Cueva de Las Palomas caving tour: Lava tube with expert guide, La Palma

Descend into a lava tube shaped by the 1949 San Juan eruption

A guided caving tour through Cueva de las Palomas, a UNESCO-protected lava tube in La Palma formed by volcanic activity. You descend into a 560-meter passage with an expert guide, safety helmet and insurance, learning the geological and biological secrets the cave holds. The tour runs two hours and suits anyone aged 12 and up with basic fitness.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Cueva de Las Palomas cave

• Join guided caving tour
• Learn secrets of the cave
• Walk through lava tube
• Observe natural light openings
• Discover geological and biological features

The experience

What makes this cave worth entering is how it formed: the 1949 eruption of San Juan Volcano created a lava tube roughly 3 meters wide that now stretches 560 meters through the landscape. The Cueva de las Palomas sits inside a UNESCO-designated natural interest zone and is protected as a natural monument by the Canary Islands government. An expert guide leads the way, pointing out the more than ten natural openings along the route: some of them former fumaroles where lava and hot sulphurous gases once escaped during the tube's formation. The cave hosts a peculiar fauna of invertebrates that adapted to the volcanic geology, making it as much a biological site as a geological one.

You wear a safety helmet throughout the two-hour descent and stay on the marked trails the guide sets. The route itself demands only comfortable walking clothes, appropriate footwear and a water bottle. Bring a jacket and rain protection if the weather shifts, and sun protection for the sections where natural light pours through those openings. The minimum group size is two people per booking, and children as young as 12 can join if accompanied by an adult (the operator notes suitability for all fitness levels, though poor cardiovascular health is flagged as a concern). Meet 15 minutes early at Carr. El Hoyo Todoque km 1 in Los Llanos Aridane. Parking is in the designated lot at the visitor center, and public transport runs nearby if you're not driving.

Insurance and the safety helmet are included in the price. The guide speaks English or Spanish, so confirm your language preference when booking. If fewer than two people are registered by the start time, the tour does not run, so book with at least one other person or confirm the minimum is met before you arrive.

What’s included

• Guided caving route with an expert guide in English or Spanish.
• safety helmet.
• insurance coverage.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday and FridayDeparts at 10:00

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Carr. El HoyoTodoque km 1, Los Llanos de Aridane, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vi8QCGrsSZ4ty46dA It is important to park in the designated parking lot at the visitor center.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditions

Operated by VIMOTIONS

Is this one for you?Choose this if you prefer a guided walk through marked passages rather than exploring independently, and you're ready for two hours underground on your feet.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 12 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24h before the start.

How long does the Cueva de las Palomas tour take?

The caving tour runs two hours from start to finish, including the descent into the lava tube and the walk through the marked route with your guide.

What is the Cueva de las Palomas and why is it protected?

Cueva de las Palomas is a lava tube formed during the 1949 eruption of San Juan Volcano. It is designated a UNESCO natural interest site and a natural monument by the Canary Islands government because of its geological significance and the unique invertebrate fauna that lives inside it.

What should I bring and wear for the caving tour?

Wear comfortable walking clothes and appropriate footwear, bring a water bottle, and pack a jacket and rain protection if weather is uncertain. Sun protection and a hat are advisable for the sections lit by natural openings in the cave roof. The safety helmet is provided.

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes a guided route through the cave with an expert guide, a safety helmet, and insurance coverage. You meet at the visitor center parking lot in Los Llanos Aridane and must arrive 15 minutes before the start time.