Top 5 best motorcycle rentals in La Palma

La Palma rewards anyone willing to leave the coast road behind, and there's no better way to do that than on two wheels. Climb out of Santa Cruz de la Palma's old town, with its balconied harbourfront houses, and within an hour you can be standing at Roque de los Muchachos, 2,426 metres up, looking down on a sea of clouds. Drop back down the switchbacks toward Puerto Naos and its black volcanic sand, and the same afternoon that felt like winter at the summit turns into a warm coastal ride. Few islands pack that much altitude and atmosphere into such a short ride.

The island is only about 47 km end to end, but its roads are narrow, twisting, and cut into steep volcanic slopes — built for something nimble, not a rental car hunting for parking in a tight coastal village. A motorcycle or scooter slips through those switchbacks easily, tucks into small spaces in Tazacorte or Puerto Naos, and gets you to a viewpoint in the time it would take to find a car park. Distances are short enough that even a modest-displacement bike can string together mountain passes, laurel forest and black-sand beaches in a single day.

Top 10 things to see in La Palma by motorcycle

1. Roque de los Muchachos — the island's summit at 2,426 m, home to the observatory and, on clear days, views above the cloud layer; a classic sunrise or sunset ride.
2. Mirador de El Time — a dramatic viewpoint over the Barranco de las Angustias and the Aridane valley, an easy quick stop.
3. Mirador de la Cumbrecita — the scenic gateway road into the Caldera de Taburiente National Park.
4. Charco Azul — natural volcanic rock pools on the north coast, perfect for a swim after a coastal ride.
5. Playa de Nogales — a wild black-sand beach at the bottom of a winding descent, popular with surfers.
6. Los Tilos Laurisilva Forest — a UNESCO-listed laurel forest with a waterfall trail, a green change of scene from the coast.
7. Santa Cruz de la Palma old town — colonial-era harbourfront streets, a natural starting and finishing point for any loop.
8. Puerto Naos — the island's main resort beach town, with its own stretch of black volcanic sand.
9. Tazacorte harbour — a banana-plantation port town reached by a scenic descent from the highlands.
10. Volcán de San Antonio and the Fuencaliente lighthouses — the visitor centre near the 2021 Tajogaite eruption zone, plus the salt pans and lighthouses at the island's southern tip.

What do you need to rent a motorcycle in La Palma?

For anything up to 125 cc, an A1 licence covers you from age 16; larger machines need an A2 or full A licence depending on power output and age. Non-EU visitors should carry an International Driving Permit alongside their home licence, since rental desks generally ask for it. Most operators also set their own minimum age, often 18 or 21, and will block a deposit on a credit card in the renter's name before handing over the keys.

How much does it cost to rent a motorcycle in La Palma?

Expect roughly 25–35 EUR per day for a scooter or small motorcycle in low season, rising to 35–55 EUR in high season, with larger touring or premium bikes running 50–90+ EUR per day.

• Prices climb in July–August and again around Christmas and New Year.
• The cheapest windows are November–February outside the holidays, plus June.

When to book a rental motorcycle in La Palma?

Unlike mainland Spain, the Canary Islands run rentals year-round, and the northern-hemisphere winter is actually their busy season. Book ahead for July–August and the Christmas/New Year weeks, when both prices and demand peak. For the best value, aim for November through February outside the holidays, or June, when the roads are just as good and the rates are noticeably lower.

Local traffic rules in La Palma

Spain drives on the right. Helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers on every road, at all times, and motorcycles must run dipped headlights day and night. Speed limits top out at 90 km/h on conventional roads and drop to 50 km/h in built-up areas, with lower limits still on single-lane urban streets — worth remembering on the island's mountain roads. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l, tightened to 0.3 g/l for riders with less than two years' experience. Handheld phones and headphones are off-limits while riding.

Types of motorcycles available

On our website you can rent the following types of motorcycles: cruiser, sport, touring, standard, classic, dual-purpose, dirt bikes, street, naked bikes or roadsters, choppers, custom, streetfighter, sport-touring, dual-sport, on-road, off-road, adventure motorcycles, supermoto, scrambler, motorcycle with sidecar, enduro, motocross mx, trail, motards, tricycles, bikes with automatic or manual gears, luxury motorbikes.

Models of motorcycles available

On our website you can hire motorcycles from the following manufacturers: BMW, Harley Davidson, Aprilia, Buell, Cagiva, Ducati, Gilera, Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, Jawa, MV Agusta, Moto Guzzi, Triumph, Benelli, Bajaj, Indian, Royal Enfield, TVS, Beta, Bimota.

Which insurance is provided?

Most providers include basic third-party liability insurance in the rental price, with options to upgrade to fuller coverage that reduces or removes your deposit liability in case of damage or theft. Always confirm exactly what is and isn’t covered before you set off.

Extra services available

When you make an online motorbike reservation you can also order the following extra services and equipment: integral helmet, GPS navigation, intercom, unlimited mileage, top case, side cases, boots, jacket, gloves, individual guide or tour, map, full insurance, one-way rental, or delivery to your chosen address.

Why use BikesBooking.com?

• Compare prices from multiple local rental companies in one place;
• Read reviews from previous customers;
• Reserve online with a Best Price Guarantee;
• Friendly support if your plans change.

Most of our motorcycle rental providers have years of experience and will equip you with a well-maintained bike, helmet and insurance for the ride ahead. The number of companies we work with is increasing every day, so if you want to rent a motorcycle locally, just use the search form at the top of the page. Have a nice trip!