Latin America is a wonderful place for a nature-based vacation, thanks to its luscious flora and fauna. But what if you’re in the mood to see some wildlife and don’t have time to venture into the nearest rainforest or scale the nearest mountain?
Zoos in Latin America normally don’t get that much press from international media, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t worth visiting. Whether you’re on vacation or a business trip in Mexico, Central or South America, there are lots of strategically placed havens to view wildlife that represents the region’s animal populations as well as, sometimes, creatures from the far corners of the globe.
Spending a day at a zoo, in fact, can be an easy way to connect with the diverse wildlife and ecosystems that make Latin America such a fascinating region in which to travel. And if you’re planning a Latin America vacation with children, visiting a well-designed zoo or eco-park can provide easy access to learn about Latin American wildlife, in a format that’s fun (and less tiring) for kids.
Here are five noteworthy zoos to add to your next itinerary.
1. Zoológico Guadalajara (Guadalajara Zoo)
Guadalajara, Mexico
The Guadalajara Zoo, located in Mexico‘s second-largest city, is noted for its diversity of species, especially birds, but also includes a variety of endangered species. In fact, some species — like the endangered and rare Mexican wolf and Morelet’s crocodile — have been bred in captivity at the zoo for conservation purposes. The zoo features birds, mammals, reptiles, and even a new jellyfish display and culture lab, which is the first of its kind in Latin America.
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2. Gramado Zoo
Gramado, Brazil
Located in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, the Gramado Zoo has been operating in Brazil since September of 2008, and operates based on a concept of animal welfare, research, education, and environmental conservation. Instead of bars and cages, the Gramado Zoo works hard to recreate each animal’s natural habitat, with features like enormous soaking ponds to keep residents comfortable. The zoo focuses on presenting animals exclusively from the Brazilian Ecosystem, which has the highest rate of biodiversity on the planet. The facility currently houses more than 1,500 animals, including jaguars and various birds, and with the focus on environmental education, the zoo is truly remarkable and a rewarding place to visit — you can even arrange for an after-dark tour.
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3. Bubalcó Zoo
Patagonia, Argentina
With its emphasis on scientific and educational conservation, Bubalcó is located on the banks of Rio Negro (Black River) in Argentina, and features a huge open space that allow animals to interact with their environment naturally. Residents range from birds to antelopes, pumas to ocelots, and turtles to tigers. The zoo offers a wide variety of educational programs geared to children, allowing them to learn about animals in their natural habitat.
4. Amaru Zoologico Cuenca
Cuenca, Ecuador
This zoo, located in the popular tourism destination of Cuenca, Ecuador, is more like a biopark, offering a tremendously diverse experience, with a wide variety of species including birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. There are more than 40 different exhibits, including venomous snakes and mountain lions. The facility’s conservation focus is evident in habitats for animals like the Andean bear, among others. The zoo was founded in 2002 and has rapidly become a leader in the environmental community, offering educational services and activities to tourists and locals alike.
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5. Zoológico Matecaña (Matecaña Zoo)
Pereira, Colombia
Arguably, this is the oldest zoo on the list, and its history is fascinating. The zoo was established in 1959 in Colombia‘s coffee region, and in 1961, the zoo foundation was officially established. Among the earliest residents at Matecaña were condors, Bengal tigers, eagles and flamingos. In 1968, the zoo purchased an elephant, zebra, hippos, babboons, and antelopes. This went on until 1993, when African fauna arrived; in 1999 the education department established environmental education programs for conservation and biodiversity in Columbia, taking the zoo to the next step. Today, the zoo features 800 animals representing 150 different species, as well as a highly diverse garden area.
Photo credit: ucumari photography via Visualhunt.com / CC BY-NC-ND