Just jumped over from the Walking La Palma forum and thought I would add a few accommodation ideas for people walking on the island.
There are a few hostel type accommodations (pensiones) on the island, the cost being around 21 euros for one person and 27 euros for two. There is a great one right in the capital along a cobbled street lined with historic mansion. The pension is actually a former mansion as well, so a lovely old building. The owners speak good English and you can book over the internet. Most other pensions you have to ring up so it can be tricky unless you speak Spanish.
If you want to bring down the price considerably you can camp and that will usually cost 5 euros.
For example, there is a campsite at La Laguna in the north east, just a couple of kilometres from Barlovento town and the GR130 walking route that goes right around the island. The campsite is in fact a large park of 10,000 sq.m with excellent bbq cabins (wood provided), toilet blocks and showers with solar power heated water. There is a also a restaurant/bar on site and it's a good chance to try the local goat cheese which is smoked over wood and served with mojo verde, a green sauce made with peppers, herbs and garlic plus papas arrugados, small wrinkly potatoes which are semi-steamed with La Palma sea salt. That's about the nearest La Palma gets to fast food!
Then there is another campsite literally on the GR130 route over in the west near Puntagorda. You can hire a log cabin for up to 3 people for a cost of 20 euros, put up your tent for 5 euros per person or even hire the use of a tent for 9 euros. It's all very much of the eco-friendly theme, even the toilets. You can also book by email.
If you fancy walking the volcano route, a part of the GR131, you can stay at the pension in the capital the first night, then next day, take the bus down to the southern tip and then walk up to the campsite at El Pilar. You will need to take your tent and food but log cabins for bbq's are provided. There is a toilet and shower block but they sometimes lock it on a night. Theoretically, you need a permit but the system is not very well set up – I'll explain it in greater details if anyone would like!
If you are in the north, which has some of the best walking with dramatic scenery and some fairly serious ascents, then there is our B & B with self-catering. Whilst it does cost more than the pensiones it can be a chance to recuperate, have your washing done and generally get looked after a bit! It makes a good base for walks all over the north and we can also arrange transport to the top of the island at 2426m so you can walk back down again. Bit like Hansel and Gretel but without the breadcrumbs. If you would like a little more luxury, then there is also a cottage on the finca.
www.holiday-lapalma.com For anyone who has longer than a week, ie at least 8 days, there is the whole GR130 walking route right around La Palma. Accommodation using pensiones and B & B is around 177 for one person or 238 euros for two people for 8 nights.
Best get Paddy Dillon's book, Walking on La Palma!
If anyone would like any more specific info, I'll be glad to help.
