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Perhaps more than any other island in the archipelago, La Palma offers the chance to experience real, unspoiled nature – from the verdant forests of the north, where lush vegetation drips from the rainforest canopy; to the desertscapes of the south, where volcanic craters and twisted rock formations define the views; to the serene pine forests of the Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente. No wonder the entire island was declared a Unesco biosphere reserve. It’s the ideal place for a walking holiday, although trekkers are by no means the only ones who succumb to its attractions.Mass tourism has yet to make its mark on ‘The Pretty Island’, as La Palma is nicknamed. The banana crop still represents a whopping 80% of the local economy, and the absence of golden beaches has diverted many travellers’ attention elsewhere. Although things are changing – new hotels, golf course, ports and a bigger airport are all on the planning charts – for now La Palma is pristine and very pretty indeed.
Rainfall and spring water are more plentiful here than on any other island, making San Miguel de la Palma (the island’s full name) the greenest of the archipelago. Orchards, vine-yards and forests flourish, their soft beauty contrasting with the harsh crags and peaks of the volcanic heights that run down the island’s centre. This is one of the most volcanically active islands; the archipelago’s last eruption was in 1971 in Fuencaliente. That volcanic activity is responsible for La Palma’s steep cliffs and plunging ravines. It’s the steepest island in the world, shooting from sea level to 2426m in just over 10km.
Perhaps more than any other island in the archipelago, La Palma offers the chance to experience real, unspoiled nature – from the verdant forests of the north, where lush vegetation drips from the rainforest canopy; to the desertscapes of the south, where volcanic craters and twisted rock formations define the views; to the serene pine forests of the Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente. No wonder the entire island was declared a Unesco biosphere reserve. It’s the ideal place for a walking holiday, although trekkers are by no means the only ones who succumb to its attractions.Mass tourism has yet to make its mark on ‘The Pretty Island’, as La Palma is nicknamed. The banana crop still represents a whopping 80% of the local economy, and the absence of golden beaches has diverted many travellers’ attention elsewhere. Although things are changing – new hotels, golf course, ports and a bigger airport are all on the planning charts – for now La Palma is pristine and very pretty indeed.
Rainfall and spring water are more plentiful here than on any other island, making San Miguel de la Palma (the island’s full name) the greenest of the archipelago. Orchards, vine-yards and forests flourish, their soft beauty contrasting with the harsh crags and peaks of the volcanic heights that run down the island’s centre. This is one of the most volcanically active islands; the archipelago’s last eruption was in 1971 in Fuencaliente. That volcanic activity is responsible for La Palma’s steep cliffs and plunging ravines. It’s the steepest island in the world, shooting from sea level to 2426m in just over 10km.
Daily living expenses on the Canary Islands are lower than those in most countries of Western Europe. Accommodation, which is plentiful, can be a bargain compared to other popular European holiday destinations. Food, too, is inexpensive for both self-caterers and avid restaurant-goers. Car hire is cheap, taxi transport good value over short distances and public buses are generally economical. Flying between the islands can be a bit more expensive but time-saving. Theme and amusement parks are all pricey, especially for large family groups.The daily budget you’ll need depends largely on the kind of trip you have planned; whether or not you’re self-catering, if you plan to eat in restaurants or pack picnics, and whether your hotel includes meals. To stay in a comfortable midrange hotel, eat one formal and one simple meal out each day, and hire a car, expect to pay at least about €100 per person per day.
When it comes to sunshine, the Canary Islands are caught in a kind ofweather warp, with an eternal spring-summer climate. They’re a year-round destination; you can pretty much take your pick of when to go.The winter months – December to March – are a tad cooler but stillparadise compared to mainland Europe, the UK and most of North America. This makes winter the islands’ busiest period. The summer months –July to September – are a rival high season, mainly because that’s whenmainland Spaniards elect to go on their annual holiday. The Carnavalseason (February/March) is an intensely popular period, when anyone and everyone decides to partake in the fun.For maximum value on airfares and accommodation, the best periods are from November to mid-December and, better still, April to June (with the notable exception of the Easter rush).The latter especially is a great time to be around.
