Car Rental - La Palma

Smaller than its Canarian neighbors Fuerteventura, Tenerife and Gran Canaria, La Palma may not boast the golden beaches of that trio but it more than makes up for it with its array of other natural wonders.

Mother Nature didn’t skimp on her magic here, with dramatic volcanoes, thick pine forests and spectacular rock formations peppered throughout the island. You’ll soon see why the locals call it La Isla Bonita – the Beautiful Island. Renting a car in La Palma is a great way to explore all the attractions during your stay.

Our quick and easy car rental process means you can reserve the perfect car online, so you can pick it up when you arrive in La Palma and soon be on your way. There are no hidden charges and you won’t have to pay to amend or cancel your reservation up to two days before collection.

Known as the greenest of the Canary Islands and a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, La Palma offers plenty of scope for adventure. With a rental car you can explore the tranquil coastline before heading inland to find a lush national park that’s home to the huge volcanic crater, Caldera de Taburiente.

Make your way to the capital Santa Cruz de La Palma in your car rental to begin your vacation on the island. Once one of the Spanish Empire’s most important maritime trading hubs, today it has a Caribbean-like charm thanks to its colonial-style architecture and tropical palm trees.

Get a taste for it as you wander along the main street, Calle Real, and admire the pretty homes with traditional wooden balconies.  For some of the best views of the city, head to Santuario de la Virgen de las Nieves, a pilgrimage site that’s home to the oldest religious statue in the Canary Islands.

Drive your La Palma car rental into the hills north of the city to reach the vantage point and discover the 14th century sculpture of the Virgin Mary inside the historic church. If you want a break from sightseeing, there are plenty of spots around the city where you can sample the island’s traditional cuisine. 

Travel into the heart of the island to experience the jaw-dropping beauty of Caldera de Taburiente National Park. It’s named after its star attraction, the Caldera de Taburiente, an enormous volcanic crater surrounded by pine forest and dramatic peaks.

More than 600 miles’ worth of hiking routes stretch throughout this enormous national park, taking you past mesmerizing waterfalls and craggy ravines. But one of the best places to head for is Roque de los Muchachos, the highest point of the island. From here, you’re perfectly placed to soak up the panoramic views across the island.

At Roque de los Muchachos you’ll also find an observatory from which you can head out on an astronomy safari trip. Set off on an expedition under the cover of night and go stargazing – you’ll experience incredible vistas of bright stars twinkling against the inky night sky.

No stay in La Palma would be complete without a trip to at least one of the island’s beautiful beaches. You’ll find spots all around the coastline, with volcanic black sand giving the resorts their distinct appearance.

Drive along the east side of the island in your La Palma car rental to seek out Los Cancajos. The calm sea and diverse marine life make it a much-loved destination for snorkelers and scuba divers. After a day exploring the waters, stop off at one of the nearby fish restaurants, such as Casa Goyo, to enjoy the island’s fresh seafood.

Venture further up the coast to find Playa de Nogales, close to the town of Puntallana. Enjoy the views of the glittering sea before heading down the path to the beach. Surrounded by impressive cliffs, it’s an idyllic place to soak up the sunshine.

With a rental car from La Palma, you’ll have the freedom to enjoy all this and more during your time on this spectacular island.

La Palma isn’t a particularly large island, spreading out across a total of 270 square miles. Its capital city, Santa Cruz de La Palma, is a short journey away from the airport in your car rental along the LP-5, LP-2 and LP-20. A row of colorful 18th century merchant houses, decorated with wild blooms, line the cobbled streets of this picture-perfect resort.

One of the most popular resorts is Puerto Naos on the west coast, which boasts a volcanic sandy beach that’s ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. It can be reached in less than an hour from the airport in your La Palma rental car via the LP-3.

Not far from Puerto Naos you’ll find the beautiful town of Tazacorte, popular with families thanks to its calm waters and peaceful black sand beach. It’s a 15-minute drive in your rental car via the LP-213 to the north, with excellent views of La Palma’s coast to enjoy along the way. 

Parque Nacional de la Caldera de Taburiente, home to the island’s breathtaking forests, pretty waterfalls and dramatic peaks, is around a 30-minute drive away via the LP-3. Park up your La Palma rental car and make the most of the scenic hiking trails snaking through this beauty spot.

Like other parts of Spain, you’ll drive on the right-hand side of the road. The roads around the island are well maintained, but some are narrow and winding in mountainous areas, so it’s a good idea to allow plenty of time for your journey.

In most urban areas, the maximum speed is 30mph (50km/h), which rises to 55mph (90km/h) on the bigger roads. Speed limits are shown on roadside signs, or you may even spot them painted directly onto the road surface.