Maspalomas: Palmitos Park Ticket with Dolphin and Bird Shows

Come for the dolphins, stay for the birds. Palmitos Park gives you a full day of animals, tropical plants, and carefully timed shows in a mountain valley about 10 kilometers from the Maspalomas Lighthouse. I especially like the dolphin show and the birds of prey display, where the setting adds real drama. The main drawback is the steep, hilly site. You will do plenty of walking, often uphill, so this is not an easy outing for anyone with mobility problems.

I also like the variety. One ticket covers the dolphinarium, aquarium, butterfly house, reptile section, primate area, orchid house, caiman lake, and several bird shows. At $44 per person, it is not a cheap stop, but I think the value is fair if you stay four to five hours and see every show. Bring water, use sun protection, and do not arrive late: last entry is 5:00 PM.

Key points at a glance

• Dolphins are the main event: The new dolphinarium hosts the show most families will remember longest.
• Birds get equal billing: The birds of prey show and exotic bird displays are major highlights, with mountain views around the performance areas.
• A proper half-day or full-day outing: Allow at least a few hours, with many people spending around four or five hours inside.
• Expect steep paths: The park sits in a valley and includes plenty of uphill and downhill walking.
• More than a standard zoo: Butterflies, orchids, parrots, reptiles, caimans, primates, meerkats, wallabies, and aardvarks add variety.
• Plan for extra costs: Food, drinks, animal photos, walkers, and mobility scooters cost extra.

Why Palmitos Park works as a Maspalomas day out

Palmitos Park is easy to pair with a stay in southern Gran Canaria. It sits roughly 10 kilometers from the Maspalomas Lighthouse, but it does not feel like a beach attraction transported indoors. The park is set among hills, with views across the surrounding mountains and a layout that uses the natural setting rather than hiding it.

I would allow a full day if you want to take your time. Four hours is enough to see the principal animals and shows at a brisk pace. Five hours gives you room for the butterfly house, aquarium, gardens, reptile section, and a meal without turning the visit into a race.

The published price is $44 per person. That can feel high for a family, especially once you add lunch, drinks, and optional photographs. Still, the entry includes all the dolphin, parrot, birds of prey, and exotic bird shows, as well as the rest of the park. If you attend every performance and stay several hours, the price makes more sense than it first appears.

The ticket also includes free car parking. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to arrange your own transport. Taxis can become a noticeable extra cost, particularly from farther parts of the island, but direct transport saves you the trouble of navigating the mountain roads yourself.

Start with the map, then plan around the shows

At the entrance, present your online voucher and get your bearings before wandering off. The shows are spread around the park, and the paths climb and fall between areas. I would check the performance times straight away and work your route around them.

The show times are spaced out well enough to let you see several parts of the park between performances. Exact starting times can vary, so check availability when booking and confirm the day’s schedule on arrival. Do not assume you can arrive near closing and fit everything in. Last entry is at 5:00 PM, and the park is larger than its name might suggest.

A sensible order is to see whichever show starts soonest, then move through the nearby animal areas. Leave the dolphin performance and birds of prey display as fixed appointments in your plan. These are the two shows I would not want to miss.

Wear comfortable shoes with a good grip. The steep sections are the most repeated practical warning, and the hills can make a relaxed zoo visit feel like a workout. Walkers and mobility scooters are available at an additional cost, but anyone with limited mobility should plan carefully before arriving.

The dolphinarium is the emotional high point

The new dolphinarium is the park’s biggest draw. The show combines trained movement, jumps, and close interaction between the dolphins and their handlers. Families with young children often make this the centre of the day, but adults can enjoy it just as much.

The strongest part is the sense of connection between the animals and staff. Several visitors found the dolphin show moving, and one especially useful detail is that the presentation is not simply a quick burst of tricks. The schedule allows time around the dolphins, so the experience does not feel rushed.

You should remember that this is a performance built around trained animals. The dolphins receive fish rewards, and the show presents their behaviour in a controlled setting. If you are comfortable with that format, it is likely to be your favourite part of the visit. If animal shows are not your thing, the park still offers enough other sections to fill several hours.

The dolphin area is exposed to the sun. Bring a hat, sunscreen, and water, especially in warm weather. Seating and viewing conditions may vary, so arriving a little early is sensible if seeing the show clearly matters to you.

Birds of prey in a mountain setting

The birds of prey show is the other major highlight. The birds fly over the performance area, and the mountain setting gives the display more space and drama than a small indoor presentation could offer. Seeing the birds in open flight is the point, not simply watching them perch beside a handler.

This show also rewards patience. Look up and watch the full flight path rather than focusing only on the platform. The surrounding hills become part of the experience, and the views are among the best features of the park.

The bird show area has less shade than some other parts of Palmitos Park. You will want sun protection, particularly if you are visiting in summer. I would make this a fixed stop in your schedule, along with the dolphins.

Parrots and exotic birds add colour and variety

Palmitos Park includes a parrot show and a separate exotic bird show. These displays are shorter, lively breaks between the larger animal areas, and they work well for families because they offer close views and plenty of movement.

The parrot presentation focuses on trained behaviour and interaction. You may also find opportunities to see tropical birds at close range, including a feeding experience mentioned by one delighted visitor. Optional animal photographs are available, but they are not part of the ticket. One family paid 34 euros for four photographs, so decide in advance how much those souvenirs are worth to you.

The exotic bird areas also help explain why the park feels more varied than a basic zoo. You are not simply walking from one large enclosure to another. Birds, plants, water features, and small animal areas keep changing the pace.

