Tips and Experience for Visiting PortAventura Theme Park

Hey adventurers! Are you ready to dive into a day full of fun and adrenaline at one of Spain's most exciting amusement parks? We're talking about PortAventura, a theme park located in Tarragona province that promises to delight both the young and the young at heart. In this guide, we'll share our experience and provide you with the best tips to visit PortAventura, ensuring you make the most of your time there.

Is it worth it to go to PortAventura? What are the must-ride attractions? When is the best time to visit? Are there dining options, including vegan food? And do you really need to buy the express pass? Breathe easy, as we will analyze each of these points step by step, from the essentials to the latest recommendations, so you can enjoy one or several fantastic days with family.

PortAventura: Essential Information

Inaugurated in 1995, PortAventura has since welcomed millions of visitors who wander through its avenues, marveling at the decor and enjoying its thrilling rides. Let’s explore the park in detail.

✓ Where to Find and How to Get There

If you’re new to Spain, PortAventura is located in Vila-Seca, just a few kilometers from Salou, on the beautiful Costa Dorada. Here are three main ways to reach PortAventura:

1. By Car: There is a large parking area with daily fees of €14.
2. By Train: The "Salou-Port Aventura" train station is conveniently located behind the El Paso hotel. You can catch the Regional R17 line from Barcelona with stops in Tarragona, or the RT2 Rodalíes line towards L’Arboç with stops like Sant Vicenç de Calders. A ticket to Barcelona costs €7.70 and can be purchased at the station. Check here for schedules.
3. Tour from Barcelona: This option includes bus transportation and park entry. We recommend checking out this excursion to Port Aventura.

✓ How Much Do PortAventura Tickets Cost?

Tickets for a one-day entry to PortAventura range from €40 to €60 for adults, depending on the day of the week and the season (weekends and holidays tend to be pricier). Special rates apply for children under 10 and seniors over 60, while kids aged 0 to 3 enter for free. Flexible tickets, which are not tied to specific dates, start at €56 for adults.

For peace of mind, you can secure and book your tickets here.

There are also promotions and deals that provide multiple days of park access, hotel nights, and transportation. We chose a "Hotel + Tickets" promo, which provided a night at one of the park hotels and unlimited access to PortAventura for two days, along with a ticket to Ferrari Land for €123 for two people. This can be booked through the official website, with options for specific hotels or the "Hotel Roulette" where you get assigned a hotel just a day before your stay.

→ Check out all PortAventura promotions here.

✓ Is the Express Pass Worth It?

The Express Pass allows you to skip the normal lines for attractions. There are several types available, with prices ranging from €40 to €75. The most comprehensive option grants quick access to 10 rides, priority seating, and the ability to ride as many times as you like.

So, is it worth it? It really depends on the day and the season of your visit. For instance, if you visit on a Monday in October, you may find that the longest waits are around 30 minutes, with many secondary attractions having little to no wait. However, if you come on a weekend or during a busy season, the Express Pass may be advisable (though it’s not cheap).

Exploring the Themed Areas of PortAventura

PortAventura is divided into six unique themed areas, each with its own charm and atmosphere. Here’s a quick overview of each:

1. Mediterrània

The entrance area welcomes you with a Mediterranean fishing village vibe, featuring various shops, restaurants, and one of our favorite attractions, the Furious Baco.

2. Polynesia

This area is a tropical paradise filled with plants, wooden huts, tribal totems, and attractions like the Tutuki Splash, making it one of our top picks.

3. Sesame Street

This is the most family-friendly area, perfect for younger visitors with an array of colorful attractions designed for family fun.

4. China

Offering an easy way to experience the Far East, this section features attractions themed around China, Cambodia, and Nepal, including the thrilling Shambhala, the park's most exhilarating roller coaster.

5. Mexico

Enjoy a colorful Mexican atmosphere complete with mariachi music, cacti, and the thrilling Hurakan Condor, a freefall ride that will surely get your adrenaline pumping.

