at the corner (Sign "Nitrato de Chile"). The road (cobblestone) is a pedestrian area with many old, three to four storage high, listed middle-class houses with wooden balconies.
![CalleO'Daly La Palma, By Paperoastro (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 es (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/es/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69b47e_4c0bf6cd938f43cf959adbcbf7f4f2b8~mv2_d_3000_4000_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_280,h_376,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/69b47e_4c0bf6cd938f43cf959adbcbf7f4f2b8~mv2_d_3000_4000_s_4_2.jpg)
You will recognize the Palacio Salazar (17th century) on the facade made of worked natural stones. The place is used for art exhibitions. The courtyard is worth seeing with its balcony front at the first floor.
From here make a little detour to Inglesia Santo Domingo, a former Dominican monastery from 1530. The ceiling of the former convent is a wooden ceiling structure in the Andalusian Moorish style (mudéjar style) decorated with geometric patterns (typical for canary sacred buildings). The picture of a Saint was painted by Pieter Pourbus (1523 -1584)a Flemish painter and sculptor.
Carry on on Calle O'Daly until the corner of Avenida del Puente, have look into the Farmacia del Puente with its stucco work and the mosaics on the counters.
Do you like markets? Just turn left into Avenida del Puente, a few meters uphill is the Municipal Market Santa Cruz de La Palma with its fresh products, local vegetables and fruits, Cheeses (in a corner at the back there is a booth selling excellent smoke goat cheese. In other rooms fish and meet is sold.
Maybe its time for a coffee? Try a cortado natural, it is a expresso with a little bit of foamed milk. Hungry? Maybe a bocadillo (baguette) with Jamón or other filling can help, or should it be something sweet?
What about churros and chocolate caliente (warm) for dipping the churros into the chocolate.
Places with Flair
Placeta de Borrero (Google Maps, 3 min,230m)
The square is surrounded by old renovated houses. The Bistro Placeta is a place to relax and have tapas, vino tinto, vino verano and or whatever you like. It is one of the most popular hangout in town.
Iglesia and Plaza de San Francisco (Google Maps, 7 min, 550m)
The former Franciscan Monastery "Convento se San Francisco de Asis" is nowardays the Island Museum. Interesting is the chapel, above the square floor plan stretches a octagonal dome with a mudejar ceiling.
The three-nave church has been extended and altered over the centuries so that you can find influences of renaissance, baroque and neoclassical elements.
Plaza La Alameda
A cross reminds on the conquest of the Spaniards ( 3rd May 1493) when the conquistadors placed a holy cross, in the name of the catholic king at this place. It gave the town its name Santa Cruz de la Palma.
The ship you see on the end of the Plaza is a true to original replica of the "Santa Maria", the ship of Christopher Columbus. It is also the Marine Museum in La Palma. Paradoxically Columbus was never in La Palma, he started his trips from La Gomera.
Stroll along the Avenida Maritime directing to the habour.
The Castillo (national monument) was a protection against pirates. This days there is not much to see.
The Avenida is lined with palm trees and high rubber trees. You will see many buildings with wooden balconies over two floors. These balconies are the most well-know attraction in town. Further south the Avenida gets more and more a busy promenade with many cafes. The downfall is the traffic on this road.
Plaza España
is a asymmetrical and nearly triangular square, it is not a big square but it is the geographical, social and religious center of the city. Behind big royal palm trees the Iglesia del Salvador (Picture: Día de Indianos) fills out the north side of the square.
