Río Safari Elche

Río Safari Elche is an animal park on the Elche to Santa Pola road (CV-865), about 4 km inland from the beach and 4.8 km from Santa Pola. You get there by car, with car parks about 250 m from the park, or on the 255 Elche–Santa Pola bus, whose “Elx, Río Safari” stop is about 600 m away. The regional tourist board describes more than 100 animal species among 4,500 palm trees, a swim-with-sea-lions experience and a water park that opens in summer. It suits families with children who want a half or full day of animals near the Santa Pola beaches. Skip it if you dislike zoos or want rides rather than animals.

Quick facts

• Names: Río Safari Elche, often Rio Safari or Río Safari Park. The water park is called Río Safari Elche Splash Park. Elche is Elx in Valencian.
• What: an animal park with themed zones, a go-kart track, exhibitions, a children’s area and a summer water park (Comunitat Valenciana tourism).
• Where: Partida Valverde Bajo 102, Carretera Elche–Santa Pola, 03139 Elche (Alicante), between Elche and Santa Pola.
• Coordinates: 38.2158, -0.6018.
• Animals: over 100 species, including white lions, Bornean orangutans, Angolan giraffes, chimpanzees, Bengal tigers and sea lions.
• Prices: adult (12–65) 22.50 euros, child (up to 12) 17 euros, under 3 free, visitors with a disability 11.90 euros (regional tourist board, undated; checked November 2026).
• Hours: not published on the sources we could open.
• Phone: +34 966 63 82 88.

Access and parking

By car: the park lies on the CV-865, the Carretera Elx–Santa Pola, in the countryside of Valverde Baix. It is about 4.8 km in a straight line from Santa Pola and 10 km from Elche city centre. On OpenStreetMap the park is mapped as a zoo on the Vereda de les Cendres, south of the main road.

Parking: OpenStreetMap shows two surface car parks about 250 m north of the middle of the park, towards the main road. It does not say whether they are free, and we could not confirm parking prices from an official source.

By bus: the stop “Elx, Río Safari” (stop 1097, at km 8.1 of the CV-865) is about 600 m north of the park. On OpenStreetMap it is served by Vectalia lines 255A (Santa Pola → Elche) and 255B (Gran Alacant → Santa Pola → Elche) in the direction of Elche. We could not confirm the timetable or the stop for the opposite direction, so check before you travel. The walk from the stop follows country roads.

What to expect

The regional tourist board says the park has 4,500 palm trees, which give it a tropical feel, and is divided into zones that recreate different habitats:

• the African savanna;
• the reptile cave;
• chimpanzee island;
• the orangutan sanctuary;
• Australia;
• the lion kingdom;
• the aviary;
• the educational farm.

Beyond the animals there are exhibitions, go-karting and a children’s area. The best-known extra is the chance to swim with sea lions, which the tourist board presents as the park’s unique experience. We could not confirm its price, age limits or booking rules.

Water park: in summer the park also runs a water park. The tourist board’s June 2026 guide to Alicante water parks describes the Río Safari Elche Splash Park with 19 slides, a ball pool and plenty of games. We could not confirm whether the water park is included in the standard ticket or its opening dates.

Prices and opening

The Comunitat Valenciana tourism page lists these prices (checked November 2026). The page does not say which year they apply to, so treat them as a guide:

• Adult (12–65 years): 22.50 euros.
• Child (up to 12 years): 17 euros.
• Baby (under 3): free.
• Visitors with a disability: 11.90 euros (fixed rate).

Opening: none of the sources we could open publish opening days or hours. The park’s own website, riosafari.com, could not be opened when we checked in November 2026. Contact the park on +34 966 63 82 88 or info@riosafari.com before you go, especially outside summer.

Accessibility and safety

Best time to visit

For the animals alone, spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking outdoors. Come in summer if you want to add the water park, which the tourist board says opens in that season. On hot days, arrive early and see the big animals before midday. You can combine the park with a beach afternoon in Santa Pola, 4.8 km away.

Nearby alternatives

• Salinas de Santa Pola, 3.7 km away: the salt pans of the natural park, known for flamingos.
• Santa Pola town guide, 4.8 km away: beaches, the port and boats to Tabarca.
• Palmeral of Elche (El Palmeral), 10.4 km away: the UNESCO-listed palm groves of Elche.
• Elche (Elx) town guide, 10.2 km away: the city, its basilica and museums.
• Tabarca Island, 12.5 km away: the small island reached by boat from Santa Pola.

Distances are in a straight line from the park.

FAQ

Where is Río Safari Elche?

On the Carretera Elche–Santa Pola (CV-865), at Partida Valverde Bajo 102, Elche. It is about 4.8 km from Santa Pola and 10 km from Elche centre. Coordinates: 38.2158, -0.6018.

How do I get to Río Safari by bus?

Vectalia lines 255A and 255B between Santa Pola and Elche stop at “Elx, Río Safari”, about 600 m from the park. Check the current timetable before you travel.

Is there parking at Río Safari Elche?

Yes. OpenStreetMap shows two car parks about 250 m from the middle of the park. We could not confirm whether they are free.

How much does Río Safari cost?

The regional tourist board lists 22.50 euros for adults, 17 euros for children up to 12 and free entry for under-3s (undated prices, checked November 2026).

Can you swim with sea lions at Río Safari?

Yes. The regional tourist board names swimming with sea lions as the park’s unique experience. We could not confirm its price or rules.

Sources and freshness