Loro Parque, Tenerife: Tickets, Highlights and Getting There by Car (2026)

Puerto de la Cruz sits on the rugged northern coast of the island. It is home to one of the most famous zoological parks in the world. Visitors travel from every corner of the archipelago to see the animals, botanical gardens and massive aquariums. If you are planning a trip for 2026, getting to loro parque tenerife should be high on your itinerary. The park covers 135,000 square metres of heavily planted grounds. It requires a full day to appreciate properly. Driving yourself gives you the freedom to arrive early and leave exactly when you want.

Getting There by Car

Most visitors stay in the sunny southern resorts of Costa Adeje, Playa de las Americas or Los Cristianos. The drive north takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. You will take the TF-1 motorway up the eastern coast. Traffic flows well most days, though the morning rush hour near the capital can slow things down slightly. You will eventually merge onto the TF-2 to bypass Santa Cruz, then join the TF-5 heading west towards Puerto de la Cruz. Take exit 32 off the TF-5, and follow the clear brown tourist signs directing you straight to the park entrance.

Renting a vehicle makes this journey incredibly simple. Many tourists pick up their vehicle as soon as they land. If you book ahead, you can collect your keys directly at Tenerife South Airport (TFS). This saves you the hassle of waiting for expensive resort transfers or crowded coaches. The island’s motorways are well maintained, well lit and clearly signposted.

Parking at the park is straightforward but requires timing. The official car park costs 5 euros for the entire day. It fills up quickly during the summer months and school holidays. Arriving before 9:30 am guarantees you a spot near the entrance. If the main lot is full, you can find paid municipal parking near Playa Jardin, which is a ten-minute walk away. There is also free street parking in the residential areas further up the hill, though you will have to walk back up a steep incline at the end of the day.

Typical Driving Times to Puerto de la Cruz

Planning your departure time is easier when you know the distances involved. The roads in the north are slightly more winding than the wide southern motorways, so average speeds drop once you pass Santa Cruz.

2026 Ticket Prices and Options

Prices change slightly each year to reflect the rising costs of animal care and park maintenance. For 2026, standard adult entry at the gate is 42 euros. Children aged 6 to 11 pay 30 euros, while infants under 6 enter for free. You can buy tickets online in advance to bypass the ticket office queue. The digital barcode on your phone is scanned directly at the turnstiles.

The twin ticket remains a highly popular option for families. This pass grants entry to both Loro Parque and its sister water park, Siam Park, located down in the south. An adult twin ticket costs 74 euros. You have 15 days to visit the second park after your first park entry. You do not need to book a specific date for the second park, giving you flexibility if the weather changes.

For a more detailed experience, the Discovery Tour costs an additional 15 euros per person. A guide takes you behind the scenes for 90 minutes. You see the complex water filtration systems for the aquariums and the animal kitchens where daily diets are prepared. Premium tickets are also available for around 65 euros. These include park entry, the Discovery Tour, reserved VIP seating at all animal presentations and a three-course lunch at the Patio del Loro restaurant.

Top Highlights at Loro Parque

The park is laid out in a large circular route. You will naturally pass most of the major enclosures if you simply follow the main path. However, knowing what to look out for helps you plan your day around the scheduled animal presentations.

Planet Penguin

The penguin habitat is the largest in the world outside of the polar regions. The enclosure features real snow produced by a massive machine hidden in the ceiling. Twelve tonnes of snow fall inside the habitat every single day to maintain the artificial glacier. A moving walkway carries you past the glass. You stand still while the belt glides slowly around the massive icy island. Hundreds of King, Gentoo and Rockhopper penguins dive into the freezing water right in front of you. The lighting inside changes throughout the year to mimic the natural daylight cycles of the Antarctic.

The Gorilla Enclosure

Loro Parque houses a bachelor group of western lowland gorillas. These males were brought together as part of a European endangered species breeding programme. The enclosure is vast, featuring massive climbing structures, waterfalls and dense vegetation. Watching the silverbacks interact, play and establish dominance is fascinating. Large viewing windows allow you to get incredibly close to the glass without disturbing the animals. The park provides multiple viewpoints at different heights, so you can observe the gorillas whether they are foraging on the ground or resting in the upper branches.

Katandra Treetops

This large free-flight aviary simulates an Australian rainforest. You walk across suspension bridges high in the canopy. Hundreds of colourful birds fly freely around you. Lorikeets, cockatoos and emus share the space. The noise is incredible. You can buy small cups of nectar to feed the birds. They will land on your arms and shoulders to drink. You must secure loose items like sunglasses and hats before entering, as the birds are naturally curious and occasionally try to steal shiny objects.

