Eco zoológico San Martín — Attraction in Lligua

This is a terrible zoo with distressed animals, poor enclosures and lack of health and safety.

The animals do not have enough space and are kept in very basic housing that does not replicate their natural habitat.

The white tigers are kept behind concrete walls with a caged ceiling for visitors to drop litter into their enclosure and the only windows they have are constantly filled with people peering in. Between pacing back and forth panting, one of the tigers did a running jump at the window. People found this funny but the animal is quite clearly distressed and sick of being watched with nowhere in the enclosure to go and hide.

In some cases the animals were separated from visitors only by a fence that was low enough for children to reach over - the poor tapirs had their backs to the wall of their tiny habitat obviously not wanting to come anywhere near the people. I saw a girl put her hand through a cage and touch a spider monkey. No staff were around anywhere in the zoo to oversee such instances and ensure the animals were kept at a safe distance from people.

There was an injured Toucan hopping around on the floor of his cage with an injured leg. None of the birds had enough space to fly.

It makes me so angry that people have rated this place a even a 3 star zoo when the animals are quite clearly being mistreated and are terribly unhappy.

Besides from the animal cruelty going on here it is an extremely poorly laid out zoo with many dead ends so you're repeatedly walking back on yourself. There is not enough path space for visitors to walk through without pushing into each other and due to all the steps/rocky paths/slippery surfaces this zoo would not be suitable for prams, wheelchairs, elderly or anyone with walking difficulties.

All this place cares about is making money from tourists. If you love animals. DO...

We visited Eco Zoológico San Martín and had a great time overall. The zoo is well maintained, and we saw a variety of animals, including colorful birds, funny monkeys, a rare puma, and even a capybara, which was a highlight. They also have a bear, though it was sleeping during our visit. The place was entertaining and enjoyable, especially for animal lovers.

However, one thing did leave a bad impression. After our visit, an employee approached our driver and asked for $1 for parking, even though there were no signs, no receipts, and no indication that parking costs anything. It felt like the fee was only being asked because we were tourists, and not part of any official policy. Our driver later confirmed that no one is supposed to pay for parking there.

That kind of behavior is disappointing and reflects poorly on an otherwise great experience. I don’t believe the employee was authorized to collect that money, and it’s worth pointing out so that other visitors are aware and can politely question this if it happens to them.

Aside from that, the zoo itself is definitely worth checking out — just be mindful of...

Eco Zoológico San Martín in Ecuador is a must-visit for tourists seeking an exceptional wildlife experience. The park is beautifully designed, featuring spacious enclosures that allow you to observe a wide variety of animals in a naturalistic setting. The knowledgeable staff provide fascinating insights into the animals and their habitats, enhancing the visit. The park's commitment to conservation and education is evident throughout, making it both a visually stunning and informative experience. For an unforgettable day out in Ecuador, Eco Zoológico San Martín is an...