Major city · Spain
La Palma
Spend 2–3 days on La Palma for volcano hikes, coastal walks and a night in Santa Cruz; skip if you lack a car or time for long treks.
La Palma offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, extensive walking routes and a small historic capital. A short stay covers the main sights; longer trips are needed for multi‑day hikes like GR‑130.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Oct–May
- avoid Jun–Sep (hot, occasional forest fires)
- Airport
- SPC
- Nights
- 2–3
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 9Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Iberia ↗Plan meals on the Iberian clock: Spanish kitchens serve lunch from about 13:30–14:00 and dinner from 20:30–21:00; Portugal eats an hour or so earlier. Early evenings are for tapas or petiscos, not full meals.
- Iberia ↗Inland Spain and Portugal (Seville, Córdoba, Madrid, the Alentejo) pass 40 °C in heatwaves from late June to August: sightsee before 11:00 and after 18:00, and keep July–August for the coasts and the green north.
- Iberia ↗Andorra and Gibraltar have their own border and customs rules and are reached only through Spain (or France for Andorra); read their pages before adding them, especially if you hold a limited Schengen visa.
- Spain ↗Spain is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
- Spain ↗High-speed trains have airport-style baggage screening at the station and boarding gates that close a few minutes before departure: arrive early.
- Spain ↗Carry your passport or ID: police may ask for it, and hotels must register every guest's document.
- Spain ↗The Alhambra in Granada and the Sagrada Família in Barcelona sell timed tickets that sell out weeks ahead in season; book on the official sites before you fix your dates.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for La Palma112 ▾
- General emergency112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about La Palma, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR, €).Spain-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEU and EEA plans roam at home prices; UK and other plans may charge — check before you land.Spain-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe across the mainland; it tastes of chlorine in some coastal areas.Spain-wide
- TippingRestaurant: Round up or 5–10% for good service; service is not usually added.Spain-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Spain-wide
- SafetyLa Palma is generally safe; watch for sudden mountain weather changes and keep an eye on road closures after heavy rain.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFew public toilets; use bars and cafés (buy a coffee).Spain-wide
- Emergency numbers112 General emergency (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSmall shops close about 14:00–17:00 and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Small shops close about 2:00 PM–5:00 PM and on Sundays; big chains and department stores open all day.Spain-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSPC Santa Cruz de La Palma Airport.
- Getting aroundHire a car for remote sites; intercity buses run ≤ €2 (≈ US$3) per ride; taxis are pricey; bikes can be rented in Los Llanos.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (barraquito)€2–3 (≈ US$3–4)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride€2 (≈ US$3)
- Museum or sight ticketEntry to Caldera de Taburiente€5–7 (≈ US$6–9)
- Budget bedCountry cottage (casita, up to 4), a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a pension or hotel, a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedDouble room in a pension or hotel, a night, per room€150 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €90 (≈ US$110) · High €150 (≈ US$180)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SPC Santa Cruz de La Palma Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Apr
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Dec
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Best: Oct–May. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jan (8 rain days), driest Jul (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
La Palma: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
7 rd
Mar
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6 rd
Apr
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Nov
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
7 rd
Dec
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Hire a car for remote sites; intercity buses run ≤ €2 per ride; taxis are pricey; bikes can be rented in Los Llanos.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
El Roque de los Muchachos
goDoor to door: ≈45 min total
Car drive from Santa Cruz, ~30 min uphill
Caldera de Taburiente
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 30 min
Bus to Los Llanos, then local bus or hike from visitor centre
Los Tilos laurel forest
cautionDoor to door: ≈1 h
Car or 4WD taxi to trailhead, then walk
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Santa Cruz de La Palma
Historic centre, many hotels and pensions; good base for day trips.
Los Llanos de Aridane
Largest town, hostel Rosaburiente and several pensions.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €45–70 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- Mid
- €70–120 (≈ US$85–140) excl. bed
- High
- €120 (≈ US$140)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a pension or hotel1 × 3 nights × €100 | €300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × €90 | €540 |
| Car rental (compact, 3 days)2 × €45 | €90 |
| Bus ticket (single ride)2 × €2 | €4 |
| eSIM (1 week data)2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €96 |
| Trip total≈ €177 per person per day, bed included | €1,060≈ US$1,300 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (barraquito) | €2–3 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Banana (local market) | €0.30 (≈ under US$1) each |
| Bus ride | €2 (≈ US$3) |
| Car rental per day | €30–45 (≈ US$35–55) |
| Entry to Caldera de Taburiente | €5–7 (≈ US$6–9) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry to Tenerife runs daily (≈3 h); check schedules if arriving by sea.
- Roads to high‑altitude sites may close after snow in winter; check local signs.
- Bus timetables change seasonally; download PDF from transporteslapalma.com.
Emergency numbers
- General emergency
- 112
Pocket card
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La PalmaLa Palma
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- General emergency112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Tenerife → La Palma: ≈ €30, 3 h (check schedule)
- Car rental (compact, 3 days): ≈ €90 total (check provider)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for La Palma. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–May · avoid Jun–Sep (hot, occasional forest fires) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add car‑rental package for remote hikes.
- Include guided walking tour tickets for Caldera de Taburiente.
Sources
Ask about La Palma
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