Lion’s Kingdom

Three Angola lions live in a massive enclosure designed to mimic African scrubland. The habitat features heated rocks placed directly next to the viewing windows. The lions naturally gravitate towards these warm spots to sleep. This clever design ensures visitors get an up-close view of the big cats while respecting the animals’ natural behaviour. A dry moat separates the lions from the rest of the park, creating a seamless visual transition between the enclosure and the surrounding botanical gardens.

Orca Ocean

Four rescue orcas live in the largest pool of its kind in Europe. The daily presentations demonstrate the immense power and intelligence of these marine mammals. Be warned about the splash zone. If you sit in the first few rows, you will get soaked. The trainers clearly warn the audience before the presentation begins, and staff sell plastic ponchos nearby. The pool contains 22 million litres of seawater, pumped directly from the Atlantic Ocean and filtered constantly to ensure optimal water quality.

Food, Drink and Practical Tips

The park opens at 9:30 am and closes at 5:30 pm. You need at least six hours to see everything without rushing. Bring comfortable walking shoes because the paths wind up and down slight inclines. The northern part of the island often has a different microclimate to the south. Cloud cover is common in Puerto de la Cruz, even when the southern resorts are baking in sunshine. Pack a light jumper just in case the temperature drops in the late afternoon.

You will find plenty of food options inside. The Patio del Loro serves standard cafeteria food like roast chicken, chips and salads. Casa Pepe offers traditional Spanish tapas in a quieter setting. You are also allowed to bring your own food and drink into the park. Several designated picnic areas provide shaded seating for families on a budget. The Bambu Bar near the parrot enclosures offers great coffee and fresh pastries if you just need a quick morning snack.

If you want a truly memorable meal, Brunelli’s Steakhouse sits just across the road from the main exit. It features a massive window overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The window actually opens up completely on warm days, letting in the sea breeze. It is a popular spot for a late lunch after finishing your tour of the park.

The Benefits of Driving Yourself

Booking a car hire Tenerife gives you total control over your schedule. Many coach tours pick up guests from dozens of southern hotels before even hitting the motorway. A simple one-hour drive can easily turn into a two-hour ordeal on a bus. When you drive yourself, you go straight there. You can arrive right as the gates open, beating the large tour groups to the most popular exhibits like Planet Penguin.

You also have the freedom to explore the surrounding area after you leave the park. Puerto de la Cruz has a beautiful historic centre. You can park near the harbour and grab a coffee in the Plaza del Charco. Alternatively, you could drive further west along the TF-5 to see the ancient Drago tree in Icod de los Vinos.

For those wanting to make the journey extra special, upgrading your vehicle is a great idea. Cruising up the coastal roads with the roof down is an amazing experience. Look into a luxury car to add some serious comfort to your day trip. The winding roads of the north coast are incredibly fun to drive in a responsive, high-end vehicle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent a pushchair at the park?

Yes, pushchairs and wheelchairs are available to rent near the main entrance. A small deposit is required. The entire park is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, with ramps provided alongside all stairs. The pathways are wide and paved, making navigation very easy.

Do I need to print my tickets?

No. You can show the digital ticket barcode on your smartphone at the turnstiles. Just make sure your screen brightness is turned all the way up so the scanners can read it quickly. There is free Wi-Fi near the entrance if you need to download your tickets upon arrival.

What happens if it rains?

The park remains open during rain. Many of the attractions, like the aquarium and Planet Penguin, are completely indoors. The presentation stadiums also have large roof canopies that provide decent shelter from sudden showers. Shops sell umbrellas and ponchos if you get caught out.

Is there a dress code?

There is no strict dress code, but shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. Swimwear is not permitted unless covered by regular clothing. The park enforces this rule strictly at the entrance gates.

Can I leave the park and come back in?

Yes, you can leave the park to fetch something from your car or eat at a restaurant outside. You just need to ask the staff at the exit turnstiles to stamp your hand before you walk out. You must show this stamp and your original ticket to re-enter.

Are the animal enclosures ethical?

The Loro Parque Foundation is highly accredited by global zoological associations. The park focuses heavily on conservation, rescue and breeding programmes. The foundation has saved several parrot species from extinction and funds marine conservation projects across the Canary Islands.

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