Butterflies, orchids, and the tropical plant collection

The botanical side of Palmitos Park deserves more time than a quick walk-through. The butterfly house is one of the calmer areas, especially after the noise and movement of a live show. It gives you a chance to slow down and watch the insects at close range.

The orchid house is another worthwhile stop. The flowers and other tropical plants make the park feel like a botanical garden as well as a zoo. This is where I would spend time if you need a break from the scheduled performances.

The park’s collection comes from all five continents, so the plant and animal displays cover a wide range of habitats. You should not expect a detailed scientific tour or a guided lecture, but the mix gives the day more substance than a simple entertainment venue.

Much of the park is shaded, though the dolphin and birds of prey show areas are more exposed. That contrast matters on a hot day. Use the shaded sections to cool down, but keep water with you as you move between them.

Komodo dragons, caimans, and Gran Canaria reptiles

The reptile section includes a Komodo dragon described as part of the first generation raised in captivity in Europe. The species can reach up to three meters and weigh about 90 kilograms, making it one of the most imposing animals in the park.

Nearby, Caiman Lake brings together spectacled caimans, Californian turtles, and the Gran Canaria giant lizard. The water setting makes this section more interesting than a row of glass tanks. Take your time looking for the animals, as some may be resting or partly hidden.

The aquarium adds another change of pace. I would place it between the outdoor shows, particularly if the heat is building. It is also a useful stop for families with children who need a quieter section before tackling another hill.

Island of Primates and the smaller animals

The Island of Primates is one of the park’s must-see areas. The collection includes talapoins, and the wider animal list includes aardvarks, wallabies, and meerkats.

These animals give you a different kind of viewing experience from the dolphins and birds. The displays are less about a large scheduled performance and more about watching behaviour at your own pace. Meerkats are often an easy favourite with children, while the aardvarks and wallabies make the visit feel less predictable than a standard collection of headline animals.

The park also includes caimans, parrots, reptiles, and other creatures across the grounds. You can get close views in several areas, but you should still follow the barriers and staff instructions. The overall presentation is clean and well maintained, and the animals appear cared for based on the condition of the facilities and the way staff handle them.

The walking is the catch

I would not underestimate the hills. Palmitos Park is built in a valley, and several routes involve steep climbs or descents. The setting creates the excellent views, but it also means this is not a flat, pushchair-friendly stroll from start to finish.

If you have mobility issues, think carefully about the route and consider hiring a walker or mobility scooter for an extra charge. Wheelchair access is available, but accessibility does not remove the basic challenge of the terrain. Bring a bottle of water and take breaks rather than trying to keep up with a fixed schedule at all costs.

Families with young children can have a great day here, but adults should expect to manage the hills, heat, and longer distances. The park is suitable for children as young as four, and older children usually have enough variety to stay interested. Couples and adults without children can enjoy it too, particularly if they like gardens, birds, and reptiles rather than only amusement rides.

Food, drinks, and the real cost of the day

Food and drinks are not included. Prices inside can be high, especially for snacks and soft drinks. One particularly expensive example was 30 euros for two hot dogs, while another visitor found the restaurant meal good and reasonably priced by comparison.

The practical answer is simple: bring water and snacks if the rules allow, then decide if you want to eat at the restaurant. You should still budget for a meal if you plan to stay five hours. Carrying your own supplies can protect the value of the $44 ticket, though you may prefer the convenience of buying lunch on site.

Optional photographs also add up. They can be a pleasant souvenir, especially after the dolphin experience, but they are not necessary for enjoying the park. I would set a spending limit before arrival, particularly if you are visiting with children.

Who should book Palmitos Park?

I would recommend Palmitos Park to families, animal lovers, garden enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a substantial day out near Maspalomas. The dolphin show is the clear crowd-pleaser, but the birds of prey display, butterfly house, orchids, reptiles, and primates give the visit enough variety to justify the admission price.

I would be more cautious if you have difficulty walking uphill or dislike animal performances. The park can be tiring, and the main shows rely on trained behaviour and food rewards. It is also not the best choice for a quick one-hour stop, since the entrance fee makes more sense when you stay for several hours.

Book if you can arrive early enough to see the shows without rushing, and check the address carefully before setting out. One booking mistake sent a visitor toward San Bartolomé de Tirajana, which is not the park itself. Go directly to Palmitos Park, keep your voucher ready, and allow extra time for the journey.

Should you book this day out?

Yes, if you want a full animal-focused day and can handle the hills. The combination of dolphins, birds of prey, parrots, tropical plants, reptiles, and primates gives you far more than a single headline show. I think the ticket is good value when you stay four or five hours, attend the included performances, and plan around the extra food and transport costs.

Skip it if you need a flat, low-effort attraction or if you are trying to keep every holiday expense to a minimum. For everyone else, Palmitos Park is one of the stronger family outings from the Maspalomas area, with the dolphin and birds of prey shows providing the moments you are most likely to remember.

FAQ

Where is Palmitos Park?

Palmitos Park is in Gran Canaria, Spain, about 10 kilometers from the Maspalomas Lighthouse. You need to go directly to the park entrance.

How much does admission cost?

The listed price is $44 per person. Entry includes the park and the dolphin, parrot, birds of prey, and exotic bird shows.

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day. You can stay during the park’s operating hours, but last entry is at 5:00 PM.

What shows are included?

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

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. Restaurant meals, snacks, and drinks cost extra.

Is parking included?

Yes. Free car parking is included, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not.

Is Palmitos Park wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the park is wheelchair accessible. The grounds are hilly, with steep uphill and downhill sections. Walkers and mobility scooters may be available for an additional cost.