Monkey Park

Monkey Park is a small zoo in Arona, Tenerife, located in the Los Cristianos area and built almost entirely around close encounters with primates and other animals. Open since 1991, it has become one of the go-to family attractions on the south coast of the island.

Where is Monkey Park located?

The zoo sits on Camino Real Llano Azul (the TF-662 road), only a few minutes' drive from both Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas. Because it's so close to these two resort towns, many visitors combine a morning at the beach with an afternoon at the park, or the other way around.

What animals are on show?

Primates are the stars here: gorillas, orangutans and chimpanzees share the grounds with smaller species such as lemurs and marmosets. In total the park is home to more than 300 animals. Beyond the primates there's a serpentarium housing reptiles, an aviary section with macaws, cockatoos and even a toucan, and a pond with crocodiles and turtles that visitors cross via a wooden footbridge for close-up views.

What makes it different from a standard zoo?

The park's main draw is how little distance is kept between animals and visitors. Paths run directly through the primate enclosures, so guests can get very close and, in many cases, hand-feed the animals. Pre-packaged food is sold at the entrance, and visitors are also welcome to bring their own fresh vegetables and fruit — except dates and bananas — along with sunflower seeds or crunchy snacks. The result feels less like a walk-through zoo and more like a hands-on encounter with the animals.

How long does a visit take, and when should you go?

A full visit typically takes around two hours. The park is open every day of the week, from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, so it works equally well as a morning or an afternoon plan. Given the emphasis on direct contact with the animals, it's a particularly popular stop for families travelling with children.

How much does admission cost?

Standard adult tickets cost 10 euros, with a reduced rate of 5 euros for children. Prices can shift with promotions or the season, so it's worth checking the current rates before your visit.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors touch and feed the animals at Monkey Park? Yes — that's one of the park's defining features. Paths run through the enclosures, and guests can feed many of the animals with food bought on site or their own fresh fruit and vegetables, excluding dates and bananas.

How long should I plan for a visit? Around two hours covers a full visit, though it can run longer if you spend extra time feeding and watching the animals up close.

What animals besides monkeys can be seen there? Alongside primates such as gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, lemurs and marmosets, the park has a reptile serpentarium, exotic birds including macaws, cockatoos and a toucan, plus crocodiles and turtles in the on-site pond.

How far is Monkey Park from Los Cristianos or Playa de las Américas? The park sits just off the TF-662 road, only a few minutes' drive from either resort, making it an easy half-day trip from both.