Maspalomas: Palmitos Park Ticket with Dolphin and Bird Shows

The star attraction here is the dolphin show, but Palmitos Park is much more than a short animal presentation. Set in a steep valley outside Maspalomas, it combines a zoo, botanical garden, aquarium, butterfly house, and four scheduled shows into a proper day out.

I like the birds of prey display, where the setting gives you wide mountain views as the birds fly overhead. I also like the range of smaller exhibits, from butterflies and orchids to meerkats, wallabies, talapoins, caimans, and a Komodo dragon. The catch is simple: this is a hilly park, with plenty of uphill and downhill walking, and food and drinks inside can be costly.

Key points to know before you go

• Dolphin show: The main event, with a new dolphinarium and a performance that many families consider the park’s highlight.
• Four shows included: Your ticket covers dolphins, parrots, birds of prey, and exotic birds, so check the daily schedule when you arrive.
• Mountain setting: The park sits in a valley about 10 kilometers from Maspalomas Lighthouse, with attractive views from the show areas.
• Animal and plant variety: See reptiles, primates, meerkats, wallabies, tropical birds, butterflies, orchids, aquarium species, and more.
• Expect steep paths: The park is accessible by wheelchair, but several paths are hilly. Walkers and mobility scooters are available for an extra charge.
• Plan for several hours: Most people should allow at least four to five hours if they want to see the shows and explore at an easy pace.

The setting near Maspalomas

Palmitos Park is about 10 kilometers from Maspalomas Lighthouse, but it feels far removed from the resort strip. The park sits in a mountain valley, and that setting shapes the whole visit. You are not walking through a flat city zoo. Paths rise and fall between animal areas, gardens, show spaces, and viewing points.

That location is part of the appeal. The birds of prey show takes place with the hills behind the flight area, giving the presentation a more open feel than a small indoor arena. You also get attractive views as you move through the park, though the same slopes can make the day tiring.

Go directly to Palmitos Park and show your online voucher at the entrance. One practical warning: check the address carefully before setting out. A visitor once ended up in San Bartolomé de Tirajana after following incorrect location information. The meeting point is the park itself, not the town.

Free parking is included, which helps if you have a hire car. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport.

Start with the show schedule

The best way to organize your visit is to check the show times as soon as you enter. The performances are spaced through the day, making it possible to see all four and still visit the animal areas between them. Exact starting times can vary, so do not assume you can arrive late and catch everything in the same order.

The four included shows are:

• Dolphins
• Birds of prey
• Parrots
• Exotic birds

The shows are not an optional add-on. They are covered by the $44 entry price, and they are the parts most likely to shape your day. I would plan around them first, then use the gaps to visit the aquarium, butterfly house, reptiles, primates, and gardens.

If you arrive late, remember that the last entry is at 5:00 PM. That does not mean 5:00 PM is a good arrival time for a full visit. With walking between areas and several shows to catch, an earlier start makes much more sense.

Why the dolphin show gets top billing

The new dolphinarium is the park’s most talked-about feature, and it is easy to understand why. The performance gives you a close look at the dolphins as they respond to their handlers, leap, turn, and carry out trained movements. The show is designed for a broad audience, with children enjoying the action and adults often appreciating the close work between animals and staff.

You may also have time to watch the dolphins beyond the headline tricks. One of the useful details from the available information is that the dolphin experience is not described as a rushed few minutes. Some visitors found they had a good amount of time with the dolphins during the presentation.

The dolphin area is one of the less shaded parts of the park, so bring sun protection and water. Seating and viewing conditions can vary, but the show itself is a fixed part of the daily program. Check the schedule early so you do not arrive after it has begun.

A note for animal-conscious visitors: several comments describe the park as clean and the animals as well cared for, with particular praise for the staff around the dolphins. That does not answer every question you may have about animal displays, but it does help explain why the dolphin show receives such strong approval.

Birds of prey above the valley

For many people, the birds of prey show is nearly as memorable as the dolphins. The flight display lets you see birds moving through open air rather than only perched behind glass or mesh. The mountain setting adds scale, especially when a bird crosses the space above the audience.

This show is also one of the least forgiving in hot weather. The area is more exposed than many of the garden paths, so wear a hat, use sunscreen, and carry water. Try to arrive a little early if you want a clear view, especially when visiting with children.

The presentation focuses on trained flight and handling. You can expect a show rather than a silent observation area, but the open setting gives it a natural feel. If you enjoy birds, this is a strong reason to include Palmitos Park in your Gran Canaria plans even if dolphins are not your main interest.

Parrots and exotic birds

The parrot show brings a different kind of energy. Parrots are colorful, social, and easy for children to follow, so this presentation works well for families with younger kids. It also offers a change of pace after the larger dolphin and raptor displays.

The exotic bird show adds to the park’s bird collection and gives you another chance to see species you may not encounter elsewhere during a holiday in the Canary Islands. The bird programs are included in the admission price, which improves the value for anyone who plans to see all four performances.

The park also offers opportunities to get close to tropical birds in some areas. One activity that has made a strong impression is feeding tropical birds, though you should check the current arrangements and any extra charge on the day before planning around it.

Aquarium, butterflies, and orchids

The animal shows are the headline acts, but the quieter exhibits help fill out the visit. The aquarium gives you an indoor change of pace, useful when you want a break from the sun or steep paths.

The butterfly house is another good stop. It is not just a quick photo point. The enclosed setting lets you look closely at tropical butterflies, and the walk through it contrasts nicely with the larger outdoor animal areas.

The orchid house adds a botanical element to the park. Palmitos Park describes itself as a zoological botanical park, and this matters if you want more than a standard zoo visit. You move between animal enclosures, planted areas, and specialist displays rather than spending the whole day looking at mammals.

