0 26 Lanzarote Attractions – Guinate Tropical Park

The Parque Tropical is open every day of the year including bank holidays from 10:00 to 17:00 hours.  Admission is 14 Euros per adult and 5 Euros per child and I’d recommend allowing a half day to go around the Park, although some visitors have been know to spend the whole day there.

Parque Tropical is located in the north of the the island at the foot of Mount Corona, an extinct volcano which is the highest point of the island, close to the Famara Cliffs and 400 meters above sea level, with  spectacular views to the islands of La Graciosa, Alegranza and Montaña Clara.

We arrived via the most scenic route which took us through Teguise, the old capital of Lanzarote, up through Los Valles to some stunning views of the island and down into the beautiful province of Haria (the valley of a thousand palms).  From Haria we took the road past the Mirador del Rio (Article 22 of mine covers a separate day trip there).  You will see the signs for Guinate and the Park from this point in the journey.

The park covers 11 acres of land (45,000 square feet) and includes gardens, waterfalls and lakes.  The park has many species of bird (around 300 species in total), including Ostriches, Flamingos, Cranes, Hornbills, Toucans, Cockatoos, Macaws, Pheasants, Ibis, Ducks, Pigeons & Doves.  There are also many species of the smaller birds like Finches, Cardinals and Love Birds. There is also a large walk-through aviary, some 3/4 of an acre (about 3200 sq. meters) with six species of Weaver Birds that breed naturally in the area. It is quite fascinating to watch them building their hanging nests within the aviary.

In the same area you’ll find Parrots and many other small birds that fly free in a this almost natural habitat. Within this aviary there is a lake of some 70metres by 7metres full of Koi Carp, some measuring a length of nearly a meter.  You will also see Mandarin and Carolina Ducks swimming around between the fountains. A fascinating area of the park which must not be missed.

The Parque is known to have a successful breeding program of macaws, cockatoos, african greys and other species of parrots.  Also with various doves, finches, pheasants, ornamental ducks, ostriches, rheas, trumpeter hornbills and many other small birds.

In the gardens you’ll find many different varieties of plants, shrubs and trees in the park, many of which have been labelled with interesting information about their particular uses and countries of origin.   There is a cactus walk on the hillside with a large variety of cacti and where a waterfall drops down into the flamingo, duck and swan pool below.

Every day, there are six bird, at no extra charge.  These take place at 11.30, 12.30, 13.30, 14.30, 15.30, and 16.30 where macaws and cockatoos can be seen riding their bicycles on the high wire, driving cars and scooters, adding and taking away numbers and many other tricks. The theatre where the show is performed seats 200 people and hot and cold snacks can be served to you as you watch the show or you can relax on the bar terrace which overlooks a large area of the park. There is a children's play area here where the children can let off a bit of steam whilst the parents enjoy a quiet drink.

There is a well stocked shop in the Park, many items of which are exclusive to the Park and will not be found in any other shop on the island.   There are two toilet areas in the park. The first is situated near the entrance and exit and has baby change facilities in the ladies. The other is near the bar and show theatre.  There are ramps for wheelchairs, around the park and into the theatre. No dogs are allowed in the park.

Detail: 26 Lanzarote Attractions – Guinate Tropical Park

0 23 Lanzarote Attractions - Rancho Texas, Western Theme Park

Rancho Texas is located on the outskirts of Puerto del Carmen and on one of our many trips recently, we decided to spend a day out their with the children.  Rancho Texas features amongst its attractions, an Indian amphitheatre where we witnessed a stunning display in falconry, a Nature Park where our children watched and even played with some of the animals, a Goldmine Where the big water-wheel runs water to gold-bearing sands and where the children can try to find hidden treasure and an Indian Village where they took a ride in an Indian canoes and visited the Tepees.
If you’re looking for somewhere for the adults, then why return when they host one of the now legendary Rancho Texas Country and Western Nights.

