Maspalomas: Palmitos Park Ticket with Dolphin and Bird Shows

Palmitos Park’s biggest draw is its dolphin show, but the birds of prey display may be the real surprise. Set in a mountain valley about 10 kilometers from Maspalomas Lighthouse, this zoological and botanical park combines animals, gardens, and wide views in one full-day outing.

I like the chance to see four different shows with one ticket, and I like that the park offers more than a quick dolphin performance. The butterfly house, aquarium, reptiles, primates, tropical birds, and gardens give you plenty to do between show times. The catch is simple: the paths are steep, with a fair amount of uphill and downhill walking.

Key points to know before you go

• Dolphinarium: The main attraction, with a lively scheduled show and time to watch the animals at close range.
• Birds of prey: A memorable display set against the mountain views, with birds flying in open space.
• Four included shows: Your ticket covers dolphins, birds of prey, parrots, and exotic birds.
• Mountain setting: The park sits in a valley with attractive scenery, but the terrain can be hard work.
• Good family value: At about $44 per person, the ticket covers a full day rather than one short performance.
• Pack carefully: Food and drinks cost more inside, while water, sun protection, and sensible shoes matter.

Why Palmitos Park is more than a dolphin show

Palmitos Park is a zoological botanical park in the hills near Maspalomas. It brings together plants and animals from all five continents, so the visit feels more like a small collection of separate habitats than a single attraction.

The dolphinarium gets top billing, and rightly so. The show is the emotional high point for many people, especially families with children. The trainers work with the dolphins through jumps, turns, and other demonstrations, and the performance is long enough to feel worthwhile rather than rushed.

Still, I would not plan a visit around the dolphins alone. The park is larger than it first appears, and you can easily spend four or five hours here. If you arrive late, you may see the headline show and miss the quieter pleasures of the gardens, aquarium, butterfly house, and animal areas.

The ticket costs around $44 per person. That is not a bargain admission price, especially once you add lunch, drinks, transport, and optional photographs. But it becomes fairer when you treat Palmitos Park as a full-day attraction with four shows and a wide collection of animals, rather than as a standard zoo visit.

Getting from Maspalomas to the mountain valley

The park is about 10 kilometers from Maspalomas Lighthouse, but the setting feels much farther away once you reach the hills. Several people find the location attractive, with views across the surrounding mountains and a quieter feel than the resort area.

You must make your own way to the entrance. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so check your route before leaving. One important warning: an incorrect address can send you toward San Bartolomé de Tirajana instead of the park. Use the official Palmitos Park destination carefully and do not rely on a vague town name.

Free car parking is included. If you are using a taxi, remember that the return journey adds to the cost. One visitor described a taxi ride of about 30 minutes and found the fare expensive, although still worth paying for the outing.

At the gate, present your online voucher. The ticket is valid for one day, and the last entry is at 5:00 PM. That cutoff matters because the park is spread out and the shows take place at set times. I would arrive well before midafternoon if you want to see everything without hurrying.

Start with the show schedule, not the animal map

Your first job is to check the show times. The performances are spaced out so you can move around the park between them, but you should still plan your route. Missing one may mean waiting a long time for another opportunity, depending on the daily schedule.

A practical order is:

• Check the dolphin time first.
• Note the birds of prey performance.
• Add the parrot and exotic bird shows.
• Fill the gaps with the aquarium, butterfly house, reptiles, and animal areas.
• Leave time for the gardens and a break.

The exact starting times can vary, so check availability when booking and confirm the schedule on arrival. Do not assume you can wander in at any point and catch every performance.

Bring a phone or small camera, but keep your attention on the displays rather than trying to film every second. The park gives you enough variety that you do not need to treat the day like a race from one show to the next.

The dolphin show is the main event

The new dolphinarium is the park’s best-known attraction. The show combines trained movements with close interaction between the dolphins and their handlers. For many families, this is the moment that justifies the admission price.

The performance has a polished, upbeat feel, but the appeal is not only the tricks. You get a clear look at the animals, and the handlers’ contact with them is easy to follow from the seating area. Several people also choose an additional dolphin experience, but that is separate from the standard park ticket and should not be confused with the included show.

Plan to arrive early enough to find a seat without rushing. The dolphin area is one of the places with less shade, so a hat, sunscreen, and water are sensible, particularly in warm weather. The sun can feel stronger than expected in the open viewing areas.

If your family has young children, the dolphin show is likely to hold their attention better than the slower animal sections. If you are visiting as an adult couple, it still works as a central event, but give yourself time to explore the rest of the park afterward.

Birds of prey with mountain views

The birds of prey show is often the second major highlight, and I can see why. Rather than watching birds in a small indoor space, you see them fly across an open area with the mountain valley behind them.

The scale makes a difference. Large birds passing overhead or crossing the open air give the performance a sense of movement that a normal enclosure cannot match. It is also a good reminder that Palmitos Park is using its setting as part of the experience.

This area is exposed to the sun, so bring protection. The show is especially enjoyable if you sit where you can watch both the birds and the surrounding views. Children tend to like the sudden movement, while adults may appreciate the handling and the chance to see the birds in flight.

The path to the show area can be steep. If you have difficulty walking uphill, take your time and ask staff about available walkers or mobility scooters. These are available at an additional cost.

Parrots and exotic birds add variety

The parrot show is lighter and more playful than the birds of prey display. Colorful birds, familiar calls, and trained behavior make it an easy favorite for children. The exotic bird show adds another layer, with species that you may not often see in a European zoo.

One particularly enjoyable activity is feeding tropical birds. This may cost extra, so check the arrangements once you arrive, but it can be a memorable part of the day for children and animal lovers.

The two bird presentations help break up the walking. You are not simply moving from one cage to another. Each show gives you a fixed event to look forward to, then sends you back into the gardens and animal areas with a better sense of the park’s variety.

