Car Rental at La Palma Airport

Airport travel guide

Not to be confused with Palma de Mallorca, little La Palma is one of the two westernmost Canary islands. Not as busy as Gran Canaria or Tenerife, it is notable for its serene atmosphere, as well as plenty of great hiking opportunities. These are a few of the island’s most notable attractions:

• El Roque de los Muchachos. It might be only two-thirds the height of Teide, Spain’s highest mountain on neighboring Tenerife, but at 2,423 m (7,950 feet), the Rock of the Boys is nonetheless an impressive place to visit. Easily accessible by car (albeit only during the day as the road closes for the night), it offers both a stunning mountain drive and awesome views from the top.
• Observatory. Not only the reason why the road to El Roque is closed at night, but La Palma’s space observatory is also one of the most interesting places to visit in all of the Canaries. Located near the peak of the mountain, it is notable both for its many large-scale telescopes and the significant research that is done there. A tour, which lasts about 90 minutes, needs to be booked in advance but is very much worth it. 
• Caldera de Taburiente National Park. Encompassing not just El Roque, but a notable chunk of the island’s north, Caldera de Taburiente is a hiker’s paradise. Named after the large, canyon-like cauldron at its heart, it is known for its network of trails, Canary pine forests, volcanic formations, and a variety of bird species, many of which can only be found in the Canaries.
• Los Tilos. This 22-meter-high waterfall is accessible via a short hiking trail. The adventurous path leads along an open water channel. You will also cross two short tunnels. Around Los Tilos, you can marvel at the laurel forest of La Palma. Various hiking trails give you a closer look at the lush green nature.
• La Palma Maritime Museum. Naturally, La Palma is all about the outdoors, but those visitors who are so inclined will discover that it also has a number of enjoyable cultural institutions. Located on the island’s eastern coast, this small, but interesting museum (also called the Naval Museum) is dedicated to the importance that the Atlantic Ocean has had on the island’s commerce, lifestyle, and folklore.
• Tenerife. Situated southeast of La Palma and reachable by either plane or ferry (more on that below), Tenerife is one of the most famous destinations of the archipelago. Home to Mount Teide, the active volcano that’s the highest point in Spain, it is a hiking, water sport, and beach mecca.

After the volcanic eruption in 2021, traveling by car on La Palma is now possible again without restrictions. Newly built roads lead right through the newly created lava field. Seeing the aftermath of one of the most recent volcanic eruptions in history is something very special! A rental car is perfect for this.

Note: It is possible to take a ferry from La Palma to other islands in the Canaries, but it’s important to check the ferry schedule and book the tickets in advance — some routes are not active during the winter months, so you might need to either fly or take connecting ferry rides.

While it is possible to take a rental car on some ferries, many car rental suppliers don’t allow it, so it’s important to ask them in advance. An alternative plan can be to drop off your car in La Palma, go as a foot passenger, and then pick up a new rental car at your destination port.

Top international routes

• Amsterdam
• Düsseldorf
• Frankfurt
• Hannover
• Stuttgart
• Hamburg

Main airlines

Condor, TUI Airways, Binter Canarias, Eurowings, Primera Air, and Germania

Terminals

The single airport terminal serves all domestic and international flights. It was opened to passengers in 2011.

Location

La Palma Airport is about 8 km (5 mi) from Santa Cruz de la Palma, the largest town on the island of La Palma. Motorway LP-5, LP-2/Calle del Socorro, and Av. el Puente are the main roads connecting the airport to Santa Cruz de la Palma.

Most popular types of rental car

• Small cars - from $8 per day
• Medium cars - from $11 per day
• Large cars - from $17 per day
• SUVs - from $12 per day
• Vans - from $19 per day
• Convertibles - from $27 per day

Car rental desks

Most are on the ground floor, right next to the baggage claim area (like Avis, Hertz, Thrifty, etc.). There are also some rental car suppliers that do not have a direct branch at the airport. They deliver the car to the airport. These rental cars are usually handed out in the parking garage. Take the elevator to the lower level of the parking garage and go to the left end. There, the representative will be waiting for you with the car at the agreed time.

Services and facilities

Although the airport is small, you’ll find a couple of cafeterias, restaurants and food stores, as well as shops, including duty-free outlets. There are also several ATMs, a bank, a currency exchange, a pharmacy, and a lost and found office. La Palma Airport is generally equipped for passengers with reduced mobility, and special assistance can be requested, but you should contact your airline at least 48 hours before arrival if you’d like this service.

Nearest gas station

The nearest gas station, Gasolinera Disa, is located next to the Airport terminal (see Google Maps). It is open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. There are other gas stations near the airport and on the island of La Palma.