La Palma

La Palma is an island of the Canary Islands, which are an integral part of Spain. It is near Morocco, Cape Verde and the archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira, both Portuguese. The nickname of the island is "La Isla Bonita" (the beautiful island).



Understand
The island has a small population of just under a hundred thousand. It has one major port (Santa Cruz de la Palma), a second small port (Tazacorte) and an international airport (SPC). The populous municipality is Los Llanos de Aridane.

Ethnically the population is mostly Hispanic (actually a mix of Spanish, Berber and Portuguese), with a small number of European immigrants and a very small number of African immigrants.

The island exports bananas, rum, gofio and some tobacco, and hosts a major international astronomical observatory.

By sea
Daily ferries connect La Palma to Los Cristianos on Tenerife (3 hours). Less frequently, a larger ferry runs all the way to Cadiz or Huelva on the Spanish mainland, via Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The main companies are Fred Olsen and Armas. The ferries operate in the.

Get around
A hire car is the best option for discovering the remote wilderness regions. Roads are well-maintained and marked for traffic control. Only sharp turns and verticals on side roads may challenge some drivers.

By bus
Buses provide an excellent and reliable service. You can print a copy of the timetable here http://transporteslapalma.com/transportes/index.htm. A bus ticket never costs more than €2 if you don't need to change bus. Do not expect the drivers to know more than a couple of sentences in English or German, though they will try to be helpful.

By taxi
Taxis can be expensive, and inside a city they are not worth the money unless you are in a real hurry or can't balance yourself after a shopping day. It is unlikely that you would be cheated. From the airport to Puerto Naos costs roughly €35 (May 2006).

By bike
Cycling in La Palma can be practiced at all levels of difficulty. In addition to hiking trails, road cyclists will be able to enjoy the well-developed road network, which will allow them to tour the entire island. Mountain bike enthusiasts will find volcanic tracks, secondary roads, flat terrain and forest routes, as well as mulateras.

You don't need to bring your own mountain bike, as you can rent high quality bicycles in the vicinity of Los Llanos and Puerto Naos. Some specialized suppliers, such as those in Los Llanos de Aridane, rent dual-suspension mountain bikes from manufacturers such as Specialized, Banshee and Nicolai. Bicycle transport services to some parts of the island are also available; they take you and your bike to the highest places, and from there, you can pedal without making too much effort on flat terrain, or simply go back downhill.

In general, the island is not ideal for bicycles, but due to its low density of cars, you can move comfortably.

See
There are a few nice towns, but the main attraction is the countryside. Spectacular volcanic landscapes reaching up above the clouds with dense vegetation in the valleys make for some spectacular hiking.

The highest point on the island, El Roque de los Muchachos (2426m -- about 8000 feet), is easily accessible by car most of the year and the views from there are spectacular and provide a good introduction to the geography of the island (note that access is restricted at night as this is the site of a major international astronomical observatory -- always read the signposts -- also note that roads and trails can be closed for a few days in the winter due to snow). There is a very extensive network of marked walking trails over the whole island which are well signposted and walking maps are available from the tourist office in Santa Cruz.

Along the northeast coast, you'll find masses of intricately terraced crops (especially bananas) interlaced with small towns and villages.

In the middle of the island there is Caldera de Taburiente, a huge erosion crater which is one of the biggest in the world. Guided hikes to the caldera are available. During winter months hiking on the river bed in the caldera can be really dangerous because rain can cause flash floods.

The capital of the island, Santa Cruz, has lots of well preserved old buildings and cobblestone streets. Along Avenida Maritima you can see old Canarian balconies made from the Canary pine.





Do



 * The island also organises the Transvolcania which is a run up the Volcano route - and beyond. Check out http://www.senderosdelapalma.com/ for info on all walking routes.
 * The island also organises the Transvolcania which is a run up the Volcano route - and beyond. Check out http://www.senderosdelapalma.com/ for info on all walking routes.
 * The island also organises the Transvolcania which is a run up the Volcano route - and beyond. Check out http://www.senderosdelapalma.com/ for info on all walking routes.
 * The island also organises the Transvolcania which is a run up the Volcano route - and beyond. Check out http://www.senderosdelapalma.com/ for info on all walking routes.

Eat
See Canary Islands for an overview of local foods.


 * Goat - cabrito (young goat, usually fried) Cabra (older goat, usually stewed).
 * bienmesabe - means 'tastes me good' and it does - ground almonds in honey, it is very sweet.

Drink
Espresso with sweetened condensed milk, and sometimes a shot of alcoholic liquor is a local speciality -- Barraquito. The island has a large amount of vineyards. Shakespeare mentioned the Malvasia (sweet Malmsey) coming from the Canary Islands. Excellent wine made on La Palma can be bought at specialist outlets and at most supermarkets.

Locally made rum is also available.

Sleep
There are tourist hotels and apartments in both Santa Cruz and Los Llanos, the two main 'cities' on the islands. Also in Los Cancajos and Puerto Naos (the two main beach locations), plus Barlovento in the north and Los Canarios in the south.

There is a wide variety of country cottage and gites-type accommodation in most parts of the island. These are referred to as casitas and are bookable via the government run website www.islabonita.com, various agencies or privately.

There are three pensions in Santa Cruz called, La Cubana, La Fuente and Los Canarios which have a range of accommodation from apartment to basic room with prices to reflect this. There is a very nice hostel in Los Llanos de Aridane, called Rosaburiente. Also pensions in Los Sauces, San Andres, Roque Faro, Puntagorda and Los Canarios.

Camping is allowed on La Palma at the following designated camp sites, although a permit is required (except at La Rosa):- Centro de Naturaleza La Rosa at Puntagorda which is two minutes from the main road and on the GR130 walking route. You can walk to the shops/restaurants in Puntagorda, Refugio El Pilar above El Paso which is accessible by road (no bus service) and is right on the GR131 route and at the start of the volcano route. Permit from the Casa Forestal at the side of the Visitors Centre above El Paso. La Laguna de Barlovento permit available on site and there is also a restaurant/bar here and Caldera de Taburiente only accessible on foot - 4 hour walk or Land Rover taxi and two hour walk - and you will need to take all your own supplies. A permit is required - ask at Visitors Centre. Charges are usually small and facilities usually good/rustic. All a great experience though!

Stay safe
 is the common emergency number.