Visiting La Palma after the volcano eruption

On September 19, 2021, volcanic activity reactivated in the Cumbre Vieja area, causing an eruption that lasted for 85 days, setting the island's record for the longest duration. The activity began in the Cumbre Vieja Natural Park, in the southern part of La Palma, which is the island's active volcanic ridge.

Which areas were affected by the volcano?

The eruption of the La Palma volcano in 2021 primarily affected the Cumbre Vieja area in the southwest of the island. The most impacted areas included:

• Los Llanos de Aridane: Several towns and neighborhoods in this municipality were severely affected, with many homes and agricultural lands destroyed by the lava.
• El Paso: This municipality also suffered the destruction of numerous homes and agricultural areas.
• Tazacorte: The lava reached the coast of Tazacorte, destroying homes and crops along the way.
• Todoque: The neighborhood of Todoque was one of the most affected, being almost completely destroyed by the lava.
• La Laguna: Another locality severely affected by the lava flow, with many buildings destroyed.

These areas experienced the destruction of homes, infrastructure, crops, and land, causing population displacement and significant economic losses.

Is it safe to travel to La Palma?

The answer is yes.

Despite the recent eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano in La Palma, the current state of the island is good, and it is safe to visit the Canary Islands by following a series of guidelines and measures that we detail below.

On December 13, experts declared the eruption over, although they provided guidelines for traveling with caution because gas pockets can still be found around the island.

There are currently no travel restrictions to the Canary Islands. Many companies offer ferry and plane trips to La Palma for those who wish to visit.

The first thing to consider is that if someone has respiratory issues, they should wear an FFP2 mask outdoors for safety reasons (currently not necessary as there is no ash in suspension, but as a protective measure, it might be advisable).

We can choose the beautiful areas of the island, La Palma, which contains the most amazing natural places to visit and that are safe from the volcano and its effects.

Here you can see What to do in La Palma and discover the best landscapes that La Palma continues to offer you.