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 over the hills, see parrots perform, wander through a butterfly house, and meet animals from all five continents. The park sits in a dramatic mountain valley, giving the visit more character than a standard city zoo.

I like the excellent mix of shows and animal areas, and I like how easy it is to build your own day around the scheduled performances. The clean gardens, mountain views, and close views of smaller animals add plenty of interest between shows. The catch is the steep, uphill walking, which can be tiring and may be difficult for anyone with limited mobility.

Key points to know before you go

• Dolphins are the headline show: Allow time to see the new dolphinarium, which is the most widely praised part of the visit.
• Birds fly in a mountain setting: The birds of prey show uses the open surroundings to impressive effect.
• Four shows are included: Your ticket covers dolphin, parrot, birds of prey, and exotic bird performances.
• The park is bigger than it looks: Plan on roughly four to five hours if you want to see the animals and shows without rushing.
• Bring water and sun protection: Much of the park has shade, but the dolphin and birds of prey viewing areas are more exposed.
• Expect hills: The park is wheelchair accessible, but its paths include steep slopes. Walkers and mobility scooters may be available for an extra charge.

A mountain park, not just a dolphin show

Palmitos Park is about 10 kilometers from the Maspalomas Lighthouse, up in the hills of Gran Canaria. That setting matters. You are not walking around a flat urban zoo. The park occupies a valley with fine views across the surrounding mountains, and many paths rise and fall as they connect the animal areas.

The natural setting is one of the ticket’s real strengths. You get gardens, palms, flowers, and plant life from all five continents alongside the animals. It feels more like a full excursion than a quick attraction you squeeze into an hour or two.

At $44 per person, the ticket is not cheap for a family. Yet it includes the whole day and all four shows, with no separate charge for the dolphinarium, aquarium, butterfly house, or animal sections. If you stay for four or five hours, the value becomes easier to see. If you arrive late and catch only one show, the price feels much harder to justify.

Start with the show times

The park does not operate like a guided tour with one fixed route. You enter, check the performance times, and plan your own circuit. Show times are spaced out so you can generally move from one area to another without missing the next performance, but you should still get your bearings at the entrance.

The last entry is at 5:00 PM. That does not mean 5:00 PM is a good arrival time. With the hills, animal areas, and several performances to fit in, an earlier start gives you a much better chance of seeing the park properly.

I would begin by noting the times for the dolphin and birds of prey shows, then fit the parrot and exotic bird performances around them. The animal enclosures and plant collections can wait between shows. This simple bit of planning prevents the common mistake of reaching the far side of the park just as a performance begins.

The dolphinarium is the star attraction

The new dolphinarium is the part most likely to anchor your day. The show combines trained movements, jumps, and interaction between the dolphins and their handlers. Several people have found the performance surprisingly moving, while families with young children often make it their favorite stop.

The setting adds to the presentation. The dolphin area is in the hills, and the open viewing area can be sunny, so bring a hat and sunscreen. You may also want to arrive before the performance begins if you want a good view.

This is a scheduled show rather than a private animal encounter. The standard ticket includes the performance, but special dolphin experiences are separate and are not part of the ticket described here. If you see promotional photos or hear about a dolphin experience at the park, check the booking details carefully so you know what your admission includes.

The dolphins are rewarded with fish during the show, and the handlers’ care is easy to notice. That will matter to you if animal welfare is part of your decision. Still, anyone uncomfortable with animals performing trained routines may prefer to spend more time in the botanical and animal areas instead.

Birds of prey with the mountains as a backdrop

The birds of prey show is the other major highlight. Eagles and other raptors fly across the open area, giving you a clearer sense of their wingspan and speed than you get from a small enclosure. The mountain setting makes this performance particularly memorable.

Bring sun protection here too. The viewing area is more exposed than many of the garden paths, and you may be sitting or standing in direct sun. The show also depends on suitable conditions, so check the day’s schedule when you enter.

I especially like this part of the visit because it explains why the park’s location is more than decoration. The birds have room to fly, and the surrounding hills make the display feel connected to the terrain rather than staged inside a crowded indoor hall.

Parrots and exotic birds keep the day moving

The parrot show is lighter and more playful. It gives children a break from the larger animals and adds variety to the day. You may see parrots carrying out trained tasks and responding to their handlers, with the emphasis on color, movement, and close-up viewing.

The exotic bird show adds another layer to the bird collection. Together, the two bird performances mean you are not paying for one headline act and then wandering through empty space. There is a steady program of things to see.

If you enjoy birds, set aside more time than you might expect. The park includes a broad collection of colorful species, and the gardens make the bird areas pleasant places to walk through. One hands-on highlight mentioned by visitors is feeding tropical birds, though you should check current arrangements and any extra cost at the park.

Butterflies, orchids, and the aquarium offer a quieter pace

The butterfly house is a useful change of tempo after the outdoor shows. Instead of watching trained movement, you can slow down and look closely at the insects and tropical planting. It is a good stop for anyone who enjoys photography, though the humidity and close quarters may not suit everyone for a long stay.