We started our visit in the Nature Park, host to a wide variety of Animals and Birds.  This area includes ‘The Opera’- A round enclosure with a great variety of singing birds where you can experience amazing sounds, ‘The Promenade of colour’ – with its sensational variety of birds and colours, ‘Liliput Farm’, where the children held the worlds smallest farm animals and saw much larger ones in the form of Turtles, Iguanas, Armadillos and Prairie dogs.

Before we could finish, we were attracted to crowd gathering in the Indian Amphitheatre (one of three live shows we would witness on the day). Once we settled down, the guide entertained us with a fantastic falconry demonstration, part of which involves the falcons flapping people on the head with thweir huge wings as they swoop from high gantries to the central ‘stage’.
After this, we took the children to the Indian Village to calm them down a bit.  Our youngest (4 at the time) played in the Tepees, paddled a Canoes and found ‘Treasure’ having followed the water from the big water-wheel to the gold-bearing sands.  Our eldest (9 at the time) thought it was too young for him but agreed to ‘look after his brother’ and clearly enjoyed himself, although he denied it at the time.

Next we were attracted to the restaurant area as we were informed that a second show would start in 15 minutes time.  Like everyone else, we decided this would be a good time to have something to eat and drink and were surprised to see our Falconry ‘expert’ helping out behind the food counter (we assumed he had washed his hands !).  This would not be our last meeting, as he hosted the Parrot show whilst we had lunch.  Another good show and some great pictures for the family.

Our two boys wanted to let off some steam, so we let them play for a short while in the adventure play area, before going back to complete out tour of the animals.

Our third show of the day, was to be the best.  Our ‘expert’ returned (clearly multi-talented) and decided he’d jump into a pit with the Alligators.   He then crept up behind one of them and played with it (in case you’re wondering, he has very quick reflexes).  Toward the end of the show he decided to jump on the Alligator and sis finale involved holding the Alligators mouth closed between his chin and his chest – some show !

The children were as amazed as we were and it just about rounded off a great day out and fantastic value at 14 Euros per adult and 9 Euros for the children (under twos are free).

One of the most modern of Lanzarote’s attractions, Rancho Texas,  still has an element of the Manrique influence, with 60,000 m²  of theme park, designed with the utmost respect to the ambience and everything built with natural materials such as stones and wood.

At night the place comes alive with the Rancho Texas Country and Western Night, legendary in these parts.  A party night for the whole family and the entertainments team (yes… he was back), kept everyone entertained with Live Music and Line Dancing and special entertainment for the Kids. You can eat as much of the American Food, BBQ and Desserts as you like and enjoy free-flowing Beer, Sangria and Soft Drinks.
Adults: 44,00 €  Children 2-12 years : half price  Children to 2 years: free

and… finally, if you want to Discover Lanzarote on horseback, Rancho Texas also has riding stables. Why not plan your day to include a trek on this wonderful island (three hour trek to the beach, for experienced riders only @ 54€ or a One hour trek, no experience needed @ 21€).

Detail: 23 Lanzarote Attractions - Rancho Texas, Western Theme Park

0 25 Lanzarote Attractions - Teguise Golf

Before telling you about my particular day out at Teguise Golf, the more avid golfers amongst you will probably want to know what views they can expect to see and the technical stuff that goes with playing golf.  For me it was simply a great opportunity to spend a morning with a former work colleague (Colin) and his son (David) as they were staying in a neighbouring villa on La Goleta, part of the wider Faro Park Development.

The course runs along the side of an old volcano (no surprise there given Lanzarote’s landscape) and has inspirational views of volcanic lava, cacti and over includes over 3,000 palm trees and has superb views of the Atlantic Ocean throughout.   A Golf course such as this one, is quite simply, in my opinion, nature at its best.   César Manrique, the man who taught the people of Lanzarote to care for their natural habitat has clearly left his influence everywhere. If you are a Golf ‘anorak’, you might also want to read the next paragraph of technical data ?  If you’re not, simply skip over it.

