Maspalomas: Palmitos Park Ticket with Dolphin and Bird Shows

Dolphins meet birds above Maspalomas. Palmitos Park is a zoological botanical park about 10 kilometers from the Maspalomas Lighthouse, and the day feels like a mix of animal encounters, big show energy, and serious views from up in the hills. I like the dolphin show most, and you will likely remember the birds of prey flying over the park for a long time too.

The main drawback is physical: there’s a lot of walking on steep, uphill paths, so plan for hills. If mobility is an issue, the park can help with mobility scooters for a cost, and it’s still worth going, just go in with eyes open.

Key takeaways before you go

• Four major shows included: dolphin, birds of prey, exotic birds, and parrots.
• Up in the hills, with spectacular views: the park sits above Maspalomas, often in a canyon-like setting.
• Don’t miss the reptile and lake areas: Komodo dragon and the Caiman Lake are standout zones.
• Prime time is spaced out: show times are arranged so you can cover most of the park without constant rushing.
• Bring water and sunscreen: on-site food and drinks can be pricey, and sun exposure shows up in the key viewing areas.
• Last entry is 5:00 PM: plan your route so you’re not scrambling at closing time.

Palmitos Park: a zoo-botanical park day you can actually plan

Palmitos Park is one of those places that works well for both families and adults who just want a solid day out. It is not a half-day zoo that leaves you with two quick exhibits and a snack. It’s a full park built around animals and plants from all over the world, set in a mountain setting. That setting matters, because you’ll feel it in your legs as much as your eyes.

The “big picture” idea here is simple. You get animal viewing, then you get show moments that are the highlight beats of the day. The shows you care about are part of the ticket, and the rest of your time is about wandering at your own pace, catching the smaller exhibits like the butterfly house and aquarium between performances.

If you’re visiting Gran Canaria and basing in the Maspalomas area, this is also an easy day-trip decision. You do not need to tie your day to a complicated schedule of buses and transfers if you can drive or use local transport.

Ticket value: what Palmitos Park includes for about $44

At around $44 per person for a 1-day ticket, the value comes from how much is bundled. Your admission includes entry to the park plus the major shows: dolphins, parrots, birds of prey, and exotic birds. For many visitors, that is the difference between feeling like you paid for “a zoo visit” and feeling like you paid for a full day with multiple headline moments.

Parking is free, which is a quiet but real benefit if you’re driving in Gran Canaria and want less stress. The trade-off is what’s not included: food and drinks are extra, and there’s no hotel pickup or drop-off. If you want a drink with lunch or water for your walk, have a plan before you reach the restaurant.

Also keep expectations realistic. This is a show-focused park. Even if you love animals, you’ll get the most out of your ticket if you build your day around the show times and then fill in the rest with the areas you find most interesting.

Your day plan: how to see the shows without burning your time

This ticket is “valid 1 day,” and the park runs a set of show times across the day. You do not need a minute-by-minute itinerary, but you do need a loose game plan so you’re not running around uphill at the worst possible moments.

Here’s the approach I recommend:

1) Start earlier rather than later so you have time to settle into the park and catch the first show or two at a relaxed pace.

2) Between shows, focus on one zone at a time. The park has lots to see, but the ground is steep, so bouncing around randomly can tire you out fast.

3) Keep your last stretch flexible, because the park has last entry at 5:00 PM.

You’ll likely spend around 4 hours in the park if you’re show-focused, and you may go closer to 5 hours if you stop often for photos or linger over reptiles and primates areas. The best part is the pacing: show times are spaced in a way that lets you move through the park without constantly feeling like you’ll miss something.

Dolphin show at Palmitos Park’s dolphinarium

The dolphin show is the big reason many people buy this ticket, and it’s easy to see why. The park has a new dolphinarium and the show is described as spectacular. The vibe is part athletic performance and part “watch them work with handlers” energy.

If you’re a first-timer, go in with a simple plan: arrive a bit early, find a good viewing spot, and then let the show set the tone for the rest of your visit. People consistently rate this as the emotional peak of the day, and you should expect it to feel like a proper highlight, not a rushed side act.

One more practical note. A lot of the park walking happens uphill and down, so treat the dolphin show as a natural reset point. You sit for a while, then you get to move again with a clear next target, instead of drifting for hours without structure.

If you’re considering any extra dolphin experience options that you might see advertised on the spot, keep your ticket’s main promise in mind: you are buying the dolphin show, and that show alone is already one of the strongest reasons to go.

Birds of prey, exotic birds, and parrots: the show lineup that sells the day

This is the other half of the magic, and the bird shows are where the park’s mountain setting really shines. The birds of prey show is especially memorable because it combines trained flight with dramatic views, which makes it feel less like a simple performance and more like a real spectacle over the hills.

Then there’s the exotic bird show and the parrot show. These are a nice contrast to the birds of prey act. Instead of focusing on raptors and powerful flight, you get a broader variety of birds and a different type of show energy. For families, these shows tend to land well because they are colorful, lively, and easy to watch even if you have kids who start to get restless.

If I had to pick a “do not miss” sequence, it would be: birds of prey show for the wow factor, then catch the parrot and exotic bird performances while your group still has energy. The spacing of show times helps you do that without feeling like you’re sprinting.

Reptiles and lake life: Komodo, caimans, and lake-side creatures

The park doesn’t stop at shows. The reptile section and water-based exhibits add texture to the day, and they’re where I think the park becomes more than just entertainment.

One standout is the Komodo dragon in the reptiles area. The details matter here because they’re unusual: it’s described as belonging to the first generation raised in captivity in Europe, and it’s also noted as part of a “biggest species” group for lizards, reaching up to about 3 meters and around 90 kilograms. Even if you’re not a reptile fanatic, seeing something that large, in a controlled setting, makes the visit feel more specific and memorable.