The butterfly house and aquarium slow the pace

After the open-air shows, the butterfly house provides a calmer change of rhythm. The attraction is the close view of butterflies in a controlled tropical setting, with plant life forming part of the display.

The aquarium is another useful stop between performances. It gives you a quieter indoor section and a chance to escape the strongest sun for a while. The supplied information does not specify the full range of aquatic species, so think of it as one part of a varied park rather than a major standalone aquarium.

The botanical side of Palmitos Park deserves time. Beautiful gardens and exotic plants make the paths more pleasant, although the slopes do not disappear. If you are interested in photography, the gardens offer more than animal portraits, especially around the tropical and orchid areas.

Reptiles, caimans, and the Komodo dragon

The reptile section includes a Komodo dragon described as part of the first generation raised in captivity in Europe. This species can reach about 3 meters in length and weigh around 90 kilograms, making it one of the largest lizards in the world.

That is a serious animal, not a small terrarium stop. Take a moment to read the information and watch the creature rather than rushing past it on your way to the next show.

At Caiman Lake, you may see spectacled caimans, Californian turtles, and the Gran Canaria giant lizard. The combination gives this part of the park a local and international mix. You are seeing a native island species alongside reptiles from elsewhere, all within one walk.

The reptiles can be a strong choice for children who prefer large, unusual animals to birds or dolphins. The area also adds educational value for adults, particularly if you have already visited the headline shows and want something less theatrical.

Island of Primates and the smaller mammals

The Island of Primates is another must-see section. Species listed here include talapoins, wallabies, meerkats, and aardvarks. Each offers a different kind of viewing experience, from the alert, social meerkats to the unusual shape and habits of the aardvark.

The park’s layout lets you get relatively close to animals in their enclosures. You may see animals moving around rather than posing at the front of a cage, so patience helps. This is also why the park can feel larger than expected: several areas reward a slower walk.

For younger children, the smaller mammals may be easier to enjoy than the longer shows. For adults, the range is a good reason not to leave immediately after the dolphin performance.

The walking is the main practical issue

Palmitos Park is built in a valley and on sloping ground. You should expect steep hills, steps, and repeated uphill and downhill sections. The scenery is attractive, but the terrain can change the whole day if someone in your group has mobility problems.

The park is wheelchair accessible, but accessibility does not mean every path will feel easy. If you use a wheelchair, walker, or mobility scooter, check the steep sections before setting out. Walkers and mobility scooters are available for an extra charge.

Wear shoes with a secure sole. Sandals that slip or thin flip-flops are poor choices here. Bring water, especially if you plan to attend all four shows and explore the animal areas.

Much of the park has shade, but the dolphin and birds of prey areas are more exposed. A hat and sunscreen are worth packing even on a cooler day. The mountain setting can create a pleasant breeze, but that does not remove the sun.

Food, drinks, and the real cost of the day

Food and drinks are not included. Several people find the food outlets expensive, particularly for simple items and drinks. One especially costly example involved two hot dogs costing 30 euros, while another person found the restaurant food good and reasonably priced by comparison.

The safest approach is to bring snacks and water if the rules allow it. You can then buy lunch if you want a proper sit-down meal instead of relying on the most expensive quick options.

There are also optional photographs and animal-related add-ons. These can make a family day more expensive, so decide in advance what matters most. The dolphin show and bird displays are included in the entry price, while personal photographs and special experiences may cost extra.

At $44, I see the ticket as reasonable for a full day, especially if you stay four or five hours and attend every show. It is less attractive if you only have time for one or two performances. The value comes from using the whole park.

Who will enjoy Palmitos Park most

This is a strong choice for families, particularly those with children who like dolphins, birds, reptiles, and small mammals. The four shows create a dependable rhythm, while the animal sections give you freedom to explore at your own pace.

Animal lovers will also find enough variety to justify the ticket. The butterfly house, orchid area, reptiles, primates, and tropical birds prevent the visit from feeling like a single-purpose dolphin attraction.

Adults without children can enjoy it too. The gardens, mountain setting, bird flights, and animal collection give the day more substance than a basic family amusement stop.

I would be cautious if someone in your group has significant mobility problems. The park can provide equipment at a charge, and it is wheelchair accessible, but the steep paths remain a real consideration. I would also reconsider the visit if you dislike paying high prices for food and drinks on site.

Should you book Palmitos Park?

Book it if you want a substantial family day near Maspalomas, enjoy animal shows, and do not mind hills. The dolphin show is excellent, but the best value comes from adding the birds of prey, parrot, and exotic bird displays to a full circuit of the park.

Arrive early, check the show times, wear proper shoes, carry water and sun protection, and allow at least several hours. If you only want a quick dolphin show, the $44 ticket may feel high. If you are ready to explore the gardens, reptiles, primates, aquarium, and butterfly house, it becomes a much stronger deal.

FAQ

Where is Palmitos Park located?

Palmitos Park is in the Canary Islands, Spain, about 10 kilometers from the Maspalomas Lighthouse. It is set in a mountain valley.

How much does admission cost?

The listed price is $44 per person. Food, drinks, hotel transfers, and optional extras are not included.

How long is the experience?

The ticket is valid for one day. You should allow several hours, with some people spending around four or five hours in the park.

What shows are included?

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

Is parking included?

Yes. Free car parking is included.

Can I buy food and drinks inside?

Yes, but food and drinks are not included in the ticket. Prices inside can be high, so bringing water and snacks is worth considering.

Is Palmitos Park wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the park is wheelchair accessible. Walkers and mobility scooters are available at an additional cost, but the park contains steep uphill and downhill paths.

What time is the last entry?

The last entry is at 5:00 PM.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.