Loro Park
- Tenerife's premier zoo

"Loro" is Spanish for "parrot" and Loro Park was, originally, just that. Situated in the north, near Puerto de la Cruz, it opened in 1972 with just 150 parrots, but, since then, has grown considerably, now housing some 3,000 in total.

The sea lion show

Not only that, it has now become a fully-fledged zoo. The aquatic world is well represented, with the largest dolphin pool in Europe, the world's largest penguin exhibition, the longest shark tunnel in Europe and the only whale ocean in Europe. Under this category, you can also see sea lions, alligators, exotic fish, piranhas and sea horses.

Until its sister attraction, Siam Park, was opened in Adeje in 2008, it also laid claim to containing the largest Thai village outside Thailand.

The non-aquatic section of the zoo features chimpanzees, gorillas, marmosets, pelicans, iguanas, flamingoes, jaguars, giant tortoises and tigers.

Tickets

Adult: 31 euros (Canarian resident 19 euros)
Child (aged 6-11): 20 euros (Canarian resident 12.50 euros)

'Twin Ticket' (special ticket covering Loro Park and Siam Park)

Adult: 49 euros (Canarian resident 39 euros)
Child (aged 6-11): 33 euros (Canarian resident 25 euros)

THE PARROT SHOW

The famous parrot show occurs six times a day and, nowadays, takes place in a huge building styled after an Arabian palace.

photo: Melanie Phung photo: Louise Docker

photo: Aviceda

The parrots display their skill and intelligence, solving puzzles and performing tricks, sometimes flying above the audience, inches from their heads.

Prepare to be amazed...and amused.

A must for all ages.

THE DOLPHIN SHOW

Another famous attraction of Loro Park is the entertaining dolphin show, which takes place four times a day.

The large pool, opened in 1987, is one of the most up-to-date in the world and seats 1,800 people. It reproduces the conditions of a Caribbean lagoon and is so authentic that the mammals have bred within its confines, producing five offspring.

Definitely another attraction for all the family, as the dolphins perform their amazing acrobatic feats, with leaps out of the water as high as 20 feet! One time I was there, some children were picked out of the audience, placed carefully in a little boat, which a dolphin proceeded to tow around the pool.

My advice - bring your cameras!

THE ORCA SHOW

Loro Park possesses four Orca whales in a comparatively recent addition to the attractions. Living in a carefully controlled environment that uses 22.5 million litres of sea water, the animals are looked after by a team that trained for two years at "Sea World", in the USA.

Photo: Ed Schipul

Taking place three times a day, the Orca show proves that dolphins are not the only intelligent aquatic mammal.

PLANET PENGUIN

Loro Park has constructed the largest replica of the Antarctic environment in the world to house its collection of these amusing, flightless birds.

Photo: Olaf A. Koch

You will certainly feel the cold as you make your way through the exhibit, as the temperature is kept to a constant 0º.

Watch fascinated as the comical creatures go about their daily business.

THE SEALION SHOW

Taking place in a large enclosure, the sealion show features the acrobatics and, let's face it, cheekiness of these charming aquatic mammals.

The pool has glass sides, so you can see all the effortless underwater manoeuvering.

Photo: Andrew Bauer

What is truly remarkable is the interaction between the animals and their trainers, showing the amount of love and trust that has been built up over the years. The show takes place five times a day.

KATANDRA TREETOPS - NEW ATTRACTION!

Loro Park now has a new attraction, opened on September 24th. It is called "Katandra Treetops", named after an Australian aboriginal word, meaning "song birds".

It is a free-flight area for exotic birds, enclosed in mesh, where, in its enormous space of over 600,000 cubic feet, the birds can fly freely. With a tropical jungle setting, similar to those found in Australia, the birds feel totally at home.

Visitors will be able to see many species of parrot (of course), plus cockatoos, kookaburras, pheasants, doves and herons. There is a large central lake, occupied by water birds such as Mandarin ducks.

Katandra Treetops is equipped with various viewing platforms, the most impressive of which is a high, hanging bridge, to take visitors up to the height of the birds as they fly. There are also walkways and steps, leading to otherwise inaccessible areas of the display.

Loro Park is returning to its first love - birds - in this stunning new exhibit.

Under a large glass dome, you'll find the cinema attraction "Naturavision". Here you'll be taken around the world in film, witnessing all the real environments represented in Loro Park.

The Aquarium, a display using over one million litres of water, reproduces the ecosystems from all over the world, to display all manner of sea creatures in their natural habitat.

There is even a coral reef, constructed from volcanic rock from the south of Tenerife and covered with living coral imported from Indonesia.

Don't miss the 18 metre long shark tunnel, where you can see these intimidating sea predators swimming inches away.

Elsewhere in the zoo, you can see gorillas, chimpanzees, tigers and alligators.

If it's exotic scenery you're after, then Loro Park boasts no less than five contrasted areas.

• The Orchid Garden Revel in the peacefulness as you view the unbelievable variety of this beautiful flower.
• The Dragon Tree Garden A indiginous plant of the Canaries, these unusual trees can live up to 1,000 years!
• The Cactus Garden Yet another plant with many different varieties.
• Palm Trees There are thousands of these trees dotted about the Park, with the entrance alone containing some 750. The climate of north Tenerife is ideal for growing these tropical plants.
• The Jungle The oldest and original part of the Park, with a dark, humid atmosphere.

Something For The Kids

At Kinderlandia, you'll find a great play area for younger visitors (and older ones too, if they feel like it).

It is set out to resemble an African village with huts in the trees and featuring such diversions as hanging bridges and snake slides. Don't miss the new Orca Roller Coaster!

The Thai Village

For the adults, there is an authentic Thai village, reached by crossing a bridge over a lake containing priceless koy carp. This area also houses the Parrot Museum, where you can see a huge collection of parrots, represented in porcelain, crafted by famous artisans.

Restaurants

Loro Park provides no less than eight bars or restaurants, where you can rest and enjoy a drink or a bite to eat, while surveying the Park's magnificent views.

• Casa Pepe A large restaurant seating 150 people, featuring Spanish cuisine at its best.
• Cafe Bar Vista Teide Serving drinks and snacks, this cafe-bar offers superb views of Tenerife's landmark volcano.
• Choza de los Duques An eatery accommodating 233 people, this offers buffet service.
• Grill and Bar Patio del Loro This is the place to go if you're a meat lover. Seats 285.
• Pizzeria A small Italian oasis, where you can choose your toppings.
• Cafe Bar Thai A bar serving snacks.
• Bambu Bar Situated next to Kinderlandia, serving kids' menus.
• Cafe Bar El Puente Yet another bar, serving snacks.

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