information om La Gomera

La Gomera is a small round and unspoilt island with the most mountains of the Canary Islands with an altitude of 1.487 meters. The most famous of this island is the local whistle language, used by the inhabitants to communicate over longer distance from mountain to mountain. The capital San Sebastián de La Gomera is a picturesque place with about 7.000 inhabitants. At this place Columbus prepared the ships and took water and food supplies before his journey to America. La Gomera has many banana growing areas, forests and other nature.

With the sheer variety of terrain and abundant wildlife in La Gomera it is a top destination for keen walkers. Getting to La Gomera is easy from Tenerife and other close by islands in the Canary Island Archipelago. You can get a ferry that departs from Los Cristianos, Tenerife or Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife on regular basis throughout the year. The Sea that separates the islands is home to many Whales and Dolphins so on your way keep an eye out and you will be able to see them! La Gomera islands volcanic activity that has happened during the last 20 million years has scarred this beautiful mountainous island into a series of valleys and peaks. As you go around the island, crossing over one ridge to the next you will find yourself in a different land - The Barrancos.

The Barrancos not only have their own characteristics, but they also sometimes have their own weather! From the barren terraces and the abandoned villages of the Barranco de la Negra which are in the South of the island, to the multiple date palms of the more abundant Vallehermoso in the North of the island. Increasing the exotic flavour are banana trees, bamboo, cacti with their edible red prickly pears and fruit groves, and the masses of species of plants and trees not known outside the Canaries.

The central volcanic area, Alto de Garajonay has been declared a National Park by UNESCO. It covers 10% of the total island, 4000 hectares! It was created to preserve the botanical treasures that are found here such as amazing rain forest, that has an array of animal and plant species some not found anywhere else in the world! It has permanent greenery and is frequently masked in mist, which contrasts sharply with the dry and rocky coastline below. Other than the islands natural assets are a number of small fishing villages which still maintain very old and original popular customs. Playa de Santiago is a pretty fishing-village with a fine beach and clear water. At Valle Gran Rey and Vallehermoso you can find one of the island's best beaches!