Are the animal parks ethical / modern?

Terra Natura and Mundomar are both EAZA-style modern facilities with conservation breeding programmes, large open habitats and educational shows rather than performing tricks. Río Safari is older in feel but expanding its enclosures. Wild observation in the natural parks is always the most ethical option.

Where can we see flamingos for free?

Year-round at Las Salinas de Santa Pola Natural Park and at the Parque Natural de las Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja. Both have free boardwalks and signed viewpoints; bring binoculars and visit at sunrise or sunset.

Are there dolphin-watching boat trips?

Yes — Dénia, Calpe (Mundo Marino) and Santa Pola all run 2–3 hour catamaran trips most days of the season. Sightings of bottlenose dolphins are very common; success rate is around 80–90%.

Can children feed or touch the animals?

At Río Safari there are camel rides and a petting-farm area. Mundomar offers paid 'dolphin encounter' programmes for ages 8+. Terra Natura keeps interactions limited to the lemur walk-through.

Are the parks open in winter?

All four major parks (Terra Natura, Mundomar, Río Safari, Las Águilas) are open year-round, with slightly shorter hours from November to March.

When is the best time to visit the Costa Blanca?

May, June, September and October.

Recommended for inland trips and beach-hopping.

Is the Costa Blanca family-friendly?

Yes — shallow beaches and family-orientated towns.

Animals

Animal, Safari & Wildlife Parks on the Costa Blanca

From elephants and giraffes at Terra Natura to a drive-through safari in Elche, dolphins and sea lions on the Benidorm coast and free-flying flamingos in the salt lagoons — the Costa Blanca's animal attractions are genuinely varied and mostly conservation-focused. Here's the complete guide.

Last updated 1 June 2026

The headline animal parks

Park	Type	Where	Highlights
Terra Natura	Modern open zoo (3,000 animals)	Benidorm	Elephants, tigers, rhinos, walk-through habitats
Mundomar	Marine + exotic animals	Benidorm	Dolphin show, sea lions, bat cave, flamingos
Río Safari Elche	Drive/walk safari + sea lions	Elche	Asian elephants, giraffes, sea-lion show
Pola Park area	Aquarium & marine life	Santa Pola	Mediterranean species, small but well-curated
Las Águilas del Valle	Birds of prey shows	Hondón de los Frailes (inland)	Eagles, vultures, falconry flights

Terra Natura — the modern habitat zoo

Opened in 2005, Terra Natura was built on the 'zoo-immersion' philosophy: invisible barriers (moats, glass), large open enclosures, no traditional cages. Four themed zones (Pangea, Europa, Asia, América) house 1,500 animals across 320,000 m². Highlights include the elephant pool you can watch from underwater, the white tigers and the open-walk lemur island. Pair with Aquanatura next door on a combo ticket for the best-value family day in Benidorm.

Mundomar — dolphins, sea lions and exotic birds

Compact marine park on the Sierra Helada hill in Benidorm. Daily dolphin and sea-lion shows (educational rather than circus-style), interactive parrot encounters, a walk-through bat cave, a Humboldt penguin pool and a large flamingo lagoon. Best for ages 3–10; a 2–3-hour visit. Combo ticket with Aqualandia is one of the best-value family deals on the coast.

Río Safari Elche — the drive-through safari

South of Elche among palm groves, Río Safari is a hybrid drive-and-walk park. Elephants, giraffes, zebra, hippos, lemurs, big cats and a popular sea-lion show. Camel rides and a kids' farm area. Bigger and more rustic than Terra Natura, with a more traditional safari feel. Open year-round; allow 4–5 hours including lunch.

Wild Costa Blanca — animals you can see free

You don't always need a ticket. Several Natural Parks and protected areas put you face-to-face with native wildlife in their habitat.

✦Flamingos — Las Salinas de Santa Pola & La Mata-Torrevieja salt lagoons (thousands of pink flamingos year-round)
✦Ibex (Spanish mountain goat) — Sierra de Bernia, Aitana and Puig Campana ridges (dawn/dusk)
✦Eleonora's falcons — Peñón de Ifach cliffs (spring–summer breeding colony)
✦Dolphins — boat trips from Dénia, Calpe and Santa Pola (bottlenose and common dolphins year-round)
✦Sea turtles — occasional sightings on snorkel trips around Tabarca and the Marina Alta coast
✦Griffon vultures — daily falconry/vulture flights at Las Águilas del Valle (Hondón de los Frailes)

Tickets, opening hours & getting there

Park	Adult gate	Child gate	Open
Terra Natura (+ Aquanatura combo summer)	€32 (€42 combo)	€26 (€32 combo)	Year-round
Mundomar	€30	€22	Year-round
Río Safari Elche	€25	€19	Year-round
Las Águilas del Valle	€15	€10	Wed–Sun, year-round