Visiting Icod de los Vinos? Don’t miss the Mariposario del Drago! This butterfly park, nestled right next to the Drago Milenario, is a little oasis where you can marvel at the sights without even moving!
In this article, check out our photos and all our tips for making the most of your visit to the Mariposario del Drago.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Why Visit the Mariposario del Drago
Is the Mariposario worth the trip? Our opinion:
Yes, the Mariposario del Drago is definitely worth a visit. Located right next to Dragonnier Park, it’s the perfect way to round out a stroll through Icod de los Vinos. We enjoyed the opportunity to watch more than 800 butterflies flying freely in an exotic tropical setting. It’s one of the best things to do in Icod de los Vinos.
Our favorite moments
- the large blue morpho butterflies spread their iridescent wings
- feeding areas, where many species gather to forage
- the cocoon viewing window
WHERE TO STAY IN Tenerife
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
- Where to stay in Tenerife
- Our favorite: Hotel Corales Beach
Select by hotel type:
- 5-star hotels
- Best boutique-hotels
- Best hotels for families
- Best hotels in Seaside
- Best adults-only hotels
- Best all-inclusive hotels
- Top 4-Star Hotels
Select by city:
Directions: Mariposario del Drago, Icod de los Vinos
Where is the Mariposario located?
- In downtown Icod de los Vinos
- Canarias Avenue
- Right next to Dragonnier Park and the Drago Milenario
- 30 minutes from Puerto de la Cruz
- A 1-hour drive from Costa Adeje
How to get there?
The Mariposario del Drago is located right in the heart of Icod de los Vinos, making it easy to reach on foot from anywhere in the historic center.
The alley where the park entrance is located is a pedestrian-only street.
Parking
Icod de los Vinos is a town built entirely on a slope. If you’re coming by car from another part of the island, we recommend parking nearby at the Del Frago parking lot and then walking to the park.
OUR TIPS TO RENT A CAR IN Tenerife
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- If you’re planning to explore the mountains, don ‘t take the smallest cars. A more powerful engine will be more comfortable.
- But don’t take too big a car either, as some roads are narrow.
- There’s a lot of demand and it’s an island, so book early.
Useful tips: duration, schedules, eating…
Best time to visit
We recommend visiting the Mariposario del Drago early in the morning or in the late afternoon, when the butterflies are particularly active. Avoid the hottest part of the day if you also want to enjoy the Dragonnier Park right next door.
Length of visit and main difficulties
Plan on spending between 20 minutes and 1 hour on the tour, depending on how much you love butterflies. We didn’t encounter any real accessibility issues while we were there; the park remains a destination that’s accessible to everyone, including families.
Visiting with children
The Mariposario del Drago is a great activity to do as a family. Originally, the park was designed primarily to allow children to observe the metamorphosis of the butterfly, from caterpillar to adult. This will allow your children to observe firsthand the different stages of the life cycle—from eggs to caterpillars to chrysalises.
The guided tour with commentary is perfect for children.
Schedules and rates
- The Mariposario del Drago is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- The admission fee is €11.
- Latest news on the official website here.
Catering
The Mariposario del Drago does not have an on-site restaurant. However, there are several cafés and restaurants just a short walk away, in downtown Icod de los Vinos.
HAVE FUN IN TENERIFE: activities
A Tropical Escape in a Greenhouse
As soon as you walk in, the Mariposario del Drago offers a completely different atmosphere from the surrounding streets of Icod de los Vinos. We invite you to discover this tropical oasis, designed with meticulous attention to detail to ensure both the well-being of the butterflies and the comfort of visitors.
The Mariposario del Drago is a large glass-and-steel greenhouse, inside which a tropical garden has been recreated: palm trees, flowers, and nectar-producing plants grow side by side, creating a lush setting that is ideal for the species found there to thrive. We found the layout to be particularly well-designed: every corner of the park seems to have been carefully planned to provide the butterflies with a habitat that closely resembles their natural environment.
The facility is maintained at a temperature of around 27°C, with high humidity, thanks to automated misting and ventilation systems. You’ll also notice a fine-mesh entrance chamber designed to prevent the butterflies from escaping.
Take a moment to acclimate to the humid heat as soon as you step into the park; your cameras might fog up a little.
You’ll also notice a small pond with fish and turtles.
An incredible variety of butterflies
The appeal of the Mariposario del Drago lies in the diversity of the species that fly freely there. Let yourself be surprised by the variety of colors, sizes, and behaviors you’ll encounter as you explore the park.
Species from all over the world
More than 150 species and 800 butterflies fly freely within the Mariposario del Drago. They come from a wide variety of tropical regions: the Philippines, Malaysia, Costa Rica, Kenya, French Guiana, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. All of these species were bred in captivity and were not taken from the wild, which contributes to the park’s conservation efforts.
We were lucky enough to watch majestic blue morpho butterflies spread their iridescent wings and owl butterflies with large ocelli land quietly… You’ll also come across monarch butterflies—recognizable by their orange hues—patrolling the nectar stations set up throughout the garden.
From the Tiny to the Giant
One of the things that surprised us most at the Mariposario del Drago was the striking difference in size among the various species there. Some butterflies have a wingspan of barely 2 cm, while others—true giants—have wingspans of up to 30 cm.
Take a close look at the feeding stations: that’s often where you’ll see the full range of diversity, from the smallest species foraging discreetly to the largest ones moving slowly above the vegetation.
Since each species has a lifespan of only 2 to 3 weeks, the park’s population is constantly being replenished. So you’ll never see exactly the same scene from one visit to the next, which makes each visit unique.
Behind the Scenes of Reproduction
In addition to observing adult butterflies, the Mariposario del Drago also offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at how they are raised. Don’t miss this part!
The nursery, the heart of the park
The Mariposario del Drago has a laboratory and a nursery where caterpillars are raised and butterflies emerge. This captive breeding program partly supplies the park itself, but also provides animals to other similar centers. We found it fascinating to get a glimpse behind the scenes—a world that’s usually hidden from the general public.
Keep an eye out for the hanging chrysalises, which are sometimes golden or translucent depending on the species: their variety of shapes and colors is a highlight of the park in its own right. Since each species of butterfly requires very specific plants on which to lay its eggs, a wide variety of plants is grown in the park to provide food for the caterpillars at every stage of their development.
Observe the entire life cycle
Thanks to this breeding program, many butterflies are born every day right in the park, in addition to those that breed there naturally. So you’ll have the chance to observe, all in one go, every stage of the metamorphosis: the egg, the caterpillar, the chrysalis, and finally the adult butterfly. We found this educational aspect particularly interesting.
Pair this with the Dragonnier Park
The Mariposario del Drago is located right next to Dragon Tree Park, where the famous Drago Milenario stands. We strongly recommend that you combine both visits during your stay in Icod de los Vinos. Read more in our article.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO tenerife
- Best of
What to do in Tenerife
Most beautiful towns and villages
Most beautiful beaches
Best natural pools
The most beautiful landscapes
Most beautiful roads
Amusement parks
Best excursions in Tenerife
- Practical advice
25 tips for a successful trip to Tenerife
How to get around
How to rent a car in Tenerife
Driving tips
Best excursions (coming soon)
Where to stay in Tenerife
Itineraries: 3 days – 4 days – 5 days – 6 days – 1 week – 10 days
- The must-dos
Dolphin watching in Tenerife
Teide National Park
Anaga Rural Park (coming soon)
La Orotava
Garachico
Village of Masca
Pyramids of Güimar
