Maspalomas: Palmitos Park Ticket with Dolphin and Bird Shows

The dolphins are only the beginning. Palmitos Park combines a spectacular dolphin show with birds of prey, parrots, butterflies, reptiles, primates and gardens in a mountain valley about 10 kilometers from the Maspalomas Lighthouse. I like the variety, and I like that the shows are spaced through the day, so you can see the park without sprinting from one enclosure to the next.

The main drawback is the terrain. Much of the park runs uphill and downhill, with some steep sections, so this is not an easy stroll for anyone with mobility trouble. Food and drinks inside can also be expensive, but at $44 per person, the entry price is fair if you stay several hours and catch all four shows.

Five things to know before you go

• The dolphin show is the main event: It is the experience most likely to make the visit feel special, especially for families.
• Birds of prey fly over the valley: The show takes place in an open setting with mountain views, not in a small indoor room.
• Plan for steep walking: The park is set in a canyon-like valley, and several paths rise sharply.
• Four shows are included: Your ticket covers dolphins, parrots, birds of prey and exotic birds.
• Bring water and sun protection: Many areas have shade, but the main shows are exposed.
• Allow at least four hours: Five hours gives you a more relaxed visit with time for animals, plants, food and photographs.

Palmitos Park makes a full day from several smaller pleasures

Palmitos Park is not simply a place to watch one dolphin performance and leave. It is a zoological and botanical park with animals and plants from all five continents. The setting is part of the appeal: instead of sitting in a flat city zoo, you move through a mountain valley with attractive views and plenty of greenery.

I would allow four to five hours. You can see the main attractions more quickly, but rushing would miss much of what makes the ticket worthwhile. The shows give your visit a useful rhythm, while the animal areas, butterfly house, aquarium and gardens fill the spaces between performances.

The $44 price is reasonable if you treat this as a full day out rather than a short attraction. A family of four will pay a serious amount before adding lunch, drinks or photographs, but the admission includes every listed show and free car parking. Several people have found the park larger than expected, which helps explain why a few hours can pass quickly.

Start with the park map and show timetable

When you arrive, go straight to the Palmitos Park entrance and present your online voucher at the gate. The last entry is at 5:00 PM, but do not plan to arrive late and see everything. You need time to reach the performance areas, and the uphill paths make the walking slower than the map may suggest.

The best first move is to check the times for all four shows. The dolphin show, birds of prey show, parrot show and exotic bird show are spaced out during the day, allowing you to build a sensible route. This is one of the park’s practical strengths. You can visit nearby exhibits between performances instead of choosing only one show and missing the others.

I would wear comfortable shoes with a good grip. Bring a water bottle, a hat and sunscreen, especially if you visit in warm weather. Much of the park is shaded, but the dolphin and birds of prey areas have less protection from the sun.

The dolphinarium delivers the biggest crowd-pleaser

The new dolphinarium is the park’s headline attraction. The performance combines trained movements, jumps and interaction between the animals and their handlers. It is the show most often singled out as the highlight, and it is easy to see why: the scale, speed and closeness of the dolphins make this feel more dramatic than a standard aquarium visit.

The show also has emotional appeal for families. Children aged four and seven have particularly enjoyed the day, while adults have found the dolphin presentation moving rather than merely entertaining. The time spent with the dolphins does not feel like a quick appearance before the next act.

The dolphin area is exposed, so choose sun protection over fashion. Try to arrive with enough time to find a seat without adding a last-minute uphill rush. If you have young children, this is a good place to use the timetable as your anchor for the day.

A note on animal attractions is fair. Some visitors are comfortable with animal shows, while others prefer to see animals without performances. Palmitos Park presents trained displays and feeding-based rewards, so you should decide in advance if that style suits you. The available comments consistently describe the animals as well cared for and the handlers as warm and attentive, but personal views on dolphin and bird shows will differ.

Watch birds of prey fly across the mountain setting

The birds of prey show is the other major reason to visit. Eagles and other large birds fly in an open area, giving the performance a sense of space that an indoor venue cannot match. The mountain views add to the effect, especially when a bird crosses the open air above you.

This is not just a quick display of birds perched on stands. The appeal comes from seeing them move through the air and watching the handlers manage the presentation. The show is often described as one of the best parts of the day, and I agree that it provides a strong contrast to the dolphinarium.

Again, bring a hat and sunscreen. The viewing area has less shade than much of the rest of the park. If the heat is strong, you may want to carry water into the show area, provided park rules allow it.

Parrots and exotic birds keep the show program varied

The parrot show offers a lighter, more colorful performance. Parrots are smaller than the birds of prey, but their intelligence, movement and close interaction with handlers give this show its own character. It is particularly well suited to children, though adults who enjoy birds will find plenty to watch.

The exotic bird show adds another style of presentation to the program. Together, the two bird performances mean you are not seeing the same type of act repeated three times. One focuses on large birds and open flight, while the others show trained behavior and the range of tropical bird species.

If you are especially interested in birds, schedule both bird shows rather than choosing only the birds of prey. The gardens and aviaries also add value between performances, and the chance to feed tropical birds is a memorable extra for children. The supplied details do not specify a separate price or schedule for feeding, so check the arrangements at the park.

The butterfly house and aquarium slow the pace

The butterfly house is a welcome change after the open-air shows and steep paths. It gives you a quieter place to look closely at small, delicate species rather than watching fast-moving performances. The orchid house is another attractive stop, particularly for anyone who enjoys plants as much as animals.

The aquarium adds a different setting to the visit. Together, the aquarium, butterfly house and botanical areas stop Palmitos Park from feeling like a show venue with a few animal enclosures attached. You get a broader collection of natural displays, with indoor and shaded spaces that help break up the day.

