Barlovento sits on the wet, wooded side of La Palma, above the Atlantic and below the laurel forest, and around 2,000 people live there. Its patron is the Virgin of the Rosary and her day is 7 October, which is when the village stops.
What to expect. Mass and procession, the local band, food stalls in the square, and a verbena that runs long into the night. There is usually a run of events either side of the day itself. Nobody is putting this on for visitors, which is the whole appeal — turn up, buy a drink, and you will be talked to.
Practical bit. October is one of the better months on La Palma: warm, green, and the sky at night is as good as anywhere on earth — the island is a designated Starlight Reserve and the Roque de los Muchachos observatory road starts nearby. Barlovento is 45 minutes from Santa Cruz de La Palma on the LP-1. There is no evening bus back; hire a car.
