Temperatures in La Palma are mild year-round, making it a great place to visit at any time of the year, especially if you want to get away from the usually cold winter months of northern Europe. The average temperature in February is 18°C (64°F), while the average low is 15°C (59°F), and the average high is 20°C (68°F). These are the same totals from January and these two months are the coldest of the year in La Palma. February is very similar to January and this month begins the same as January did, with a mix of sunny and cloudy skies, a slight chance of rain, and an average daily temperature of 18°C. This temperature stays more or less the same throughout the month, with a slight increase at the end of February. The middle of the month sees an increase in the amount of sunny days and a decrease in the chance of rain. The end of February stays basically the same as the middle, with slightly less rain and more sun. The lowest ever recorded temperature in La Palma in February is 11°C (52°F) and the highest ever recorded temperature is 31°C (88°F).
Although there is an increase in the amount of daily sunshine this month, the total is still fairly low. The average daily sunshine in February is six hours, up from five in January. Similarly to January, the temperature this month can still be enjoyable even on a cloudy day. Along with the increase in sunshine is a decrease in the amount of rain this month. The average rainfall in February falls to 50mm over the span of six days, not nearly enough to negatively affect your trip.
Although there is more sun this month, the average sea temperature is just 13°C (55°F). This is the same temperature as in January and is considered too cold for swimming. However, going to the beach this month is still recommended, as there can be warm, sunny days, just don't jump in the water.
The average humidity in February is 70%. This total stays roughly the same throughout the year, but with mostly mild temperatures in February, the effects of fairly high humidity levels should not be felt.
Las Norias is an apartment complex offering a variety of rooms for guests to choose from, including bungalows, apartments, and studios. Each room contains a fully-equipped kitchen, full bathrooms, and a terrace with sea views. The complex is located 220 metres above sea-level, creating wonderful views of the ocean. There is also a pool available to guests. There is not a restaurant on-site, but there are a few in walking distance, and the village of Todoque is about 1 km away with even more options. Las Norias is about a 48 minute drive west of Santa Cruz.
The Hacienda San Jorge has 155 apartment-style rooms, spread across four buildings. Each room comes with two beds, a full bathroom, a kitchen and a refrigerator, and a balcony or terrace. Some rooms also have sea views. There is a restaurant on-site offering buffet style breakfast and dinner, which consists of both traditional and international dishes, and your option of indoor or outdoor seating on their terrace. The hotel also has a bar offering an extensive drink list and is encompassed by plants, some of which are 300 years old. Their fitness centre is open all day and they also have saunas and Turkish baths to help guests relax, in addition to a pool and pool bar. The Hacienda San Jorge is a ten minute drive south of Santa Cruz.
One of La Palma's most famous beaches, Los Cancajos is worth going to even if it's too cold to swim because of its incredible scenery. The water is crystal clear and the beach is made up of black sand, with small volcanic rock formations scattered throughout. If you come on a warm day, diving is recommended and very popular here. The beach has lots of facilities including changing areas and showers. If you drive here, parking is available and the beach is also serviced by a local bus. Located on the beach is El Pupo restaurant, serving fresh seafood, paella, and tapas in a traditional Spanish style, along with local wines. The nightlife in this area is lively, so perhaps an afternoon at the beach can be followed up by some dancing at night. Los Cancajos beach is about a nine minute drive south of Santa Cruz.
Dining at La Casa del Volcan is a unique experience, as the restaurant is located within a vineyard that is just 200 metres from the San Antonio Volcano. They offer dishes that are traditional to La Palma, which include a variety of meats (pork, beef, rabbit) and fresh seafood. As they are located in a vineyard, the restaurant has its own wine cellar - which was built in 1919 - and offers an extensive list of wines, beers, and cocktails. They also serve several desserts. They are open from 12:30 PM to 9:30 PM during the week and stay open until 10:30 PM on the weekends. They are located about a 35 minute drive south of Santa Cruz.
If you are a coffee lover, El Café de Don Manuel is a must-visit. Their coffee is considered to be the best in La Palma and they also offer other hot drinks like cappuccinos and teas. It is popular among locals and tourists alike and in addition to their delicious coffee, they also serve small dishes, sandwiches, and cakes, all at reasonable prices. They have a friendly staff and their interior patio is the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee. If you prefer something stronger, they also have a large variety of gin and are said to make a tasty gin and tonic. El Café de Don Manuel is located in Santa Cruz.
Las Hilanderas was founded in 2002 and is a "living museum" as well as a workshop that produces articles made out of silk. In addition to creating products made out of silk, the entire process of obtaining silk also takes place on the grounds. This painstaking process includes breeding silk worms, extracting the silk, preparing the thread, dying the fibres, and eventually weaving the silk. Numerous articles are produced in this way, including smaller items like wallets and scarves, to larger ones like evening wear and wedding dresses. Las Hilanderas are open from 10 AM to 1 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and 5 PM to 9 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are located about a 30 minute drive west of Santa Cruz.
A great way to experience some of La Palma's culture is by visiting Old Town. The main street in the town is Calle O'Daly and it has remarkable architecture in addition to being lined with shops and bars/restaurants. There are also numerous plazas and old churches here, again with splendid architecture. There are also forts in this area, most notably the Castillo de Santa Catalina. It has been standing since the 17th century and was built to fight pirates who came to La Palma to raid the city. Old Town is a great place to head to with no agenda and simply wander the area, since it is quite easy to stumble upon something fascinating and it is located in Santa Cruz.
