Maroparque (Breña Alta)

La Palma's only animal rescue center and zoo, located in the hills of Breña Alta just a 10-minute drive from Santa Cruz de La Palma. Maroparque (from 'Maro' the founder) began as a private exotic animal rescue operation in the 1990s and has grown into a small but charming non-profit animal sanctuary that is particularly loved by local families and visiting children. The park is built on a steep hillside with terraced enclosures offering lovely views over the east coast and the Atlantic. The collection includes rescued monkeys (marmosets, capuchins, macaques), parrots and macaws, toucans, peacocks, raccoons, meerkats, wallabies, tortoises, iguanas, snakes, and various other reptiles and exotic birds — many of them confiscated from illegal trafficking or surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them. The park operates a 'tropical house' walk-through aviary where colorful birds fly freely around visitors. Children can feed and interact with guinea pigs, rabbits, and goats in the petting area. There is a small playground and a picnic area with benches under the trees. The park is modest in size (allow 1.5–2 hours) and ideal for families with children aged 2–10 looking for a gentle, low-key nature experience. Facilities include a small café, toilets with baby-changing, and limited parking. Open Tuesday–Sunday 10 AM–6 PM (closed Mondays). Tickets: €12 adults, €8 children (2–12), free under 2. The entrance fees go entirely toward animal care and rescue operations. Best visited in the morning when the animals are most active. Combine with a visit to the nearby craft workshops and the Mirador de la Concepción viewpoint.