![By Marc Ryckaert (MJJR) (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69b47e_5422dc7bd7f7463f8f10f52c9871bfda~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_480,h_320,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/69b47e_5422dc7bd7f7463f8f10f52c9871bfda~mv2.jpg)
![Torre del Salvador, La Palma, By No machine-readable author provided. Felipealvarez assumed (based on copyright claims). [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html), CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/) or CC BY-SA 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69b47e_de4e4152657e47408001f301161e73c2~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_290,h_379,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/69b47e_de4e4152657e47408001f301161e73c2~mv2.jpg)
![Entrance to the Church Matriz de El Salvador, La Palma,By Frank Vincentz (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69b47e_576ee27ad66d49e6a553d847fba8d9ac~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_380,h_287,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/69b47e_576ee27ad66d49e6a553d847fba8d9ac~mv2.jpg)
![Reinhard Kraasch [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69b47e_391774c36aa14d089272474588df2b5c~mv2_d_2400_1600_s_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_380,h_256,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/69b47e_391774c36aa14d089272474588df2b5c~mv2_d_2400_1600_s_2.jpg)
The church was founded around 1500, the main parish of El Salvador is the result of several reforms and extensions that ended up forming its current basilical plan, with three naves, separated by half-point arches, smooth shaft and semicircular arches, and covered by Mudejar style roofs that give it an arabesque impression. READ MORE
In the middle of the plaza is a monument in honor of Manuel Hernándes Diaz (†1863 ) a humanist. In the relief of the socket you will find a pelican sign, a symbol of the free masons. There are many old beautiful houses with their wooden balconies, the house no.1 is one of the most pompous houses at the plaza.
The Town-hall of Santa Cruz de La Palma in the Calle O'Daly was finished in 1563 after 3 years construction time. On the facade there are the coat of arms of the Habsburgs, the city of Santa Cruz and the medallion of king Phillip II. The staircase is beautifully designed, the walls of the stairwell are covered with paintings by the expressionist Mariano de Cossio (1892 - 1960), Scenes are from the working life of farmers, fishermen and winemakers). The ceiling of the community hall and the stairwell are covered with renovated wooden coffered ceiling panels.
![The townhall of Santa Cruz de La Palma, By Ipatia (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69b47e_6fd05895f5314bbc8915513e2216079f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_436,h_327,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/69b47e_6fd05895f5314bbc8915513e2216079f~mv2.jpg)
Beaches in La Palma
Playa de Bajamar situated on the southern entrance to the capital of La Palma, it offers sanitary facilities, clean sand and lifeguard security. (Google Maps, 7 min 1.9 km);
Playa de los Cancajos , main tourist center,called Playa de los Cancajos. Environment flag of the FEE, clean, well maintained and watched by lifeguards, there are plenty of bars and restaurants to become food and drinks. (Google Maps, 10 min, 4.9 km);
The city beach of Santa Cruz
The city beach of Santa Cruz de La Palma was opened in April 2017 with approximately 70.000 sqm, well maintained sanitary facilities, lifeguards, accessible for handicapped persons. A diving centre, areas for other sport activities, kiosks and much more is planned.
Warning: The Atlantic is a dangerous Sea. Take the instructions by the life guards (Cruz Roja) serious ! Watch the flags: Yellow Flagmeans "dangerous waves and currents", the red flag means "danger of life". The green flag means " best conditions for water fun".
When you take pictures near the sea, watch the waves! Over and over again people get washed into the sea and die.
For Information about other click HERE
Diving
You cannot compare the Atlantic Ocean with the colorful Red Sea. It is a special diving experience seeing caves, underwater archways and lava formations.
Colorful neon fishes, groupers, barracudas, puffer fishes, moray eels, rays, and many more can be seen.
La Palma has not much diving tourism. There are untouched places in shallow water. Advanced Divers discover from 30 meters depth on the famous black corals and can enjoy a great visibility up to 50 meters.
The water temperature is always between 18 and 25 degrees.
Links to Dive Centers near Santa Cruz de la Palmas:
http://en.la-palma-diving.com/
http://www.palma-tauchen.de/en/home
Discover the Island
Round trips by car
1. The South Road - Los Canarios
Santa Cruz (0 km) , San Antonio (4 km), Junction (6 km), El Molino (9 km), Cueva de Belmaco (14 km),
Monte de Luna (20 km), Los Canarios (26 km), Mirador Las Indias (27 km), Erimita Santa Cecilla (34 km),
Jedey (39 km), San Nicolas (41 km), El Paso (47 km), Santa Cruz (73 km); Google Maps
Along the winding road to San Antonio you will find a cross section of the flora of La Palma, Oleander, poinsettias, Hibiscus bushes, mimosa, Bougainvillea, Fire bignonia, agaves, dragon trees and house-high rubber trees.
