Monkey Park Tenerife: The zoo where monkeys jump on your shoulder

At first glance, Monkey Park Tenerife seems unassuming. No grand gates, no crowds of tourists, no loud shows. Just a peaceful garden on the edge of Tenerife’s tourist south, where dozens of animals move among palms and bushes. And that’s exactly where its charm lies. Instead of watching from a distance, you’ll find yourself just a few steps away from lemurs, monkeys, and parrots watching you with the same curiosity you have for them.

Monkey Park is a small zoo in the south of Tenerife. You can find it between Los Cristianos and Playa de las Américas, only about a 5-minute drive from both resorts. You can get here by taxi for about 10 euros, or take the 467 bus to the San Francisco stop and take a taxi from there. Walking here is not recommended, as the road is not suitable for pedestrians. If you arrive by car, you’ll find free parking at the entrance. Taxi drivers often wait in the parking lot, ready to take visitors back after their tour.

The park is quite small, so getting around is very easy. Although you can pick up a map at the entrance, you usually won’t need it. The paths are well-marked and will naturally guide you past all the enclosures. The park is fully accessible for wheelchairs, electric scooters, and strollers.

Since a tour of the park takes about two hours, you can combine your visit with a trip to a beach in the south of the island. The zoo offers a pleasant walk through gardens where you can admire the diverse collection of monkeys that Monkey Park offers. Among others, you’ll see various species of marmosets, squirrel monkeys, drills, and several types of chimpanzees.

You can observe animals in their natural habitat, enter selected enclosures, and feed some animals right from your palm. Monkeys and lemurs will be jumping over your head, while herds of cute guinea pigs scuttle under your feet. This is an experience that not many zoos can offer.

Monkey Park specializes in breeding endangered primate species. The main goal of this zoo is animal welfare and the protection of endangered species. At the same time, it strives to show visitors the importance of protecting wildlife and their natural habitats.

Besides primates, which include lemurs, chimpanzees, and various types of small monkeys, you can also visit the serpentarium and admire exotic birds such as macaws, cockatoos, or a toucan. You’ll also find iguanas or guinea pigs here, for example. In total, more than 300 animal species live here.

The grounds also feature a pond inhabited by crocodiles and turtles, which you can cross via a wooden bridge. You can buy food on-site to feed the animals. However, feeding them your own food is prohibited. Touching the animals is also not allowed, but it’s not unusual for an animal to approach you on its own. For example, a little monkey jumped on my shoulder.

The animals are most active (and hungriest) right at the start of opening hours, so it’s worth arriving early. Later on, the animals won’t be as interested in feeding. It’s also easier to park here at the beginning of the day.

You can buy drinks, small snacks, and boxes of animal feed at the reception. Next to the reception is also a small souvenir shop where you can buy things like magnets or postcards.

I definitely recommend buying vegetables to feed the animals at the entrance. Your experience will be richer, and the animals will be more willing to come to you. You can feed guinea pigs, turtles, and monkeys here, have your photo taken with a parrot for free, and watch lemurs jumping over your head.

Tip: Out of all the food, the monkeys are most interested in sweet corn.

Before you head to the exit, don’t forget to check out the row of bird aviaries on the left side of the park. This part is often overlooked, so it’s usually quiet with very few visitors. Yet, you can admire many tropical, colorful birds here that you won’t easily see elsewhere.

Monkey Park was opened in 1991 as a private initiative, without support from the state or any organization. Money from entrance fees and voluntary contributions goes back into animal care or helps other organizations focused on their protection. As a non-profit organization, the park stays off the radar of the crowds, so you won’t be pushing through other tourists.

This atypical zoo offers an interesting experience and is a great place for animal lovers and families with children. Monkey Park Tenerife is open every day from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The entrance fee is relatively cheap, 10 euros for an adult and 5 euros for a child. Animal feed costs 3 euros.

Tenerife Guide

Read about what to do, experience, and see in Tenerife: Tenerife Guide – 46 best tips on what to see and do in Tenerife

Tenerife map for download

I’ve prepared a detailed digital map for you, where you’ll find over 50 things worth seeing in Tenerife. These are the ones I write about in this article. You’ll also find various accommodation options in it. You can download it for the price of one beer in Prague 🙂

Trip to Tenerife

Don’t want to worry about anything? Buy a trip to Tenerife with yoga by the Atlantic and a climb up El Teide flying from Prague. You’ll explore the historic center of Puerto de la Cruz, head to the Las Cañadas del Teide National Park, and experience an adrenaline-filled drive across the crater floor and through the Masca mountain gorge. You’ll go on a trek around the El Chinyero volcano, see the beautiful corners of Orotava, enjoy a trek in the Anaga Mountains with a visit to the cave village of Chinamada, and discover San Cristóbal de la Laguna with its UNESCO-listed historic center. And in between, you’ll enjoy a nice stretch with a yoga instructor.