Fuencaliente
Located on the southern slope of La Palma, Fuencaliente is located in the southernmost part of the island. Its volcanic nature, its Marine Reserve, its wines, trails and beaches make this municipality a must-see place on Isla Bonita.
Beaches Born From a Volcano
Fuencaliente has beaches where you can enjoy the sea that bathes the palm coasts. One of the most particular is the beach of Echentive, the newest of the island, since its formation occurred in 1971 due to the eruption of the Teneguía volcano. It is a wild-looking beach, which conceals spectacular natural pools protected from the waves and where you can relax.
The beach of La Zamora, one of the most popular among surfers, is actually divided into two stretches, Zamora Grande and Zamora Chica, separated by a rock that serves as a natural barrier between the two spaces. Playa del Faro beach is located under two lighthouses, one old and one new. Finally, the beach of Punta Larga is located between a black rock massif and some buildings, a banana plantation extending behind it.
These two lighthouses are also interesting. In addition to the spectacular nature of its surroundings, the new lighthouse has survived the eruption of the Teneguía volcano, and has a unique dome in the world, of which there are only four similar to it.
Very close to this structure is an old lighthouse, whose construction dates back to 1898 and which, after being remodeled, has been left as a building that houses the Interpretation Center of the Marine Reserve of the Island of La Palma.
Within walking distance is one of the most extreme landscapes on the island: the the Fuencaliente salt flats.The contrast of the blue of the sea, with the white of the salt and the black of the lava make these salt flats a unique place in the world. Declared a Site of Scientific Interest in 1994, it stands out for having a unique ecosystem in the western islands, since it is more common in the eastern ones.
In the salt flats, overseen by the Teneguía volcano, the main characteristic is the artisanal method with which the salt is extracted, which can be acquired in the salt flats themselves.
Salt Flats and Marine Reserve
But if the landscape of Fuencaliente leaves the visitor breathless, no less can be said of its seabed. Since 2001, La Palma has had a Marine Reserve that covers a strip of coastline of 15 kilometers and more than 1,000 meters deep. A true treasure of biodiversity in which you can find species such as lobster, turtles, the bottlenose dolphin or loggerhead turtle, among others, and which delights diving enthusiasts.
One of the most spectacular dives is that of Las Cruces de Malpique, near the Fuencaliente Lighthouse, where divers can visit 40 stone crosses erected on sand and rock.
Route of the Volcanoes and Transvulcania
For visitors looking for an adventure, the Route de los Volcanes culminates in the municipality of Fuencaliente, where there are volcanoes such as San Antonio or Teneguía, famous and emblematic on the Island. The San Antonio Volcano Visitor Center is a good place for children to understand the nature of volcanoes. The center also has a small dome for astronomical observations and a simulation of ancient seasonal astronomical markers (solstices and equinoxes).
For those who are more fond of mountain races, the municipality is also characterized as the place from where Transvulcania starts, one of the best mountain races on the planet. The image is magical, as many runners crowd in the middle of the morning with their lights to start the route. The race, in its most difficult version, has 72 kilometers of distance and a positive slope of 4,600 meters, a challenge for its participants who even come to pass through the Roque de Los Muchachos. The race starts at the Fuencaliente lighthouse itself and reaches its stellar moment when the runners pass through Los Canarios, capital of the municipality, due to the warm reception they receive from the locals, who even in their pajamas go out to cheer and applaud them
Wines and Traditions
But talking about Fuencaliente means also talking about some of the best wines of all the Canary Islands.
In this municipality, with a volcanic and wine-growing landscape ideal for photography enthusiasts, it is advisable to approach the area of the Llanos Negros marked by the cultivation of the vine. Boasting some wineries with more than 60 years of history, such as Teneguía or Juan María Torres, Malvasía is the most deeply rooted variety in the area. Malvasias de La Palma are also wines that according to the legislation are called "Naturally Sweet Wines", because they come from grapes with a high concentration of natural sugars. These are wines made naturally, without the addition of foreign yeasts, ethyl alcohol or concentrated musts.
In addition, a harvest festival is also held annually as part of its tradition. This festival highlights the work of the vine in Fuencaliente, the celebration of the fertility of its lands and the historical past linked to the grape. It is a time of celebration in which residents of the town and people from other parts of the island come together to highlight this identity of the municipality.
The festival of the Caballos Fuscos takes place in Fuencaliente. This festival, in which horses with a cane structure roam the streets, is a deeply rooted cultural tradition in the municipality and, proof of this, is that it is more than a hundred years old. It is a popular culture festival promoted by Fuencaliente's own residents.
The tradition of Las Viejas Solteronas stands out during the carnival, which dates back to 1966, when a group of young people recovered this tradition in which two musicians (lute and guitar), and 11 members, dressed in the usual clothes of the emigration era, perform a mocking dance.
