La Palma First Impressions of Los Llanos de Aridane and Tazacorte
Destination: La Palma Island, The Canary Islands,
Spain Travel Period: August 2020
Our summer holiday last year was without a doubt a far cry from the summer holidays we've had in the past years. Like every one of us, we have fallen into the Covid-19 predicament. We've wanted to go to the Greek Islands but Dutchman and I were not keen on taking the Covid test so we chose to go to Spain instead.
Los Llanos de Aridane in La Palma, is the second largest city La Palma.
We picked La Palma in the Canary Islands because we haven't been to this island yet. We have been to Fuerteventura and Lanzarote many years back, and Dutchman has also been to Tenerife and Gran Canaria. All these islands we have been to are known for mass tourism. We prefer the more laid-back destination and La Palma just sounds quite right.
We did some reading and La Palma is known in Spain as Las Isla Bonita, which I cannot help but play the La Isla Bonita tune of Madonna in my head. It is a lush island with the Caldera Tabburiente National Park dominating the northern and central parts of the island.
In Spain, one must wear the mask outdoors at all times.
El Puerto de Tazacorte.
We were curious! We didn't really know what to expect. Spain is not a strange summer holiday destination for us, so we saw this as an opportunity to experience something different. If not for Covid-19, we would not have booked the 12-day holiday to La Palma.
Here we are at the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport waiting for our flight with Transavia.
The flight takes almost 5 hours (4 hours and 4 minutes) and everyone must wear a mask at all times inside the aircraft. The only time you are allowed to take your mask off is when you are drinking and eating. The stewardesses were patrolling all the time, checking if you are wearing the mask.
We arrived at a very quiet airport in La Palma. Our flight was the only flight outside Spain. It was a bit strange to walk in an almost deserted airport. It didn't feel right at all.
For our inflight food, I brought some grilled vegetables. I do not like wasting food, so all the leftover vegetables in the fridge I cooked them. I always do this before a long holiday. I employ a strict no food waste practice at home. It's become a habit and I have applied the approach to other things in life at home as well.
Our apartment is located in La Punta, in the northern part of the island near Los Llanos de Aridane and Tazacorte. A car is a must when holidaying here, so we were happy that the car is included in the apartment booking.
The drive from the airport to our apartment was about an hour. The views during the drive were lovely and as we reached the mountain area, the roads have become narrower with hairpin turns. We didn't expect the sharp bends and steep incline and comforted ourselves that if we will get used to it after a day or two. And we did.
View of Los Llanos de Aridane on the Aridane Valley from the Mirader del Time.
We have arrived at our apartment just before it got dark and we managed to unpack and rest a bit before going out for dinner. We decided to go to nearby Tazacorte, which is about 15 minutes drive for someone local that is used to the hairpin roads, but for me, it's about 20-25 minutes. The owner of the apartment made a joke that it will take me 30 minutes!
A few pictures of Tazacorte at night:
We settled for something quick and easy. We found this Italian restaurant with an outdoor terrace. A pizza to share, and some mozzarella with tomatoes. After dinner, we had coffee at the town's big terrace where many locals hang out.
Not bad for our first night in La Punta.
The next day, we woke up to the view of the Atlantic Ocean.
I made some waffle breakfast. Leftover pre-packed waffles from the Netherlands topped with eggs. Our generous host gave us some eggs, a fruit basket, and a bottle of wine. We've read that there is a big LIDL in Los Llanos, so we were going there later today.
We had breakfast at the big terrace with views of the banana terraces and the vast sea.
Then followed by a quick dip in the pool before we get ready and set off to our real first day in La Punta Isla Bonita.
We plan to visit Los Llanos, the second-largest city on the island, and El Puerto de Tazacorte, the beach of Tazacorte. We also needed to do our grocery shopping at LIDL. Then we have to find a nice restaurant for the evening's dinner.
Here we are on the zigzagged mountain road going to Los Llanos de Aridane.
Because the apartment is located on a terraced road just off the main road in a mountainous area, we always have to pass by these sharp bend roads. The roads here are quite good and well-maintained so nothing to worry about. The first few days were getting used to the new road and terrain.
We managed to find a parking area just around the corner from the center of town.
It was a lovely day and the town was not that very busy. We then realized that the shops were closed for the most part of Saturday, which we found a bit odd. I guess for a small town this must be normal. There was 1 shop open though, a Chinese-owned souvenir store on the plaza where I bought my straw hat.
The statue of course is wearing a mask!
The main church on Plaza de Espana.
City Hall across Plaza de Espana.
Pedestrian streets with shops and cafes around Plaza de Espana.
On Plaza de Espana are these centuries-old massive and eye-catching Indian Laurel trees (Ficus Microcarpa). They were bought by immigrants from Cuba.
Plaza de Espana is the heart of the town but it wasn't that busy on a Saturday. Perhaps the effects of Covid.
A drink at one of the cafes on the plaza.
We managed to go some grocery shopping in LIDL, which surprisingly is quite big and modern. Well, compared to the LIDL's we have here in the Netherlands anyway.
A quick transporting of the groceries to our apartment and we were again on the road. We are driving to Tazacorte. The valleys in the central and southern parts of La Palma are filled with banana plantations. They are planted on terraces. They are a neverending sight.
The colorful Tazacorte village in the distance.
El Puerto de Tazacorte, the beach area of Tazacorte. The main village is not too far away in the mountains and the beach is a resort area with a boulevard.
El Puerto de Tazacorte has a nice pedestrian boulevard. The place is for beach and holiday goers. To the right of this picture (which you cannot see) are rows of apartment to-let buildings for holidaymakers, mostly to local tourists.
Towards the end of the boulevard are the cafes, restaurants, and shops.
The beach scene is what I call free as you go. It's semi-organized with a few offering sunbeds and parasols. The beach has black sand. It was a busy day on the beach and most people just used their beach towels while some brought their own parasols.
The rule about masks is that you can take them off when you are sitting on your spot on the beach. But the moment you stood up and walk, you must wear it.
Cafes and restaurants on the boulevard.
We went to the marina nearby. I did some research and saw that there is a good restaurant with great views here. Unfortunately, the restaurant is only serving fish, and I was also not that enamored with the ambiance.
There was another traditional restaurant in the marina but it was full, so Dutchman and I decided to go Los Llanos instead.
This was a nice restaurant in the marina... we went back here on a nother night.
It took us a long time to find a restaurant! Most restaurants on and around Plaza de Espana were full or were not open. If they are open, they are mostly open for drinks, not really a place to eat. We were looking for that charming and inviting restaurant, which we were, for some reason, struggling to find.
We finally found this Italian on the main road.
We sat outside and we both ordered pasta. After the long search for a restaurant, we didn't have high expectations but these pasta dishes were very good! This dinner was a winner that saved the day.
My delicious Pasta y Mariscos.
So that's it, our first and second day in La Palma.
Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)
