The month of March can be a cold time for much of the world (the average temperature in London this month is just 9°C), but this is not the case in La Palma. The average temperature in March in La Palma is 19°C (66°F), while the average low is 16°C (61°F) and the average high is 21°C (70°F). The beginning of March starts off with a mix of sunny and cloudy skies, a small chance of rain, and an average daily temperature of 18°C (64°F). The middle of the month sees mostly the same type of weather and a slight increase in the daily average temperature. The end of March brings more sunny days with a reduced chance of rain, and an average daily temperature of 19°C (66°F). The lowest ever recorded temperature in March in La Palma is 10°C (50°F) and the highest ever recorded temperature is 33°C (91°F).
Although the temperature begins to slowly heat up this month, the average daily sunshine in March remains at six hours. This is the same total as it was in February. However, similarly to the months before it, cloudy days are still enjoyable since the temperature is not cold even when the sun isn't shining. Even though the amount of sunshine does not increase this month, there is a decrease in the amount of rain. The average rainfall in March falls to 30mm and happens on an average of six days throughout the month. This is a tiny amount of rain and not anything you need to worry about when planning your holiday.
Despite warmer temperatures, the ocean does get any hotter this month. The average sea temperature in March is 13°C (55°F), which is too cold to swim in. This should not dissuade you from venturing to the beach however, as the mild-to-warm temperatures can still make a day at the beach worthwhile.
The average humidity in March is 70% which is relatively high. However, the average high temperature this month is 21°C (70°F), which is warm but comfortable, and not too hot to make the humidity feel uncomfortable.
El Cerrito Apartamentos is a hotel with 37 apartment-style rooms spread out over two buildings. Each apartment comes with a bedroom, a full bathroom, a fully-equipped kitchen, a living room, and a terrace or private balcony, all with sea views. Not every room has air-conditioning so be sure to ask when booking. They have a restaurant on-site that serves breakfast (from 8 AM to 10 AM) and dinner (from 7 PM to 9 PM). There are two pools and a jacuzzi area and the hotel also offers Thai messages. The hotel is about a 10 minute drive south of Santa Cruz.
Hotel Las Olas is a four-star hotel and has 182 apartment-style rooms. Each room comes with a bedroom, a full bathroom, a living room, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a terrace or balcony. Not every room has a sea view, but those that don't have a view of the pool or a mountain. There are three pools (one is heated) with sunbeds and umbrellas, as well as a snack bar. They have an on-site restaurant that is open for breakfast and dinner, and serves local and international cuisine buffet-style. The hotel also has a fitness centre and game rooms and they are about a 10 minute drive south of Santa Cruz.
Nogales Beach is considered to be one of La Palma's most beautiful beaches, making it worth visiting even if the water is too cold to swim in. It is a volcanic, black, fine sand beach and stretches for 500 metres. Another reason to potentially avoid the water in addition to it being cold is that the currents here are strong and the depth of the water can change quickly as well. It makes for great surfing, but isn't an ideal beach for casual swimmers. The beach is only accessible by foot, meaning there aren't accommodations nearby, but Restaurante Casa Asterio is about a five minute drive from the beach. They serve local dishes and specialise in grilled meats. Nogales Beach is about a 20 minute drive north of Santa Cruz.
Bajamar Beach is an urban beach, meaning it was artificially created. This should not prevent you from visiting it, as spectacular views along the coastline, as well as some of La Palma's gorgeous green hills, can be seen from here. There are facilities here for renting beach gear (umbrellas, chairs, etc.), as well as a promenade that is wonderful for walking or cycling. There are stairs and ramps right off of the promenade allowing for easy access to the beach. Just a short drive inland is Restaurante El Halcon, offering local and international dishes, including a large pizza menu, and an extensive wine list. Bajamar Beach is about a ten minute drive south of Santa Cruz.
If you are interested in trying dishes local to the Canary Islands, try Restaurante El Rincon de Moraga. They offer a variety of starters, such as thinly sliced octopus and grilled, smoked Palmero cheese, main courses including fresh fish (albacore, cod, sea bream) and meats (sirloins, lamb chops, duck, rabbit), as well as desserts (rice pudding, cakes). They are open from 7 PM to 11 PM on Mondays and from 1 PM to 4 PM and 7 PM to 11 PM on Tuesday to Saturday (closed Sundays). The restaurant is about a 44 minute drive west of Santa Cruz.
If you need a break from the local cuisine, check out El Geco Libero. They serve Italian dishes like pastas and calzones, but their specialty is their wood-fire pizzas. The pizzas are very thin and cook very quickly, but are nonetheless delicious. They also offer starters like salads and Carpaccio. You may not have room, but desserts like tiramisu are served as well. El Geco Libero also has wine and beer. Their staff is friendly and attentive, which adds to the great atmosphere that you can always find here. They are open from 1 PM to 5 PM and 7 PM to 11 PM daily. The restaurant is about a 39 minute drive west of Santa Cruz.
A great way to learn about some of the culture of La Palma is by visiting the Museo Insular (Island Museum). The museum is located in what used to be a monastery that was built in the 16th century and has since been renovated. It is the largest museum on La Palma and presents information on a variety of topics such as, local history and art. There are several Flemish paintings as well as other objects created in "Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, [and] Expressionism" styles, in addition to a section on local archaeology. During March, the museum is open from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 4 PM to 6:30 PM on Monday through Friday. They are located just a six minute walk from the capital city of Santa Cruz.
If you'd prefer some time outdoors, check out NAToUR trekking. They offer 10 different guided walking tours, led by "professional mountain guides." Their treks go to various parts of the island and can be very different considering the ranges in landscapes. For example, there are walks that go through lush, green forests, others that take place on barren, dry terrain because of the nearby volcano, and some that end at a fishing village. Booking in advance is encouraged and NAToUR's offices are located in Santa Cruz, but transfers to the site of the hike can be arranged for an additional fee.
