IF you want a taste of Central America without the long-haul flight, then there is somewhere a bit closer to home that is compared to it.
La Palma is a great alternative for anyone who wants the experience of Costa Rica without the 15hour flight, according to TUI.
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In fact, heading to La Palma from the UK takes just four hours and 40minutes.
La Palma is nicknamed “La Isla Bonita”, which translates to ‘the beautiful island’ – and during peak summer months it experiences delightful highs of 31C.
Its capital is Santa Cruz de La Palma on the eastern coast, where streets are lined with colourful homes.
Heading further inland, the landscape of the island can be compared to Costa Rica with lush forests and even volcanoes.
Tajogaite Volcano on the Canary Island was formed just five years ago after the eruption of Cumbre Vieja.
One popular activity on the island is to take on the four-mile hike.
La Palma is littered with walking trails too – one of the top recommended is through the island’s natural park, Caldera Taburiente.
This is where you’ll see Cascada de Colores, a waterfall that’s rich in iron so it creates a rainbow effect.
Another popular spot for hiking is to the island’s highest point Roque de Los Muchachos which is 2,426 metres high – so it is quite the trek.
Around the coastline on La Palma are volcanic black sand beaches – some of the most popular include Playa Nogales which is described as being “remote” and “quiet”.
Another is Playa de Los Cancajos where one visitor went snorkelling and saw cucumberfish and octopus.
While Costa Rica tends to have ones with golden sand, it does have a number of black sand beaches too.
What Costa Rica has in abundance is National Parks filled with wildlife, but you can see lots in La Palma too.
There are plenty of lizards like the Canary Gecko, various bird species, and beautiful butterflies.
As for marine life, around the island are bottlenose dolphins and short-finned pilot whales.
TUI offers a ‘flipper whale watching‘ boat tour around the west coast of the island to Cueva Bonita which is a natural grotto carved into the cliff-face from £49.
For more TUI holidays, here are our favourites…
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Globales Montemar, Ibiza
This hotel sits on a quieter side of Ibiza, so you can soak up the island’s natural beauty away from the party crowds. This family-friendly option has a large pool that curves around the resort, surrounded by plenty of sunbeds, plus a kids zone. Here you’re just a 10-minute stroll from a horseshoe-shaped bay with clear waters.
Hotel Club Jandia Princess, Fuerteventura
This resort is set up like a small village, with low-rise buildings set among palm trees and six different swimming pools. Entertainment spans from DJ nights to bingo and live sports screenings, plus sports on offer include water polo, rifle shooting and shuffleboard.
Gavimar Cala Gran Costa Del Sur, Majorca
This hotel sits on Majorca‘s Cala Gran Beach, a beautiful cove just a short drive away from the coastal town centre, with its trinket shops and relaxed bars. The hotel itself has all the activities and entertainment you’d expect, including bingo and live music – as well as some unique extras like mini golf and archery. Week-long breaks start from £478pp.
Riu Baobab, Senegal
The Riu Baobab is the only TUI hotel in the country, sat on the Pointe Sarane coastline. There are the four huge pools overlooking the beach, swim up pool bars and a copious amount of sunloungers to choose from. The sushi at the Asian Dorayaki and the pasta dishes at Veneto are the highlight meals of this standout hotel. Week-long breaks start from £883pp.
One great thing about La Palma is that it’s affordable too – you can grab a beer from as little as €1.50 (£1.31).
Meanwhile, in Costa Rica, these cost on average £2.41, according to Wise.
You can stay on the island with TUI and seven- night all-inclusive holidays start from £567 per person.
TUI also seven-night holidays to Fuencaliente, La Palma staying at La Palma Princess on an all inclusive basis from £567per person.
It has six swimming pools, multiple restaurants and entertainment through the day and into the evening.
Price is based on two adults sharing a Twin Room with Balcony or Terrace flying direct with TUI Airways from London Gatwick on April 23, 2026 with 20kg hold luggage.
Or if you fancy going self-catered, you can do so at Apartamentos El Cerrito.
TUI offers seven-night holidays here at Los Cancajos on a self-catering basis from £545per person.
It has bright apartments with little kitchenettes, an outside pool, a separate one for kids, and gardens.
Price is based on two adults sharing a one Bedroom Apartment with balcony or terrace flying direct with TUI Airways from London Gatwick on June 11, 2026 with 20kg hold luggage.
For more Canary Islands, here’s one that’s yet to have mass tourism with quiet beaches.
And here’s more on Spain’s youngest island where tourism is yet to hit, it has red sand beaches and natural lidos.