The month of May in La Palma is a lovely time to visit, since it is just before the peak months for visitors during the summer season, and the always warm weather gets just a bit hotter. The average temperature in May is 20°C (68°F), while the average low is 17°C (63°F) and the average high is 22°C (72°F). The beginning of the month starts off with mostly sunny days with a few cloudy days scattered in, a miniscule chance of rain, and an average daily temperature of 20°C (68°F). The middle of May sees even fewer cloudy days and a drop in the already low chance of rain, and an average daily temperature of 20°C (68°F). The end of the month is similar to the middle, as it is filled with sunny days, no rain, and an average daily temperature of 21°C (70°F). The lowest ever recorded temperature in May in La Palma is 11°C (52°C) and the highest ever recorded temperature is 32°C (90°F).
The average daily sunshine in May is seven hours, which although does not increase from April, it is still tied for the second highest total La Palma sees throughout the year. This is enough sun to cover a day of outdoor activities, whether that's a day at the beach or a hike through the forest. The average rainfall in May drops to just 10mm occurring over the course of three days. This is a very small total and it is entirely possible to not experience rain at any point during your visit to La Palma if you travel there this month.
The average sea temperature in May is 15°C (59°F). Although this is considered water that is too cold to swim in, the temperature finally increases this month after staying the same (13°C) for the first four months of the year.
The average humidity in May is 70%. This total has remained the same since January and is on the high-end of humidity levels, but not high enough to cause discomfort, especially with the mostly mild temperatures.
The H10 Taburiente Playa is a hotel with 293 rooms for guests to choose from. There are five different room types, but all come with standard amenities (full bathroom, air-conditioning) and some also have sea views. There is an on-site restaurant open for breakfast and dinner, serving food buffet-style, with a terrace that looks out to the ocean. The hotel has two bars, one in the lobby open from 8 AM to 12 PM, and another with live music open from 4 PM to 12 AM. There are three pools (one heated and one children's), as well as a sauna and massages available for purchase. The hotel is about an eight minute drive south of Santa Cruz.
Brenas Garden Aparthotel is a three-star complex offering apartment-style rooms for guests. Each room comes with a bedroom, a living room, a full kitchen, a bathroom, and either a terrace or balcony. Some rooms have sea views as well. There is a pool and a Jacuzzi with sunbeds and umbrellas available for guest use. Their on-site, buffet-style restaurant serves breakfast and dinner and has views of either the sea or the mountains. There is also a café for quick, lighter meals. Brenas Garden Aparthotel is about a 15 minute drive south of Santa Cruz.
Charco Azul is not a beach, but it's an interesting spot to check out. There are natural pools that formed from volcanic rock and have been filled with water from the sea. There is a main "tide" pool, another pool that is elevated and has sea water pumped into it, and a children's pool as well. There is not sand like at the beach, but there are areas to lay out in and enjoy the sun, whether that is on the volcanic rocks or on sunbeds under umbrellas. There are plenty of facilities here as well, such as toilets, showers, and changing rooms, and plenty of parking too. Bar Charco Azul is located just above the pools and offers fresh seafood and drinks. The pools are about a 30 minute drive north of Santa Cruz.
If you want to go to a beach without crowds, head to Lago de Las Damas. This is an isolated beach that is encompassed by banana plantations. It is only accessible by foot, although parking is available nearby and the local bus also services this beach. It is a black sand beach with calm water that is perfect for swimming. The beach is about 250 metres long and 30 metres wide. There are a few facilities like a bathroom, but not much else. About a ten minute drive inland is Las Norias restaurant, offering traditional, local dishes like grilled meats and fresh seafood. They also have a full drink menu. Lago de Las Damas is just under an hour drive southwest of Santa Cruz.
El Hildago is a restaurant that has something for everyone. They serve both local and international dishes, as well as a vegetarian menu. In addition to these options, they also have a menu of tapas that changes based on what ingredients are fresh and in season. Their regular menu consists of starters and salads, and several Iberian pork, beef, and turkey dishes. The atmosphere is always lively as they have a mix of both locals and tourists. The restaurant is open from 12:30 PM to 11 PM every day except Wednesdays and is about a 40 minute drive west of Santa Cruz.
Enriclai is a tiny Italian restaurant that will be well worth your visit if you are able to secure a table. They only have about five tables, so making a reservation in advance is strongly encouraged. It is run by a couple and has a family feel to it, like you are at their home and they are cooking you dinner. There is no menu and it is simply told to you instead, with options like seafood spaghetti and homemade ravioli with spinach or a chocolate mousse for dessert. The food is homemade using fresh ingredients and they also offer a variety of delicious wines. Enriclai is located in Santa Cruz.
Due to the volcanic eruptions on the island and because of the crystal clear water, La Palma is a wonderful place to scuba dive. La Palma Diving Center offers dives that take place off of Los Cancajos beach in a protected area, creating perfect diving conditions. They offer several different options for dive sites and divers of all experience levels including beginners are welcome to join. Prices vary depending on the type of and how many you'd like to do, but one dive plus rental equipment can cost as little as 40. Their dive center is about an eight minute drive from the capital city of Santa Cruz.
Ecofinca Platanologico is a small farm that produces primarily bananas and is a proponent of other "ecological agriculture-related projects." In addition to being a fully functional farm, tours are open to the public so that they can experience a fruit farm in action. Not only are banana trees grown, but also other fruit bearing trees are there producing such fruits as mangoes, papayas, passion fruit, and others. Animals are used in the production of the fruits so livestock like sheep and donkeys can be seen as well. A tour can be booked through their website and they are located next to Puerto Naos Beach, about a 50 minute drive west of Santa Cruz.
