Las Salinas is one of the few surviving old-style salt processing plants. Thanks to funding, the museum has now been restored and there is even a visitor centre and a shop where you can buy sea salt made at the museum.
The reception area boasts a history section on the search for salt – from China in 6000 BC to salted fish found in Egyptian tombs, a world map with photos of salt works from all over the world and a touch screen computer where you can search through the salt works of the island.
Salt has been important to the island in the making of cheese dishes and local specialities. It is as important to the island as aloe vera - the island's major product.
You can wander outside and around the various salt pits and processes involved in producing sea salt. And take in the skeleton of the huge whale …
Open from Tuesday – Friday 9.30am-5.30pm and Sunday from 9.30am-5.30pm. To get there, follow the main road south past the Atlantico Centre and take the first turning on the left.
All over the island, you can see the cactus-like plant growing wild.
Far from being a cactus, aloe vera is infact a mmber of the lily family ... the lilacae group which includes garlic among its members!
Aloe Vera has been used for centuries. Widely known for its use against sunburn, there are over 400 species but the one with almost mystical healing qualities is commonly used in skin care.
A skin clinic for the treatment of psoriasis and eczema opened on the island after a skin expert noticed that local women applied a mixture of volcanic earth to their skin.
Further research resulted in an ointment made from three volcanic arths and aloe vera called Tierrasana which is now marketed world wide.
Aloe Vera processing factories are dotted across the island which crush the leaf to extract as much gel or juice as possible.