La Palma is one of the westernmost Canary Islands. One of the nicknames of La Palma is La Isla Verde, the green island. Due to the great diversity of nature and landscapes, the island has been declared a biosphere reserve. Partly because of this, mass tourism passed by La Palma. La Palma is popular with nature lovers, peace seekers and hikers.
La Palma has approximately 80,000 inhabitants. The airport of La Palma (SPC) is located near the capital Santa Cruz. In the capital you will find many remains of the colonial Spanish past. Santa Cruz is located on the east side of the island. Due to the northeast trade winds, this part of the island is often cloudy and just outside the capital you can see the foresty slopes of the southern volcano ridge the Cumbre Vieja and the slopes of Islands higherst peak of the Roque de Muchachos. The drive to the sunnier west side of the island goes through a vast variety of landscapes and climate zones.
The largest village on the west side of La Palma is Los Llanos de Aridane. Los Llanos is situated in a valley among small farming villages with on one side the view of the most active volcanoes of the Cumbre Vieja and the congealed black lavastreams of the youngest volcano Tajogaite and on the other side the mighty erosion crater of the Caldera de Taburiente.
Just north of Los Llanos de Aridane the road around the island winds through the gorge the outflow river of the Caldera has eroded into the landscape. Beyond the gorge the rural landscape of La Punta begins with the villages of Tijarafe and Puntagorda. The further north you go, the greener the surroundings become. Here the gorges become deeper and the forests darker. The presence of human civilization ends and the road winds deep into the original pine and laurel forests. The only scene remaining is the ever-appearing view of the immense ocean. The only exit in the unspoilt north is the winding road up to the observatories on the highest peaks of the island.
Climate
It seems a strange contradiction. The green rainforests in the northeast of the island are in stark contrast to the dry climate zone of La Punta, with the most hours of sunshine in Europe. The cause is the persistent northeast trade wind that converts moist ocean air into clouds and rain on the north and east slopes of the island. Once the rain has dried up, the remains of the clouds dissolve as they skim over the crest of the volcanic ridge. A special sight, a waterfall of clouds.
Walking
Anyone who comes to La Palma should not forget their walking shoes. The island has an extensive network of signposted hiking trails and the variety of landscapes is enormous. Our holiday homes are located on the Camino Real, the old King’s Path GR-130, which in the old days has connected the villages around the island. This already can be the startingpoint of many walks. Due to our central location, it is also easy to undertake other popular walks on the island, going over the highest peaks and through the deepest valleys. Sometimes, however, it is more fun to take a more adventurous walk in an area that is less well-known. Jeroen is an experienced walker in such areas, he is happy to advise on this and can join as a guide if desired.
Eating out
The variety of restaurants on La Palma is great. Do not expect Michelin-starred refinement on La Palma, but rather a local honest meal. For example, within walking distance of the finca you will find 4 small local bars where you can eat well and simply. Try the bar next to the banana cooperative with its friendly service, Bar La Punta on the village square with its beautiful view over the fields or go for food with a South American touch at Bar Fey y Alegría.
In the port of Tazacorte, a 15-minute drive away, you will find a few excellent restaurants serving freshly caught fish. Let the chef advise you and watch in the open kitchen how the fish is prepared for you. It can’t get any fresher.
For the true carnivore, the Palmese kitchen has a special traditional treat. According to an ancient recipe, mainly in the remote farming areas in the hills far above the sea, stews are made from goat meat. You can taste the friendly atmosphere of the ancient local community, not sitting far from the grandmother of the house who had been preparing your stew days before your arrival.
