Zoo's at the Costa

M

montagne14

Well-Known Member
Hi!

I'm planning my holiday to Pedreguer (Spain) this year. It's between Valencia and Benidorm. There's suppose to be an interesting animal shelter near Benidorm, wich houses confiscated animals. Is anyone familiar with this shelter? And while I'm at it, what are the best zoo's to visit around this area (by car)?

I'm also planning on going to the states somewhere next year. We stay in Texas, on South Padre Island. I've been to the Gladys Porter Zoo, last time I was there. Again the question, what are the best zoo's to visit around this areau (by car)?
 
@montagne14

About Spain: I have been in this region last June and have visited Terra Natura Benidorm, Bioparc Valencia and Oceanographic Valencia. I can absolutely recommend all of those Institutions. In Bioparc, you will have the feeling of being in Africa (although sometimes the tall buildings around the zoo destroy the impression). Also, some exhibits are - in the point of animals needs - not better then in older zoos.
Oceanographic is a wonderful park with huge tanks for many marine fishes (from clown fish to shark), an aviary for egretts and ibises and modern exhibits for penguins, walrusses, beluga whales and dolphins. Keep in mind that this parc is often crowded.
As Bioparc is specialised for African Animals, so it is Terra Natura Benidorm for South Asian and South and Central American Species. Among them are Asian Elephant, Tiger, One-horned Rhino, Toucans and Jaguars. And it gives you also the impression of being in India (with Restaurants with - more or less - authentic Indian cuisine) or in a ancient and lost Mayan temple. For an additional fee (or if you buy a combo ticket), you can visit the adjected Water Park downhill (with many slides and pools). I would recommend it too, specially on a hot day at noon, when most of the animals are sleeping in the shade. And can return to the Animal Park later in the day if you want (as long as you still have your ticket).

In generall, all parks are not cheap. Entrance fee in Terra Natura and in Bioparc is ABOUT 25 Euros, and even higher in Oceanographic.
Terra Natura is easy to find by car, also Oceanographic. Reaching Bioparc is a little more difficult, at least as you come from outside Valencia. I coulnd't find a single "Bioparc" sign on the motorway/freeway!

There is at least one other zoo institution (Mundomar Benidorm, a marineland) in the area. A safari park has closed recently. But I'm sure, that our zoochat-members from Spain will have more and better informations about that...
 
Hi montagne14, The shelter that you mentioned (El Arca) -located between Guadalest and Benimantell towns- it's empty and closed now, because EU directives don't permit the public visit at this kind of 'refuges' all the animals were relocated in other institutions around Spain and Europe.
 
Thank you both for your feedback!
The Benidorm zoo / waterpark sounds great, as I am not used to walking around the zoo when it's hot in mid-August.
So I think I'll go to that one, and than the Valencia Aquarium as well.
I want to see those Beluga Whales!
 
@KEEPER: Do you maybe know what happened to the "liger" that use to be kept there?
My girlfriend showed me a picture of it from the last time she was there (about 6 years ago). Although I think it's very sad animals are cross-bred like that, I'm interested to find out more about the story behind it!
 
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