Visiting the Asunción Zoo – My Honest Experience
If you’re spending some time in Paraguay’s capital and looking for something fun and family-friendly, I definitely recommend visiting the Asuncion Zoo.
I’ve been twice now, both during different seasons, and it’s always a fun outing where you can easily spend an entire morning or afternoon animal gazing and enjoying a bite to eat.
The zoo itself isn’t fancy or very modern, but it has a lot of charm and certainly a large variety of animals (especially for what I expected from a zoo in Paraguay). You’ll see everything from big cats like jaguars and tigers to monkeys swinging around, and even a couple of hippos lounging in the water. Lets dive into your guide of the Asuncion Zoo and what you can expect for your visit.
Location & Getting There
The Asuncion Zoo is located inside the Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asuncion, near to the Costanera. It’s super easy to get to by car or taxi. Both times I visited, we took an Uber.
The only challenge with this is there are various parking lots, and you will first come across the National History Museum parking lot. However, you will want your driver to drive further into the park and follow the road to the left, which will bring you to the Zoo entrance and the Zoo parking lot.
Upon your arrival to the zoo entrance and parking lot, you will notice there are many people and vendors outside the entrance, selling everything from asado and chicken and rice plate to ice cream and churros.
It almost feels like a little street fair. There are also of course various souvenir stands with locals selling everything from wooden carved animal figures to umbrellas.
It’s also worth mentioning that because the zoo is close enough to the Chacarita slums, you’ll see some young kids and people who might look a bit sketchy, but I never personally felt like my safety was a problem. Just keep an eye on your stuff and be aware of your surroundings, like you would be in any big city.
Tip: Another park I recommend visiting in Asuncion is Nu Guazu Park. Check out the full blog guide and video below on this park located in Luque
Admission & Hours
One thing I love about the Asuncion Zoo is how affordable it is. Entry costs just 11,000 guaraní per person. That’s a little over a dollar if you’re coming with USD or another strong currency, making it a budget-friendly way to spend an afternoon.
I paid in cash both times I visited, and I recommend you bring small bills because, like a lot of places in Paraguay, they don’t always have change for bigger notes.
Now, about the hours—this part can get a bit confusing, I know it certainly was for me. Google Maps shows that the zoo closes at 4:00 PM, and when I was planning my visit, that’s the time I kept seeing everywhere online that the zoo closes.
This time, we finished our zoo round right after 4 PM, and there were still plenty of families walking in even after 4 PM, with the admission booth still selling tickets. So, while the official hours might say it closes at 4 PM online, it doesn’t seem like they kick everyone out right away. I think perhaps they close and start asking people to leave around sunset. Or perhaps they kept admissions open simply because it was a Sunday there were many families there. Who knows, its Paraguay.
One really important thing to know, though: the zoo is closed every Monday. The rest of the week, it’s open daily, and if you want to avoid crowds, your best bet is to visit during the week.
On weekends, it definitely gets busier—especially with local families bringing their kids—but it’s never so packed that you can’t enjoy yourself. When I went on a weekday (in the off season, winter months), I almost had the entire zoo to myself, which made it relaxing to walk and take my time. You can easily walk for 1-3 hours, and while its not a huge zoo, there is certainly a big variety of different animals. I will discuss this in the next section.
Do you enjoy living in Paraguay? Learn more about my day to life and what to expect living in Paraguay
What You’ll See Inside
The Asuncion Zoo has a wide variety of animals, especially for its size and price. Both times I visited, I was surprised by how many different species they had.
One of the first things you’ll probably notice is the big cats. There’s one jaguar (at least when I visited), several pumas, and quite a few tigers. The enclosures are basic but well-kept, and there are two fences between you and the animals, so your kids are protected if they stick their hands through one of the fences.
If you’re a fan of monkeys, you’ll definitely be happy here. There are lots of monkeys inside the zoo, and even quite a few wild ones running around outside their cages. I thought it was pretty cool to see some monkeys just freely hopping through the trees as I walked by. There’s also a nice variety of birds, including colorful parrots, owls, and other local species.
With the monkeys, keep in mind wild moneys like to take items, so if you have a camera or phone beside you while sitting on a bench, a wild monkey may just come up and grab it from you. I didn’t experience this or see anyone else who this happened to, but its good to be aware of it.
Another highlight is the pond area. The first time I visited, I spotted some alligators sunbathing near the water, though the second time I went, I didn’t see them. I’m guessing they’re still there—maybe just hiding. You’ll also find deer, a few ostriches, and I spotted a wild house cat (haha) in the pond area, which is fenced off. I don’t know how the alligators don’t eat these animals inside the fenced area with it, but they seem to all live in peace.
