A near-perfect climate; a fascinating ‘lunar’ landscape; beautiful beaches; an enviable artistic legacy, thanks to native son César Manrique; and a fair dollop of Spanish chic: Lanzarote offers all this, and more.
But, while it may not be especially Lanzaroteño (and yes, that is the word), nor even very Spanish, if you want to take a break from all that sand, sea and sophistication, a 20-minute car or bus ride down the coast is all that’s required.
The Rancho Texas Park is a great day out for all the family. It offers the chance to see animals from around the world, housing a great selection of mammals, reptiles and birds in lovely natural-looking habitats.
Rarest of the rare: a white tiger at Rancho Texas
You can take canoe rides on the lagoon or pony rides along the river; and there’s a great water park area with places to eat and pubs, plus changing facilities, as well as tourist shops for souvenirs. Various events are always going on, such as the parrot show and, if you pre-book, a chance to swim with sea lions!
Lanzarote’s Texan connection is not as tenuous as it might seem. Basically, in 1731 10 Canarian families (seven from Lanzarote) headed west to Texas – then ‘New Spain’ – in search of a better life, and founded (or were instrumental in the founding of: it’s debatable) the city of San Antonio, named after St Anthony of Padua, the patron saint of lost things. Who knows, perhaps they felt a bit lost themselves; but, anyway, today Lanzarote is proud of its historical links to the Lone Star State.
Not that the Rancho Texas overeggs the Texan pudding. There is a Country & Western Night every Tuesday and Friday – four hours of music, dancing and ‘yee-hah!’ entertainment, plus a slap-up dinner – but for the most part the park is given over to making sure that you and yours have fun, and bringing you face-to-face with interesting, awesome or just downright cute critters from all over the globe.
The park lies 20-odd kms to the south-west of Costa Teguise, where Santa Rosa is located, via the LZ-3, the LZ-2 and the LZ-40. There is a free bus service to the park, picking up from the Occidental Lanzarote Playa at 9am. Later buses charge a small fee. A taxi will cost around €20 each way.
