Loro Parque Tenerife 🦜
Our whole Tenerife trip was a bit of a hectic affair, with us hopping between the north and south of the island like a couple of confused migrating birds.
We’d done our time in the south, which was all golf courses and sun-seeking expats. Then, just as we were starting to feel a bit too sun-kissed and jaded, we clambered onto a bus and trundled up to Puerto de la Cruz on the northern coast. Three nights there, they said. Three nights of… well, we were about to find out. We craved a proper attraction, something that would appeal to the whole family and provide more than just a pleasant stroll.
That’s where Loro Parque came in. We’d heard whispers of it, a place so popular it felt like a theme park for zoologists. It’s got a sister park in the south, Siam Parque, and we were informed that these two were the undisputed reigning champions of Tenerife’s tourist scene. And just like that, our next main event was on the cards…
Highlights
- More than just a Zoo
- Ticket Prices & Opening Times
- Loro Parque Show Times
- How to get to Loro Parque
- Don’t forget that other theme park!
- All Hotel Options in North Tenerife
- Getting to the Canaries from Spain
- Our Complete Canaries Itinerary
More than just a Zoo in Puerto de la Cruz
Now, calling Loro Parque a zoo feels a bit reductive, like calling a vintage Rolls-Royce just ‘a car’. This place is something else.
It’s the largest parrot sanctuary on the entire planet, with around 4,000 of the screechy, colourful little blighters. We’ve always had a soft spot for parrots. They look so intelligent, with those beady eyes and that knowing cock of the head, as if they’ve heard everything and judged you for all of it. Here, we could get up close and personal with the avian jury.
Loro Parque: The area is beautifully landscaped
But we weren’t just there for the parrots. Oh no. The place is a veritable Noah’s Ark of creatures both land-dwelling and aquatic, alongside a plant collection that would make any garden centre owner weep with envy. It’s no wonder the queues were long and the place was crawling with families, all looking slightly overwhelmed and determined to get their money’s worth.
We joined their ranks, a motley crew of foreigners abroad, ready to see what all the fuss was about.
Loro Parque Map (click to enlarge)
Ticket Prices & Opening Times
Loro Parque opens its doors at the ungodly hour of 08:30 and doesn’t kick you out until 18:35. We wanted to get there early. We weren’t here to dawdle.
We would see all the things, do all the stuff, and prove that a full day out was indeed an enjoyable experience, even if it meant we were absolutely knackered by the end of it.
The entrance tickets for non-residents felt a bit steep, we won’t lie. But this is one of the best venues of its kind anywhere in the world, so we figured we’d suck it up and hand over the cash. There are discounts for residents, and also discounts if you buy twin tickets for Siam Parque at the same time.
Loro Parque Show Times
Our main objective for the day was to navigate the various showtimes. There are four shows running non-stop throughout the day, each lasting about thirty minutes. We planned our timings meticulously, using a map we’d grabbed at the entrance that looked more like a labyrinth than a guide.
Our plan was simple: get in early, hit the Sea Lions show first to beat the crowds, and then use the newfound time to cram in the other shows and attractions. We felt like military strategists, only our objective was watching a sea lion balance a ball on its nose.
Here’s the show schedule we used to navigate the park:
- Sea Lions Show: 09:35, 12:30, 14:15, 15:30, 16:55
- Parrot Show: 10:25, 11:50, 13:30, 15:00, 16:00, 17:30
- Dolphinarium: 11:00, 13:15, 14:45, 16:00
- Orca Ocean: 11:45, 14:00, 16:45
Inside the freeflight aviary
The Little Yellow Train: Choo-Choo to the Park
Getting to Loro Parque itself was an adventure. It’s located along the Avenida Loro Parque, a couple of kilometres west of Puerto de la Cruz, so we decided against a long walk.
Miniature Express Train to Loro Parque
Instead, we joined the kids on the free, bright-yellow miniature Express Train, which runs between Reyes Catolicos and the park throughout the day. It was a novelty as it it chugged along at a leisurely pace. The train runs every twenty minutes, and we learned that the first one leaves at 09:00 from in front of the Hotel Catalonia Las Vegas.
We made a mental note of the last train back at 18:45, a looming deadline that would prevent us from getting stranded with the killer whales.
If you’re in even less of a hurry (or just don’t want to join the kids on the train), its an easy walk from town (weather willing!).
A White Tiger strikes the pose
Parrots, killer whales, gorillas & more…
The park is famous for having the largest parrot collection on Earth, and we saw them in all their feathered glory. But that’s not all.
Here is a short list of some of the incredible animals we saw:
- Gorillas: Their thoughtful expressions and immense strength were captivating.
- White Tigers: Their piercing blue eyes stared right through us.
- Dolphins: We watched them in Europe’s largest dolphin pool, their graceful leaps a sight to behold.
- Penguins: We saw the world’s largest indoor penguin exhibition, a truly unique experience.
The park is only the second place in Europe to keep orcas in captivity, which in itself is a is a touchy subject. Also questionable is the training of both orcas and dolphins for public amusement.
Isn’t that Caesar from ‘Planet of the Apes’?
Is Lora Parque worth the entrance fee?
Although the hotels in Puerto de la Cruz can be a little hit and miss, the restaurants are exceptionally good quality and great value. For us though, the highlight of our visit to north Tenerife was our day trip out to Loro Parque.
Comparisons are inevitable, and the only other park of this type that we visited in Europe with similar standards to Loro Parque is the Bioparc in Valencia – also in Spain.
Pink Flamingos adding a bit of color
After having spent 6 days in the north and south of Tenerife, we were next taking a ferry over to its sister island – Gran Canaria. Here we planned to spend 3 days in the laid-back southern town of Maspalomas.
But Loro Parque stays with us. It was a unique experience, a proper day out that we’d gladly repeat, ethical musings and all.
If you enjoyed Loro Parque Tenerife, check out Tenerife & Gran Canaria with Stopovers in Spain. You may also like:
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