Dolphins and eagles in one steep day. Palmitos Park near Maspalomas is a zoological botanical park tucked up in the hills, with animals and plants from all five continents—and a day packed with scheduled entertainment.

I love the dolphin show for its mix of performance and real animal care, and it gives you a clear anchor for planning the rest of your route. I also like the birds of prey show in the open air, where raptors fly overhead with those dramatic Canarian mountain views. One heads-up: the park is hilly, so expect lots of uphill walking (and plan smart if mobility is an issue).

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• Dolphin, birds of prey, exotic birds, and parrot shows are included with your ticket
• Mountain setting near Maspalomas (about 10 km from the lighthouse) makes the scenery part of the experience
• Komodo dragon and reptile areas add a lot more variety than just the shows
• Caiman Lake and reptiles bring extra wildlife zones beyond the animal stages
• Island of Primates includes aardvarks, wallabies, meerkats, and talapoins
• Last entry is 5:00 PM, so you’ll want to pace your day

Palmitos Park Near Maspalomas: Why It Works as a One-Day Plan

If you’re spending time on Gran Canaria, Maspalomas tends to pull you toward beaches and dunes. Palmitos Park is the change of pace you need. It’s a zoological botanical park on the island’s side of the mountains, and it blends animals with plant-focused areas like an aquarium and a butterfly house. Instead of a random scatter of exhibits, the park is built around show times and “walk-to-the-next-zone” pathways.

What makes this place especially good value for a ticketed day is that you’re not paying just for one event. Your pass includes entry and all the shows, including the dolphin show plus birds of prey and exotic bird programming. That matters because shows are the backbone of the schedule—you build your route around them and keep the day organized.

Also, this is one of those parks where the setting feels like part of the ticket. The views from the hilltop areas are a real reward, and the open-air raptor show turns the scenery into something you’re watching, not just passing by.

Your 1-Day Ticket: What’s Included (and What Isn’t)

Your Palmitos Park ticket for a single day is straightforward: you get park entry plus all shows—dolphins, parrots, birds of prey, and exotic birds. Parking is also included, which is a big plus on Gran Canaria because parking searches can eat time fast.

What’s not included is equally useful to know. You won’t get food or drinks included, and you won’t have hotel pickup or drop-off. Practically, that means you’re driving (or using local transport) and you’re responsible for your own water and snacks. If you’re going in warm weather, you’ll appreciate having a small plan for hydration.

The ticket is valid for 1 day, and you should check availability for the starting times. Once you’re there, you’ll enter by presenting your voucher at the gate for online tickets.

Finally, there’s a firm cutoff: last entry into the park is 5:00 PM. You don’t want to arrive late and then feel rushed through the animals.

Dolphinarium Show: The Main Event You Should Build Around

Palmitos Park’s dolphin area is a major reason people make the trip. The park has a newer dolphinarium setup, and the show is the kind of big, staged event that gives you an easy first target: go early enough that you’re not hunting around for the right time.

This show isn’t just about movement and tricks. The overall tone is that the dolphins are well trained and cared for, with staff interactions and pacing that feel thoughtful rather than chaotic. That’s important because it sets expectations for the whole day. When the main show feels well-run, the rest of the park feels easier to enjoy.

How to use it as part of your day plan:

• Aim to catch the dolphin show when you’re fresh, because the park involves quite a bit of walking afterward.
• Treat it like your “anchor event.” After that, you can work backward through the rest of your must-sees.

Also, the dolphin show is one of the moments where you may notice the park’s sun rhythm. Some areas are shaded more than others, while show areas can feel brighter. I’d plan for sun protection even if you think you’ll be in shade most of the time.

Birds of Prey, Exotic Birds, and Parrots: The Sky-Show Sequence

If the dolphin show is your anchor, the birds programming is your payoff. Palmitos Park does birds of prey in a way that uses the open-air space and the mountainous backdrop. Raptors fly in a setting that feels more dramatic than the typical “stadium corner” bird show.

Your ticket includes:

• Birds of prey show
• Exotic bird show
• Parrot show

The practical win here is scheduling. Show times are spaced out enough that you can walk between areas without feeling like you’re running a marathon. Still, the park is hilly, so walking time adds up. If you want to avoid stress, plan to watch at least one of the bird shows earlier in the day and another later if your schedule allows.

One extra tip from the vibe of the park: there’s a real focus on getting you close to birds and seeing them actively. On some visits, that includes moments connected to tropical bird experiences, including feeding-style encounters. If you see a feeding or close-up moment on the day’s signs, it’s worth building your route around it rather than treating it as optional.

And yes, you’ll probably want photos. The park layout and the animal proximity make it a good place for family snapshots, including near-show areas where birds and handlers are easier to capture.

The Rest of the Park Isn’t Just “Between Shows”

Shows are the headline, but Palmitos Park is also packed with animal sections that keep the day from feeling repetitive.

Reptiles and reptiles with serious credentials

In the reptiles area, one standout is a Komodo dragon described as belonging to the first generation raised in captivity in Europe. The park also highlights the scale of this lizard group—up to around 3 meters and about 90 kilograms. That’s the kind of detail that tells you this section is built for people who actually want to see rare animals up close, not just stop for a quick glance.

