The butterfly garden in Tenerife is a high-flyer in showcasing the captivating colors of a butterfly’s life.
Tenerife is not only a cute island, on the island you will find something for everyone. There is something for every interest group. Small and big, young and old get their money’s worth.
The butterfly garden is a fine example of this, offering a variety of ‘things to visit’. However, the mariposa room, meaning butterfly garden, has an eventful history. It was closed several times by court order.
Closed
The butterfly conservatory, opened in the late 1990s had mainly educational value; many children have learned there what ‘metamorphosis’ means and that butterflies eat by sucking their food.
In the summer of 2013, the butterfly garden was closed for the umpteenth time. By then, the actual conflict with the municipality of Icod de Los Viños had been going on for 19 years. In fact, mayor Juan José Dorta (PSC) was the head of the pack. Many a Chicharreros alleged a personal feud between the operator of the butterfly garden and the mayor. The latter formally denies… of course! The truth, however, was an administrative and financial disorder in which certificates and approvals were also out of order.
Open again
In early August 2015, a Dutch-speaking family noticed from the ‘dragon tree’ that there was movement in and around the butterfly garden. As they approached, they were pleasantly surprised; the conservatory was open and the entrance was free on this day. All the woes have thus been put away. Tenerife is once again a rich attraction!
Officially opened in June 1997, the Mariposario del Drago is the first centre solely dedicated to butterflies in Spain. It is located in one of the most important tourist enclaves on the island of Tenerife, near the 1000-year-old Dragon Tree in Icod de Los Viños. More than 800 exotic butterflies fly around freely and interact directly with visitors. Originating from tropical regions all over the world, such as Malaysia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Australia, Papua, etc …
The range includes and some of the most spectacular species and one contains a variety that amazes everyone insanely. A variety from the smallest butterflies with a wingspan of just 2 cm to giants with 30 cm wingspans. Caterpillars are bred in the laboratory and emerge as butterflies before being released into the large glass room. As a visitor, you can witness a miraculous metamorphosis and you and the kids do have an educational point there.
Mariposario
It is definitely worth planning a time to visit and take in the 2000 m² conservatory. You can go there every day; Monday to Saturday from 10am to 7pm at Avenida Canarias S/N (next to Drago Milenario) in Icod de Los Viños. Contact: 922 815 167 or mail@mariposario.com.
Entrance fee according to the website is €9.50 for adults, €7.50 for residents and €6,50 for children (2-12 years old).
Ineke Meijer © Photography
Butterfly garden in Tenerife ©
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