- Ferries connect La Palma with the other Canary Islands, but if you do plan to venture off-island then be sure to tell your car hire company. Insurance on some rental cars doesn’t cover trans-island travel.
- Many petrol stations close between 10pm and 6.30am. On the plus side, the Canary Islands are a duty-free zone so petrol prices are cheap compared to mainland Europe.
- Parking is prohibited in zones that are marked in yellow and blue. Look out for blue signs indicating short-term on-street parking or park in one of Santa Cruz’s four car parks for around five euros per day.
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Car hire in La Palma
From lush rainforests and volcanic desertscapes to charming 16th-century towns and black-sand beaches, every corner of the island of La Palma is packed with scenic interest.
Public transport can be infrequent, especially in rural areas, so if you hire a car in La Palma you can make the most of this exploration potential.
Travel information
Language: Spanish | Currency: Euro (€) | Local time: WET | Average flight time: 4 hours
Where to hire a car in La Palma
Most visitors arrive at La Palma Airport. Arranging airport pick up of your rental vehicle will probably be the most convenient option. There are three international car hire agencies based at the airport – Avis, Hertz and Europcar – as well as Canaries-wide car hire company Cicar.
It can sometimes be cheapest to opt for a local rental agency. If you’re keen to take this route, there are several smaller car hire companies dotted around La Palma, including Autos Moreno and Orlando. Most are based in or near Santa Cruz, with a concentration of car hire providers on the main road through the capital.
Natural wonders
La Palma’s nickname is ‘La Isla Bonita’ – The Pretty Island – and it’s not hard to see why.
Drive inland to discover the beauty of La Caldera de Taburiente National Park, a vast ravine bordered by jagged cliffs and overflowing with pine trees. Hike the trails of Los Tilos laurel forest or admire the ethereal landscapes of the Fuencaliente salt pans.
A short drive from Santa Cruz, the island’s capital, you’ll find the ancient rock carvings at the Belmaco Archaeological Park and the awe-inspiring Teneguia lava fields. Winding through these hugely contrasting landscapes is a plethora of walking and mountain biking trails, many of which are only accessible with the use of a rental car.
Cultural connections
It isn’t just the knockout scenery that draws visitors to La Palma. The island is steeped in history and culture, with important rock-art sites at the La Zarza y La Zarcita cultural park and time-forgotten villages dotted around the mountains.
See Renaissance palaces and 16th-century churches in the historic centre of Santa Cruz or head to the quieter north coast to discover whitewashed rural villages, such as Santo Domingo de Garafia.
Visit the famous observatory perched below Roque de los Muchachos, a rocky mound at the highest point on La Palma, or browse the museums scattered across the island: Centro de Interpretacion Junonia in Santa Cruz and Garafia’s Gofio Museum are both highlights.