Alicante Compass
Rio Safari Elche: Zoo, Safari Train and Palm Grove Day Trip From Alicante
A 30-minute drive from Alicante, open every day. An adult ticket costs €22.50.
Giraffes watch visitors over the fence.
Quick facts
Rio Safari Elche is a 30-minute drive from Alicante, open every day, and an adult ticket costs €22.50 (prices checked 22 October 2026).
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Carretera Elche–Santa Pola (CV-865), 9 km from Elche and 4 km from Santa Pola (visitor info) |
| Drive from Alicante | About 30 minutes (KidVoyage) |
| Opening hours | Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat–Sun 10:00–19:00 (official hours) |
| Adult (13–64) | €22.50 |
| Child (3–12) and senior (65+) | €17.00 |
| Child under 3 | Free |
| University students, with proof | €15.75 |
| Disability of 33% or more, with accreditation | €11.90 |
| Large or single-parent families | €15.75 adult, €11.90 child, ticket office only |
| Splash Park add-on | €12.00, closed until May 2027 (admission fees) |
| Included in the ticket | Train tour, carer encounters, bear and sea lion presentations, water tower access |
| Suggested time | 3 to 5 hours |
| Phone | +34 966 638 288 |
Why visit Rio Safari Elche
Rio Safari Elche is the nearest full-day animal park to Alicante. It sits on the road between Elche and Santa Pola, about half an hour away by car. It opened in 1983 inside the Los Leones palm grove, so you walk between palms instead of across bare tarmac.
The park keeps nearly 800 animals from close to 100 species, from giraffes, zebras and camels to lions, jaguars and sea lions (Visit Elche). A narrated train loop covers a large part of the grounds. The daily sea lion and bear presentations are part of the ticket.
It suits families with children, visitors who want an easy outing from the coast, and anyone who likes close animal photography: the giraffes and lions come near the fences. It is less comfortable for toddlers in midsummer heat, and the entry price is not low. The sections below explain what the ticket covers and how to plan around sun and crowds.
My visit. I went to Rio Safari Elche with my whole family, including my child. My child enjoyed it a lot, and the impression was excellent. The photos on this page are from that visit.
How to get to Rio Safari Elche from Alicante
Driving is the practical choice. The park is about 30 minutes from Alicante, beside the CV-865 road that links Elche with Santa Pola. Leave Alicante on the A-7 towards the airport and Santa Pola, then continue on the N-332 and follow the signs for the park (KidVoyage route notes). From Elche centre it is 9 km, and from Santa Pola 4 km (official visitor info).
- By car from Alicante or the airport: the easiest option, and the only one that keeps the day flexible.
- From Elche: a short drive or taxi ride of about 9 km.
- From Santa Pola: 4 km, so it works well as a stop on a beach day.
- By public transport: I could not confirm a direct bus from Alicante. The usual route is a bus or train to Elche, then a taxi or a local bus towards Santa Pola. Check current timetables with the operators before you rely on it.
- Parking: the official pages do not state a parking fee. If it matters to you, call +34 966 638 288.
Tickets, best time to go and how long to stay
Buy tickets online when you can: reviewers consistently report it is cheaper than the ticket office (Tripadvisor). The base prices are in the quick facts table above. The large-family, student and disability rates cannot be combined with promotions.
Best time of day. Arrive at 10:00 for the cooler hours, or come in the afternoon. The park has run afternoon offers, such as a 40% discount from 15:00 with a coupon in December 2025 (park news), so check its news page for anything current.
Best time of year. Spring and autumn are the comfortable seasons for a full walk around the enclosures. Summer is possible, but shade is limited at several enclosures and on the train. Bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
Weather. The park closed to the public on 17 September 2026 because of an orange rain and storm alert. If the forecast is bad, look at the news page first.
Splash Park. The water park closed for the season on 13 September 2026 and reopens in May 2027, with a separate €12.00 add-on ticket.
How long to stay. Plan 3 to 5 hours. Three hours covers the train, the two daily presentations and a walk past the main enclosures. Add another hour if you travel with children who want to stop at the farm area and the playground.
What to see at Rio Safari Elche
The park is easiest to enjoy as a loop on foot, with the train as a shortcut across the larger areas. These are the main stops.
Giraffes and the close-up encounters
The giraffes lean over a timber-and-stone fence, which gives you eye-level views of their heads against the palm trees. The ticket also covers close encounters with carers for the giraffes, lemurs, orangutans and chimpanzees (official visitor info). Check the activity times on the day of your visit.
