Centro de Visitantes de Los Tilos
Visitor centre of the Los Tilos laurisilva (laurel forest) in San Andrés y Sauces, dedicated to the Biosphere Reserve and its natural values.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The centre is at the end of the access road to the Los Tilos forest, beside the barranco del Agua, within the Parque Natural de Las Nieves in the municipality of San Andrés y Sauces. This laurisilva forest was the core of La Palma's first Biosphere Reserve: UNESCO designated the estate of El Canal y Los Tiles in 1983, and in 2002 the designation was extended to the whole island.
The building belongs to the Environment Area of the Cabildo de La Palma (island council) and houses an exhibition on the natural values of the surroundings. In 2015 the Cabildo renovated the rooms and set up an exhibition organised around the forest and the reserve, its flora, fauna, water and human presence, with panels in Spanish, English and German, display cases and interactive content; at the same time, architectural barriers were removed. In 2014 the centre received just over 47,000 visitors.
At the end of 2023 a major rockfall cut off access to the forest. After building a protective “false tunnel” against falling rock, the Cabildo reopened access to the waterfall in April 2025, but the visitor centre remained closed. Since 2025 the building has been undergoing rehabilitation and the exhibition is being completely redesigned, focusing on biodiversity, the vegetation belts with their fauna and the different protection designations of the area. While the works continue, a temporary environmental information point is operating.
Highlights
- Laurisilva forest of Los Tilos, core of La Palma's first Biosphere Reserve
- Exhibition on the flora, fauna and water of the Parque Natural de Las Nieves (under renovation)
- Environmental information point of the Cabildo de La Palma
- Starting point for trails through the forest and to the Los Tilos waterfall
Permanent exhibition
- Exposición del Centro de Visitantes de Los Tilos – Exhibition on the laurisilva forest, the Biosphere Reserve, and the flora, fauna and water of the surroundings. It is being completely renovated and remains closed during the works.
- Operated by
- Cabildo de La Palma
- Visitors per year
- approx. 47,130 (2014)
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
In 2015 a ramp and an accessible toilet were installed and architectural barriers were removed. The ongoing rehabilitation includes adapting the building to current accessibility regulations.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Before the access tunnel there are 15 car parking spaces, beside the guard house and at the start of the Espigón Atravesado trail. Beyond the tunnel, only restaurant customers may park, in their own spaces.
The centre is at the end of the access road to the Los Tilos forest, about 4 km from Los Sauces and about 24 km from Santa Cruz de La Palma. Since April 2025 access has been regulated for safety reasons: the waterfall can be visited from 10:00–18:00, and buses may only cross the tunnel to drop off and pick up passengers. The PR-LP 6 trail links Los Sauces with the visitor centre.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
Next to the centre there is a covered meeting area for hikers and an area with barbecue grills, tables and hearths. Beyond the access tunnel there is a restaurant.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
