Los Concajos is a delightful little resort located 2 kilometres south of Santa Cruz, the charming capital of La Palma. The resort is quiet and tranquil, but still offers enough cafés, shops, restaurants and bars to keep visitors happy. If you’re looking for a wider range of shops and nightlife, the centre of Santa Cruz is a short drive away. Los Concajos boasts a string of wonderful, volcanic beaches, which are protected by breakwaters and offer striking dark sand and crystal clear waters. Snorkelling and scuba diving are two of the most popular activities here, but inland you can strike out on some fantastic hiking paths that trek across volcanic summits.
Life in Los Concajos revolves around the town’s beaches, a string of gorgeous volcanic strands arranged around a sheltered bay. The town is quiet and relaxing, but it does have a handy choice of shops, cafés and restaurants. You’ll find plenty more in nearby Santa Cruz, the capital of La Palma, which is just 2 kilometres up the road. The island, which has been designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, offers some fantastic hikes and mountain-bike trails, which can be found across La Palma, including in the Parque Natural Cumbre Vieja. The clear skies of La Palma make the island perfect for star-gazing, particularly at the observatory at Roque de los Muchachos.
There is a decent choice of places to eat and drink in Los Cancajos, mostly concentrated along the seafront promenade. If you want a wider choice, Santa Cruz, the island capital, is right on the doorstep. Classic Canarian favourites include wonderfully fresh seafood, which might include freshly grilled grouper or sea bream, or perhaps some sancocho canario, which features fish, potatoes, mojo sauce and the curious Canarian grain, gofio. You might fancy one of the local stews, often made with goat or pork, or some freshly barbecued chops. Bienmesabe (which means ‘tastes good to me’) is a sort of nougat made with almonds and honey, which is very popular for dessert.
Los Cancajos is a fantastic destination for a fun yet relaxed family holiday. The beach is sheltered, making it safe for younger kids, and older kids will enjoy snorkelling around the rocky coastline or check out the rock pools for strange creatures. Older kids and teens might enjoy a diving excursion, and there’s a handy diving centre on the beach where you can rent equipment and sign up for courses. The lovely island capital of Santa Cruz, with its shops, cafés and pretty port, is a delight to explore on foot. And active kids might enjoy hiking, mountain-biking or star-gazing in La Palma’s blissfully unspoilt rural interior.
The entire island of La Palma has been designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and large swathes of it are protected in nature reserves. As a result, you’ll find some truly memorable hiking trails, including one to the Caldera de Taburiente, the high volcanic crater in the centre of the island. The skies are also protected, which means that they are some of the clearest you’ll find – perfect for star-gazing. The island is also known for its diving and snorkelling and boasts crystal clear sea with spectacular visibility: there are several suppliers in the Los Cancajos area that can provide you with equipment or arrange excursions.
Los Cancajos beach is really a string of several small, linked beaches that feature the fabulous, Canarian dark volcanic sand, along with crystal clear waters, and rocky headlands. The area is well known for its fantastic snorkelling and scuba diving, and you’ll find plenty of companies offering equipment rental, courses and excursions. The beach has good facilities, including sunbeds and parasols for hire, along with a choice of restaurants and cafés within a few minutes’ walk. There’s another large, popular and well-equipped beach near the Santa Cruz marina, called Bajamar Beach.
The seaside resort of Los Cancajos appeals to visitors with its quiet charm and laid-back vibe. Although it isn’t a major nightlife hub, but you’ll find enough to keep you entertained on balmy summer evenings. There is a handful of beachfront bars where you can kick back over a drink with your toes in the sand, and a couple of the local bars hosts karaoke nights or live gigs in the summer. While La Palma is no nightlife mecca, its pretty capital of Santa Cruz, just 2 kilometres away from Los Cancajos, has plenty to keep you up all night, from jazz bars to mega clubs.
Peace, tranquillity, beautiful sunrises and starry skies are just some of the charms of Los Cancajos, an idyllic destination for a quiet romantic holiday. You could bask in the sun on the volcanic beach, go snorkelling around the rocky outcrops in search of exotic marine life, and linger over long seafood lunches overlooking the beach. You’ll find plenty of other activities within easy reach, whatever your interests, from the fantastic hiking and climbing to be found in the stunning and unspoilt mountains inland, to the museums and historic sights of the enchanting city of Santa Cruz which is right on the doorstep.
Many of La Palma’s cultural sights are concentrated in the charming island capital of Santa Cruz. This is most famous for its annual Carnival celebrations, said to be the biggest in the world after those of Rio de Janeiro. It’s a wonderful city to explore on foot: stroll around the cobbled streets of the old town, admiring the beautifully carved and decorated balconies, or stop by the harbour to watch the world go by over a drink. There are several excellent museums, notably the Naval Museum, which is housed in a recreation of one of the ships used in Columbus’ first voyage to the Americas. If you’re interested in ancient history, the fascinating Belmaco Archaeological Park, is only about a 10-minute drive south, and features an ancient cave dwelling with some incredible cave paintings.