6. Far West

Step into the American Wild West in this beautifully crafted area. Get ready to be amazed by the wooden structures and exciting rides. Yeehaw!

Main Attractions in PortAventura

Whenever we visit PortAventura, we usually go with friends, and without children to care for, our focus is on the most exhilarating attractions. Here are our top picks:

✓ Shambhala (China)

This roller coaster takes you soaring and plummeting through the heights of the Himalayas. It’s a hypercoaster reaching a jaw-dropping height of 78 meters and a length of 1,600 meters! With 5 camelbacks, expect to reach speeds of 134 km/h!

✓ Dragon Khan (China)

A legendary attraction, the Dragon Khan features 8 loops and speeds reaching 110 km/h, making it a must-try.

✓ Uncharted (Far West)

The newest attraction, inaugurated in 2023, has quickly captured the hearts of many. This dark ride is an indoor roller coaster that promises excitement with lateral drops and inversions.

✓ Furius Baco (Mediterrània)

Don’t be fooled by its appearance; this roller coaster goes from 0 to 135 km/h in just 3 seconds, offering a thrilling ride over tunnels and around the Mediterranean lake.

✓ Tutuki Splash (Polynesia)

The most entertaining water attraction in the park, you board wooden boats for a 440-meter journey filled with ups, downs, and splashes—perfect for hot summer days!

✓ Hurakan Condor (Mexico)

A 100-meter drop tower reaching speeds of 115 km/h, this ride is sure to thrill those who dare to face their fears of heights!

✓ Stampida (Far West)

This wooden roller coaster is a bit gentler, reaching a speed of 70 km/h and providing a fun ride for those looking for something less intense.

The Best Attractions for Kids at PortAventura

PortAventura is a family-oriented amusement park, boasting numerous attractions for the little ones. Here are some that will surely delight your children:

Mediterrània

Begin your journey in this charming fishing village with a ride on the old locomotive heading to Far West.

Far West

• Buffalo Rodeo: A thrilling bumper car ride designed specifically for young children.
• Tomahawk: A gentle roller coaster that will get their hearts racing.
• Carousel: A classic merry-go-round perfect for family photos.

Polynesia

Children can embark on an aquatic adventure with Canoes, navigating the lakes and rivers of Polynesia.

SésamoAventura

• Street Mission: Help Coco complete a secret mission in this exciting dark ride.
• Elmo's Farm: A fun tractor ride through Elmo's farm with his adorable animal friends.
• Blas's Drop: A kid-friendly drop ride where children can choose their preferred height for a gentle fall.
• SésamoAventura Station: The starting point for a whimsical train ride through the enchanting world of China.

China

• Children's Area: A playground with slides, swings, and mythological creature-themed games.
• Tea Cups: Giant teacups that spin to their heart's content.
• Angkor: A jungle boat ride where kids can shoot at targets with water guns.

Mexico

• Armadillos: A delightful ride through the lush Mexican landscape.
• The Colts: A fun horse ride through obstacles at a gentle pace.

Remember, all attractions have a minimum height requirement. You can check these at the entrance of each ride or on the official website.

Haunted Attractions

Throughout PortAventura, there are themed haunted attractions that require an additional fee ranging from €5 to €8. The peak season to experience these is Halloween, but they are available year-round with specific operating hours.

During our visit, we experienced Horror in Texas in the Far West area and The Living Dead in Mexico. Although the characters and ambiance were well-executed, I found it lacking in psychological thrill and depth, relying instead on jump scares. It felt more like a series of startling surprises rather than a true haunted house experience.

Other haunted attractions include Mayan Apocalypse in Mexico, REC® Experience in Polynesia, and The Cursed Island in the Caribe Aquatic Park, which is the longest and costliest of the bunch.

