There’s an alternative kind of accommodation aside from the obvious hotels and pensions on La Palma, and that’s casas rurales – country houses. As the name suggests, these are houses for rent in the countryside. It’s self-catering accommodation, which is, of course, very flexible, and tends to suit walkers. The local government has a registration scheme, and they have a reputation for being demanding, which is good news for tourists. They’re mostly very comfortable, and some have swimming pools. Since they’re in the countryside, they’re usually in very peaceful surroundings. The downside of that is that you probably need a hire car to go anywhere else. (Although some walking tours come complete with transport).
