Irishman Stays on La Palma for 19 Years After Planned Short Visit
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Jay Burke, an Irishman, has lived on the island of La Palma for 19 years after initially planning a short visit. He now works for the tourism company TUI and finds the island's natural beauty, relaxed atmosphere, and affordability appealing. Burke highlights free attractions like hiking trails and natural pools, as well as stargazing opportunities and local dining. Travel from Israel typically requires connections through Madrid or Tenerife.
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- Jay Burke has lived on La Palma for 19 years after intending a short stay.
- He works for tourism company TUI and finds the island charmingly underdeveloped for mass tourism.
- La Palma offers free natural attractions like hiking trails and volcanic landscapes.
- The island is considered one of the world's best locations for stargazing.
- Travel from Israel to La Palma usually involves connecting flights.
- November offers pleasant temperatures, fewer crowds, and a quieter atmosphere on the island.
Jay Burke arrived on the island of La Palma 19 years ago with the intention of staying only a few months for a break after being laid off from his tech job. He never left. Burke, who will mark 19 years on the island in December, has worked for the tourism company TUI for the last 16 years. In an interview with the Daily Mail, he described what makes the small Canary Island a place difficult to depart. Unlike its larger, more tourist-centric neighbor Tenerife, La Palma offers a different experience, Burke explained. "People sometimes arrive expecting another version of Tenerife or Gran Canaria, but the island isn't built for tourism in the same way," he said. "For most, that's exactly what's charming." The island lacks bustling streets, clubs, or rows of bars, instead boasting natural landscapes, local life, and an authentic Canarian atmosphere, which Burke calls "forced relaxation."
Burke highlighted the island's affordability, noting that many of its best experiences are free, including extensive hiking trails, natural pools in the northeast, the Los Tilos rainforest and its waterfall, and parts of the national park. Paid attractions include the San Antonio Volcano visitor center, costing 8 euros for adults and 6 for children, which Burke deems worthwhile for the crater-edge views. Other must-see locations are the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, the landscapes shaped by the 2021 volcanic eruption, and the Roque de los Muchachos peak, offering what he described as breathtaking views.
La Palma is also renowned for its night skies, considered among the best in the world for stargazing, with astronomical observatories operating at Roque de los Muchachos. Burke recommends dedicating at least one evening to this activity. For dining, he suggests La Plasta, a courtyard restaurant in the capital, Santa Cruz de la Palma, and for sunset views, the coastal restaurants in Tazacorte facing the ocean.
There are no direct flights from Israel to La Palma or other Canary Islands for most of the year; travel typically involves a connection through Madrid or a short inter-island flight from Tenerife. The favorable season is currently underway, with November temperatures around 22 degrees Celsius, less crowds, and a quieter atmosphere. Burke summarized his experience by saying, "It's clean, safe, and beautiful, and it has a feeling of going back in time. You just have to go with the flow."
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