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Guidebooks:
| Sunflower Guide to La Palma and El Hierro | The clearest map for driving around La Palma |
Note: the information below was accurate when I wrote it, but I probably won't have time to keep it up to date.
Best time to visit: March, April, September,
October.
Temperature: 71F (22C).
Flying time from UK: 3hr 30min to 4hr.
Local time: Madrid -1hr. No time
difference from London.
Staying there:
Car hire:
Where to eat:
What to see: The Caldera. Santa Cruz (many C18th buildings), Las Nieves Church, archaeological sites at Belamaco and La Zarza, Marroparque zoo, Bird Park, El Time viewpoint, the volcanos San Antonio and Tenguia, the Roque de Los Muchachos.
Tourist information:
Santa Cruz, Calle O’Daly, Tel 922 412106.
Beaches
The sunniest beach is
Puerto Naos on the west, but the waves can be a bit fierce.
Best beach for kids is Cancajos, on the east, near the airport. Offshore artificial islands keep the waves small, and there’s a large natural paddling pool.
Walking
La Palma has a number of long-distance footpaths marked by
signposts and strategic splashes of paint, and the Tourist Office can supply
free maps. Be warned that many paths are steep, which is why the views are
so spectacular.
The gorgeous Marcos y Corderos walk is at the top of the Los Tilos reserve. If you can get up to Casa del Monte (which often needs a 4x4) it’s not very strenuous, but do NOT take children, dogs, or anyone afraid of heights, as the path is extremely narrow and unfenced, and the drop would be lethal. DO take hard hats and torches to go through the tunnels, as tourists have been known to knock themselves out. Tunnel number twelve is wet, so take waterproofs unless you don’t mind getting soaked. Wrap up the camera.
The spectacular Route of the Volcanos runs down the spine of the Southern half of the island, past several dormant volcanoes, and continues down to the sea. 6-7 hours. It can be very hot or cold. Take plenty of water and a jumper.
| For a walking holiday, I recommend Walk! La Palma by Davis Charles (Paperback - 2005) and it's companion La Palma Super-durable Tour and Trail Map, which marks the trails described in the book (and it's waterproof). |
Other links:
Island Government (In spanish only)
General site:
(Spanish or rather quaint English.)
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