What is a laurel forest? It is a subtropical forest which is characteristic of some of the Macaronesian archipelago (the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores). Although its name comes from the Latin lauri+silva, “forest of laurels”, in reality it consists of many more species. On La Gomera, you will find possibly the best representation of this type of ecosystem, and because of this, it was designated as a National Park in 1981 and a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1986. Do you want to pretend to be a botanist in Garajonay? The challenge consists of identifying as many tree species as you can find in Garajonay. How will you do this? Firstly, try to identify the leaves of the trees and shrubs with the help of the key that we have provided in this small guide, and then check on the Arbolapp Canarias app for identifying trees, which you can upload to your mobile. Shall we begin? This is the app that you can upload: http://www.arbolappcanarias.es/ You will find much more information in the visitors guide to the Garajonay National Park which you can upload from the following website: https://www.mapama.gob.es/es/red-parques-nacionales/nuestros-parques/garajonay/guia-garajonay_tcm30-65121.pdf

1) You should know that there are two endemic birds on La Gomera that are very sought after by bird watchers: the Laurel Pigeon and Bolle’s Pigeon. As they are rather difficult to see, they have become an interesting challenge, for which we recommend that you familiarise yourself with their images and identify their distinguishing features beforehand. 2) the recommended time of day to observe these birds is at first light, which is when they are most active, also at dusk, when they return to their roosting sites. That is generally when you can enjoy their song. 3) What you should carry in your backpack. What do the experts carry? A field guide to birds with good photographs, binoculars (at least one pair per two or three persons), note book (to note observations and draw the birds found on your outing), discrete-coloured clothing (brown, green and black) which will provide camouflage, camera, preferably with a high zoom lens, recorder to record bird song (for beginners, current mobile phones offer this option and provide very good quality recordings) and lastly, food and drink, it is very important to have water, particularly during hot weather. 4) Some interesting information for choosing binoculars: […]

The charming island, an ideal place to visit with children Charmed by its inhabitants, charmed by its visitors, charmed by the privileged climate unique to the Canary Islands, charmed by the trade winds… Visiting La Gomera with family allows us to feel that charming characteristic enveloping what we really love. The little ones and not so little ones immediately become stars of the most entertaining and mysterious stories you can imagine. This is because La Gomera has that still-preserved charm of being a healthy land, with untouched landscapes, clean air, intense scents of the sea and forest, everything that allows us to feel pampered in an unbeatable environment.  https://www.instagram.com/p/BfHHjHvlHTR/ Our proposal is an intimate encounter with nature, starting at the Garajonay National Park. There are plenty of trails to stroll along with children and that have different degrees of difficulty. From the smallest children to the most intrepid, they all have their own specially prepared route. Telling them the story of Gara and Jonay before visiting the Park already prepares them to enjoy it to the fullest. As soon as they begin to see the first trees (if they are lucky enough to see the sea of clouds, they will understand […]

You have arrived at La Gomera and..You only have one day to enjoy it! Surely you will find it a short amount of time, indeed it is so! La Gomera is an island that has an impact on everyone, whoever visits it for the first time, wants to go back. La Gomera conquers from the very first moment..just like love at first sight.  https://www.instagram.com/p/BejK76flu2j/ The Garajonay National Park is without a doubt a must. You will probably first see it from a scenic view point or from the the Great Lagoon (Laguna Grande). There, you will be able to catch a glimpse of the greatness and lushness of this exceptional forest; but the real way of enjoying and appreciating it would be to enter its trails. There are pathways available for all likings. Among them, one can find short, rather even pathways, as well as, challenging trails surrounded by scenery of extraordionary beauty. It is very probable that during your first visit you rush through some of the villages of the island. However, one would need to spend some peaceful time there in order to be able to get to know the place well. Each village has it’s own uniqueness […]