El Molino is an old mill with a wind mill model only be found on La Palma (Ortega System). Just 10 of this type of wind mills are left on the island. Nowadays it is pottery shop producing reproductions of Guanchen pottery.
Along the road (driving direction south) you will see the east coast of the island and depending on the weather conditions you can see also El Teide on Tenerife, the highest mountain (3718 m) Spains. Passing the wine area of Hoyo de Mazo .
Cueva de Belmaco is a pre-Hispanic settlement which was occupied by the Benahoaritas (aboriginals). It is the biggest Cave on the Island. The Archaeological Park is oben Mon.- Sat. 10.00 - 18.00, Sun 10.00 - 15.00, Adult/Children Euro 2.00 / 0.75.
Passing the hamlet Monte de Luna, the fauna will change to a pine forest and a little bit further to a lava field. (Eruption of the Duraznero 1949). Soon you will reach Los Canarios Municipality Fuencaliente de La Palma (means Hot Spring). On the sunny, steep hills grapes are planted producing Malvasia, Sabro, Gual, Listán, Bujariego, Negramoll and Baboso.
A detour to the Vulcan San Antonio is a must. (Street view of the Vulcan San Antonio with Los Canarios in the background and a view to the south)
The next station Mirador Las Indias offers a view along the coast and to the Village Las Indias. Erimita Santa Cecillia stands just above the road, about 7 km from the Mirador. It is a round builing without frills, made of lava stones, but with an
unusal (for La Palma) basilica like dome-shaped roof. Huge gum trees flank the road and burst capsule give off a flavor of
"cough drops". The landscape becomes more spacious and opens up to the Aridane valley In San Nicolas check out the Bodegón Tamacan for good wine and food.
The expressway will bring you from El Paso to Santa Cruz.
2. The North Road - Barlovento
Santa Cruz (0 km), Puntallana (11 km),Mirador de San Bartolomé (18 km), Los Tilos (29 km),
San Andrés (36 km), Barlovento (48 km), Fuente de Las Mimbreras (55 km), Roque del Faro (69 km), Puntagorda (94 km), Los Llanos (122 km), Santa Cruz (142 km); Google Maps
North of the capital, a well-built road, blown up into the rocks, winds its way up the steep coast to Mirca. The almost vertically rising rock walls are protected against falling rocks. Puntallana surrounded by cultivated land and green meadows and is the next bigger village after Santa Cruz. At the bar Halley a a road leads to Bajamar and Playa Nogales.
Stop behind the hamlet La Galga at the Mirador de San Bartolomé you have a view towards the double Barranco La Galga and along the coast. A road with narrow curves winds it way down into the deep barranco. A bridge, 150 m high, leads over the Barranco del Agua. The picturesque village San Andrés lays between Banana plantations and fruit trees )from los Tilos 3 km direction Santa Cruz until the junction to San Andrés).
Charco Azul is a sea swimming pool and one of the few possibilities to swim along the north east coast. Barlovento is the
north-easternmost village on the island (Height: about 600 m) and known for its rainiest harsh weather conditions (Passat clouds/winds) and as the village with the most rain on the island. You can make wonderful excursions in the summer.
If you need a break, the beautiful situated Hotel La Palma Romántico could be a
nice stop.
From the hotel drive direction Garfía and stop at Fuente las Mimbrersas (Recreation place with barbecues and picnic tables). Carry on direction Roque Faro, along a road with many lookout points. If you have time you could visit the village El Tablado or San Antonio del Monte (Big fiesta in June with cattle market).