Next is the Caiman Lake. This section is built around reptiles and reptiles-meets-aquatic life. You may see:

• Spectacled caimans
• Californian turtles
• Gran Canaria giant lizards

That mix is the kind of thing that rewards slower wandering. Instead of only watching shows, you get to spend time observing how different species share space and how the park has shaped habitats for them.

If you only have energy for one “non-show” zone, make it reptiles or the caiman area. The sheer fact that you can see a Komodo dragon and then move to a lake that holds other impressive reptiles is a strong one-two.

Primates zone and small-animal highlights you’ll actually enjoy

The Island of Primates is described as a must-see, and it also works as a “mental break” from the heavier reptile vibe. This area is where you’ll find smaller, active animals that are fun to watch between shows.

Among the species mentioned for this area:

• aardvarks
• wallabies
• meerkats
• talapoins

Meerkats in particular tend to be a crowd magnet because they’re constantly moving and you can often catch natural-looking behavior if you pause instead of walking through.

This is also a good zone for families because kids can spot motion and personalities quickly, and adults often like the sense that you’re seeing more than just the biggest headline animals.

Walking and mobility: the steep reality check (and how to handle it)

Palmitos Park is set in hills, and you feel that in your route from the moment you start moving. Reviews consistently point out steep uphill sections and a lot of walking overall. So even though this is a day with animal shows and clean-looking grounds, it’s not a “stroll only” kind of park.

The good news is you can plan around it:

• Wear supportive shoes with grip.
• Bring sun protection, because the main show areas can mean direct light.
• If you need help, you can use mobility scooters for a cost.

Also, there’s some shade in parts of the park, but not everywhere. One practical tip is to time your biggest hill pushes for the moments when you know you can recover by sitting during a show.

If you’re with someone who has limited mobility, this is still workable, but you should treat it like a structured outing, not a free-form wander.

Views, gardens, and the butterfly house moment

Because the park sits up in the hills, the scenery is part of the experience. You get wide views during certain routes, and the setting can feel calm and scenic rather than crowded. That’s also why the bird and dolphin shows feel special. You’re watching animals and performances with mountain scenery as the background.

Beyond the animals, the park includes a butterfly house and an aquarium, which help fill time between shows. If you have a group with mixed tastes, these areas give non-raptor, non-dolphin interests a place to land.

This mix is what keeps your day from turning into only seating and only walking. It’s a steady rhythm: show, walk, smaller exhibit, another show, then back to wandering again.

Food, drinks, and souvenirs: how to keep it from draining your budget

Here’s the honest part. The park can be expensive once you’re inside. Many people flag that food and drinks are pricey, and it’s also common to see that bottled water and snacks cost more than you want to pay on a day out.

My advice is simple:

• Bring water if you’re able, or plan to buy but accept the price.
• Pack light snacks if you can, especially if you know your group gets hungry during uphill walking.
• If you like photos, be prepared that extras may add up. One review notes the park’s photo options can be pricey.

Even with the higher on-site prices, people still rate the overall day very highly because the ticket covers all the big shows and the animals look well cared for. Still, budgeting helps you enjoy the day more, because you’re not doing mental math every time you approach the restaurant.

Getting there from Maspalomas and finding the gate

Palmitos Park is about 10 kilometers from Maspalomas Lighthouse, so it’s close enough for a day trip without major hassle. Your voucher is handled at the gate: you go directly to Palmitos Park and present your voucher for online tickets.

Hotel pickup is not included, so you’ll need your own plan for transport. The upside is free car parking, which reduces the friction if you’re driving.

One small logistics tip: if your map app tries to send you somewhere nearby that is clearly not the park, pause and confirm the address. Getting the right entrance matters because this is a hill park, and “wrong turn by 10 minutes” can become “wrong turn with uphill stress.”

Also remember last entry is 5:00 PM, so don’t assume you can roll in late and still catch the full day.

Who this day trip fits best

Palmitos Park is a good match for:

• families with kids who love animal shows
• animal lovers who also want a botanical garden feel
• people staying in the Maspalomas area who want a structured, show-based day out
• photographers who like animals and mountain views

It’s less ideal if:

• walking uphill is difficult for you, even with the scooter option
• you strongly prefer low-cost day outings with lots of free attractions
• you want a quiet, minimal-show experience

In short, it’s a “see the shows, then wander the exhibits” type of park.

Should you book Palmitos Park with Dolphin and Bird Shows?

Yes, if you want a packed, high-impact day that includes the major highlights in one ticket. The dolphin show and birds of prey show are the strongest reasons to go, and the fact that you also get parrot and exotic bird performances makes it feel like real value. Add reptiles like the Komodo dragon and lake life at the Caiman Lake, plus a butterfly house and aquarium, and you get a day that’s more rounded than a single-show visit.

Book with confidence if you can handle hills. If steep walking is a concern, go anyway but bring a plan, like using the mobility scooters for a cost and treating the show schedule as your route backbone.

If you tell me your travel month and whether anyone in your group has mobility limits, I can suggest the best way to pace the day around the show times.

FAQ

How long is Palmitos Park admission with dolphin and bird shows valid?

The ticket is valid for 1 day. You should check availability to see starting times, and plan to finish before the park’s last entry time.

What shows are included with this ticket?

This ticket includes entry to the park and all shows: dolphins, parrots, birds of prey, and exotic birds.

Where do I go to use my ticket?

Go directly to Palmitos Park and present your voucher at the gate for online tickets.

Is food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is hotel pickup or drop-off included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What is the last entry time?

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

Is free parking available?

Yes. Free car parking is included.

Is the park wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The experience is wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. There is free cancellation, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.