The course measures 6041m (White) ; 5582m (Yellow) ; 5289m (Blue) ; and 4938m (Red).  Generally, visitors play off the blue tees.  The Slope Rating of the course is 127 (White) ; 127 (Yellow) ; 130 (Blue) ; and 124 (Red)
We played off Blue Tees. The course measures 5289 Metres (5791 Yards for the non converts) and is a Par 72 course.

I’ve since found out that the course was designed by British landscape architect John Harris and built in 1978.  It is a truly a fantastic course, not only because of its design but also thanks to the excellent condition in which it is kept all year round and at Easter (April 2006), it was in superb condition. Given its location, it benefits from a warm and pleasant climate all year round, tempered only by sea breezes from the island’s almost constant trade winds.  The course is designed to be smooth yet varied. It has more than your average number of doglegs, designed to test your ability (or lack of it) and allows you to bring all your clubs into play. It will test everyone from scratch players to those of us with more modest ability.

Address : Avenida del Golf, s/n. 35509 Costa Teguise (Lanzarote).
Telephone  :  (00 34) 928 59 05 12
Fax : (00 34) 928 59 23 37
Email info@lanzarote-golf.com
Webiste :www.lanzarote-golf.com

The Following services can be found at the Club - Club hire, trolleys, buggies, driving range, pro-shop and club storage. There are separate male and female changing rooms and you can hire lockers.  There is a Bar and Restaurant. The restaurant offers a varied menu, based on Mediterranean cuisine. 

The prices vary according to season.  In the “Summer” months (1st June to 30th September) it costs 53 Euros (for 18 Holes) and 36 Euros (for 9 Holes after 4pm).  In the “Winter” (we played in Winter and it was scorching !), it costs 65 Euros (18 Holes) and 52 Euros (9 Holes after 3pm).  The Course has discount agreements with most of the hotels on the island, so check at your hotel, or check out a nearby hotel if you’re in private accommodation as you can often get a better deal than this by doing so.

And so, to our day out.  We planned to set off at 7am from our ‘home’ in Playa Blanca (the idea being not to spoil the day for others and  ‘Brownie Points’ for everyone !.

There was to be four of playing, but that quickly became three when Gary (“The Rainman”) decided he was on holiday and was not coming to Golf at 7am (given that he left the British Open on Faro Park at midnight the night before (to prepare for golf), I was very surprised to get the “Dear John “ text first thing in the morning.  Gary’s nickname is a long story, but basically when its cold he wants it hot and when it’s hot he prays for rain (and usually gets it, so I’m not that keen on going on holiday with him !)

The three of us (Colin, a work colleague, his son David and yours truly) set off around 7:30am and we drove along the LZ-2 and then headed towards San Bartholme and then into Costa Teguise (avoiding Arrecife !)
When we arrived we were told it was members day (Saturday !) and that they had no tee times for 3 hours.  A quick bit of lateral thinking later, we asked if we could play 10-18 and then get a Tee time for 1-9 which they agreed to (something you’d almost expect them to suggest in the UK, so ask if you need to)

We decided we’d have a ‘friendly’ game of singles (if there is such a thing) - Loser buys the beers at the 19th hole.

We played stableford, off full handicaps (you’ll need them).  To cut along story short (ish), Colin was ‘flying’, I was struggling to even stay in touch and David, well David was having a bad day (it’s just as well he hired his clubs !).  Colin was five points in front with five to play before he decided to show us his impression of “Devon Loch” (he’s the horse that collapsed of exhaustion 50 yards from the finishing line in the 1956 Grand National when leading by 20 lengths !)

Going up the 18th Colin was one behind (but I did not rub it in, honest) !

Colin tells me his wife Jackie really enjoyed her first trip to the island and that they may return.  I’m sure if we ever go ‘into combat’ again, David will have been the range beforehand to shake off the cobwebs and Colin will make sure that he does not sprint when it’s a marathon. 

Me, well I had my day !

Detail: 25 Lanzarote Attractions - Teguise Golf