Lions in the palm shade
The lions rest in an enclosure with an earth-coloured wall and palms behind, and are often lying near the front. It is one of the best photo spots, so wait for a moment when the animal lifts its head.
Zebras, camels, emus and cattle
The open paddocks hold zebras feeding on hay, camels walking under the palm grove, emus and a herd of long-horned cattle. Together they give the park its savannah feel, and they are the easiest group to photograph from the path.
Meerkats, with a warning sign
The meerkat enclosure carries a sign in Spanish and English saying "Somos monísimos, pero mordemos", which means "we're cute, but we bite". It is a good reminder to keep hands behind the barrier.
The farm area and the goats
A small farm area lets children get close to goats and other domestic animals. Food for feeding is sold at the park, so keep small change ready.
Reptiles, turtles and primates
Pythons coil in their terrarium, turtles stack on a log in the pond, and a light-furred primate sits on the sandy ground, holding on to a tree stump. The primate enclosures are worth a slower look. The park also supports conservation work, including ex situ conservation work for the black-crested mangabey (park news).
Sea lion and bear presentations
Two presentations a day, one with sea lions and one with bears, are included in the ticket and need no reservation (official visitor info). Reviewers say the sea lion show runs between 15 and 30 minutes and has little shade, so sit as early as you can.
The train and the water tower
The audio-guided train takes about 15 minutes and runs at set times each day. Strollers stay at the departure station during the ride. The old water tower, called Castillo de agua, is also open and included with admission.
Water park, pools and slides
In summer the separate Splash Park adds slides, pools and a solarium for an extra charge. It is closed until May 2027.
A sample day and tips for families
Arrive when the gates open and the whole visit fits in one half-day, with time left for lunch in Elche or a swim at Santa Pola.
- 10:00, enter and go straight to the big paddocks. Giraffes, lions and zebras are most relaxed in the cooler morning hours.
- Mid-morning, ride the train. The audio-guided loop takes about 15 minutes, so it works as a rest and an overview before you decide where to spend more time.
- Around midday, catch a presentation. The sea lion and bear presentations run twice a day. Check the exact times on arrival, then sit early to get a shaded seat.
- Early afternoon, farm area and picnic. Let children feed the goats, then eat in the picnic area or at one of the park restaurants.
- Afternoon, slow loop back. Revisit the primates, reptiles and meerkats, which are easiest to see once the day cools.
Family tips
I went with my whole family, and my child enjoyed the visit a lot. These tips help the day go smoothly:
- Bring a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle, because shade is limited at some enclosures and on the train.
- Strollers are allowed, but you leave them at the train station for the ride. One reviewer found the steep steps hard with toddlers, so a carrier can be easier than a pram.
- Wear closed shoes: paths are sandy and uneven in places.
- Keep hands behind every barrier, including the meerkat enclosure with the "we bite" sign.
- Check the park news page before you leave: it announces closures for weather and new offers (park news).
Food, practical tips and what to combine it with
Food. The park has restaurants, including Kunib and Bellapizza near the water tower, plus a kiosk for coffee and ice cream, and a shaded picnic area. Opening outlets vary day to day. Many reviewers say on-site prices are high and recommend a picnic (Tripadvisor). The official pages do not state a food policy, so call the park if you plan to bring a full cooler.
Money and extras. The base ticket includes the train and presentations. Souvenirs, feeding food and Splash Park items cost extra, so set a small budget before you go.
Mix it with other places nearby:
- The Elche palm grove. The Palmeral of Elche is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so pair the zoo with a walk among the date palms in town.
- Santa Pola. The beach town is only 4 km away, which makes a swim or a seafood lunch an easy way to finish the day.
- Palaeontological Museum in Elche. An indoor option if the weather turns (KidVoyage).
For more ideas, see my day trips from Alicante.
Rio Safari Elche FAQ
Distance, tickets, opening hours, the Splash Park and how long to stay.
How far is Rio Safari Elche from Alicante?
How much does a Rio Safari Elche ticket cost?
What are the Rio Safari Elche opening hours?
Is the Rio Safari Elche Splash Park open?
How long should I plan for Rio Safari Elche?
Sources checked on 22 October 2026: admission fees, opening hours, visitor info, park news, Visit Elche, KidVoyage, Tripadvisor.
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