Article about vacation on the “dangerous” island of the Canary archipelago – La Palma. I will tell you how to get there from Tenerife and beyond, what resorts are on the island, where it’s best for tourists to stay, how to get around the island, and where to check the bus schedule. Everything you need to know for a trip to La Palma island can be found in this article.

La Palma Island: General Information

Key facts you need to know about the island to get a proper understanding of this place.

  • La Palma Island is the 5th largest island of the Canary archipelago (out of 7 islands) – its area is 708 square kilometers.
  • In terms of population, the island is also 5th – only 87 thousand people live here. For comparison, the main islands of Tenerife and Gran Canaria each have nearly 1 million inhabitants.

Useful to know:

La Palma has a very low population density. The island is quite large, but there are very few local residents. There is only one major city here – the capital of the island, Santa Cruz de La Palma, where 18 thousand people live.

Here are a few more facts about the island:

  • The island is part of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve network.
  • There is very low light pollution here (due to few residents and large cities) and high mountains (the highest point is 2426 meters, Roque de los Muchachos), as well as a dry climate all year round. Therefore, La Palma Island has become home to one of the largest astrophysical centers in the world. There are more than 10 laboratories and telescopes here for observing the stars.
la palma island tickets buy
At the top of La Palma island is Roque de los Muchachos. In the photo – astrophysical laboratories, one of which houses the internationally renowned Isaac Newton Telescope.
  • La Palma is an island of volcanic origin, in fact, it is one large volcano. But I will write more about the volcano later in the article.
  • 90% of the island’s budget comes from tourism and agriculture. All the available land here is occupied by banana plantations. Bananas from La Palma Island have a special ecological certificate. Therefore, in Europe, Canarian bananas are more expensive than bananas from Latin America and Southeast Asia.

Interesting to know:

La Palma and La Gomera Islands are the greenest islands in the Canaries. And both islands are very underrated by tourists, as most of them fly to Gran Canaria and Tenerife for vacation. But since you are reading this article, you are not one of them :). Overview of the neighboring island of La Gomera.

How to get to La Palma Island from Tenerife and Gran Canaria

Actually, it’s all very simple:

  • There are two ferry companies that operate daily from Tenerife (Los Cristianos) to La Palma Island. Almost 4 hours journey, and the ticket costs around 50 euros one way. There are 3-5 flights daily. It is important to note that there is only a direct ferry from Tenerife from Los Cristianos. For example, from Gran Canaria, you will have to take a ferry with a transfer in Tenerife and spend the whole day on the road.
  • Also, there are flights by two airlines. Here it’s much better: tickets cost more or less the same as for the ferry. There are direct flights to La Palma from the islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura. The flight takes from 20 to 60 minutes. Moreover, you won’t experience seasickness on a plane like on a ferry in the ocean.
how to get to la palma
Between the islands in the Canaries, such twin-engine airplanes ATR-72 fly.

In detail, where to check the schedule, buy tickets, and what nuances there are for each type of transport in these two articles at the links:

The most dangerous island in the archipelago

I’ve already mentioned that La Palma is a volcanic island. But here it is important to know:

  • La Palma is not just an island that emerged as a result of volcanic eruptions, La Palma is still a zone with active volcanoes that erupt periodically.
  • Over the past 120 years, there have been 3 major eruptions. For example, at the beginning of the 20th century, the Taburiente volcano erupted, destroying 35 villages and 4 towns. As a result of a series of eruptions and subsequent erosion of the crater walls, a caldera 8 km in diameter was formed.
  • And the last major eruption was in 2021, volcanoes on the Cumbre Vieja volcanic ridge erupted for three months. And the resort town of Puerto Naos was closed for 3 years due to the danger of toxic gases formed as a result of the collision of seawater and lava.
la palma canaries volcano
This is how La Palma looks today. The length of the island is just under 50 km. Pay attention to the size of the caldera formed after the eruption of the Taburiente volcano in the early 20th century. Today, there is a national park, forest, and a dozen hiking trails in the caldera.

Want more information – read the article on mountains and volcanoes in the Canary Islands. There you will also find a map showing how the Cumbre Vieja super volcano is already forming under La Palma today, which according to scientists’ forecasts will erupt in the next 100 years, and photos of the 2021 eruption are also there.

It is important to understand:

Today, scientists can predict volcanic eruptions in advance by studying seismic activity. No volcano erupts suddenly and unexpectedly; hundreds and thousands of small shocks precede all eruptions, which a person does not feel but instruments do. In case the Cumbre Vieja super volcano wakes up, you will have from 5 days to a couple of months to leave the island. By the way, during the 2021 eruption, only one person died, illegally entering a restricted area.

I’m telling you this to emphasize that not going to the island because of fear of eruption is silly. You are absolutely safe.

Transportation, or How to Get Around La Palma

The island of La Palma is quite large, approximately 50 by 25 kilometers.

Useful to know:

La Palma is an island for active travelers. While there are beaches, most tourists don’t come here just for that. There are mountains, plenty of hiking trails, it’s one of the best wine regions in the Canaries, there are many unique lava pools for swimming, and stargazing at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. And beach relaxation fits in between all of this.

For tourists on the island, there are two types of transportation:

  • Buses: There are 23 bus routes across the island, with tickets costing between 3 to 7 euros on average. Each island has its own bus company, and on La Palma, it’s TILP. You can find all routes, schedules, and a convenient phone app through the provided link.
    • Bus route number 500 runs from Santa Cruz de La Palma to the Airport, departing every half an hour. The fare is 2 euros, and you can purchase tickets from the driver with cash.
  • Car rental: Prices are around 40 euros per day. There are no traffic jams, good roads, and free parking. Everything about car rentals specifically on La Palma, including tips, advice, and hacks, as well as information on police, traffic regulations, and more, can be found through the provided link.
la palma island guide
One of the most popular and affordable cars on the island is the hybrid Fiat 500. We always opt for it, and parking is never a problem.

