Is Oasis Park Fuerteventura worth it? Camels, elephants and a giant cactus garden in the south

There are more camels here than anywhere else in Europe. The elephants and hippos you’ll meet later are the only ones in the Canary Islands.

Is Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura worth it?

Yes, for most families Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura is worth it. It’s big, mostly outdoors and very varied, with more than 3,000 animals from around 250 animal species, a huge botanical garden and a camel reserve on the hills behind it. On an island known mainly for beaches, dunes and wind, it’s the easiest way to give children a full day close to nature and animals.

It’s not a modern safari park with vast open plains, and some enclosures are more traditional than others. Visitors also mention that the grounds are spread out and that the sun can be strong in the open areas. If you go with realistic expectations, arrive early and plan around the shows, you’ll have a fantastic time. Couples who love plants often enjoy the botanical garden as much as the animals.

Where is Oasis Park Fuerteventura?

The park is in La Lajita, in the municipality of Pájara, on the south-east coast of Fuerteventura. It lies right on the FV-2, the main road that runs down the east side of the island towards the Jandía peninsula. From Costa Calma it’s only a short drive of around ten to fifteen minutes, and from Morro Jable it takes a little over half an hour.

From Caleta de Fuste the park is around 50 km away, or roughly 40 minutes by car. The airport and the capital, Puerto del Rosario, are a bit further north. If you’re staying in Corralejo, at the northern tip, allow well over an hour each way. A hire car gives you the most freedom, and the park has its own car park.

From Oasis Park to Oasis Wildlife - what’s inside the park

Formerly Oasis Park, the site now has two main parts with their own names. Oasis Wildlife is the zoo, and Oasis Botanic is the botanical garden. Together they cover close to 80 hectares, so the park works best as a full day out rather than a quick stop. There’s also a garden centre, a children’s farm and a playground.

The paths lead you through different areas, from the animal enclosures to the tropical gardens and the dry cactus slopes. Behind the scenes, the park also runs conservation, rescue and environmental education programmes.

The animals

The big names are the African elephants and the hippos. No other park in the Canary Islands has them, and they’re the animals most children talk about on the way home. You’ll also see giraffes, zebras, crocodiles, meerkats, lemurs, parrots, birds of prey and plenty of reptiles. Plenty of trees and plants around the enclosures give the zoo a green, relaxed feel.

Younger kids usually love the farm, where they can get close to goats and other farm animals. It’s a good place for a break between the bigger sections, and the playground is close by.

Oasis Botanic and the giant cactus garden

The botanical garden is often described as having the largest cactus garden in Europe. It’s a striking place, with tall columnar cacti, aloes, agaves and euphorbias growing in a dry, open landscape that suits the island perfectly. The plants come from arid regions all over the world, and the tropical gardens around the zoo add a completely different, lush side to the park.

Go to the cactus garden in the morning or late in the day if you can. There’s little shade, and the light is softer and better for photos outside the middle of the day.

Shows at Oasis Wildlife

The live shows are one of the best parts of a visit and an easy way to structure the day. There are four of them: Sea Lions Live, Birds Live with birds of prey, Parrots Live with macaws and other parrots, and Fauna Live, the reptile show. In the reptile show you’ll see snakes and crocodiles up close, and keepers explain how the animals live in the wild.

Show times change, so pick up a map at the entrance and note them down. The sea lion show is the most popular, so arrive a few minutes early to get a good seat. Planning the rest of your route around the show times means you won’t spend half the day walking back and forth.

Animal experiences - sea lions, lemurs and the camel safari

On top of the standard ticket, the park offers several paid experiences that bring you closer to the animals. They have limited places, so it’s best to book them together with your tickets. Each one has its own rules on age and supervision.

Sea lion experience

The sea lion experience lets you get in the water with the park’s sea lions, play water games with them and touch them under the guidance of the keepers. It’s open to children from the age of seven, and kids aged seven to eleven must be accompanied by an adult. For many older children, it’s the highlight of the whole holiday.

Lemur experience

In the lemur experience you go into the enclosure with the ring-tailed lemurs and help feed them. They’re curious and quick, and they often climb on visitors, so it’s a great photo moment. The park also runs experiences with the giraffes and elephants, plus a guided botanic experience for plant lovers.

