|
|
|
     |
La Palma has a lot to offer for (almost) everybody
|
|
La Palma does not offer Tourist Traps or loud and noisy street bars like those you may find on Tenerife or Mallorca. Instead, life on the "Isla Bonita" is easy going, very quiet and original. Fiestas are still the old, original way and you may find yourself in the middle of Palmeros enjoying their hospitality and natural kindness. Since many say that La Palma is the "most beautiful island in Europe" - you will son discover, that there is a lot of truth in this statement.
La Palma often is named as the "Hiking Island" - hiking on La Palma is really something special - but you must not be scared away, if you are not a "hiking junkee" since there are a lot of other activities waiting for you to enjoy.
Also those, saying that "there are no real beaches on La Palma" must be contradicted. There are in fact a lot of pretty beaches - not as large and populated as on the other islands but instead, all beaches on La Palma are clean (as well as the water). There is more than enough room for everyone to relax and you may find a small hidden beach with no other people around - just start looking.
|
| |
Hiking on La Palma
|
 |
La Palma is of volcanic origin and possesses very inflexibly, loose surfaces - one should consider this fact also when hiking. Suitable footwear, durable clothes to protect from suddenly arising hoists or wetness as well as a sufficient supply of drinking water is a guarantee for a successful outdoor adventure.
You should never go just by yourself. La Palma is partially wildly fissured. If you walk off the regular trails, it may become difficult to find you in case something happens to you. Meanwhile all hiking trails are documented and equipped with signs. The most beautiful trails ca be found in various hiking guides.
There are a lot of groups, offering guided tours on the island.
|
|
|
Mountainbiking on La Palma
|
 |
La Palma can be ideally discovered by bike - preferably by Mountainbike. There are many trails, paths and roads on which bikers can ride undisturbed.
Just to ride offroad can not be recommended, because of the vukcanic nature of the territory.
|
|
|
Horseback Riding on La Palma
|
 |
Experience the nature of the beautiful island on the back of the horses. You find yourself trotting over sandy grounds, through evergreen Pine forests, passing vulcanos and along the black lava beach. A horseback trip on La Palma is a very special experience.
On La Palma there are several horse facilities offering tours on the island. We will glady help you to find a suitable location.
|
 |
With good weather conditions you can see paragliders circling over La Palma looking for upwinds. Above all the west side of the island is the preferred flight zone for paragliders because of its steadier weather condition.
The Starting point is between Manchas and Fuencaliente. Depending upon wind and weather conditions the ideal starting point is selected. Landing strip is Puerto Naos, this is also the place to go for prospective customers. As special attraction tandem flights are offered. The experienced pilot sits behind the customer and steers the paraglider.
|
 |
La Palma does not offer the typical Tourist Attractions like Teneriffa. Life on La Palma goes on contemplative and calmly, with certain cultural high points, which however are not routistic nature, but arise from the Fiesta joyfulness of the Palmeros.
Public suburban traffic is operated by a very reliable bus system, which covers most all parts of the island. Bus is called Guagua on La Palma. If one wants to go to more remote objects of interest, it is suggested to hire a car (which is very cheap on La Palma) or take a taxi.
Meanwhile jeep tours are offered as well as organized bus trips. If you are interested in such tours, please contact us.
If you ready to spend your vacation on the "Isla Bonita" you will soon discover, that you need to adjust your inner clock to the relaxed speed of the Palmeros.
La Palma does not only offer worth seeing attractions - each little village has it's own charm and is worthwhile to visit.
Just look for a little pub or bodega, along the village plaza, sit down and enjoy the local beverages and tapas and just breath in the athmoshere - a special souvenir for the stress-troubled vacationer.
|
 |
Swimming in the Atlantic Ocean is surely one of the big highlights during your La Palma vacation. But never forget: you’re not in a bath tub… Especially during the winter time, the Ocean can be quite turbulent. With a green flag, everything is safe -> enjoy!. A yellow flag should make you very cautious - better not go swimming. With a red flag, swimming is strictly forbidden - heavy water turbulencies have caused accidents several times, even with very skilled swimmers. On such days, you’d rather either take a dip in the pool or enjoy other activities on the island. The warning signals (coloured flags) should by all means be respected.
All beaches on La Palma have black sand. The dark lavasand is soft and warm. Generally speaking, the beaches in the southern part of the island are more suited for bathing than the ones in the northern part, due to less dangerous water turbulencies.
The most favourite beaches are located at:
Tazacorte; Playa Nueva - located between Tazacorte and Puerto de Naos (also a favourite meeting point for surfers during the winter), this beach is one of La Palma’s best beaches during the summer,
Puerto de Naos; Las Monjas - Nude beach behind Puerto de Naos (but caution during the winter time),
Charco Verde - behind the beach of Las Monjas in direction El Remo,
Small beach at the lighthouse of Fuencaliente,,
Los Cancajos - some small hidden beaches between Fuencaliente and Los Cancajos,
Santa Cruz - in front of the harbour;
Los Nogales bei Puntallana - can only be reached by foot and after a long descent (beware of dangerous water turbulencies, so please be very cautious – it’s rather a beach for surfers – especially during summer),
Charco Azul - Swimming pool in the Atlantic, near Los Sauces,
La Fajana - Swimming pool in the Atlantic, near Barlovento.
|
|
|
On the water – Boating, Surfing, Fishing, Diving
|
 |
If you reached the island by ferry, you may have experienced how „shaky“ the Atlantic can be… – depending on the weather circumstances and consequently the intensity of the waves.
Another outdoor-experience is discovering La Palma by boat; the recommended starting point herefore is the port of Tazacorte.
The possibility of deep sea fishing is highly appreciated by the Fishermen’s Friends.
During the winter time, surfers meet at the Playa Nueva, located just before Puerto Naos, if you take a right turn before the last big curve. Of course, the waves don’t belong to the world-championship-category, but they can be quite challenging nevertheless!
During the summer time, surfers gather at the Playa Los Nogales. Insiders claim that the waves there are „just like on Hawaii“ -- probably a little exagerated, but nevertheless „The“ tip for surfer tourists.
|
 |
Whether the visitor centers are able to give you detailed informations on spelunking, we don’t know for sure. In case of questions, please call.
|
 |
Two places on La Palma are well prepared for climbing. One with difficulty level IV A 7b, located in the Madera Barranco, adjacent to the Las Nieves church and one on top of the Tajuya volcano in El Paso, with difficulty level IV A 7b+. Both places dispose of basic climbing devices with approximately 70 resp. 13 variations.
Ravine climbing is possible in the ravine of Marcos and Cordero in the biosphere-preserve Los Tiles, in the Las Granjas canyon near Roque de Los Muchachos and in the Barranco de Fagundo in the northern part of the island.
|
|
|
|
