La Palma is one of the steepest volcanic islands in the world with the 2.426 meter high Roque de los Muchachos as top.

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San Miguel de La Palma, shortened the Pretty Isle, is the most western island of the Canary Islands and known for its bright blue skies, lush vegetation and green countryside. The northeast is wet and often cloudy since the clouds can't pass to the dryer, sunnier southwest side of the island because of the mountain ranges Cumbre Nueva and Cumbre Vieja of more than two kilometers high. La Palma is one of the steepest islands in the world with brown volcanic sediments in the south and green forests in the north. Farming is popular in this with pines and palm trees covered island that mainly produces bananas and tobacco as export products.

Sights you shouldn't miss are a trip to the islands' capital Santa Cruz de La Palma which is known for its wooden craftworks, balconies, artistic heritage and architecture such as in the Parish Church of El Salvador. Other towns you might like wandering through are Los Cancajos, Breña Baja, Puerto Naos, Los Llanos de Aridane and Tazacorte. Some UNESCO protected Biosphere Reserves such as Laurel Forests, El Cubo de La Galga and El Canal are well worth spending a few days in. For those interesting in archeology there are some cultural excavations such as Zarza and Belmaco. National park La Caldera de Taburiente is home to an international astronomical observatory (Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias), which used to be one of the best places to set up telescopes because of its clear and clean skies. Hiking is one of the most rewarding experiences of La Palma with a constant changing landscape. You can visit the aquaducts (water tunnels) which are carved into rocks and supply the whole island of drinking water. Other rewarding trips might be the Marcos y Corderos waterfall and springs.

Most diving is done near Los Cancajos and Puerto Naos which are also the places with the most resorts and tourism entertainment. Near the resort areas are some nice volcanic black beaches perfect for sunbathers and swimmers. You can find bizarre cliffs, lava archways, steep walls, caves and canyons. Water temperatures are between 17 and 24 degrees Celsius with visibilities sometimes exceeding thirty meters. It is an island less crowded than other Canary Islands but definitely as beautiful. Diving is remote and still virtually unexplored with new dive sites discovered each day.

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