Archaeological Park Belmaco

The Cueva de Belmaco is a true archaeological gem and the first documented archaeological site in the Canary Islands. It was in 1752 when Domingo Vandewalle discovered the first petroglyphs ever found in the archipelago, opening the door to centuries of research into the Benahoaritas, the ancient inhabitants of La Palma.

belmaco cave

Useful information for your visit

InfoDetails
Opening hoursMonday to Saturday: 10:00 – 15:00
Sunday: closed
AddressLP-2 Road, Villa de Mazo
By carFrom Santa Cruz, drive south on the LP-2. Free parking at the entrance.
By busLine 200 Santa Cruz – Fuencaliente. The stop is close to the site.
ShopAt the end of the tour, browse local artisan crafts.

The Belmaco Archaeological Park is made up of ten natural caves and an area with mysterious rock carvings. The meaning of these petroglyphs is still debated today. A beautiful, signposted path winds through lush vegetation, with informative panels along the way.

Start your journey back in time at the visitor centre, where you’ll discover how the Benahoaritas lived, what they believed in, and what secrets are hidden in the symbols carved into volcanic stone.

Petroglyphs are symbols or images carved into rock by the island’s original inhabitants. On La Palma, you’ll find a wide variety: spirals, circles, meanders and interconnected lines that appear in several parts of the island.

Their exact meaning remains a mystery. Many believe they may have been connected to religious rituals, cosmology or even astronomical maps. Whatever their purpose, these carvings are one of the most powerful expressions of Benahoarita heritage.

belmaco cave

More Must-See Sites for Rock Art Lovers

  • La Zarza and La Fajana (Garafía) or Buracas: Home to the island’s most spectacular petroglyphs, including the famous “Rosette”, known as the Sistine Chapel of Canarian rock art.
  • Cueva del Tendal (San Andrés y Sauces): A vast cave inhabited for over a thousand years, now with a modern and immersive visitor centre.
  • El Paso (El Verde), Tijarafe, Puntallana and Puntagorda: Towns with smaller but valuable rock engraving sites.

RECOMMENDED EXCURSIONS ON LA PALMA

Powered by GetYourGuide
Scroll to Top
Privacy Overview
logo la palma

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Cookies estrictamente necesarias

Las cookies estrictamente necesarias tiene que activarse siempre para que podamos guardar tus preferencias de ajustes de cookies.

Cookies de terceros

Esta web utiliza Google Analytics para recopilar información anónima tal como el número de visitantes del sitio, o las páginas más populares.

Dejar esta cookie activa nos permite mejorar nuestra web.