Maspalomas: Palmitos Park Ticket with Dolphin and Bird Shows

The dolphin show is the main event at Palmitos Park, but it is only one part of a much bigger day. You can also watch birds of prey fly across the mountain valley, walk through a butterfly house and orchid house, and see animals from all five continents.

I like the mix of live shows and self-guided animal areas, and I like the setting in a rugged valley above Maspalomas. My main caution is the terrain: much of the park runs up and down steep hills, so bring water, wear sensible shoes, and allow extra time if anyone in your group has difficulty walking.

Key points to know before you go

• Dolphin show included: The new dolphinarium is the park’s most popular stop and a clear highlight for families.
• Four types of shows: Your ticket covers dolphin, parrot, birds of prey, and exotic bird shows.
• Mountain setting: The park sits in a valley around 10 kilometers from Maspalomas Lighthouse, with fine views during the bird show.
• Expect steep walking: The paths are hilly, and some sections are demanding for anyone with limited mobility.
• Food costs extra: Food and drinks are not included, and prices inside can be high, so plan your spending.
• Allow several hours: Most people will need at least four hours to see the animals and catch the shows, with a full day available if you take your time.

A wildlife park in the hills above Maspalomas

Palmitos Park is not a small city zoo that you can rush through in an hour. It is a zoological and botanical park spread through a mountain valley, about 10 kilometers from the Maspalomas Lighthouse.

That setting gives the park much of its character. You are not walking through a flat grid of enclosures. Instead, paths lead between gardens, animal areas, show venues, and viewpoints, with uphill and downhill sections along the way.

The scenery is one of the strongest parts of the visit. You get mountain views from several points, and the birds of prey show uses the open space above the valley to good effect. The trade-off is simple: the attractive setting also means more walking.

A full day ticket costs $44 per person. That is not a casual bargain, especially once you add food, drinks, transport, and possible extras. Still, the price includes every listed show, free car parking, and access to a large range of animals, plants, and specialist areas. If you attend several shows and spend four or five hours in the park, the value is much better than if you arrive late and leave after seeing only the dolphins.

Start with the dolphinarium

If you have children with you, or if dolphins are the reason you are considering the park, check the dolphin show time soon after arriving. The show is often the emotional high point of the day, and it is easy to build the rest of your visit around it.

The new dolphinarium presents trained dolphins in a formal show setting. You can expect jumps, movements, and interaction with the handlers, with fish used as rewards during the performance. The show is designed to be watched from the seating area, so sun protection matters because this is one of the less shaded parts of the park.

I would not plan your whole visit around the dolphin show alone. The park has enough other stops to make the entry worthwhile, and the dolphinarium is only one section of a much broader animal collection.

There are also paid photo opportunities connected with the animals. These are not part of the ticket, and one family reported paying 34 euros for four photos. Treat them as optional extras rather than part of the basic cost.

Make time for the birds of prey

The birds of prey show is the other major reason to visit. Large birds are displayed in flight over the valley, which makes this feel less confined than a typical indoor presentation.

The open mountain setting is especially effective here. You can watch the birds move through the air with the hills behind them, rather than seeing every flight against a flat wall or roof. The show also gives you a change of pace after the dolphinarium.

Seating and viewing areas for the bird show may be exposed to the sun, so wear a hat and use sunscreen. The park itself has shaded sections, but the main show areas are not equally protected.

The schedule is useful for planning. Show times are spaced out, which means you can usually walk through several animal areas between performances instead of choosing one show and missing everything else. Since exact starting times can vary, check availability when booking and confirm the timetable at the entrance.

The parrot and exotic bird shows

The parrot show is lighter and more playful than the birds of prey display. It gives you a chance to see colorful birds at close range and is a natural stop for families with younger children.

The exotic bird show adds another layer to the bird collection. Together, the two bird presentations help justify the ticket price because they are different experiences, not simply the same performance repeated with different animals.

One activity that may appeal to children is feeding tropical birds. This is listed among the park’s experiences and can be a memorable part of the visit, though you should treat any paid feeding or photo option as an extra unless it is clearly included at the entrance.

If you want to see all four included shows, expect to organize your route around their times. The park is larger than it may appear online, and steep paths can slow you down. Do not leave the last show until the very end unless you are comfortable crossing the park quickly.

Butterflies, orchids, and the plant collection

Palmitos Park is also a botanical attraction. The butterfly house and orchid house provide a quieter break from the scheduled performances and the family crowds.

The butterfly house is particularly useful in the middle of the day, when you may want shade and a slower walk. The orchid house adds color and detail for anyone who enjoys plants as much as animals.

The park’s plant collection includes species from all five continents. You do not need to be a garden expert to enjoy it. The gardens soften the animal areas and give the day a more varied rhythm: watch a show, walk through the plants, stop at an enclosure, then find a shaded place to rest.

This balance is one reason adults can enjoy the park even if they are not traveling with children. It is not only a sequence of animal performances.

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. Komodo dragons are the largest lizards, reaching up to three meters in length and weighing around 90 kilograms.

That is a serious animal to see at close range, and it gives the reptile section more weight than a basic collection of small snakes and lizards. The park also has Caiman Lake, where you may see spectacled caimans, Californian turtles, and the Gran Canaria giant lizard.

The lake area is built around several species living in the same setting. It is worth slowing down here rather than simply walking past the water. Animals can be less active than the performers, so patience helps.

The reptile and caiman areas are also good stops if your group has different interests. One person can enjoy the plants, another the reptiles, and children can look for movement around the water.

