EXCURSIONS
The Canary Islands offer a whole range of excursions for every taste: trips to the national parks of the archipelago, where you can see volcanoes, endemic flora and fauna, excursions to ancient cities with colonial architecture and archaeological complexes, reminiscent of the indigenous inhabitants of the islands – the Guanache tribes, and a wide variety of water excursions, which are perhaps the most popular among tourists. The most exciting glass bottom boat trips are offered on the island of Tenerife in Los Gigantes (Los Gigantes); on the island of Gran Canaria in Arguineguin, Puerto Rico and Puerto de Mogan; on the northern coast of the island of Fuerteventura (trips to the protected island of Lobos) and in Caleta de Fuste (Caleta de Fuste); on the island of Lanzarote in Puerto Calero; and on La Gomera in Valle Gran Rey. During these excursions, in addition to the rich underwater world, you can see dolphins and sometimes even whales.
ZOOS AND AMUSEMENT PARKS
According to phonecations.com, the most famous park of the archipelago – Lora Park – is located on the island of Tenerife in Puerto de la Cruz. More than 200 species of parrots are represented here. In addition, the park has the largest pool in Europe for the performance of marine animals (dolphins, killer whales, sea lions) and the largest aquarium with sharks in Europe, made in the form of a tunnel, under the arches of which visitors pass. Among other things, the park contains exotic fish, penguins, monkeys, jaguars, tigers, giant tortoises, alligators, iguanas, pelicans and flamingos.
On the west coast of Tenerife, in the resort village of Costa Adeje, there are 2 water parks Siam and Aqualand. In Aqualand park , in addition to water attractions, there is a dolphinarium where dolphin performances are held. In Siam Park(area 18.5 hectares) all buildings are made in the traditions of Thai architecture. It is the world’s largest collection of Thai architecture located outside of Thailand. In addition, the tallest dragon statue in the world is erected here. In addition to all kinds of slides, tunnels and artificial beaches, Siam Park offers to visit the “Wave Palace”, which is a huge pool in which artificial waves up to 3 m high are created. Surfing is allowed in the pool. Very interesting “Thai Village” with souvenir shops and massage parlors. There are also restaurants and cafes in the park.
On the island of Gran Canaria in the resort town of Playa del Ingles (Playa del Ingles) is the largest water park in the Canary Islands Aqualand with an area of 130 thousand sq. m. The area of all pools of the park is 5300 square meters. m, there are also three dozen different water slides, more than 10 water attractions, restaurants, cafes, pizzerias and shops. Also in the vicinity of Playa del Ingles is the Palmitos Park Botanical Garden with an area of 200 thousand square meters. m. Here, in addition to a variety of tropical plants (160 species of cacti and about 50 species of palm trees), there are 1,500 exotic birds, mostly parrots, that fly freely in the park. In addition, in the park you can see monkeys and crocodiles, many orchids, visit the largest butterfly pavilion in Europe, the Amphitheater, where performances with birds of prey are held, a dolphinarium, and an aquarium.
On the west coast of the island of Gran Canaria in the vicinity of the city San Nicolas de Tolentino is interesting for Europe’s largest cactus park Cactualdea, where more than 1000 species of cacti brought here from Mexico, Madagascar, Boliviaand Guatemala are collected. Nearby is the reptile park Reptilandia. Here, 150 species of reptiles are presented in open-air terrariums: crocodiles, snakes, including a 7-meter Chinese python, turtles, lizards (including the largest lizard on the planet – the Komodo dragon) and frogs.
Also on the island of Gran Canaria, the amusement park Holiday World in Maspalomas is very popular. (Maspalomas). At nightfall, the park lights up with thousands of lights. Here you can ride a 27 m high Ferris wheel, visit dozens of attractions and take part in entertainment shows. The nearby resort town of San Agustin is home to the Sioux City theme park, which is a replica of a small American town in the style of the Wild West. Here, country music sounds everywhere, cowboys and sheriffs drive around, cancan dancers perform, whiskey is poured in local saloons, and visitors are offered a variety of attractions.
The only water park on the island of Lanzarote is located in Costa Teguise (Costa Teguise). The water park offers visitors a variety of water slides, two swimming pools, an extensive water park for children, restaurants and cafes. In the main tourist center of the island of Lanzarote – the resort of Puerto del Carmen (Puerto del Carmen) – it is worth visiting the extensive theme park Rancho Texas, which is a whole zoo with a variety of species of animals and birds. Performances are given here with the participation of parrots, birds of prey, sea lions, and cowboy shows are also arranged. In addition, there are two more interesting parks in the northern part of Lanzarote. Near the city of Guatiza (Guatiza) on an area of 5 thousand square meters. m in the crater of an extinct volcano there is a Cactus Garden – the latest project of the famous architect César Manrique. About 1.5 thousand species of cacti are represented here, both growing in the Canary Islands, and from America and Madagascar. In the city of Guinate, there is a Tropical Park with 1000 species of tropical birds, including parrots.
Rare Canarian lizards, reaching a length of 1 m, live on the island of Hierro, of which only about 300 individuals remain in nature. They existed in the Tertiary period. On the west coast of the island, the Giant Lizard Center is interesting, where you can see these reptiles.
