Nord (Los Sauces, San Andrés, Barlovento & Puntallana)

Where to stay in North La Palma : Los Sauces, San Andrés, Barlovento & Puntallana guide

Northern La Palma unfolds a striking tableau where sheer cliffs plunge into the turbulent Atlantic and laurisilva cloaks volcanic slopes in emerald green. Between Los Sauces, San Andrés, Barlovento and Puntallana, banana plantations ripple in the trade winds while white villages dot deep valleys. Light plays across steep ridges and clouds cling to summits, creating a mysterious, wild atmosphere. This preserved corner invites sensory immersion amid scents of damp earth, endemic birdsong and endless ocean horizons.

Safety score: 9/10midKeen hikersHoneymoon couplesNature photographersTranquillity seekers

Pros

  • Verdant, wild landscapes
  • Authentic preserved villages
  • Varied hiking trails
  • Calm, intimate atmosphere
  • Savoury local gastronomy

Cons

  • Narrow winding roads
  • Limited public transport
  • Windy, damp climate

The 3 best hotels in Nord (Los Sauces, San Andrés, Barlovento & Puntallana)

Apartamentos Centro Cancajos - Vue d'ensemble
1

Apartamentos Centro Cancajos

3-star hotel
7.71 064 reviews
Top pick

Apartamentos Centro Cancajos are located in the north of La Palma. The property offers beachfront apartments with an outdoor pool. Pets are welcome, suiting travellers with companions. Free Wi-Fi and included parking enhance daily comfort. The location allows direct access to coastal paths in the area.

1 piscineAnimaux domestiques admisEn bord de plageConnexion Wi-Fi gratuiteWi-Fi disponible partoutParking gratuit
From ~202EUR / night
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Parador de La Palma - Vue d'ensemble
2

Parador de La Palma

4-star hotel
8.3619 reviews
Excellent

Parador de La Palma is located in the north of the island. This four-star hotel features a pool and a fitness centre. Room service and the on-site restaurant provide quality dining. Facilities adapted for disabled guests ensure full accessibility. Wi-Fi available throughout completes the amenities.

1 piscineCentre de remise en formeService d'étageÉquipements pour les personnes handicapéesWi-Fi disponible partoutRestaurant
From ~219EUR / night
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H10 Taburiente Playa - Vue d'ensemble
3

H10 Taburiente Playa

4-star hotel
8.22 443 reviews
Recommended

The H10 Taburiente Playa is located in the north of La Palma. The four-star hotel offers a pool and direct beach access. The restaurant and room service guarantee quality meals. Private parking and Wi-Fi throughout ensure smooth logistics. The facilities are adapted for people with reduced mobility.

1 piscineService d'étageÉquipements pour les personnes handicapéesWi-Fi disponible partoutParking privéRestaurant
From ~249EUR / night
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Complete guide

Ambiance & landscapes

Northern La Palma charms with contrasting landscapes where laurisilva forest meets rocky cliffs and banana plantations. Los Sauces and Barlovento villages blend harmoniously into this verdant setting, offering ocean views often veiled in mist. Puntallana delights with deep ravines and hidden waterfalls while San Andrés reveals trails bordered by giant ferns. Changing light and strong winds shape a dynamic, authentic atmosphere, ideal for lovers of raw nature and tranquillity away from crowds.

Things to see and do

Discover the charm of Los Tilos with its UNESCO-listed laurisilva trails, the San Bartolomé viewpoint offering plunging ocean views, Charco Azul natural pools in Barlovento, the picturesque colonial village of San Andrés, Puntallana ethnographic park and the hike to San Juan volcano. Also visit Los Sauces banana plantations and Punta Juan Adalid cliffs for spectacular photos. These sites allow serene exploration of local biodiversity and rural island history.

Where to eat and drink

Local gastronomy highlights fresh fish, wrinkled potatoes and artisanal goat cheese. In Barlovento, taste watercress soup and rabbit in red wine in small family restaurants. San Andrés offers bodegas serving La Palma wine with local cheeses. Do not miss traditional gofios and palm-honey desserts in Puntallana establishments. These authentic addresses reflect Canarian culinary expertise.

Transport & access

Reaching northern La Palma is mainly by road from Santa Cruz airport via winding yet well-maintained routes. Island buses serve Los Sauces and Barlovento several times daily. Car hire remains the ideal solution for freely exploring isolated villages and viewpoints. Parking is available near main viewpoints and trails. Allow time for journeys as short distances hide narrow, steep roads.

Who is it for?

This zone suits hikers seeking wild trails, photographers in search of dramatic landscapes, couples craving calm and authenticity, and families wishing to discover nature without tourist bustle. Local gastronomy fans and travellers seeking preserved villages will also find delight. The serene atmosphere appeals to those fleeing crowded destinations.

Other neighborhoods in La Palma

Santa Cruz & Est (Los Cancajos, Breña, Villa de Mazo)

Honeymoon couplesFamilies with childrenKeen hikers

Santa Cruz and eastern La Palma invite a sensory journey between sea and volcanoes. Los Cancajos unfolds turquoise waters edged by black sand while Breña and Villa de Mazo reveal terraced banana plantations and steep cliffs. The scent of tropical flowers mingles with salty sea spray. Santa Cruz's colourful lanes hum with authentic local life. In the distance, Roque de Los Muchachos pierces the clouds. This preserved corner offers the perfect balance between beach relaxation and immersion in spectacular volcanic nature.

Nord-Ouest (Puntagorda, Garafía & Tijarafe)

Experienced hikersNature loversPhotographers

In northwest La Palma, Puntagorda, Garafía and Tijarafe villages offer a striking tableau where sheer cliffs plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. Verdant banana plantations border deep ravines and laurisilva forests bathed in mist. Winding roads reveal grandiose panoramas over isolated black-sand beaches. This preserved corner invites quietude away from crowds, with authentic hamlets and a night sky of rare clarity. The scent of tropical fruit and murmur of waves compose a peaceful symphony that appeals to travellers seeking authenticity.

Ouest (Los Llanos, Tazacorte & Puerto Naos)

Honeymoon couplesFamilies with childrenHiking enthusiasts

On La Palma's west coast, Los Llanos, Tazacorte and Puerto Naos form a lively tableau where golden banana plantations ripple to the ocean. Black-sand beaches invite reverie while volcanic cliffs plunge into turquoise waters. Lively Los Llanos lanes contrast with Puerto Naos calm, creating an atmosphere where constant sunshine, floral scents and sea spray mingle. This preserved territory charms with its perfect balance between generous nature, authentic villages and island douceur de vivre.

Intérieur (El Paso, Caldera de Taburiente & Roque de los Muchachos)

Experienced hikersAstronomy enthusiastsNature photographers

Plunge into the heart of La Palma, in the wild interior where El Paso borders Caldera de Taburiente and Roque de los Muchachos. Black craters sculpted by ancient eruptions open onto centenarian pine forests whispering in the trade winds. Summits rise above 2400 metres, offering endless ocean and Europe's purest star views. Golden morning light caresses volcanic reliefs while evening reveals an observatory-quality sky. Traditional villages, secret trails and preserved nature create a magical, timeless atmosphere.

Sud (Fuencaliente & Volcans)

Hiking enthusiastsWine loversHoneymoon couples

Immerse yourself in southern La Palma, where volcanoes shape a lunar landscape of black and red hues. Fuencaliente, with its frozen lava fields, offers a striking contrast between nature's power and local resilience. Vineyards clinging to volcanic slopes produce unique wines, while the Atlantic Ocean borders wild coasts. This territory, marked by recent eruptions, invites authentic exploration away from the crowds.