Accessible leisure parks
Enjoying rest, relaxation and fun in one of the numerous leisure parks in Andalusia is possible for people who suffer from a disability, whether it is physical or sensory in nature.
For a leisure park to be considered adapted, it must meet certain requirements. On one hand, it must be accessible and secure, i.e. the people who visit should be able to move around safely, and its annexes must be accessible; and secondly, an adapted leisure park is inclusive, i.e. it ensures guests with varying degrees of difficulty have fun, regardless of their differences. Let's take a look at some examples.
Malaga: Selwo and Bioparc Fuengirola
On the Costa del Sol there are several examples of accessible leisure centres. Firstly, we have Benalmádena, which is where you will find Selwo Marina, an exclusive park that has the only dolphinarium and penguinarium in Andalusia. A visit to its facilities will take you on a journey to different parts of South America to discover its marine life and birds. This is a comfortable, easily accessible visit for people with mobility difficulties.
A half-hour drive away is Selwo Aventura in Estepona. In this wild land, which occupies a million square metres, more than 2,000 animals from all over the planet live in semi-freedom and conditions very similar to those of their natural habitat. The park's philosophy is to bring the visitor closer to the diverse species. A part of the park's routes can be walked and they are prepared for wheelchair users. Don't forget that you are in nature's midst, meaning there are zones that present uneven terrain. For routes that are hard to access for people with certain disabilities, the park has alternatives to transport visitors.
Since it was opened in June 2001, Bioparc Fuengirola has been a leader in Spanish leisure centres and European zoos. It is a new concept of zoo where you will enjoy the flora and fauna of the rainforest. It stays faithful to the natural environments of its animals in areas where different species share the same space. The area, which is located in Fuengirola, covers the flora and fauna of Madagascar, Equatorial Africa and Southeast Asia. This zoo without barriers is designed to be visited by people of all ages, thanks to its gentle ramps and rest areas that can easily be used.
Isla Mágica, in Seville, and Roquetas de Mar Aquarium
Isla Mágica, in Seville, is a theme park based on the discovery of America, opened in 1997. Built on part of the lands of the Universal Expo of 1992, the park has six themed areas and a water area, named Agua Mágica. When it was opened, it was the first theme park in the world to be situated in acity, as normally they are found outside urban centres. The park is perfectly adapted to accommodate the visit of disabled people. It has a free wheelchair loan service and all attractions have a general public access point and another for people in wheelchairs. It also has adapted toilets, homogenous/non-slip paving and no projecting elements. Furthermore, people with reduced mobility or wheelchair users may access each attraction they wish to go on using ride exits.
Roquetas de Mar Aquarium, in the Province of Almeria, covering more than 3,000 square metres, is the largest aquarium in Andalusia. Highlights include the tropical room, representing a tropical river in the Amazon basin; the exhibition of a tropical marine ecosystem; the Oceanarium; the Mediterranean Room; and the 'Toca Toca' Pools where you can discover the textures of some fish. All facilities are accessible and it has an adapted WC equipped with technical assistance.
