La Palma is not just a pretty island - it is a spectacular island!
If you have never been to La Palma, one of the smaller and less well-known Canarian islands off the coast of Morocco, you will have a wonderful surprise.
Few places on our planet can offer such an astonishing landscape full of contrasts and breath-taking scenery in such a small area. Only 30 km by 50 km, La Palma offers forests of laurisilva, pinewoods, mountain peaks, volcanic craters, a biosphere reserve, seas of lava, beaches and azure blue seas.
And of course the mighty Caldera - the largest erosion crater in the world.
Walking and Hiking Holidays
La Palma, known as the best Canary Island for walking, is a paradise for both serious hiking and casual walking alike.
Rugged ravines, donkey tracks, the Roque de Muchachos at 2426 metres, gentle walks through pine forests, banana plantations and the mighty Caldera de Taburiente surrounded by thousand metre high precipices are all there to astonish anyone who appreciates beauty and nature.
Swimming, snorkeling, SCUBA diving and fishing
The waters around La Palma are incredibly clear and offer some wonderful opportunities to get wet.
The nearest coast to La Casita is La Fajana de Garafia, only a 12 minute drive away, literally at the bottom of the hill. Or you can walk there straight from the casita door along donkey tracks and the GR130 walking route, which will take around an hour. It is only suitable for swimming on very calm days, but is great for beachcombing and letting the Atlantic come to you! It is also excellent for fish - we have one fishing rod available for your use.
The sea pools of La Fajana de Barlovento, 35 minutes drive from La Casita, are perfect for all levels of swimmer and snorkeler with many colourful fish to see. In summer the open sea is great with an abundance of fish and some of the best underwater topography on the island.
There are some excellent SCUBA diving sites around the island too (see links page)
Fiestas
As they say on La Palma, 'Let's have a fiesta - but first we must eat and drink!'
As you would imagine a small island cast adrift from mainland life to be, La Palma is steeped in ancient traditions, mysterious legends and curious customs. None lesser than food and fiestas!
During the weekends of the summer months, a fiesta can be found somewhere on the island, usually with live music, and everyone is free to join in. It's a celebration of life - from grandma to baby.
But it isn't just about eating, drinking and dancing in the sunshine - there are often some other surprising diversions, such as horse racing.
Food
With no fast food chains whatsoever, the island retains its special traditional dishes which are available in restaurants around the island. Sample smoked goat's cheese from the mountains with delicious mojo sauce made from hot peppers, wild garlic and herbs, try the small Canarian potatoes cooked by steaming and simmering in sea water, taste the fresh fish from the morning's catch or home grown pork roasted on an open fire - and you will be hooked on island food for life!
Astronomy and star gazing
You don't need to be an expert to be in awe of some of the clearest skies in the world. It is not by chance that the most important observatory in the northern hemisphere is located in La Palma.
With negligible light pollution and no industry pollution at all in the north, you can sit on your own patio and enjoy the great spectacle.
Geology, volcanoes and beyond
La Palma is a dream come true for anyone with even a passing interest in geology as evidence of the different stratas can be observed even while driving along.
The last volcanic eruption on the island happened in the south as recently as 1971 and the solidified lava flows are fascinating in their different forms - pillow lava, ropey lava and so on. In the north the ancient eruptions from 2 million years ago have created the wild and rugged landscape that we see today.
Personal guided tours are available, also caving for the experienced. Groups can also be catered for.
Bird Watching
If you are something of a twitcher then you will appreciate the bird life on La Palma, much of which can be seen from the patio of the Casita. Blackbirds begin the day with a splash in the pond and pigeons regularly drop in for a drink. During the day you will usually see a sparrow hawk or kestrel pausing on a post to consider its next move. From the car park area of the finca, you may also see choughs and the common buzzard. Later in the day swooping flocks of tiny yellow-breasted chaffinches will dart about. At night you might be lucky enough to see an owl on night maneuvers.