Camel safari

The park calls itself the largest camel reserve in Europe. The camel safari, also called the Safari Experience, is a camel ride of around 25 to 30 minutes. The caravan climbs into the hills towards a viewpoint above La Lajita, with views over the dry landscape and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s a unique experience on an island that already looks a little like North Africa, and it tends to sell out on busy days.

Food, restaurants and the Sunday Oasis Market

There are three restaurants inside the park, all serving Canarian gastronomy made with local products alongside simpler dishes for children. Patio Majorero is in the botanical garden and has a terrace with views, and Malvarrisco is another good choice for lunch. You’ll also find snack bars along the main paths, which helps on a hot afternoon.

If you’re visiting on a Sunday, don’t miss the Oasis Market. It’s an agricultural and craft market with more than 80 stalls selling handicrafts, local produce and traditional sweets and pastries. Entry to the market is free, and it’s one of the best places on the island to taste and buy local food.

Oasis Park Fuerteventura opening hours and tickets

The park usually opens at 9am and closes in the late afternoon. Times change by season, and the shows and experiences have their own timetables, so plan your day once you have a map in your hand.

The standard ticket covers the zoo, the botanical garden and the live shows. The paid experiences are added on top. You can buy tickets online before your visit, which saves time at the ticket office and lets you add an experience while places are still available. Some tour operators also sell packages that include return transport from the main resorts.

How to get to Oasis Park Fuerteventura

The park runs its own free bus from several resorts on the island, and you don’t need to book a seat. Routes and times change from season to season, so ask at your hotel reception for the current timetable and the stop nearest to you.

Public buses are another option. Several Tiadhe lines stop outside the park, including line 1, which runs between Puerto del Rosario and Morro Jable along the FV-2. If you’re driving, follow the FV-2 to La Lajita and look for the park signs. Parking is right next to the entrance.

How long do you need at Oasis Wildlife Fuerteventura?

Plan a whole day. Most families arrive at opening time and leave in the late afternoon, and even then they rarely see every corner of the botanical garden. With smaller children, four or five hours is enough to see the main animals and two or three shows. If you’ve booked an experience or the camel safari, add another hour or two.

Wear comfortable shoes, a hat and high-factor sun cream, and bring water. The park is large and many paths are in full sun, so a slow pace with regular breaks works much better than trying to see everything in the morning.

Oasis Park or another family day out in the Canary Islands?

Oasis Wildlife is the clear choice for animals on Fuerteventura, as there’s nothing similar on the island. If you’re island-hopping, it compares well with the big parks on the other islands. Loro Parque in Tenerife is more polished and famous for its orcas and penguins, and Jungle Park near Los Cristianos is smaller and easy to fit into half a day.

The ferry from Corralejo to Lanzarote takes around half an hour, and the volcanoes of Timanfaya National Park make a great contrast to a zoo day. If your kids would rather spend a day on slides, our guide to the best water parks in Spain covers the top parks on the islands.

Practical information

• Oasis Park Fuerteventura tickets are best bought in advance. You’ll skip the ticket queue at the entrance and avoid the risk of the park selling out on busy days.
• Address: Carretera General de Jandía, s/n, 35627 La Lajita, Pájara, Las Palmas, Spain
• Buy tickets on GetYourGuide

Hotels near Oasis Park Fuerteventura

Costa Calma is the closest resort to the park, with long sandy beaches and hotels in every price range only a few kilometres from La Lajita. These three are a short drive from the gates.

💰 Hotel Taimar

A simple, good-value hotel in Costa Calma, around 900 metres from the beach and close to shops, bars and restaurants. It has an outdoor pool with a sun deck, a buffet restaurant and a pool bar, with half-board and all-inclusive options. It suits couples and small families who want a relaxed base and plan to spend their days out exploring the south.

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🏨 SBH Costa Calma Palace

A four-star hotel with direct access to the beach in Costa Calma. There are four pools (some heated), a spa with a sauna and jacuzzi, tennis and padel courts and mini-golf, plus daytime and evening entertainment. It’s a comfortable choice for families who want the beach on their doorstep and plenty to do at the hotel.

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💎 R2 Río Calma Hotel & Spa

A large resort hotel on the clifftop in Costa Calma, only around 5 km from Oasis Wildlife. It has three outdoor pools and a children’s pool, a full-service spa, a free kids’ club and two restaurants. It’s the pick for families who want a resort feel, with ocean views and wellness for the adults and activities for the children.

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Oasis Park Fuerteventura FAQ

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