Buenos Aires Zoo boasts over 3 million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited attractions in Argentina—and for good reason. The zoo, located in the famous Palermo district, is home to over 2,500 animals from all over the planet and is set over an impressive 18 hectares of land. When it first opened its doors in 1875, the zoo’s aim was to bring as many exotic animals to the people of Argentina as possible. Today, the focus has changed and it now aims to be a world leader in conservation and animal protection.
It has a reptile house, an aquarium, a tropical rainforest, and a farm where children and adults are welcome to pet and feed animals such as rabbits, cows, and goats. Visitors can also feed more exotic animals, like zebras and camels, so be sure to check each enclosure to see if there is a feeding station—the kids will love this! The landscape here is unique there are lakes and islands scattered throughout the zoo which house monkeys and birds. The rainforest exhibition at the far end of the zoo has waterfalls and a large elevated bridge that invites visitors to walk up in the treetops.
The animals’ habitats have been expanded and redesigned to give them a space as close as possible to their native habitats and to give visitors an authentic experience: the polar bears’ exhibit has an underwater viewing area and the elephant house is built like the ruins of an Indian temple. Some of the more interesting animals include kangaroos, the common and pygmy varieties of African hippos, and spectacled bears—which are the only bears native to South America. The Buenos Aires Zoo has something to delight everyone, so don’t miss it during your trip.
The zoo can be easily reached by public transport. There is an entrance fee, but the experience is well worth the money. The zoo is open every day with the exception of Mondays.
