Holiday with Your Dog on La Palma 2026

La Palma is considered one of the most dog-friendly Canary Islands. Visitors bringing their dog on holiday will find numerous hiking trails, plenty of nature, and many holiday homes where four-legged guests are welcome. Since the Spanish Animal Welfare Act (Ley de Bienestar Animal) came into force at the end of 2023, stricter rules apply – and they are now consistently enforced across the Canary Islands. Those who know the most important rules and plan the trip well can enjoy a completely hassle-free trip to La Palma with their dog.

Taking your dog to La Palma – leads are required in public and entry documents are mandatory — With your dog on La Palma – lead requirement in public spaces and entry documents are mandatory

Entry Requirements: What Your Dog Needs

Since La Palma is part of Spain (EU), EU pet travel regulations apply for visitors arriving from within the EU. You will need a valid EU pet passport, which must be an original document (not a copy) and contains all current details about your dog. Travellers arriving from outside the EU — including the UK and USA – should check the current pet entry requirements with their airline and the Spanish authorities before travelling, as additional documentation or health checks may be needed.

Your dog must also be identified with an ISO-compliant microchip. Tattoos are only recognised if applied before July 2011 with written proof. A valid rabies vaccination is also mandatory. For a first vaccination, it must have been administered at least 21 days before entry and be recorded in the pet passport.

For flights, the specific regulations of your airline apply. Small dogs – depending on the airline – may travel in the cabin up to around 8 kg including their carrier. Larger dogs travel in an approved transport crate in the climate-controlled cargo hold. Since the number of animal spaces per flight is limited, you should register your dog with the airline as early as possible.

The Spanish Animal Welfare Act

Several important rules apply during the holiday. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times in villages and public spaces. It is strictly illegal to leave dogs tethered or unattended outside shops, restaurants or supermarkets – even for just a few minutes.

Clear rules also apply in vehicles. You must never leave a dog alone in the car in warm temperatures. During the drive, the dog must be properly secured – for example with a transport crate or a special dog harness. An unsecured dog in the vehicle can lead to a heavy fine if stopped by the police.

Beaches: Where Dogs Are Allowed

Dogs are generally not allowed at the large tourist beaches such as Los Cancajos, Puerto Naos or the main beach at Puerto de Tazacorte. These rules are particularly enforced during the peak season.

There is one official exception: at the outer breakwater of the port of Puerto de Tazacorte there is a designated dog beach (Playa para Perros). Dogs are legally allowed to swim and play there year-round.

At remote natural coves outside villages, dogs are often tolerated, provided they do not disturb other beachgoers and no nature protection regulations apply. Always check local signage.

Hiking with Dogs: Caution in the National Park!

La Palma is excellent for hiking with dogs. On most marked trails outside protected areas, dogs are welcome as long as they are on a lead.

One major exception is the Caldera de Taburiente National Park. Dogs – even on a lead – are generally not allowed there, to protect the sensitive wildlife.

Those who want to hike with a dog will find numerous alternatives – for example in the Los Tilos Biosphere Reserve, on the Ruta de los Volcanes, or on the hiking trails in the north of the island.

Dog-Friendly Accommodation

For a holiday with a dog on La Palma, holiday houses and fincas are particularly well-suited. They offer significantly more space than hotels and often have a garden or a fenced property.

Many properties booked through local specialist Clariso accept dogs upon prior request. You should indicate at the time of booking that a dog will be travelling. Depending on the accommodation, a small cleaning surcharge may apply.

Veterinarians on La Palma

If emergency veterinary care is needed: veterinary clinics are available in Santa Cruz de La Palma and Los Llanos de Aridane. For out-of-hours emergencies, dial 112 to be connected with the on-call emergency vet.

Before the trip, it is also advisable to talk to your vet at home about suitable protection against leishmaniasis and heartworm. Both diseases can occur on La Palma – as on many Mediterranean and Atlantic island destinations.

With Your Dog in the Rental Car

Those using a rental car should register the dog at the time of booking. Many local providers such as Cicar, PlusCar or Acoron readily allow dogs, but require prior notification and may charge an additional cleaning fee.

During the drive, the dog must be properly secured. A dog running free in the car can result in a fine.

Holiday with Your Dog at a Glance

Area	Rules & Recommendations
🛂 Entry	EU pet passport, ISO microchip, valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old). Non-EU visitors: check requirements in advance.
🏖️ Dog Beach	Official dog beach at the outer breakwater of the port of Tazacorte.
🥾 Hiking	Allowed (on lead) on almost all hiking trails. Not allowed in the Caldera de Taburiente national park.
🚗 Rental Car	Register your dog with the rental company in advance (e.g. Cicar, PlusCar). Dogs must be secured in the vehicle!
🏡 Accommodation	Detached fincas via Clariso (clariso.eu) are ideal (often with fenced garden).
🩺 Emergency Vet	Veterinary clinics in Los Llanos de Aridane and Santa Cruz de La Palma.

Conclusion:

La Palma is an excellent destination for a holiday with a dog. By taking care of entry paperwork, securing your dog in the car and respect the lead rules can explore the island in complete relaxation. Holiday houses with gardens and the island’s many hiking trails make La Palma one of the best dog-friendly destinations in the Canary Islands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents does my dog need for La Palma?

EU visitors need a valid EU pet passport, an ISO microchip and a valid rabies vaccination. For a first vaccination, it must have been administered at least 21 days before entry. Non-EU visitors should check the current requirements with their airline and the Spanish authorities.

Is there an official dog beach on La Palma?

Yes. At the outer breakwater of the port of Puerto de Tazacorte there is an official dog beach (Playa para Perros) where dogs are allowed to swim and play year-round.

Can you hike with a dog in the Caldera de Taburiente National Park?

No. To protect the native wildlife, dogs are generally not permitted in the national park – even on a lead. Outside the national park, however, there are numerous dog-friendly hiking trails.

Can you take your dog on the public bus?

Dogs are generally not permitted on TILP public buses. Exceptions apply only to assistance dogs and very small dogs in a closed transport carrier.

Are there particular health risks for dogs on La Palma?

As on many Mediterranean and Atlantic island destinations, leishmaniasis and heartworm can occur on La Palma. Before the trip, consult your vet at home about suitable preventive measures.

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

Sunhikes.com