3. El Pilar to El Paso
Santa Cruz (0 km), Las Nieves (4 km), Velhoco (8 km), San Pedro (11 km), Pared Vieja (14 km),
El Pilar (28 km), Vulcano San Juan (40 km), Santa Cruz (64 km), Google Maps
4.Cumbrecita & Los Llanos
Santa Cruz (0 km), Mirador de La Concepcion (9 km), Cumbrecita (30 km), El Paso (40 km),
Los LLanos (47 km), Santa Cruz (78 km) Google Maps
5.From Los Llanos to the Petroglyph near Garafia
Los Llanos (0 km), Mirador El Time (12 km), Tijarafe (20 km), Puntagorda (28 km),
Las Tricias (32 km), Cuevea de Agua (41 km), Garafía (43 km), Parque Cultural Fuente La Zarza (53 km), Los Llanos (107 km), Google Maps
6.Roque de los Muchachos
Santa Cruz (0 km), Fuente de Olen (22 km), Mirador de los Andenes (34 km),
Roque de Los Muchachos (43 km), Santa Cruz (86 km), Google Maps
![Landscape El Paso La Palma; By Rufus46 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69b47e_5251f6a8ac89493f8ef452d4796b0280~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_299,h_219,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/69b47e_5251f6a8ac89493f8ef452d4796b0280~mv2.jpg)
![By Frank Vincentz (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69b47e_d4f29fab7daf4e77a9afcdcb440c013f~mv2_d_5616_3743_s_4_2.jpg/v1/fill/w_299,h_220,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/69b47e_d4f29fab7daf4e77a9afcdcb440c013f~mv2_d_5616_3743_s_4_2.jpg)
![Collection of petroglyphs at the town hall, Calle Díaz y Suárez in Garafía, La Palma, Canary Island, Spain; By Frank Vincentz (Own work) [GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69b47e_7b4ab83f78d64576a4ba4ed6e070e62f~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_410,h_270,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/69b47e_7b4ab83f78d64576a4ba4ed6e070e62f~mv2.jpg)
Hiking in La Palma
There are two things to consider when hiking in La Palma: The moody weather and loose, sharp-edged volcanic rocks. Don't expect fast medical help in the mountains! Over 1000 m there are no villages to get help from. Don't do longer hikes on your own. Put the right equipment together.
Summer: The weather is reasonably stable, but it can be very hot. Winter: The weather is very changeable and cold weather, rain and cloudy mountains must be expected. The Passat clouds are sometimes so dense that no orientation is possible. Above 2000 m Temperatures around 0 degrees are possible and snow is not uncommon. Put warm clothing and gloves on.
Harmless streams can become raging rivers after long periods of rain, similar like Wadis in the Gulf.
Trekking / Mountainbiking in La Palma
Fiestas on La Palma
Carnival on La Palma
Santa Cruz and Los Llanos - the two largest cities on La Palma - change themselves during the festivities into white landscapes. On the streets the local fools are throwing each other talcum powder directly with hands, with cans or either with machines.
The freaky tradition is a result from the 80s - today the Día de Indianos, always on Carnival Monday. It is an event in Santa Cruz de La Palma that every year attracts thousands of fans to the capital of the Island. The Palmeros make jokes to their folk who have emigrated once to South America. Because they where carrying on their return white suits, threw money around and demonstrated the poor folk at home their prosperity. This has annoyed the Palmeros so that they are using until now the white-robed informer: On Día de Los Indianos they are dressed in a very elegant, colonial style and throwing each other with baby powder.
By the way, Ash Wednesday is not the end of this Fiesta in this country. Afterwards Sardines of textile and paper are burned for weeks around the islands. And only when the last fish has fallen to ashes ends Carnival. Read more in our La Palma 24-Journal - click here.
Bajada de La Virgen de Las Nieves
The biggest festival of the island is only every five years - the last time during the summer 2015. In honor of the Virgin of the snow the capital of the Island Santa Cruz de La Palma held for six weeks processions, concerts, parades and much more. For more information read our La Palma 24-Journal - click here.
Fiestas around La Palma
Every summer there are fiestas around the island. The statue of the Holy Carmen is being driven every weekend in a boat convoy from coastal town to coastal town. Wherever it is landing, there is of course a procession - and it is celebrated several days as there is no tomorrow. We report up to date news about the Fiestas during summer and all other events on La Palma around the year in our La Palma 24-Journal. Just look the category Island festivals - click here.
![Bajada de La Virgen de Las Nieves, By Ayuntamiento de Santa Cruz de La Palma (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/69b47e_fe35e5f8027245c2bee7d90aac2201ee~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_223,h_331,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/69b47e_fe35e5f8027245c2bee7d90aac2201ee~mv2.jpg)
