The Canaries are a low tax area which means that alcohol and tobacco in particular cost significantly less here than in the rest of the EU. Also relatively inexpensive are spectacles, jewellery clothes and leather goods..
If you are looking for souvenirs, La Palma has a lot to offer. Wine, cheese, mojo, honey desserts, jams, rum make ideal gifts for those who appreciate the good things in life, bird of paradise flowers and proteas give an exotic touch back home, and local handicrafts will be a constant reminder of your holiday long afterwards, all are available from souvenir shops and crafts centres.
Handicrafts, culinary specialities and farm products are on sale at the farmers markets in Mazo, Puntagorda and Barlovento and just about everything at the flea markets in Santa Cruz de la palma and los llanos de ariadne.
Fresh seasonal vegetables and fruit as well as meat and fish, are on sale in the covered markets in Santa Cruz de la Palma and los llanos de ariadne. As the former is presently being renovated, the market is temporarily housed in a hall in Avenida de Las Nieves. Opening times are Monday to Saturday from 17.00 to 14.00 . The covered market in Los Llanos de Ariadne is situated in Avenida Enrique Mederos and opens Monday to Saturday from 8 to 14.
Finally, a word about opening times, since people on La Palma still keep to the siesta. Only in the main towns and touristic resorts do supermarkets and souvenirs shops stay open to some extent at midday in the evening and on Sundays and public holidays. Otherwise businesses are usually only open on week days from 9 to 13 and from 17 to 19.