The orchid house adds another strong botanical feature. These areas help make Palmitos Park feel like a zoological and botanical park rather than a collection of show arenas. You can take your time here while children may prefer to move on to the animals.

The aquarium provides another indoor stop. The available information does not give a species list, so I would treat it as a compact part of the wider park rather than the main reason to visit. Its value is in breaking up the walking and giving you another place to explore between outdoor performances.

Reptiles include a large Komodo dragon

The reptile section has one of the park’s more unusual residents: a Komodo dragon from the first generation raised in captivity in Europe. Komodo dragons can reach up to 3 meters in length and weigh around 90 kilograms, making this a serious animal encounter even when the creature is resting.

The section also includes caimans and turtles. At Caiman Lake, you may find spectacled caimans, Californian turtles, and the Gran Canaria giant lizard living in the same area. This grouping gives you a chance to compare several very different reptiles without rushing from one small enclosure to another.

These exhibits are especially worthwhile if you have already seen the headline shows and want something quieter. They also give the park more depth for adults who may not want a full day built around performances.

Primates and smaller animals reward careful looking

The Island of Primates is one of the areas I would not skip. The collection includes talapoins, along with other animals such as aardvarks, wallabies, and meerkats. These are the kinds of stops that can become favorites because they are less predictable than a short stage performance.

Meerkats are usually easy for families to enjoy, while wallabies offer a different kind of animal encounter. Aardvarks and talapoins are less familiar to many people, so the area gives you a chance to see species you may not meet at a smaller local zoo.

The park also includes caimans and other animals from different parts of the world. The result is a broad collection rather than a narrow specialist attraction. You should allow time to pause at enclosures instead of simply following the route from one show to the next.

Plan around four to five hours

You can see the main shows and a good selection of animals in about four hours, but five hours is more comfortable. That extra time lets you stop in the butterfly house, aquarium, orchid house, and reptile areas without treating the day like a race.

The hills make a difference to your pace. Several paths are steep, and some visitors describe the walking as tiring even though the park is not enormous on a map. Comfortable shoes are essential. If you use a wheelchair or have difficulty walking, contact the park or check current rental arrangements before you go. The venue is wheelchair accessible, but accessibility does not remove the slopes.

Walkers and mobility scooters may be available for an additional fee. That can change the value calculation, especially for a family already paying $44 per person. The free car parking helps if you are driving, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own transport.

Food, photos, and the cost of a full day

Food and drinks are not included. Pack water and snacks if the booking conditions allow it, because prices inside can be high. One reported bill put two hotdogs at €30, while the restaurant has also been described as better value than the snack options. Either way, bring a budget for lunch rather than assuming the admission price covers everything.

The park has many spots for family photos, and you can sometimes buy animal photographs. One family paid €34 for four photos, so ask about the price before agreeing to a package. These extras are optional, but children may find them hard to resist near the exit.

Free parking is a useful inclusion for drivers. If you are staying in Maspalomas and do not have a car, you will need to arrange your own way there. A taxi ride can take about 30 minutes and may feel expensive, but the park is far enough into the hills that the journey is part of the planning.

Check the address carefully before setting off. The park is near Maspalomas but is not in San Bartolomé de Tirajana itself, and an incorrect map destination could send you to the wrong place.

Who will enjoy Palmitos Park most

This is a strong choice for families with children, especially if your children enjoy dolphins, birds, reptiles, and hands-on animal viewing. It also works for adults who like botanical gardens and unusual species. You do not need to be traveling with children to fill a day here.

Animal lovers will get the most from the visit because the shows are only part of the ticket. The birds of prey, butterfly house, orchids, Komodo dragon, primates, and smaller mammals give you plenty to inspect at your own pace.

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone who dislikes hills or cannot comfortably manage uneven, rising paths. A wheelchair user may still find the park possible because it is listed as accessible, but the steep sections and possible extra rental cost deserve serious thought.

The free cancellation policy gives you useful flexibility: cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, subject to availability and booking conditions. That is handy when your plans depend on weather, transport, or family energy levels.

Should you book the Palmitos Park ticket?

Book it if you want a full family day with four included shows, a broad animal collection, and mountain scenery. The dolphin show and birds of prey show deserve priority, but the botanical areas and smaller animals are what make the ticket worthwhile for several hours.

Skip it if you are looking for a cheap, short attraction or if steep walking is a major problem. At $44 per person, plus food, transport, and possible photo or mobility costs, this is a treat rather than a bargain. For a well-planned half or full day near Maspalomas, though, Palmitos Park offers enough variety to earn its place on your Gran Canaria schedule.

FAQ

Where is Palmitos Park?

Palmitos Park is in Gran Canaria, about 10 kilometers from the Maspalomas Lighthouse. It is located in a mountain valley rather than in the center of Maspalomas.

What does the ticket include?

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

How long is the ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for one day. Last entry into the park is at 5:00 PM.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the ticket. Prices inside can be high, so bringing water and snacks may help you control costs.

Is Palmitos Park wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the park is listed as wheelchair accessible. However, the paths include steep hills, and walkers or mobility scooters may be available at an additional cost.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You should arrange your own transport to Palmitos Park, and drivers can use the free car parking.