One of the most surprising animals for me were the two hippos. I wasn’t expecting to see hippos in Paraguay, but there they were, chilling in their little pond. There were two different areas for each hippo this time, but one area was closed off. The hippos are usually in the water and the pond isn’t close to where you would stand to get a good viewing of them, but you can see a portion of them (the portion that is not submerged).
The paths around the zoo are spacious and shaded by big trees, so it’s a comfortable walk, even on a hot day. There are benches if you want to take a break, and since the zoo is part of the larger botanical garden, it feels like you’re walking through a big park.
There were many families and young kids at the zoo, so I would highly recommend this as a family-friendly activity for the weekend. The one thing I will note is that the infrastructure of the park is not the most modern, and you will find mostly dirt paths to connect the areas with the big cats, birds, and monkeys. You will want to be careful of tripping, especially near the big cat area where there is no paved path, you will only find trodden dirt paths.
I didn’t find this a big issue, and many kids seemed fine to walk these paths, however if you have young kids learning to walk, a stroller is best.
Food & Vendors Outside the Zoo
One of the things I enjoy about visiting the Asuncion Zoo is the whole experience—not just the animals, but also the local Paraguayan scene happening outside the entrance. Right after you exit (or even before you enter), you’ll notice a bunch of local vendors set up along the street. It feels like a mini street market.
The last time I went, I grabbed a plate of chicken, mandioca, and rice for 25,000 guaraní, which is super affordable. It was a big plate and definitely filling. You’ll also find all kinds of snacks here—everything from popsicles to ice cream to fresh churros. I couldn’t resist getting a churro (with dulce de leche) after walking around the zoo for a couple of hours. You can also pick up small souvenirs, drinks, water, sodas, and candy from the different stands.
Final Thoughts on the Asuncion Zoo
After visiting the Asuncion Zoo twice now, I can honestly say it’s one of those spots in the city that’s well worth checking out—especially if you’re looking for an affordable, family-friendly activity.
It’s not a luxury zoo or anything super fancy, but it’s charming in its own way. The variety of animals is impressive, and the setting, with big trees and shaded paths, makes it a nice ways to spend the afternoon.
If you’re planning to go, here are a few of my top tips:
- Go during the week if you want fewer crowds. My first visit was on a weekday, and it felt like I had the whole zoo to myself. Weekends are busier with families but still manageable.
- Bring cash in small bills. Entry, snacks, and vendors outside all prefer cash, and they may not have change for larger bills.
- Don’t stress about safety, but stay aware. The zoo is right next to Chacarita, so you’ll see some rougher areas, but I never felt like I was in danger. Just be smart, like you would anywhere.
- Check the opening days! Remember, the zoo is closed on Mondays. Any other day, you’re good to go, and don’t worry too much about the exact closing time—they don’t seem strict.
- Plan time to explore outside the zoo. Arrive hungry, grab some street food, try a churro, and soak up the local vibe—it’s part of what makes your Asuncion Zoo visit unique.
Tip: If you’re living in or visiting Asuncion, I highly recommend checking out La Cuadrita street (a cute walking street), and my all-time favourite restaurant in the city, Casa Clari, with the most stunning views in the country.
FAQ: Visiting the Asuncion Zoo
Admission to the Asuncion Zoo is currently 11,000 guaraní per person, which is quite affordable. That’s roughly just over one U.S. dollar. It’s a great option if you’re traveling on a budget but still want to see something fun and different in Asuncion.
Officially, Google Maps shows the zoo closes at 4:00 PM, but based on my experience, people were still walking in even after 4 PM. There’s no hard stop where they kick everyone out right away. One important thing: the zoo is closed every Monday, so avoid going on that day.
There’s a great mix of animals at the Asuncion Zoo. Some of the highlights include:
Jaguars
Pumas
Tigers
Monkeys (both caged and wild ones)
Birds like parrots and owls
Ostriches
Deer
Goats
Hippos
Possible alligators near the pond area
It’s a fun mix, and there’s plenty to see without feeling rushed.
The zoo is located near the Chacarita slum, which might seem a little sketchy at first glance. You’ll probably see some younger kids and people selling things outside the zoo. That said, I personally didn’t feel unsafe during my visits. Like any city, just keep an eye on your belongings, and you should be fine.
There aren’t any food options inside the zoo itself, but right outside, you’ll find tons of street vendors selling local food. You can grab things like chicken and rice plates, ice cream, churros, popsicles, and more. I recommend bringing cash so you can easily buy snacks and drinks after your zoo visit.
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