Palmitos Park is a 20-hectare botanical garden, aviary and zoo in the Barranco de los Palmitos, near Pilancones Natural Park (Parque Natural de Pilancones), about 10 km north of the Maspalomas dunes in the south of Gran Canaria. It holds more than 1,500 exotic birds of 230 species, over 160 kinds of cactus, 1,000 palms of 42 types, the island's largest orchid collection, a butterfly house and a dolphinarium. Forest fires burned about 65% of the park in July 2007; it reopened on 4 August 2008.
Palmitos Park
Botanical garden and zoo in a southern Gran Canaria ravine, with free-flying birds, a butterfly house and dolphin shows.
- Entrance
- Paid entry. Tickets bought online in advance cost less than at the gate. A combined ticket with Aqualand is sold, with 39 days to use the second park. A photo with a dolphin after the show costs €25 per person.
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, toilets and seating. The park is laid out on a slope, so many paths run uphill. Buggies for children can be hired.
- Parking
- Free asphalt car park for visitors, about 390 m away, with accessible spaces; a gravel area further out and free parking along the road.
- Difficulty
- No approach walk to speak of; the effort is inside, where the paths climb a slope and a visit means four or five hours to a full day on foot.
- Transport
- Bus stop Palmitos Park, about 250 m away.
- Advance booking
- Not required: tickets can be bought on the day. Buying online in advance is cheaper.
- Hours
- Daily 10:00–18:00. Shows run at set times.
- Address
- Barranco de los Palmitos, s/n, 35109 Maspalomas, Las Palmas, Spain
What makes it special
Birds are the first thing you notice. Many of the park's more than 1,500, from 230 species, fly freely around the grounds, and near the exit, behind the souvenir shop, hummingbirds hover in plain view in front of their feeders.
The day turns on three timed shows: trained parrots in the presentation room, birds of prey flying over the amphitheatre, and the dolphins. In between, paths lined with palms and cacti climb the slope of the valley, with mountains standing over it on every side. There is an orchid house, aquaria, a pond of swans and ducks, and Europe's largest butterfly house. One section tells the story of the 2007 fire that burned most of the park and closed it for a year.
Good to know
- The park is built on a slope and much of the walking is uphill. Wear comfortable shoes; buggies for children can be hired.
- The ravine holds the heat and the air is still. Bring a hat and sunscreen, especially in summer.
- The parrot, bird-of-prey and dolphin shows run at set times. Check the schedule on arrival and plan the day around them.
- Bring €1 coins: food for feeding the fish, emus and birds is paid for with them.
- A photo with a dolphin after the show costs extra, on top of the entry ticket.
Getting there
The park lies inland in a ravine about 10 km north of the beaches of Maspalomas, near Pilancones Natural Park. Its own car park is free for visitors and asphalted, about 390 m away in a straight line; a gravel parking area sits a little further out, at about 540 m, and there is free parking along the road as well. A bus stop named Palmitos Park is about 250 m away.
From the gate on, everything is on foot, and the paths climb. A full visit means several hours of walking up and down the valley side, so save some energy for the return to the car.
Best time to visit
Best: from opening time, with the show schedule checked as you arrive.
Avoid: the middle of a hot summer day.
The park sits low in a ravine sheltered from the wind, so the heat builds through the day, and arriving early gives you the cooler hours plus time to fit all three shows in.
Things to do nearby
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Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to Palmitos Park take?
Four or five hours to a full day. The parrot, bird-of-prey and dolphin shows run at set times, so the schedule shapes how long you stay.Is Palmitos Park suitable for small children?
Yes, though there is a lot of walking and much of it is uphill. Buggies can be hired at the park.Is there parking at Palmitos Park?
Yes. The park's car park is free for visitors, and there is free parking along the road too, including accessible spaces.Can I pay by card?
Yes. Credit and debit cards and contactless payment are accepted. Keep some €1 coins for the animal-feed dispensers.Does it get hot in the park?
Yes. The park lies in a ravine with little wind, and it runs warmer than the surrounding area. Bring a hat and sunscreen.