Rancho Texas Lanzarote: Animal Park, Shows, and What to Expect

Rancho Texas Lanzarote Park sits just a few kilometres from Puerto del Carmen and has been the island's main family attraction for decades. The name sounds kitschy, but the park itself is well-maintained, the animals are kept in reasonable conditions, and the shows are genuinely watchable — not just padding to justify the ticket price.

For families staying at Gueldera Apartments, it is an easy half-day or full-day outing, particularly suited to children between roughly 4 and 14 years old.

The Animals

The centrepiece of the park is the large central lake where Nile crocodiles live. The enclosure is open enough to see them clearly, and the sheer scale of the animals — adult Nile crocodiles are substantial — tends to produce a visible reaction in children who thought they had seen everything.

Near the crocodile lake, the sea lion enclosure houses a small colony of animals that perform in the daily shows and can also be seen resting and swimming throughout the day. The sea lions are visibly well-socialised with humans — they make eye contact, they are curious, and watching them outside show time is at least as rewarding as the show itself.

The park also has:

• A bird of prey section with raptors from several species
• A parrot enclosure and show area
• A small farm with rabbits, donkeys, goats, piglets, and chickens — an excellent area for young children who want to touch, not just observe
• Reptile and exotic animal exhibits

The Shows

The live shows are scheduled throughout the day and are the park's main draw. Current timings (confirm on the day, as they adjust seasonally):

The Bird of Prey Show is particularly impressive — low-level flights over the audience, trained recalls, and species identification. The Parrot Show is more interactive and works well with younger children. The Sea Lion Show is the most popular; arrive a few minutes early for a good seat.

Beyond the Animals: Water Activities

One aspect of Rancho Texas that surprises first-time visitors is the water park element. The park includes swimming pools and water slides, which means you can combine a morning of animal shows with an afternoon of swimming — making it a genuinely full-day outing rather than a two-hour visit.

This is particularly useful for families where younger and older children have different interests: the toddlers can splash in the shallow pools while older children use the slides and parents watch from the shade.

Practical Information

• Opening hours: Daily, 09:30 to 17:30.
• Location: Puerto del Carmen. From Gueldera Apartments, approximately 10 minutes by car. Taxis are readily available.
• What to bring: Swimwear and towels for the water park section. Sunscreen — the park has limited shade in the central areas. Water — the on-site catering is standard theme park pricing.
• Best strategy: Arrive at 09:30 to see the animals before the park fills up. Plan your day around the show schedule — the Bird of Prey Show at 11:30 works well as a first activity. Lunch at the park, then water park in the afternoon.
• For very young children: The farm area is often the most engaging section for children under 3. Low fences, calm animals, guaranteed interaction.

Ask us at reception about current ticket prices and whether there are any promotions for Gueldera guests — we keep an eye on the local family activity scene.