Organize your trip
Get ready for an authentic experience
How to get there?
Normally by plane from the Iberian Peninsula, check the connections, because, although we have direct links from Madrid and Barcelona, at certain times of the year there are other direct flights. But normally as Tenerife has more airport traffic, flying direct to Tenerife and taking a link to La Palma is another possibility. There are also links through Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
By boat, you can come from Tenerife, but keep in mind that the journey takes at least 2 hours and thirty minutes, depending on the state of the sea and depending on the shipping company you choose can be more.
- Distances by road
The first thing you have to take into account to get organized is that, although on the map you see short linear distances, La Palma has an abrupt orography and the roads try to adapt to it, we do not have highways. The biggest road with two lanes in both directions is the one leading in and out of Santa Cruz de La Palma from the south, and it hardly lasts a breath. Otherwise there are areas to encourage overtaking in certain places, but otherwise they are roads, and be careful, in some very specific places, they are one lane and two-way, drive with caution, people try to leave space by slowing down.
Where to stay?
It will depend on whether you want to try to see the "must-sees", or if you want to relax, and just enjoy the area and maybe some occasional activity that goes to one or two remote sites.
Also pay attention to the altitude, since the difference in altitude is brutal, and sometimes it seems that the thing is "a stone's throw away" and it turns out that you are at 1000 m. above sea level, or more.
If you want to move around a lot, book more towards the center of the island. If you want to enjoy the tranquility and get to know an area, look for those that are farther away, the landscape will be more protagonist and you will undoubtedly see some dreamy skies.
You can see that there are hotels, although few and counted on the fingers of the hand, some located in coastal areas, and others more urban. Rural tourism houses abound that preserve the value of traditional architecture and rural charm.
Of course, we always recommend accommodations that adhere to Soy Ecoturista and the World Biosphere Reserve brand, a guarantee of commitment to the territory .
How to move around the Island?
Precisely because of the difficulty of connections, public transport is very good for direct journeys, but if you want to have complete autonomy and you are not going to stay in accessible places walking to get to a bus stop, it is better to rent a car, or even a mixed formula of renting only the days you plan to move and the rest to enjoy the area walking and with public transport.s), it is better to rent a car, or even the mixed formula of renting only the days you plan to move around and enjoy the rest of the area walking and with public transport.
Is it better to travel on your own or is a guide necessary?
You can consult and set up your trip as you wish, but it is true that for a more complete experience it is better to do it with the official guides. They are the main connoisseurs of every corner, and have prepared many interesting plans that complement each other according to your tastes. The best thing to do is to combine your instinct to visit some places and contact the companies to make that qualitative leap.
How many days do I need to visit La Palma?
It depends on the type of trip you are looking for. Your trip will be meaningful with 4 or 5 days, but it will be really memorable with 7 to 10 days, and even then you will always have things to discover. The ultimate recommendation is not to try to see everything at once, but to savor every moment with time and without haste, and come back another time.
Subtropical climate: La Palma enjoys pleasant temperatures all year round. The average maximum temperatures on the coast are around 25-28 °C in summer and 21-23 °C in winter. Average minimum temperatures in winter range between 15-17 °C on the coast, while in summer they tend to be warmer and hover around 20-22 °C. Above 500 m, temperatures are more variable and sensitive to the different annual seasons. If we go above 2000 m. we can find snow during the winter.
A recommendation, if you are looking for good weather, change slopes. Normally if it is cloudy on the eastern side, it is sunny on the western side and vice versa. Also, above the sea of clouds at about 1200 m., you can find splendid weather if there is no squall.
What clothes should I pack?
"The lighter the better", the climate is quite pleasant, but we have also told you that the terrain is steep, so you can be in a bathing suit and in half an hour of driving you have to put on a jacket or a raincoat, so keep in mind that a slightly warmer piece is always good, but with little will be enough.
If you are going to walk: appropriate footwear. The local routes are more benevolent, but you can't leave without seeing La Caldera de Taburiente, or do a trail that gets close to see its interior, such as La Cumbrecita, or El Bejenado, if you are not so prepared.
A towel, swimsuit, and "cholitas" (flip-flops) are a must...
Curiosities...
- The sea, be careful! Swim only in safe conditions, where there are lifeguards, as currents can be strong. Pay attention to the safety signs, and if you want to visit more remote places, do it with people who know the area and the tides.
- Nightlife, you will only find it during the celebration of popular festivals and in very specific places, but not much. We are an island to disconnect, not to go wild.
- Restaurant hours: some places have opening and closing hours, there is a little bit of everything, do not take anything for granted. It is better to book and make sure of the kitchen opening hours. Sometimes places stay open, but their kitchens close, so you better be sure.
- Business hours: Except for some franchises, or a shopping center in Los Llanos de Aridane, they usually close at noon. In the West zone, during the summer many afternoons some stores remain closed.
The usual closing times in the evening are around 20:00h.
Outside these hours you can get things in a gas station, or a supermarket in the capital with opening hours until 22: 00, at most 23:00h., but forget about it, you will not find any stores open 24h. Well, some pharmacies, of course.
- Traffic rules, respect the speed limits, in La Palma there is a lot of control; try to be aware of the rules and if you go the wrong way, try to change direction in an appropriate place, do not risk the least. Alcohol controls are also common. Be respectful with cyclists, as it is common to see them circulating on different roads.