Medellín’s largest zoo, the Santa Fe Zoological Park, is home to more than 1,000 animals from Africa, Asia and North and South America, including hippos, bears and big cats. In addition to its sizeable collection of animals, the zoo also has a gift shop, a museum, several restaurants and cafés and an auditorium.
Witness rare big cats, such as pumas, Bengal tigers and jaguars, up close. Pay a visit to the monkeys and watch as these lively primates play. The zoo has an especially good tropical section, featuring animals such as pygmy marmoset and the world’s largest rodent, the capybara. Walk into the aviary and marvel at the vibrantly coloured birds. In the butterfly house, learn about the life cycles of butterflies in Colombia.
The zoo also contains a wide variety of fauna. The numerous trees and plants make the zoo one of the city’s most forested areas.
The Santa Fe Zoological Park was built on the former site of a ranch. The land was given to the city in the 1950s, and the park opened in 1960. You can see the well-preserved former home of the land donor at the Casa Santa Fe Museum. This beautiful home has a beautiful Arabic-tiled fountain. The house’s manicured garden is an excellent place to relax.
Santa Fe Zoological Park is open everyday of the week, from morning until late afternoon. There is an admission fee, but children under 12 receive a 50% discount and toddlers are free. There is plenty of parking available for a small fee. Admission and parking can be paid for with either credit cards or cash.
The zoo is situated near the wealthy Poblado distict in the city’s southern area. The Ciudad del Rio Park and the Medellín Museum of Modern Art are only a few blocks away. To get to the zoo, ride the subway to the Industriales stop, which is only a short walk away, or catch a cab.
