Belmaco Archeological Park

Belmaco Archaeological Park is one of the most significant prehistoric sites on La Palma, located in the municipality of Villa de Mazo, in the Tigalate ravine, roughly 350 metres above sea level and just a few kilometres from the island's eastern coast.

What will you see?

The park is made up of ten natural caves and an area covered in mysterious rock carvings. Inside the caves, traces of ancient domestic life survive — the remains of hearths, stone tools and pottery fragments. These finds show that the site was inhabited by the Benahoaritas, the indigenous people of La Palma who lived on the island before the Spanish conquest.

The main draw are the petroglyphs carved into volcanic rock: spirals, circles, meanders and interconnected lines. Their exact meaning is still unknown — researchers link them to religious rituals, cosmological beliefs, or even early astronomical mapping. The Cueva de Belmaco is considered the first documented archaeological site in the Canary Islands, and the whole area holds official Cultural Heritage Asset status under the Archaeological Zone category.

How to get there?

The park sits in Villa de Mazo, in the south-eastern part of La Palma. The easiest way to reach it is by car, following the road up into the Tigalate ravine, where a car park and visitor centre mark the entrance. From there, a clearly signposted trail winds through dense vegetation, lined with information panels that explain the site's history and the daily life of the island's earliest inhabitants.

When to visit?

The park can be visited year-round thanks to La Palma's mild climate, though spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions, with moderate temperatures and the ravine's vegetation at its lushest. Morning visits are worthwhile too, as the low sunlight brings out the detail in the rock carvings.

History of the discovery

The first petroglyphs at the site were discovered in 1752 by Domingo Vandewalle — the earliest find of its kind anywhere in the Canary archipelago. That discovery kicked off decades of research into the Benahoaritas, the pre-European inhabitants of the island, and Belmaco has since become a reference point for archaeologists studying the prehistory of the islands.

Who is it for?

Belmaco Archaeological Park appeals to anyone interested in history, archaeology and the pre-Hispanic culture of the Canary Islands. The short educational trail through the caves and carvings also makes a good option for families with children — the walk is easy and the information accessible, so visitors leave with a solid sense of the island's distant past without a demanding hike.

Frequently asked questions

What are the petroglyphs at Belmaco? They are rock carvings cut into volcanic stone — spirals, circles, meanders and lines — left by the Benahoaritas, the indigenous inhabitants of La Palma. Their precise meaning has never been conclusively established.

How many caves are inside the park? The park includes ten natural caves, where archaeologists have found evidence of habitation, including hearth remains, stone tools and pottery fragments.

Who discovered the Belmaco site? The first petroglyphs were discovered in 1752 by Domingo Vandewalle, marking the earliest documented find of its kind in the Canary Islands.

Do you need to be fit to visit the park? No — the trail is short, well-marked and only moderately sloped, making it suitable for most visitors, including families with children.