Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
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As a single father of a young son I have had the greatest experiences here. My mother lives in Naples and we always go here despite the fact Florida has plenty of wildlife you don’t have to pay to see. We love it because the staff is very friendly and the gift shop is very nice but a little pricey. It’s worth it though. They keep this place clean and have workers walking around everywhere to help answer questions or tell you not to go a certain way and keeping the grounds clean. If I could upload a video on this the windows are so clean between you and the animals that I fooled my friends into thinking I was standing without fear a foot away from a bear and I jokingly taunted it and it looked real and they believed me until I told them I was kidding. You can feed the giraffes with lettuce for cheap and that is fun for my son and I. They have boats to travel around the zoo with a guide talking although it’s hot or miss if you’ll see anything spectacular and that part is mostly monkeys, the alligators are in a separate area. I would like to see better views of the alligators because they are so close but the bushes and grass make it hard to see the close ones. They have shaded areas and snacks to buy. Great snow comes for the heat. Last time we went they had two people dressed up as iron man and captain America which was fun for my son and I. It was when one of the captain America movies had recently come out so it attracted a lot of people but the lines never were too long and they were very polite. The heat is a pain and make sure you are prepared unless it’s cold or raining and if that’s the case they close a lot of things so plan it carefully. The captain America and iron man are our most recent experience here but everything is the same when I’ve visited besides that attraction.
Kevin InmanKevin Inman
20
This isn't a large zoo, for better or worse, and there aren't tons of animals to see. On the other hand, nearly all of the animals that ARE there happened to be very active -- with the exception of the sleeping lions -- and fun to watch. We did have a few surprises of the less welcome variety: the price posted in the brochures and on the website was lower than what we were charged on entry. Additionally, a bottle of water did not cost the $2.00 advertised on the case of the vending machine, but $3.00. It's actually rather expensive compared to other (larger) zoos that I've been to around the country. On the other hand, there aren't a lot of additional charges beyond drinks and food once you're inside. You can pay $5 to feed the giraffes if you want, but attending the live demonstrations and educational events is free. The mini-cruise around the lake is fun and (yay!) included in the zoo admission fee. I think it took us 15 or 20 minutes from start to finish, but the guide/helmsman was quite good. The staff we encountered were all friendly, knowledgeable, even charismatic on occasion. Visiting the (locally) famous Florida Panther named Uno was a real treat. What a cool animal, don't miss him or his feeding time demonstration! He was very vocal during our visit, too. Overall it's a great, though smaller and somewhat more expensive place to spend a few hours. The longer you spend, the more worthwhile it becomes (you can ride the boat multiple times without a fuss or any extra charges, although we did not do that). Note: so many animals have fenced enclosures that getting pictures is sometimes frustrating.
S. HallS. Hall
10
We have been here many times over the years. As a born and raised Naples girl, I went here as a kid even back when it was “Jungle Larry’s” and always loved it. We went here at 11:23am for boo at the zoo. We were done within 30 minutes. Why? The bees were horrific. We have been there before and noticed there were quite a few bees on the garbage cans; honestly, I would have thought this would have been rectified by now since it has been while since we have been. However, today we walked 20 feet in to the entrance where the “dinosaurs were” and bees greeted us. The gentleman said they were “all in the zoo”, but I was just assuming at the garbage cans. The further we walked down the path the worse the bees got. My 2 year old had 6 bees swarming him at once plus my daughter and myself had them too. We couldn’t even stand in line for many of the animals because the bees were so bad. They really were constantly everywhere and not knowing if my kid was going to get stung from swatting the bee away from his face was unnerving. We went up to the front desk to ask about the issue because it really was BAD. The customer service agent looked at me and just smiled and said “well, that’s just nature I don’t know what you want me to say.” She smirked and shook her head. That response was disappointing, to say the least. I am writing this review because I REALLY hope that this issue can be addressed. This is a problem that can be dangerous for many kiddos and adults who may be allergic or some kiddos might not even know that they are allergic. One kid in the parking lot was actually crying because they had gotten stung twice by them. The fact that we saw more bees than animals today at the zoo was alarming. I know FGCU put cherry pits in burlap bags near garbage cans to naturally repel bees. Something needs to be done to address the issue and we personally won’t risk going here again as it wasn’t worth the time and money, until it is resolved.
Tiffany’s FamilyTiffany’s Family
00
This is a nice zoo. Smaller than Miami zoo but still very nice. The Primate Expedition cruise is nice. What I really like about this zoo is that the animals are so close and you get a good view of the animals if they come near the viewing glass or just walk around their pen. It's not like Miami zoo where there is a moat for most animals and you have to zoom a lot to get a good picture. To feed the giraffes starts at $5, it depends on how many servings you want to feed them. Take pics quickly as the giraffe eats fast and really are close to you. You can pay for the zoo's pics or take your own. We are Naples residents so we got the family annual pass. It's for me, my husband and 2 daughters (3 y.o. and 3 months old). We added another family member. The cost of the yearly pass is about the cost of 2 tickets so we decided It's best to get the annual pass. We added another family member and the same one doesn't have to come each time. We also get discounts on items in the gift shop and concession stands. There are some other benefits too. It was about $150 total I think. My husband paid for the tickets and then I saw the poster about the annual pass and went back to get the annual pass instead. They allow you to make the change if you have your receipt, so keep it in case you change your mind. I have a 3 y.o. and she really likes the playground there. So even if we only go to the playground it's worth it. They are adding more animals to the zoo also. The zoo is about 40-45 mins away so it's a bit of a trek for us but worth it and a nice place to be out and about.
Ronnie AnnRonnie Ann
00
From the moment we entered the Naples Zoo, I knew we were in for a treat. I visited with my mom and my two-year-old daughter, and we all were thoroughly enchanted by our experience. One of the most impressive aspects of the zoo was how clean and well-maintained all the animal enclosures were. It's evident that the staff at Naples Zoo takes great care in ensuring a healthy and happy environment for the animals. The selection of animals was fantastic, offering a diverse range of species to admire. However, the true stars of our visit were the orangutans – a delightful family consisting of a mother, two daughters, and an adorable 3-year-old son. They were incredibly active and engaging, providing endless entertainment with their playful antics. Another highlight of our visit was the unique boat ride. The journey around a small lake took us past islands inhabited by various monkeys and apes. It was a magical experience, feeling like we were exploring a distant jungle. The boat captain deserves a special mention for his friendliness and the wealth of information he shared, making the ride not just fun but also educational. In conclusion, Naples Zoo is a must-visit destination. The combination of well-kept enclosures, a wide variety of animals, and unique experiences like the boat ride make it a perfect outing for family members of all ages. My daughter was mesmerized, my mom and I were impressed, and we're already planning our next visit!
Nikki CorreaNikki Correa
20
We were back yesterday. There were very many Lego animals. I am not sure they were really Legos but they were very similar. This is a traveling exhibit and move on at some point in the future. I just don't know when. My grandchildren were quite taken by this. One of the pieces looked as if it had been assaulted by some jerk; several of the Legos were missing. He probably fed them to the ibises. or maybe the ibises assaulted the figure and ate them primarily. When we sat down at a table to have lunch, the ibises were begging worse than my dog. The Florida panther was very active yesterday. My son-in-law did not make the trip because he stayed home waiting to sign for a package that FedEx never delivered. The alligator feeding was very disappointing, but amazing nonetheless. Two of the keepers were just walking around amongst the alligators as if they had no fear of being eaten. They threw some kind of homemade vitamin ball to the alligators. One of the keepers look like he was hand feeding an alligator. I was really hoping to see them crunch up a bunch of chickens or turkeys or larger critter, but that didn't happen. Oh, well. Oh! The giraffe exhibit is open. The giraffes reticulated pattern is unique, just like the hindquarter of a zebra or a human fingerprint. It is past time to say goodbye to reality TV and come to the zoo.
Jay RodriguezJay Rodriguez
00
Nearby Attractions Of Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Caribbean Gardens
Fleischmann Park
Freedom Park
Conservancy of Southwest Florida
Gordon River Greenway Park
FYE
COCO Art Gallery
COCO Art Gallery Naples
COCO Art Gallery Naples
Naples Zoo Playground

