Loro Parque in Puerto de la Cruz was founded in 1972 and is classed as both a zoo and a bird park. Sea lions, parrots, dolphins and orcas each perform several times a day at fixed times, so the visit tends to be planned around the shows. Between them, Planet Penguin has real snow, a large iceberg and hundreds of penguins, and the aquarium has a walk-through shark tunnel.
For younger children, Kinderlandia has tree walkways, suspension bridges, a snake-shaped slide and the Orca Tren roller coaster. Strollers can be rented for €5 a day plus a deposit that is returned when you hand the stroller back, and wheelchairs are lent free of charge against a returnable deposit.
The trade-off is distance from the animals: the park puts animal welfare first and offers no interactions with the animals in its care, so children watch rather than touch.
Without a car, the Loro Parque train runs from Plaza de los Reyes Católicos; the first departure is at or shortly before opening time, and the last train back leaves the park at closing time.
Family FAQ
What are the opening hours of Loro Parque?
Open Monday to Sunday, 9:30-17:30.
How much does Loro Parque cost?
There is no large-family discount.