The gardens are one of the park’s quieter pleasures. They also give you places to pause between shows, though shade is not guaranteed everywhere. Keep your water bottle handy, especially during the hotter months.

Reptiles, caimans, and the Komodo dragon

The reptile section includes a Komodo dragon described as one of the first generation raised in captivity in Europe. This is the largest species in the lizard group, capable of reaching roughly 3 meters and around 90 kilograms.

That is a substantial animal, but do not expect the reptile area to feel like a dramatic theme-park attraction. The value is in seeing species that are difficult to encounter in ordinary European zoos, along with learning how different reptiles occupy different habitats.

At Caiman Lake, you may find spectacled caimans, Californian turtles, and the Gran Canaria giant lizard sharing the area. The mix gives you a chance to compare several species in one section, and the lake adds another setting to the park’s route.

Take your time here. The reptile and lake areas can be easy to skip when you are rushing to the next show, but they help make the park feel larger and more varied than the headline attractions suggest.

Primates, meerkats, and smaller animals

The Island of Primates is one of the areas worth making time for. Among the species listed at the park are aardvarks, wallabies, meerkats, and talapoins. Each brings a different type of appeal, from the instantly entertaining meerkats to the less familiar aardvarks and talapoins.

Children often enjoy this part of the park because the animals are smaller and easier to watch for longer periods. Adults may appreciate it for the variety. You are not simply moving from one large enclosure to another. The route includes animals with very different shapes, habits, and activity levels.

The park’s layout can make these sections feel spread out. That is good for a slower visit, but less good if you are trying to hurry through in two hours. Allow at least four hours for a sensible visit, and five hours if you want to see every show without racing between areas.

How hard is the walking?

This is the main practical issue, and you should take it seriously. Palmitos Park is built in a valley and has steep hills. Several people enjoyed the park but specifically warned about uphill and downhill walking.

The paths may be manageable for many visitors, but this is not an easy flat stroll. Young children may tire, and anyone with mobility problems should plan ahead. The park is wheelchair accessible, and walkers and mobility scooters can be rented for an additional cost. Ask about availability before assuming one will be waiting for you.

Wear shoes with good support. Bring water, especially for the exposed show areas. You can enjoy the park at a slower pace, but the slopes do mean that a full day may feel more physical than the word zoo suggests.

Food, drinks, and the real cost of the day

The ticket costs $44 per person and includes entry, all four shows, and free car parking. That is not a bargain-bin admission price, but the value improves if you stay for several hours and see the dolphin, parrot, exotic bird, and birds of prey performances.

The extra cost comes inside the park. Food and drinks are not included, and prices can be high. One example given was $30 for two hotdogs, while another meal experience was described as good value. Prices and menus can change, but the safest advice is to budget carefully.

If park rules allow it, bringing water and snacks may help control your spending. The supplied information specifically lists food and drinks as not included, but it does not give a current outside-food policy, so check before packing a full picnic.

Photography packages can also cost extra. One family paid 34 euros for four photos. Treat these as optional souvenirs, not part of the admission price.

Who will enjoy Palmitos Park most?

This is a strong choice for families who want a full activity day away from the beach. Children aged four and seven, in particular, have plenty to watch, and the mix of animals and scheduled shows helps prevent the visit from feeling repetitive.

It also works for adults. The gardens, aquarium, butterfly house, orchids, bird displays, and mountain setting give couples and older visitors reasons to go beyond the children’s attractions.

Animal lovers will get the most from the park because there is enough variety to reward slow observation. If you only want one short dolphin performance, the price may feel high. If you plan to stay four or five hours and catch all the shows, the admission makes more sense.

The park is less suitable for anyone who finds steep paths difficult unless you arrange a mobility aid. It is also not the best pick if you want a cheap, quick outing with no extra spending.

Booking, cancellation, and access

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the visit for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. The ticket is valid for one day.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Drive to the park, use the free parking, or arrange your own transport. The voucher is presented at the gate for online tickets.

Wheelchair access is available, but the hilly terrain remains an important consideration. If you need a walker or mobility scooter, expect an additional charge and ask about arrangements before your visit.

Should you book Palmitos Park?

Book it if you want a substantial family day out with four included shows, varied animal areas, gardens, and a memorable mountain setting. The dolphin show is the safest reason to go, while the birds of prey display may be the unexpected favorite.

I would not book it as a quick stop or a low-cost outing. The $44 ticket is easier to justify when you stay several hours, see every show, and explore the aquarium, butterfly house, reptiles, primates, and gardens. Bring sun protection, plan for hills, and keep food costs in mind.

For most visitors staying around Maspalomas, Palmitos Park is worth the time if you can manage the walking. Just confirm the location, check the show schedule at the entrance, and arrive early enough to make the day count.

FAQ

Where is Palmitos Park located?

Palmitos Park is in Gran Canaria, about 10 kilometers from Maspalomas Lighthouse. You should go directly to the park and present your online ticket voucher at the gate.

How much does entry cost?

The listed price is $44 per person. Entry to the park, all shows, and free car parking are included.

What shows are included with the ticket?

The ticket includes the dolphin show, parrot show, birds of prey show, and exotic bird show.

How long should I spend at Palmitos Park?

The ticket is valid for one day. Plan on at least four hours to see the main shows and several animal areas, or around five hours for a slower visit.

What time is the last entry?

The last entry into the park is at 5:00 PM. Arriving earlier is recommended if you want to see the shows and explore the full park.

Is Palmitos Park wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the park is wheelchair accessible. However, it has many steep paths and hills. Walkers and mobility scooters are available at an additional cost.

Is food included in the ticket?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Prices inside can be expensive, so budget for meals and refreshments separately.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.