Cheap Car Rental La Palma

La Palma is the westernmost of the seven great Canary Islands and its beauty has earned it the nickname “La Isla bonita”. Black beaches, volcanic hills in the south, and pine and bay laurel forests in the north make up a unique natural panorama. The evergreen island in the Atlantic Ocean is famous for its flora and fauna and therefore attracts growing numbers of visitors. Yet, compared to tourists hubs like Tenerife and Gran Canaria La Palma is positively tranquil and a true traveler’s paradise.  The fantastically hospitable locals are eager to share their favorite spots with the tourists and will make it easy for anyone to enjoy themselves.

La Palma is particularly popular among outdoor fans. The unique natural environment is as diverse as to be expected from a volcanic paradise: banana and avocado fields line up next to rolling vineyards and rugged cliffs. The highest peak on the island, Roque de los Muchachos, is not only a great representation of the natural diversity of La Palma, should you dare the almost 7900 ft hike you can visit the biggest astronomical observatory in the northern hemisphere.

Should you miss the comforts of the city you can turn to the tourist hubs on the coast. To exchange adventure stories with other English speakers turn to Puerto de Naos or Los Cancajos in the west where you will meet plenty of other tourists to share the experience with. The entertainment program in these places is phenomenal; scuba and sky diving, mountain biking and organized hiking tours are available from hundreds of agencies. Naturally the selection of restaurants is excellent as well. Most of them serve local cuisine heavy on fish, and most dishes come with either Mojo Rojo (for meat dishes) or Mojo Verde (for fish dishes), two traditional sauces produced on the island.

A little further inland Los Llanos de Aridane and El Paso make for great day trips, two charming little towns especially popular among Western European immigrants seeking refuge from cold winters and monotone lives.
The best way to discover the island in its entirety is to simply rent a car and hit the road. An almost mandatory pit stop is Caldera de Taburiente featuring a several million years old erosion crater to the north, one of the island’s greatest natural attractions. There are a few hiking trails around, but you should have some experience as they are not suitable for beginners.

In the eastern part of the island you should visit Santa Cruz de La Palma, the capital. Santa Cruz has a charming, long beach promenade which is a rather rare phenomenon on a cliffy island. The town revolves around the very atmospheric Plaza de Espana on which you will find St. Salvador church and the 16th century Town Hall, called Casas Consistoriales.

The mixture of natural beauty, endless entertainment and activities, and kind hospitality of the locals make La Palma the perfect destination for a family holiday or a hiking adventure alike.