Puerto Naos is located on La Palma’s sunny west coast. Once a landing place for banana boats, this traditional fishing village is one of two holiday resorts on the islands west coast. Sitting under volcanic cliffs, the resort is a relaxing place with good accommodation, restaurants, bars and shops. There is just one hotel in Puerto Naos which is located on a banana plantation and offers a wealth of facilities. There are also

Puerto Naos

apartment complexes which offer last minute holiday deals to the resort. Away from the beach the town of Puerto Naos consists of a few streets and a boulevard with restaurants, bars and shops. There are plenty of inexpensive restaurants in Puerto Naos which serve a whole range of cuisine including traditional Canarian dishes, Asian and international options. Apart from the beautiful beaches, La Palma has plenty to keep the whole family occupied including scuba diving, paragliding, horse riding, mountain biking, boat trips and lots of walking and hiking trails.

The main attraction of Puerto Naos is long black volcanic beach which stretches for nearly half a mile along the coast. Backed by palm trees which offer some welcome shade, this is the longest beach on La Palma and is ideal for sunbathing under the clear blue sky. Lapped by the warm Atlantic Ocean, the beach at Puerto Naos has been awarded a European Blue

Puerto Naos beach

Flag. This west coast area is well known for its beautiful sandy beaches with Playa de Charco Verde situated close to Puerto Naos. The islands only nudist beach, Playa de las Monjas, is located just to the south of Puerto Naos.

Puerto Naos has a great climate that allows you to scuba dive at any time of the year. The clear Atlantic Ocean enables divers to explore the underwater volcanic formations, caves, canyons, tunnels and chimneys. For an experience you will never forget take a night dive and discover this amazing underwater world.

The Taburiente Caldera National Park is not to be missed on your cheap holidays to Puerto Naos. Located just over 6 miles from the resort, this national park is the fourth to be established in Spain. The park is the site of a gigantic six mile long volcanic

Taburiente Caldera National Park

rock wall, the islands highest point the Roque de los Muchachos and an amazing collection of flowers and plants. Also worth a visit is the west coasts main town of Llanos de Aridane. Just less than four miles from Puerto Naos this charming little town is home to some beautifully preserved buildings complete with traditional Canarian wooden carved balconies.

Nightlife is provided by the bars and the islands only hotel and is very low-key compared to the other Canary Islands but is still considered fairly lively for La Palma.

From May until the end of November temperatures are around 25˚C, peaking at 30˚C during July, August and September, with May to October basking in up to 10 hours of sunshine a day. Winter sees temperatures in December around 23˚C making Puerto Naos a great choice for a winter holiday. Puerto Naos sees very little rainfall, about one day a month from June till September but increasing slightly during the winter months. Sea temperatures are also high, reaching over 20˚C from June till the end of September. Occasionally, maybe once or twice a year, Puerto Naos experiences a weather phenomenon called the Calima. This phenomenon occurs when hot, dry desert winds from the Sahara sweep across the island pushing the temperature up to around 40˚C. However these occurrences don’t last long and should not spoil your visit to Puerto Naos.

The beautiful Canary Islands are home to four of Spains ten national parks.

Timanfaya National Park – Lanzarote

UNESCO named the whole of the island of Lanzarote a World Biosphere Reserve in 1993. The island is home to the Timanfaya National Park which is located in the southwest of the island. The park covers an area of about 20 square miles and is made up of volcanic soil with wonderful flora and fauna.
The park was created when over 100 volcanoes erupted in the space of six years during the 1700′s, completley destroying part of the island. In 1968 this area of devastation was declared a national park, Timanfaya National Park.
The land here is like a lunar landscape, with the temperature just a few yards below the surface reaching 400-600C.
You can explore the park on your own or take a coach trip, camel ride or guided walk around the park.
The El Diablo Restaurant is situated in the park and offers meals prepared using the geothermal heat from the earth and also wonderful panoramic views across the park.

Teide National Park – Tenerife

The Teide National Park was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007. The park comprises of Mount Teide and its surrounding area which covers about 73 square miles. Mount Teide is an active volcano and is Spains highest mountain.
The park includes a huge volcanic crater which has a circumference of 30 miles.
This vast wilderness is home to fascinating rock formations, pine forests and many species of birds, animals, insects, flowers and trees.
The park offers guided walks or you can make your own way around the park using one of the many hiking trails.
If you wish to hike to the peak of Mount Teide you will need to obtain a special permit from the National Park office, bearing in mind that there are only a couple of hundred permits granted each day.

La Caldera de Taburiente – La Palma

Designated a national park in 1954, it was originally thought that the Caldera de Taburiente, which is located in the park, was a giant crater but it is now known that it is a mountain arch with a strange crater shape. Here in the park you will find a large forest made up of the Canary Island Pine and also the Canary Islands Juniper which is an endangered species of flora.
There are lots of walking routes in the Caldera, if you prefer to walk on your own rather than with one of the organised walks you will need to obtain permission from the Caldera Information offce.
There are 25 recorded bird species here making the park very popular with bird watchers. You will also find fascinating geological formations, waterfalls and lovely flora throughout the park.

