Staff Reporter
THE Costa del Sol is full of family-friendly wildlife and theme parks, but getting in could leave your wallet feeling a little light.
Aqua Park, Mijas, for example, which offers nine pools and attractions, charges a hefty €23 per adult just to enter the gates, as well as €17 for juniors from 8-12, and €12 for each child aged 3-7.
There is a family rate of €58, but it only applies to those with two kids, both seven years or under.
They certainly grow children up fast in southern Spain, with the average age limit across parks for the children’s price at nine years old and never above 12.
Selwo Aventura, in Estepona, advertises a full day at the park for only €49 per person, which includes free parking, an ‘ATV ride’ through the park and one meal.
But for a family of four, that’s €196 total for the day out or over a quarter of the average monthly wage in Andalucia.
At Selwo’s sister park, Selwo Marina Delfinarium in Benalmadena, ticket prices vary by day, but entry for two adults and two kids hovers around €60.
And that’s the just basics: a Dolphin Experience will run you about €29.70 per person, and a swim with the sea lions €38.70.
Fuengirola’s zoo Bioparc maybe better rated these days than when it was shut down after a UK press expose over a decade ago but it’s still not cheap.
Minus the ziplines and safari tours of Selwo – but with exotic animals from lemurs to leopards – entry still costs €17.90 for adults and €12.50 for kids nine and Under.
Lobo Park in Antequera, which offers wolf sightings, Crocodile Park in Torremolinos, and Benalmadena Butterfly Park, all cost between €7 and €15 for entry.
Plus, with an estimated visit time of two hours, there is no need to buy an overpriced lunch at the park.
No surprises here. That’s what visitors – especially families- are for. To be preyed on.
It’s about time these rip-off attractions were exposed. There are some good places, but the prices are extortionate. Most towns get a yearly discount to places like Sealife in Benalmadena that residents should look out for.
Living and working here we tend only to go to these parks when friends come over for their holidays, it is always a shock as to how expensive they are. A family day out is a weeks pay.