You’ll also find a Caiman Lake with animals living in “perfect synchrony,” including a Spectacled Caiman plus Californian turtles and the Gran Canaria Giant Lizard.

Island zones beyond the main stages

Palmitos Park also has an Island of Primates that’s well worth your time if you like mammals and smaller wildlife moments. Species listed for this area include aardvarks, wallabies, meerkats, and talapoins. This gives you variety between the big stage events, and it’s a nice way to keep kids engaged while you’re walking.

You’ll also see other animals like caimans and more, plus botanical elements that make it feel like a landscaped wildlife park rather than a pure concrete zoo.

If you want a simple strategy: after your first show, spend time in one or two animal zones (reptiles or primates are the easy picks), then return to the next show time so you’re always moving with the day.

Hills, Walking Time, Sun, and Mobility Options

Here’s the big reality check: Palmitos Park is built on hills. Multiple people point out the uphill walking, and it can be steep in sections. Even if you plan to spend a full day, you’ll still want to pace yourself. Start earlier rather than later, and don’t assume you can do it all at a slow stroll.

The good news is that the park can be managed with the right approach:

• Plan your day around show times so you always have a reason to move.
• Take breaks in shaded areas when you can.
• Wear supportive shoes. This isn’t a flip-flops-and-sandals day.

Mobility scooters and accessibility

Palmitos Park is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the hilly layout is still something to consider. One practical option mentioned is that the park provides walkers and mobility scooters at a cost. If you’re not sure you’ll handle lots of uphill and downhill, that option can turn “maybe” into “comfortable.”

If you’re using GPS, also consider the practical tip from one data point: the park address can be tricky. I’d double-check the official pin or follow your voucher directions so you don’t waste time in the wrong town.

Price and Value: Is It Worth $44 Per Person?

At about $44 per person for a one-day pass, Palmitos Park is priced like a show-and-entry attraction. The key value point is what’s included: entry plus all shows (dolphins, parrots, birds of prey, and exotic birds). If you were paying separately for events, the dolphin and bird programming alone would likely add up fast.

Where the cost can surprise you is spending inside the park. Food and drinks are not included, and on-the-spot purchases can feel expensive. I’d treat this as a bring-your-own-stuff day (water and simple snacks if allowed/available where you need them). One review-style pattern is that people were happy with the overall experience but later felt hit at the counter for typical park meals.

So the value equation looks like this:

• Best value: you commit to multiple shows and spend a few hours exploring animal zones.
• Worst value: you buy the ticket and only see one show, then rush through everything else.
• Smart move: plan for a full morning to early afternoon, then settle into the bird and dolphin stages.

Also, timing matters. If you’re trying to cram it into a late arrival window, you’ll miss parts because last entry is 5:00 PM.

Timing Tips: How to Get the Most Out of About 4–5 Hours

Many people end up spending several hours—roughly 4 to 5 hours—because there’s real walking between areas and the day is built around show schedules. With that in mind, I suggest you don’t show up thinking it’s a quick hit.

A good rhythm looks like:

• Enter, scan the map, and get your bearing fast.
• Catch one of the major shows early (dolphins or birds of prey).
• Spend focused time in one animal section (reptiles or primates).
• Return to birds and parrots for the second half of the day.

This keeps you from zigzagging too much and helps with the hill factor. Since show times are spaced out, you generally have time to move without sprinting—but you’ll still want shoes you can walk in for real.

Who Should Book Palmitos Park, and Who Might Want Another Plan?

This is an easy fit if:

• you want scheduled animal shows with a strong dolphin highlight
• you like birds and raptors with real flight action
• you want an outdoorsy park feel with reptiles and primates mixed in

It’s less ideal if:

• you’re not comfortable with a lot of uphill and uneven walking (even with accessibility options)
• you’re trying to keep this purely cheap by eating only at the park (food and drinks aren’t included)

If your group includes kids, the combination of dolphins plus birds plus small mammals like meerkats tends to hold attention better than a museum-style zoo day.

Should You Book Palmitos Park Ticket With Dolphin and Bird Shows?

I’d book it if you’re looking for a complete day package: entry, big shows, and enough animal variety to make the walking feel justified. The dolphin show plus birds of prey are the core reasons people come, and the park layout gives you a natural way to build a route around them. At this price, it’s a strong value when you plan to actually see multiple shows rather than treating it like a drive-by.

Book with a practical mindset:

• Arrive early enough to enjoy the day before the 5:00 PM last entry.
• Bring sun protection and a basic snack/water plan.
• If mobility is limited, consider whether using a mobility scooter for a fee would help you enjoy the day without stressing over steep sections.

If you want one Gran Canaria day that mixes animal shows, reptiles, and mountain views into a single ticketed plan, Palmitos Park is a solid choice.

FAQ

What’s included with the Palmitos Park ticket?

Your ticket includes entry to Palmitos Park and access to all shows, including dolphins, parrots, birds of prey, and exotic birds.

How long is the visit?

The ticket is valid for 1 day. You can stay for the park’s day activities as long as you enter before the last entry time.

What time is the last entry to the park?

Last entry is 5:00 PM.

Do I need hotel pickup?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You’ll go directly to Palmitos Park and present your voucher at the gate.

Is food and drink included?

No. Food and drinks are not included with the ticket.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.