Primates, meerkats, wallabies, and aardvarks

The Island of Primates is one of the park’s must-see areas. The collection includes talapoins, along with other primate species, and the layout lets you spend time watching animal behavior rather than simply checking off names.

Elsewhere, you may find aardvarks, wallabies, and meerkats. These are useful additions for families because they offer plenty of variety after the larger headline animals.

The meerkats are often a favorite stop for children, while the wallabies provide a different kind of encounter from the tropical birds and reptiles. The animal sections are spread through the park, so seeing everything requires steady walking.

Several direct accounts describe the park as clean and well maintained, with animals that appear cared for. That does not remove the broader questions people may have about animal parks, but it does describe the day-to-day condition you can expect from the grounds and enclosures.

How long should you spend at Palmitos Park?

Plan on at least four hours if you want to see the main shows and a good selection of animals. Five hours is more comfortable, especially if you stop for food, take photos, or want to visit the botanical areas properly.

A full day is possible, and the ticket is valid for one day. I would arrive early enough to avoid rushing between the dolphin show, bird shows, and the other exhibits.

The last entry is at 5:00 PM. That is not the same as having a full evening in the park, so check the available show times before you set out. A late arrival may work if you only want a few attractions, but it weakens the value of a $44 ticket.

The terrain adds time. A route that looks short on a map may take longer when it includes steep uphill sections, photo stops, and crowded show entrances.

Walking, accessibility, and comfort

The park is listed as wheelchair accessible, but accessibility should be considered alongside the terrain. The paths include substantial uphill and downhill walking, and several sections are described as steep.

Walkers and mobility scooters are available at an additional cost. If someone in your group has limited mobility, contact the park or check availability before arriving rather than assuming equipment will always be ready.

For everyone else, wear shoes with a good grip. Sandals may be fine for a short stroll around Maspalomas, but they are less useful on a day of repeated slopes.

Bring water, a hat, and sunscreen. Some sections are shaded, but the dolphin and bird show areas can leave you in direct sun. The mountain setting can also make the walking feel more exposed than expected.

Food, parking, and getting there

Free car parking is included, which helps if you have a hire car. The activity does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way to Palmitos Park.

The park is about 10 kilometers from Maspalomas Lighthouse, but do not rely on an address copied from an old booking page. One person ended up going toward San Bartolomé de Tirajana after finding the address unclear. Use the current park location and check the route before leaving.

Food and drinks are not included. Prices inside can be high. One account described paying 30 euros for two hot dogs, while another found the restaurant better value than the snack stalls. Bringing permitted snacks and water can protect your budget, though you should check the park’s current rules before packing food.

The extra costs do not make the ticket poor value, but they do change the total price of the day. A family of four paying admission, transport, lunch, drinks, and photos can spend far more than the headline ticket price.

Who will enjoy this day most?

Families with children from preschool age upward are the clearest match. The dolphins, parrots, birds of prey, meerkats, and wallabies give younger children plenty to watch, while the Komodo dragon, primates, and botanical areas add interest for older children and adults.

Animal lovers can also fill several hours here without children. The park gives you more than a single headline performance, and the gardens make the walking feel varied.

It is less suitable for anyone who dislikes hills, struggles in direct sun, or wants a compact attraction that can be completed quickly. You can manage the day with planning, but the slopes are not a minor detail.

The park also suits people who want a flexible day rather than a tightly guided excursion. You go directly to the entrance, show your online voucher, and choose how to move through the exhibits around the scheduled shows.

Booking terms and practical details

The ticket includes park entry, the dolphin show, parrot show, birds of prey show, and exotic bird show. Parking is free, while food, drinks, hotel pickup, and drop-off are not included.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a reserve-now, pay-later option is available. The activity is valid for one day, with starting times based on availability.

At the gate, present your voucher for online tickets. Wheelchair access is listed, but steep paths and paid mobility equipment make it sensible to plan ahead for anyone with limited mobility.

Should you book Palmitos Park?

I would book it if you want a full family day with several shows, animals, plants, and mountain views. The dolphin and birds of prey shows deserve priority, but the butterfly house, orchid house, reptiles, primates, and smaller animals are what turn the visit into a proper half-day or full-day outing.

At $44 per person, the ticket makes sense when you stay for four or five hours and attend several included shows. It is harder to justify if you arrive late, skip the performances, or add a large bill for food and photos without planning for it.

Bring water, sun protection, and comfortable shoes. If steep hills are a concern, arrange mobility help in advance. With those points covered, Palmitos Park is one of the stronger animal-focused day trips from Maspalomas, especially for families who want more than a quick dolphin presentation.

FAQ

Where is Palmitos Park?

Palmitos Park is in the Canary Islands, Spain, about 10 kilometers from the Maspalomas Lighthouse. You should go directly to the park and present your online ticket voucher at the entrance.

What does the $44 ticket include?

The ticket includes entry to Palmitos Park, the dolphin show, parrot show, birds of prey show, and exotic bird show. Free car parking is also included.

Is food included in the ticket?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Prices inside can be high, so plan for this separately.

How long can I stay at Palmitos Park?

The ticket is valid for one day. You should allow at least four hours to see the main attractions, with five hours or more useful if you want a slower visit.

What time is the last entry?

The last entry into the park is at 5:00 PM. Check the available show times before arriving so you do not miss the performances.

Is Palmitos Park wheelchair accessible?

The park is listed as wheelchair accessible. However, the grounds include steep uphill and downhill paths, and walkers and mobility scooters are available at an additional cost.