Garajonay National Park – La Gomera

Declared a national park in 1981, Garajonay was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. The park was named after the rocky formation Garajonay which stands just under a mile high.
The park has lots of footpaths through the laurel forests which cover nearly three quarters of the park. There are lots of springs and streams that run through the park which ensure the vegetation is always green and radiant.

There are lots of travel deals available to the Canary Islands which are ideal for the whole family.

Watch out for those last minute holidays that are on offer to these beautiful islands which offer so much more than just sun, sea and sand!

If you are looking for a destination with plenty to do and see then look no further than the Canary Islands, you won’t be disappointed.
Here are just a few of the many attractions of the islands, there are far too many to mention them all!

Corralejo

WINDSURFING & KITESURFING – FUERTEVENTURA

Fuerteventura has soft, golden, unspoiled beaches which are ideal for a spot of windsurfing or kitesurfing. There is Corralejo in the north and Jandia in the south, where world championship events take place.

TEIDE NATIONAL PARK – TENERIFE

The Teide National Park was declared a World Heritage Site in 2007. Here you can take the cable car up the 12,198ft Mount Teide. The cable car takes you to within 1,000ft of the summit from where you can walk to the peak of the mountain.

Costa Martianez Lido

PUERTO DE LA CRUZ – TENERIFE

Here in this old colonial-style town, you will find the Costa Martianez Lido, designed by Cesar Manrique, and the marine and wildlife park, Loro Parque.

CARNAVAL – TENERIFE

During February and March there are great colourful celebrations in Santa Cruz and Puerto Cruz.

CALDERA DE TABURIENTE – LA PALMA

Caldera de Taburiente is one of the biggest and most fertile volcanic craters in the world. Whilst taking a hike here you can also visit Mirador de la Cumbrecita with it’s wonderful views and also explore the charming capital, Santa Cruz.

Timanfaya National Park

TIMANFAYA NATIONAL PARK – LANZAROTE

The landscape here was created by a volcanic eruption that covered around a third of the island of Lanzarote. Whilst on a walking tour here you will be able to feel the heat of the dormant volcano.

TEGUISE – LANZAROTE

This picturesque colonial-style former capital of Lanzarote has great views and a castle which is built on a volcanic cone, palaces, churches and a Sunday market.

Jardin de Cactus

THE ATTRACTIONS OF CESAR MANRIQUE – LANZAROTE

Cesar Manrique, the renowned artist, landscape designer and ecological champion, has several visitor attractions on the island, including Jameos del Agua and Jardin de Cactus.

LAS PALMAS – GRAN CANARIA

Located between two bays, Las Palmas has a lovely beach and several attractions, including the Casa de Colon (Columbus House, Pueblo Canario, museums, a cathedral and market.

If you are looking for last minute holidays you will find 1,000′s of late deals on offer throughout the internet.

For more information on the Canary Islands and to view my latest articles please visit my Canary Islands Blog.

La Palma, one of the smaller Canary Islands, is a volcanic island, as can be seen in many places all over the island, but is most obvious, and most recent, in the south. It is a peacefull, quiet, green island with no mass-tourism. An island of contrasts with beaches, mountains, volcanoes, forests, a tropical rainforest, tiny villages and breathtaking views. According to many people La Palma is the most beautiful of the Canary island, unspoilt by tourism and ideal for rest, peace and quiet, walking and hiking.
The island enjoys a stable climate, pleasant temperatures in all seasons, warm in the winter and not too hot in the summer.

The main concentrations of population are on the east coast around Santa Cruz de la Palma and in ‘the valley’ on the western side of the island, including Los Llanos and El Paso. In rural areas people live in compact villages or spread out over the hilly countryside. Most people live between 200 and 700 meters above sea level.
The only language spoken on the island is Spanish, or at least the Canarian/Palmero dialect. In the holiday centres some staff may speak German or English.

Tijarafe

The West Side (The Valley)
The area with the most sun and facilities, but also the most densely populated.
Close to the beach, shops and restaurants.
Tijarafe is an area on the sunny west side of La Palma containing several hamlets and the village of Tijarafe. The sloping hillside from the mountains down to the cliffs ensures sea views. A good area for walkers.

The East Side
Easy access to Santa Cruz and the airport and the many villages and walks on this side of the island. Almost always pleasant temperatures, but with more chance of cloud.

The North
In the middle of the pine forests, almond and avocado plantations and orange groves. Ideal for walkers and people looking for real peace and quiet.
 
The North West
Puntagorda
In the north-west of the island, the casitas are in and around the small village of Puntagorda and surrounded by nature. The daytime temperatures are good throughout the year, in the winter months the nights can be cool. Many marked walking paths.

Barranco del Agua

On this island, you can also visit theme parks, such as the Garden of the Birds or the Maroparque, fresh water springs, such as those of Marcos and Corderos and walk along ravines such as the Barranco del Agua.