Aventura Amazonia Marbella

It's a very big park. It is quite well maintained and it covers a large area, laid out in the pine forest at Elviria just off the A-7 between Marbella and Fuengirola, about 500 metres from the beach. Everything looks well maintained and set up for a high volume of people. Nothing looks shoddy.

We were here in the middle of October for a kids' party, and it was very busy for the time of year — not bad for mid-October. Even so, there were plenty of people working, and that showed when it mattered.

One of the kids with us at the party needed a hand up on one of the trees. We didn't have to wait long — maybe 10 to 20 seconds and someone came along and helped them. The people working here seem to be very switched on, and they are well dotted around the place, so you are never far from someone.

There is a lot of safety equipment. They are very strict on the safety procedures in the beginning — everyone is kitted out with a harness and given the rules, the main one being that both hooks stay clipped to the life line at all times — and then they let you off to enjoy the park. It is set up for safety, but they are also not playing it too cautious either. There are some very, very high and very risky kinds of rides on the bigger courses.

The courses are graded by colour and height. There is a beginners' zone and a Mini Kids area for 3 to 6 year olds, then Kids (from 6 years and 1.15 m), Explorador (1.35 m, or 1.25 m for children), Jungla (1.35 m), Aventura (1.45 m) and Deportivo, the highest, for 1.60 m and up. The park says there are 24 zip lines in all, the longest around 240 metres. A ticket gives you up to three hours on the circuits, and the kids don't seem to get bored with climbing around.

Prices on the board at the entrance for 2026: children (6+ and 1.15 to 1.34 m) €20, juniors (1.35 m and under 16) €22 and adults €24, rising to €23, €25 and €27 in high season (Easter, July and August). Mini Kids is €10, or €12 in high season. Non-climbing companions pay €1 each, up to four per group, and groups of 8 to 24 people — or families of four — get €1 off each ticket, with €2 off for groups of 25 or more.

The food was okay. I had some pizza. It's about what you expect at places like this — so not great, but also not terrible. Pizzas are €10, and there is a €12.50 meal deal with a hot dog, wrap, pizza or burger, a side and a drink. The restaurant terrace is covered and has plenty of tables.

There's a large picnic area as well if you want to bring your own stuff — rows of picnic tables in the shade of the pines. You can just sit down and enjoy your own lunch, which helps keep the cost of a day down.

Opening hours change through the year. The park opens at 10:00 and closes anywhere between 18:00 and 21:00 depending on the season, and the circuits close earlier than the park, so check the calendar on the website before you go.

All in all, it's a very nice feeling to be here. You could easily spend the afternoon, or half or three quarters of a day here, and not get bored. This is a high-scoring one, and we're giving it some really high marks.