La Palma Travel Checklist: Everything to Sort Before You Go
Arriving on La Palma well prepared ensures a completely stress-free holiday. Arrive unprepared and you could find yourself at the airport without a hire car (sold out), at the Caldera entrance without a reservation (closed), or stuck in the mountains with the wrong footwear. This checklist covers all the key tasks, organised by how far in advance to take care of them.
4–6 months in advance (peak season: November–March)
Book a hire car: Compare local and international providers via DiscoverCars. During the peak winter season, local hire companies like CICAR, Acoron, and PlusCar frequently sell out weeks in advance.
Book accommodation: Compare fincas on Clariso and hotels on Expedia. Fincas with a pool on the sunny west side are often fully booked months in advance in winter.
Book your flight: Early bookers usually get the best prices. Skyscanner is a solid tool for comparing fares.
2–4 weeks in advance
La Cumbrecita permit: To park at the La Cumbrecita viewpoint, you must book a free permit in advance through the official Spanish national parks booking platform ( reservasparquesnacionales.es). Spots fill up quickly on weekends and during school holidays.
Check hiking trails: Before longer hikes, check the current trail status on Senderos La Palma. After heavy rain, wildfire risk, or landslides, individual trails may be closed at short notice.
Travel documents: Check that your passport or national ID card is still valid. EU citizens only need a national ID card. Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should also be valid.
Travelling with pets: EU pet travel rules apply (or an Animal Health Certificate for UK arrivals) (pet passport and valid rabies vaccination). Important: dogs and other pets are not allowed in Caldera de Taburiente National Park — including the La Cumbrecita area.
1 week in advance
Download Google Maps offline: Save the La Palma map for offline use. There’s no mobile signal in many mountain areas.
Download a weather app: AEMET provides the most reliable forecasts for the Canary Islands.
Save important phone numbers: Store your accommodation, hire car provider, and any local taxi numbers in your phone before you leave.
First aid kit: Pack sunscreen, plasters, personal medication, insect repellent, and something for an upset stomach.
Pack check:
- Hiking shoes (also handy for short walks across lava rock)
- Sunscreen (recommended year-round)
- Windproof jacket for mountain hikes and the Roque de los Muchachos
- Swimwear
- Headtorch or flashlight (essential for tunnels such as Marcos y Cordero, or late descents after sunset)
- Motion sickness tablets for sensitive passengers on the winding mountain roads
On departure day
Check your rental agreement: Is full collision damage waiver (CDW) coverage included? Check fuel policy and any restrictions on unpaved roads. Have your credit card ready.
Save reservations offline: For La Cumbrecita, a screenshot of your reservation on your phone is all you need. Mobile coverage is poor up there, so make sure your booking is available offline.
Carry some cash reserve: Remote village cafes, mountain bars, and markets often prefer cash.
La Palma Quick Checklist
| Category | Key Tasks & Packing List |
|---|---|
| ⚠️ Important | Rental car: Book online early (peak season November–March sells out fast). Accommodation: Reserve fincas with a pool on the sunny west side well in advance. La Cumbrecita reservation: Reserve a parking spot through the official national parks booking platform. A screenshot of the booking is sufficient on arrival. |
| 🪪 Documents | ID card or passport: Must be valid for entry into Spain (EU citizens only need a national ID card). EHIC: Check that your European Health Insurance Card is still valid. |
| 📱 Apps | Google Maps (offline): Download the La Palma map before you travel. AEMET: The most reliable weather app for the Canary Islands and its microclimatic zones. Senderos La Palma: Check the current trail status and any closures. |
| 🧳 Packing | Hiking shoes: Virtually essential for lava paths and hikes. Windproof jacket: For cooler temperatures in the mountains and at the Roque de los Muchachos. Headlamp: Recommended for tunnel walks (e.g. Marcos y Cordero) and late descents. Sunscreen & swimwear: Year-round sun protection, perfect for beaches and natural pools. |
Conclusion:
With this checklist, your La Palma holiday will start on a much more relaxed note. Booking your hire car, accommodation, and La Cumbrecita reservation early — and checking for current trail closures before hiking — will help you avoid the most common pitfalls.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you arrange before travelling to La Palma?
Do you need a visa for La Palma?
What should you wear on La Palma?
Can I bring my dog to the Caldera de Taburiente?
This article is based on the on-the-ground knowledge of the Gequo editorial team – publishers of the Reisezeit hiking guides and operators of Sunhikes.com. Last updated: May 2026