Caribbean Gardens
4.6
(548)Click for details

Fleischmann Park
4.7
(395)Click for details

Freedom Park
4.8
(403)Click for details

Conservancy of Southwest Florida
4.7
(278)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
Vourla Mediterranean Grill & Cafe
Tsaocaa Tea Naples
Twin Peaks
SweetMoon
Latinos 239
Planet Grilled Cheese
Chick-fil-A
Naples Wedding Catering by Friscos
Starbucks
Mango Thai

Vourla Mediterranean Grill & Cafe
4.5
(410)Click for details

Tsaocaa Tea Naples
4.9
(237)$
Click for details

Twin Peaks
4.5
(322)Click for details

SweetMoon
4.7
(69)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, Naples, FL 34102
Map
Phone
(239) 262-5409
Call
Website
napleszoo.org
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.4
(3.2K reviews)
Ratings & Description
outdoor
entertainment
family friendly
Description
The Naples Zoo is a 43-acre zoo and historic botanical garden. The first plantings were done by botanist and ornithologist Dr. Henry Nehrling in 1919. The gardens were neglected after Nehrling's death in 1929.
attractions: Caribbean Gardens, Fleischmann Park, Freedom Park, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Gordon River Greenway Park, FYE, COCO Art Gallery, COCO Art Gallery Naples, COCO Art Gallery Naples, Naples Zoo Playground, restaurants: Vourla Mediterranean Grill & Cafe, Tsaocaa Tea Naples, Twin Peaks, SweetMoon, Latinos 239, Planet Grilled Cheese, Chick-fil-A, Naples Wedding Catering by Friscos, Starbucks, Mango Thai

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