A small rock in the Atlantic: A book and map for driving holidays

La Palma is a confusing island to drive around. There are so many steep ravines that the roads tend to be twisty. If you want to go north from Cancajos, you have to start by taking the road south out of the village. If you want to drive southeast to the lighthouse from the Teneguía volcano, you have to go northwest to begin with. I've lived here for seventeen years, and two weeks ago, I got lost. It doesn't help that about half the village names begin with San or Santa which means "saint". (Many villages in Spain take their name from the patron saint of the local church.)

You need a map. I recommend the AA one if you like to get off the main road. If you're very unadventurous, you can get by with the free map from the tourist office. But if you're that unadventurous, why aren't you staying at home?

The best guide book I know for driving holidays is the Sunflower guide.

If you want to buy from Amazon.co.uk, clicking on the graphic will take you straight to the correct page.

Sunflower Guide to La Palma and El Hierro

The clearest map for driving around La Palma

Labels: Canaries, Canary islands, guidebook, La Palma, map