Attractions with Single Rider Access

Single Rider access allows visitors to board attractions without waiting in the regular line, filling empty seats. This option is perfect for solo visitors or those who don’t mind riding alone.

Attractions that offer Single Rider access at PortAventura include: Uncharted, Hurakan Condor, and Shambhala.

Dining Options at PortAventura

Each themed area features various restaurants, snack stands, and sweet treats. We chose to dine in the Mexican area at La Cantina, where a full menu of starter, main, dessert, and drink costs around €20 (the chili was particularly delicious). Vegan options are available even in desserts.

Other recommended restaurants include:

• Bora Bora: Healthy options like salads and poke bowls.
• The Old Steak House: Classic American cuisine.
• Racó de Mar: Mediterranean dishes.
• LaLiga TwentyNine’s: Located outside the park, themed around the Spanish football league (they offered a €10 discount for guests staying at park hotels).

Every time you make a purchase, you can earn credits on your hotel/entry card, which you can redeem at restaurants and shops (with a minimum spend of €40).

If you have full board, you can dine at the following restaurants within the park: Cantón, Bora Bora, Jeremia's Food, The Old Steak House, La Cocina de Epi, La Cantina, and Café Saula. Check out this Instagram account dedicated to PortAventura dining.

Accommodation Options at PortAventura

There are several hotels within the park. As mentioned earlier, we opted for a package deal that included hotel and entry to PortAventura and Ferrari Land. When choosing where to stay, we had the option to either select a specific hotel or go with the "Hotel Roulette," letting chance decide our accommodation. We ended up in a hotel we quite liked: El Paso.

We had no issues with our room, which had a great view of Ferrari Land. However, our friends did experience some challenges with a room that smelled musty, a common issue in certain areas of the hotel (specifically rooms starting with 5xxx and 6xxx). Thankfully, they were able to switch to a better room.

The hotels at PortAventura include:

• Hotel Mansion de Lucy $$$
• Hotel Colorado Creek $$
• Hotel PortAventura $$
• Hotel Caribe $$
• Hotel El Paso $$
• Hotel Gold River $

The price varies depending on the day and season, with higher rates on weekends, holidays, and special occasions. Expect to pay between €125 and €200 for a package of one night in a hotel and park entry for two people.

→ Find more information about each PortAventura hotel here.

Alternatively, you can always stay in hotels in Salou or nearby and take advantage of the opportunity to explore beaches and other areas of the region. Notable options include:

• H10 Salauris Palace (near PortAventura)
• Blaumar Hotel (seafront, we stayed here for an extra night)
• Ona Suites Salou

If you do not have a car, a taxi between Salou and PortAventura costs about €15.

Tips for Visiting PortAventura (and Not Ruining It)

Finally, here are some recommendations to make your visit to PortAventura unforgettable:

• Try to avoid summer and weekends. These are the busiest times, leading to longer lines.
• To maximize your time, it’s best to arrive early. Check the park hours here.
• During lunch, most visitors are dining in the park's restaurants, so this is a great time to hit the main attractions with shorter waits.
• Utilize the single rider option whenever possible to save time.
• Feel free to carry a small bag/backpack while exploring the attractions. There are designated areas to leave your belongings, and you can easily retrieve them afterward. This service is free.
• If you have larger bags and need to store them, there are lockers available at the entrance for €8.
• Download the PortAventura APP: it provides real-time wait times (sometimes minutes or hours) and a map of the park highlighting attractions, shows, and dining options.
• Wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll be walking a lot! If you plan to ride a water attraction and don’t want to get soaked, a cheap rain poncho can come in handy.
• Bring a reusable water bottle: there are water fountains in the restrooms where you can refill.
• Check the show schedules (find them here) to make sure you don’t miss any that interest you.

That wraps up our experience and the best tips for visiting PortAventura. We hope this post proves helpful and that you have an unforgettable day! If you have any specific questions or doubts, feel free to leave a comment, and we’ll respond as soon as possible.

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