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La Palma: The Canary Island Like Costa Rica
9 Apr
Summary
- La Palma offers wildlife and greenery similar to Costa Rica.
- It boasts world-class walking treks and a national park.
- An all-inclusive holiday can be found from £567 per person.
La Palma, often called 'la isla bonita,' is emerging as Spain's answer to Costa Rica, offering a rich natural landscape and abundant wildlife within a more accessible travel distance from the UK. This smaller Canary Island, approximately 708 square kilometers, is celebrated for its vibrant greenery and diverse ecosystems.
The island features the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This area is ideal for hikers, offering world-class treks through Canarian pine woods, ravines, and diverse fauna, including birds and reptiles. Adventurous visitors can ascend to the Roque de Los Muchachos, the island's highest point at 2,426 meters, for panoramic views.
Coastal excursions from Tazacorte on the west coast provide opportunities for whale and dolphin watching. La Palma's unique black sand beaches and exceptional stargazing conditions add to its allure. The island also presents a new trekking experience on the Tajogaite Volcano, where a 2021 eruption created a unique landscape of lava flows.
Economically, La Palma presents an attractive option. A pint of local beer costs around £1.30, and TUI offers all-inclusive holidays starting at £567 per person for April. Summer temperatures average 28 degrees Celsius, comparable to Costa Rica's climate but without the long-haul travel.
However, travelers planning a visit soon should be aware of potential disruptions due to upcoming air traffic controller strikes affecting 14 hubs in Spain and the Canary Islands, including La Palma.
