la palma
ABOUT la palma
La Palma is an enchanting, fang-shaped island on the northwestern end of the archipelago. It ranks fifth in both landmass and population among the islands, but many contest that it tops the rest of the islands in beauty, and is commonly referred to as la isla bonita. Its habitats contain several endemic plant and animal species, and its main geologic feature, La Caldera de Taburiente, is famous both for its beauty and for its relatively recent volcanic activity.
La Palma is split into 14 municipalities, and the capital resides in Santa Cruz de La Palma. The population has remained fairly stable at ~82,000 palmer@s, but tourism rates have shot up over the past few years thanks in part to direct connections between the island’s airport and some European hubs.
La Palma has several fútbol clubs, the most famous of which are SD Tenisca and CD Mensajero, both based in Santa Cruz. Both clubs have been around for almost 100 years! In addition to fútbol, palmer@s also practice traditional sports such as lucha canaria and salto del pastor (pole-vaulting across gaps).
La Palma is perhaps most known for its involvement in astronomy. It is home to the second-highest peak in Canarias (Roque de los Muchachos), and from here, scientists keep an eye on the skies in international observatories with enormous telescopes. In 2012, the entire island was designated as the world’s first Starlight Reserve, thanks to strict light pollution laws and a clear and stable atmosphere.
TRANSPORTATION
La Palma has its own primary guagua service, known as TILP. The routes connect pueblos all over the island with more urban areas, often routing through Santa Cruz or Los Llanos (and sometimes requiring a change). Unfortunately, non-Canarian residents of La Palma are no longer allowed to purchase a bus pass, and thus must pay in cash/coins for each ride. Luckily, the rides are fairly cheap even without a discount. You can find a list of routes and schedules here. Note that bus times do not appear on Google Maps, so you should keep the website handy when in transit. You should also be aware that buses (and ferries) run more infrequently/at different times on weekends, and especially on Sundays.
Taxis are present throughout the island, and are typically reasonably priced for short trips. There are also multiple car rental agencies in Santa Cruz, Los Llanos, and in the airport. For specific information on arriving to the airport, click here.
For more information on arriving to La Palma, check out the Canarias Travel Guide.
MARKETS/SUPERMARKETS
The two main supermarkets on La Palma are the Canarian chain HiperDino/SuperDino and SPAR. Both chains have locations in all major cities and towns.
There are several markets on La Palma that sell locally grown and harvested food. In Los Llanos on Calle Juan XXIII, you can find La Recova open Monday to Friday from 6:00-14:00, and Saturday from 6:00-16:00. In Santa Cruz, there is another market referred to as La Recova on Avenida El Puente that runs Monday to Friday from 7:00-14:00, and Saturday from 7:00-15:00. Be on the lookout for other local markets that may pop up throughout the year.
GYMS AND EXERCISE
In Santa Cruz, top-rated gyms and health clubs include Gimnasio Sangil Fitness and Crossfit Isla Bonita. Another popular location is Forus Kec Baltavida in Breña Alta.
For information and recommendations for hiking, beaches, and more, visit the Outdoor Activities section of the Ocio guide.
LANGUAGE CLASSES
Thanks to the presence of Erasmus students, there are multiple opportunities to formally improve your Spanish on La Palma. La Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Santa Cruz is one such option, but you should be on the lookout for intercambios if you are interested in something more casual.
SHOPPING
As a smaller island, La Palma does not have much in the way of typical shopping destinations like malls. However, it does have a unique array of shops, boutiques, and craft markets where you can find much of what you may need – and even things you didn’t know you needed beforehand!
In Santa Cruz, be sure to check out Calle Real, Avenida El Puente, and Placeta de Borrero.
In Los Llanos, don’t miss the Sunday market (“de Argual”) among banana plantations.
NIGHTLIFE
In Santa Cruz, the typical nightlife is relatively calm. However, there are several notable establishments where you can enjoy locally-brewed/distilled beverages with a beautiful view. Check out Cinnamon Bar and Bar La Papirusa in Santa Cruz, or make the trek over to Los Llanos to Kapitol, which is a rare discoteca.