Important:

Most tourists on the island rent cars. It’s simple, with low deposits or none at all, cheap gasoline compared to the rest of Europe. And most importantly, buses only run between major towns. Without a car, you won’t be able to reach most of the island’s cool attractions, see the lava pools, Roque de Los Muchachos, Caldera de Taburiente, and much more. There’s not much to do here without a car. Sure, you can take taxis everywhere, but millionaires don’t read this guide.

Top 15 Attractions on La Palma: map, photos, prices, visit tips, lava pool coordinates. Brew some tea and open the article through the provided link.

Resorts on La Palma: Where to Stay for Tourists

As a tourist, you can stay anywhere on the island. With a rental car, you can rent apartments in the mountains with stunning views, and it will take you about 20 minutes to get to the beach by car. But let me tell you about the specific towns that are resorts, popular with tourists, have good beaches, are suitable for family vacations, and most importantly, have all the necessary infrastructure (stores, restaurants).

It’s important to understand:

The capital has only 18,000 residents, and the entire island has fewer than 90,000. There are no hypermarkets, shopping malls or brand stores here because there’s no demand for it. Most grocery stores are medium-sized supermarkets or neighborhood stores.

So, here’s a rating of the best resorts with beaches on the island of La Palma:

  • In a rare case among the Canaries, where the capital of the island is an excellent resort, I recommend Santa Cruz de La Palma to everyone. It’s a beautiful Spanish town, great for walks, with pedestrian streets, a long promenade along the ocean, and all the infrastructure (shops, markets, restaurants). And the main city beach is over 3 kilometers long, with fine black volcanic sand. It’s a fantastic beach with children’s playgrounds, volleyball nets, toilets, all free of charge.
where to stay on la palma
Santa Cruz de La Palma’s city beach is just like a fairy tale, isn’t it? All beach photos in this article were taken in February, so don’t be surprised that there are no people. But even in February, it’s around +20 to +25 degrees here.
  • A small but cozy beach resort near the capital is Playa de los Cancajos. It’s a tourist village with hotels and apartments. The beach also has black volcanic sand. Well, you understand, it’s a volcanic island, so everywhere you go, it’s volcanic sand.
la palma best resorts
Playa de los Cancajos is a typical resort town. It’s often windy here, but overall, it doesn’t bother relaxation. There’s also a promenade, convenient for strolling with strollers and kids.
  • Puerto Naos was completely closed after the 2021 eruption. Even the locals were evacuated. The city was reopened only in February 2024. Puerto Naos is a fantastic town with a beautiful city beach, and it can also be considered a beach resort.
la palmahotels
The photo is not mine. This is Puerto Naos two months before the eruption in 2021. You can see the city beach. It’s a great resort, was and, I believe, will be. It’s important to understand that the city was not destroyed by lava; only an increased concentration of toxic gases was detected after the eruption. It still looks the same today.
  • Playa de Tazacorte – a small Spanish village nestled between cliffs. Only 500 people reside here, yet it boasts all the necessary amenities: a promenade, restaurants, a lengthy beach, and the ocean. Of course, the beach is volcanic. If you prefer tranquility over bustling crowds and nocturnal discos, this is the place for you. By 9 PM, the village is already asleep.
best hotels on la palma
Playa de Tazacorte is a tranquil and charming beach resort. It features a promenade and a sufficient number of eateries. What’s more, the beach here is quite expansive, ensuring there’s enough space for everyone even during peak seasons.

Additionally, there are dozens of wild beaches in stunning locations, small villages, and coves with their own secluded beaches. While they may not be designated resorts, they offer unique experiences. If I were flying to La Palma right now, I’d look for accommodation in the capital. It’s the best beach resort on the island, offering all the necessary amenities, a splendid beach, and convenient access to the island’s attractions, given that Santa Cruz de La Palma is centrally located.

You can find the most popular accommodation rental platforms for tourists at the end of the article.

Travel Tips

Here are a few tips for travelers planning to visit La Palma:

  • To leisurely explore the entire island, hike in the mountains, visit vineyards and wineries, and take a dip in the lava pools, you’ll need about 5-6 days. This is the minimum duration (assuming you have a car) to see almost everything the island has to offer.
  • La Palma is also renowned for being a wine region in the country. You can find information on wineries, tastings, and where to purchase a bottle of local wine in the article on alcohol in the Canaries.

In conclusion, La Palma is a splendid green volcanic island. While it may not boast many man-made attractions, its natural wonders are abundant. La Palma has the highest number of lava pools among all the Canary Islands. To learn more about what they are and how they look, check out the article on the island’s attractions, the link to which was provided earlier.

Wishing you a fantastic vacation on La Palma!

Useful links to help you plan your dream trip to Canary Islands:

  • Car Rental: LocalRent or DiscoverCars – the most popular car rental platforms.

  • Accommodation:
    • Trip.com – the largest accommodation booking platform.

    • or TripAdvisor – to compare prices among other platforms and choose the best one.

  • Budget-friendly vacation packages to Spain and Canary Islands: CheapOair.

  • Tours and activities: GetYourGuide or Viator – hundreds of offers, whales and dolphins, entrance tickets with discounts.

  • eSIM and internet: Airalo.

  • Flights: WayAway compares prices among dozens of companies.

  • Travel Insurance: EKTA.