Zoológico de Cali — Attraction in Cali

The Zoo, is a fantastic destination. Managed by the Cali Zoo Foundation since 1981, the zoo has seen significant improvements in the animals' diet, natural habitats, and medical care.

Spanning 10 hectares along the picturesque Cali River, the zoo is home to approximately 1,200 animals representing around 180 species. The transformation from narrow, dirty cages to spacious, comfortable exhibits is remarkable. The animals are grouped by species, which enhances their living conditions and visitor experience.

The zoo's dedication to research, education, and preservation is evident in its five distinct sections: primates, butterflies, ocean and river fish, amphibians and reptiles, and birds.

The primate section features environments designed to mimic their natural habitats, while the mariposario (butterfly house) offers an immersive experience with over 800 butterfly species.

The aquariums showcase a diverse range of freshwater and saltwater fish, and the amphibian and reptile section highlights Colombia's rich biodiversity, including snakes, crocodiles, and poison frogs. Bird enthusiasts will appreciate the tropical forest exhibit, which shelters a variety of Colombian bird species.

A notable addition is the owls and pacaranas exhibit, opened in 2011, featuring five owl species and one mammal species. The exhibit includes an education center and a trail with binoculars and telescopes for observing owl nests.

The zoo also features the teatrino, an amphitheater for roleplays and animal shows, making the visit both educational and entertaining.

Overall, Cali Zoo is a beautifully maintained and well organised facility that offers a wonderful opportunity to learn about and appreciate Colombia's diverse wildlife. It’s a must visit for anyone...

A great place for the whole family to share and learn about wild animals, including many endemic to Colombia.

Although a zoo is still a zoo (with all due concerns about animal welfare), the Cali zoo deserves a good mention for the very nice habitats it guarantees to most animals and the great health conditions they show. I do mention most as, in my opinion, some aquarium spaces could be more spacey.

Animals have resting spaces where they can be undisturbed (although the occasional complaint can be heard about the animals not being in plain sight) and enclosures are adjusted to make sure animals have plenty of room according to their size as well as their usual activities.

There are also some fun games, snippets of information, informational videos, and other complimentary materials that help people understand more about the animals and learn about their habitat and lives.

A visit costs (at the time of this writing) 8 USD for adults, 5 USD for seniors, and 4 USD for children.

Most definitely recommend and...

The zoo is very nice and very well maintained. They have a lot of animals, and almost all were on display for pictures. That being said, that's one of the reasons I knocked off a star. I've been to other zoos in the US and Australia, and by comparison this one doesn't allow much room for the animals in their habitats. The habitats are small, which is why it's easy to spot and photograph the animals. We made a day of it, and enjoyed being outdoors and looking at everything. The animals seem to be well cared for and in good condition, as do the grounds. I was surprised to see the iguana's hanging out with all the other animals...They just go where they want and hang out with whichever animals they feel like. It was pretty cool. We went on a Saturday afternoon in February and there weren't big crowds. There's an expansion in the works that will include a Komodo Dragon. Definitely a good value if you're in Cali and looking for something to do with your family, or on a date.

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