Teide Cable Car: the most spectacular way to touch the sky of Tenerife
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When you hear its name, the first thing you probably ask yourself is what Loro Parque is. The first thing you should know is that this place was born in the early seventies as a modest refuge dedicated exclusively to parrots and, over the decades, it has evolved to become one of the most respected zoological institutions on the planet.
True to its origins, the park houses the largest and most diverse parrot reserve in the world, with hundreds of different species and subspecies, many of which have been successfully bred thanks to the conservation programmes of the Loro Parque Foundation.
One of its biggest attractions is Planet Penguin, a piece of Antarctica in the Canary Islands. It is an impressive penguinarium that perfectly recreates the climatic conditions of the South Pole, including a real rocky peninsula where twelve tonnes of artificial snow fall every day and several species of very entertaining penguins live together.
I also want to highlight the impressive Katandra Treetops, an immense free-flight aviary designed as an elevated path between the treetops, where you can walk surrounded by hundreds of birds from Australia and Asia that fly around you and land just a few centimetres away.
And, in addition to the birds and marine mammals, Loro Parque has spectacular attractions and facilities such as the shark tunnel (where you will pass underwater surrounded by large sharks), the habitat of the majestic lowland gorillas, the white Bengal tigers, or the amazing space dedicated to pygmy hippos.
The Loro Parque shows are educational presentations of marine mammals and birds that combine the spectacular nature of the animals' movements with important messages about ecological awareness and ocean pollution.
So that you do not miss anything during your tour of the park, these are, in my opinion, the exhibitions you should not miss:
It is, without a doubt, the most impressive presentation in the park. In a monumental pool equipped with the most advanced technology, a group of orcas demonstrates their incredible strength, intelligence, and agility in coordination with their trainers, in a show that will leave you speechless.
Starring a friendly group of California sea lions, this show stands out for its dynamism and the sense of humour displayed by the animals, who perform pirouettes, jumps, and interactive games that make the whole family laugh.
In a beautiful, huge dolphinarium, the bottlenose dolphins of Loro Parque perform impossible aerial acrobatics at high speed, showing the perfect rapport they maintain with the centre's team of biologists and trainers.
The classic show that gave rise to the park is still very much alive. In a beautiful closed theatre, a variety of parrots and macaws demonstrate their amazing flight skills, their mental dexterity for solving small puzzles, and their ability to imitate everyday sounds, all focused on explaining the behaviour of these birds in the wild.
The different Loro Parque shows are repeated several times throughout the day at multiple times. I advise you to carefully check the information screens you will find just after passing the main entrance; this way you can plan your route efficiently and ensure you enjoy every show without missing anything
It is important that you are clear about the Loro Parque location before preparing your visit so that you know how to get there and can better organise your planning.
Loro Parque is located in the north of Tenerife, in the municipality of Puerto de la Cruz. The park is just an 8-minute drive or a pleasant walk along the coast from the Meliá Costa Atlantis complex, a wonderful hotel with a spa on the beachfront, at the foot of Mount Teide.
📍 Av. Loro Parque, s/n, 38400 Puerto de la Cruz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
If you are staying in Puerto de la Cruz itself, the park offers a free yellow train service that leaves every 20 minutes from the Plaza de los Reyes Católicos (in the city centre) and drops you off at the park's entrance. It is the most comfortable and economical option.
If you want to come by car, take the Northern Motorway (TF-5) and take the exit towards Puerto de la Cruz / Punta Brava. The road will take you downhill around the city to the park's avenue, with very clear signs at every junction.
And, for tourists staying in hotels in the south of the island (such as Costa Adeje or Playa de las Américas), Loro Parque offers a daily paid bus service that picks you up in the morning at your hotel, brings you directly to the park, and takes you back in the afternoon.
The Loro Parque parking is located very close to the main entrance and is very convenient for those arriving by car. During holidays and high seasons it can fill up quickly, especially mid-morning, so my advice is to try to arrive at least twenty minutes before the park's official opening time.
The Loro Parque parking is paid, so check the price before you go, as it may vary from one season to another.
