La Palma, Canary Islands

La Palma is one of the smallest and north-westernmost of the seven Canary Islands, located off the coast of north African. It is known as the 'Pretty Isle' because of its natural beauty, beautiful blue skies, mountains and volcanoes, beaches and forests, a tropical rainforest, tiny villages and breathtaking views. It is an ideal place in both summer and winter, ideal for hiking holidays or just to really get away from it all.

Along with the natural beauty of the Island, is a culture full of traditions, cuisine, crafts and folklore . The people of La Palma have earned their reputation for being expert farmers, not just for bananas, of which La Palma is a major producer, but also for tobacco.

The island architecture is another striking feature. In the capital of Santa Cruz de La Palma, the island's artistic heritage can be seen in the Town Hall, the Parish Church of El Salvador, and the balconies and carved woodwork that adorn the streets.

Things to See & Do

* Caldera de Taburiente National Park
* Los Cancajos beach
* The balconies on the sea front of Santa Cruz de La Palma
* Zarza and Belmaco - archaeological sites
* Santa Cruz historic quarter

General information

Cruise Season - Feb to Dec
Currency - Euro (€)
Language - Spanish
Land Area - 708 sq km's
Population - 78,198
Electricity - 2 round pins European style
Time -GMT/UTC plus one hour
International Country Telephone Code - +34

Port Location - The Port of Santa Cruz de La Palma is located in downtown Santa Cruz.

Transport Links- La Palma has good communications with the outside, both by sea and by air. From Mazo Airport, there are several flights a day to Tenerife, Gran Canaria and the rest of Europe. Ferries sail from the three times a day to Tenerife, with connections to other Islands, and twice a week to El Hierro.

Good bus services are available to the main towns and villages on the islands. Rental cars are also available.