The gardens are one of the park’s quiet strengths. Visitors who come mainly for dolphins often end up spending time among the plants, and the setting makes the walking more pleasant despite the hills. If you need a pause from the crowds, these areas are a sensible place to slow down.

Reptiles include a rare Komodo dragon

The reptile section contains a Komodo dragon from the first generation raised in captivity in Europe. This is a substantial animal, capable of reaching up to 3 meters in length and weighing around 90 kilograms. Even if reptiles are not your main interest, the Komodo dragon gives this section a clear reason to stop.

At Caiman Lake, you may see spectacled caimans, Californian turtles and the Gran Canaria giant lizard living in the same general area. The appeal here is the mix of species and the chance to compare animals from different parts of the world in one carefully planted setting.

These exhibits reward a slower look. Children may hurry toward the next show, but I would keep time for the reptile areas if you enjoy unusual species. The Komodo dragon is one of the park’s most distinctive animals, not just another entry on a long zoo list.

The Island of Primates adds variety for families

The Island of Primates is another must-see area, with species including talapoins, wallabies, meerkats and aardvarks. This section helps make the park feel much larger than a dolphin and bird attraction. You can move from a large marine mammal show to small primates and unusual ground animals within the same visit.

Meerkats are an easy favorite for children, while aardvarks and talapoins may appeal more to adults who enjoy seeing less familiar species. Wallabies add another change of scale and behavior. The variety is useful for families because different ages can find something that holds their attention.

The park also offers chances to get close to certain animals within their enclosures. That can make photographs more engaging, but you should still follow the park’s barriers and staff instructions. The attraction is seeing the animals clearly, not trying to turn every encounter into a personal interaction.

Expect beautiful views, but take the hills seriously

The park is located in a valley in the hills, and the views are a large part of its character. They also explain the biggest practical complaint: this is not flat ground. You will walk up and down steep paths between sections, and the effort can be tiring in hot weather.

For a fit adult, the walking adds a pleasant outdoor element. For anyone with limited mobility, it needs careful thought. The park is described as wheelchair accessible, and walkers and mobility scooters may be available for an additional cost, but accessibility does not mean every route will feel easy. Ask about equipment before you arrive if you need it.

Families with small children should consider a stroller suitable for slopes, although the supplied information does not confirm stroller arrangements. Plan regular pauses, carry water and avoid treating the route as a race between shows.

Free car parking is included, which improves the value if you have a rental car. From Maspalomas, the park is close enough for a straightforward outing, but the exact travel time depends on your starting point and traffic. One person reported a taxi journey of about 30 minutes and found the cost high, while another had an easy bus ride directly to the park.

Check your navigation carefully before setting out. An incorrect address can send you toward San Bartolomé de Tirajana instead of the park. Use Palmitos Park itself as the destination and confirm the route before leaving Maspalomas.

Food and photographs can push up the day’s cost

Food and drinks are not included. Several people found refreshments expensive, while the restaurant received better comments for food quality and value than the snack prices. One especially costly meal involved two hot dogs for 30 euros, so I would bring snacks and water if the rules permit it.

Do not assume that the $44 ticket covers photographs. Animal photographs may be available separately, and a group of four paid 34 euros for a photo package. That can be a pleasant souvenir, but it is an optional expense worth adding to your budget.

The admission itself compares well with the amount of time you can spend inside. If you see all four shows, visit the animal sections and take your time in the gardens, the cost works out better than it first appears. If you only want the dolphin show, the price will feel harder to justify.

Who will get the most from this visit

I would recommend Palmitos Park most strongly to families, animal lovers and anyone who wants a full day away from the beach. The mix of dolphins, birds, reptiles, primates, butterflies and plants gives children plenty of variety, while the mountain setting keeps the day from feeling like a standard indoor attraction.

Adults can enjoy it too. Two adults visiting without children still found the animals, gardens and shows fascinating, especially the birds and dolphins. The park is not only a children’s stop, though families are likely to get the most obvious value from the ticket.

You may want to skip it if steep hills are a serious problem, if you dislike animal performances, or if you are looking for a cheap half-day activity with minimal extra spending. The ticket is only part of the budget once you add transport, food, drinks and optional photographs.

Booking is flexible, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit and a reserve-now, pay-later option. The ticket is valid for one day, and you should check availability for the current start times before booking.

Should you book Palmitos Park?

Yes, if you can manage the hills and plan to stay for several hours. The dolphin show and birds of prey show are the clear highlights, but the aquarium, butterfly house, reptiles, primates and gardens give the day enough substance to justify the admission.

I would book it for a family day out or as a change from Maspalomas beaches. Bring water, snacks if allowed, sun protection and sensible shoes. If mobility is limited, contact the park about available walkers or mobility scooters before committing. For most visitors, the combination of strong shows, unusual animals and mountain views makes Palmitos Park one of Gran Canaria’s more rewarding paid attractions.

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 the ticket cost?

The listed price is $44 per person. Food, drinks, transport and optional photographs are not included.

How long is the Palmitos Park experience?

The ticket is valid for one day. Plan to spend at least four hours, with five hours giving you more time for all the shows, exhibits and gardens.

What shows are included?

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

What is the last entry time?

The last entry into the park is at 5:00 PM.

Is parking included?

Yes. Free car parking is included with entry to the park.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to Palmitos Park and present your online voucher at the entrance.

Is Palmitos Park wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible. The park has steep uphill and downhill sections, and walkers or mobility scooters may be available at an additional cost.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks must be purchased separately, and prices inside can be high. Bringing snacks and water may help, subject to park rules.

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.