📍 So that you do not miss anything during your journey, I suggest taking a direct look at the Loro Parque Map, where you can calculate your exact route in real time
With the aim of helping you organise your backpack and calculate the budget for your excursion to Loro Parque, here is information about the opening hours and official prices. However, as these can change, I recommend checking them on the park's official website before your visit.
The centre opens its doors to the public 365 days a year without interruption. Its usual business hours are from 09:30am to 5:30pm, with new visitors allowed access until shortly before closing.
The official prices for Loro Parque for non-Canary Island residents are 44€ for adults (over 12 years old) and 32€ for children (between 3 and 11 years old). Babies under 3 years old enter for free and Canary Island residents enjoy a special reduced rate of 22€ for adults and 16€ for children
The duration of a visit to Loro Parque is usually at least 6 or 7 hours. In my experience, you will need to dedicate practically the entire day if you want to see all the shows, walk through the aviaries, and stop to eat without having to rush from one place to another.
If you are curious and decide to read the Loro Parque reviews you will find on the internet, you will quickly understand why it has accumulated so many international awards and distinctions.
Most users highlight the cleanliness of the paths, which are impeccable, the lush and exotic landscaping of the gardens that makes you feel like you are in a real jungle, as well as the excellent state of health and vitality shown by all the animals.
As a counterpoint, the less positive reviews focus on the crowds that form at the entrances to the main shows (such as the orca show), or the prices of the menus inside the park's restaurants.
The average rating is 4.6 out of 5 on Google, and the conclusion of travellers is that it is an experience that is worth every penny the ticket costs.
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Here is a list of tips for visiting Loro Parque that can help you better organise and enjoy your visit more:
Plan the show times as soon as you enter: Get a physical map at the ticket office or download the digital Loro Parque map on your mobile phone. The first thing you should do is sit down for five minutes to coordinate the times of the different shows to organise yourself and avoid having to cross the park running three times.
Wear comfortable shoes and a light jacket: The park is quite large and you will spend many hours walking along cobbled paths and slopes, so wear sports shoes that grip well. In addition, temperatures in the north of the island usually cool down first thing in the morning or at the end of the afternoon, so it is recommended to carry a light jacket in your backpack.
Take advantage of the picnic areas: Unlike other parks, in this space, bringing in food and drink from outside is fully permitted. For greater comfort, the premises include several picnic areas equipped with tables in the shade. It is an ideal alternative to take a break in the middle of the day, recharge your batteries, and enjoy the day without having to spend extra money in the facilities' restaurants.
Once you leave the park, Puerto de la Cruz and its surroundings offer multiple tourist alternatives to put the finishing touch to your day. Here are some of my favourites:
This beautiful black volcanic sand beach designed by the famous Canarian artist César Manrique is located right next to the park. It is the perfect place to take a walk at sunset among botanical gardens and waterfalls, and listen to the sound of the waves.
Located at the other end of the city, Lago Martiánez is an impressive complex of artificial seawater pools, also the work of César Manrique. An ideal place to spend the morning of the following day relaxing in its turquoise lakes surrounded by volcanic sculptures and endemic vegetation.
For nature lovers, this historic garden, founded in the 18th century, houses an incredible collection of tropical and subtropical plants brought from all over the world, in which some gigantic trees with aerial roots stand out that will leave you speechless.
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Adventure
When planning your list of places to visit in Tenerife, I recommend including Loro Parque, a place that will connect you directly with the most amazing biodiversity on our planet. It is not just a simple zoo. The park blends nature, exhibitions, tropical gardens, and shows in a huge space where it is easy to spend practically the entire day.
A world-class conservation centre that has been internationally recognised for its firm commitment to animal welfare, scientific research, and the recovery of species in serious danger of extinction.
Loro Parque is located in Puerto de la Cruz and has been one of the island's major tourist attractions for years. In fact, some people organise part of their trip just to visit it. It is like taking a journey through the most diverse ecosystems in the world, from the lush tropical rainforests of the Amazon to the frozen landscapes of Antarctica. All of this is recreated with an impressive level of detail.
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