Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!

Ok, so Rio’s zoo isn’t up there with the best in the world, and anyone who objects to seeing animals in captivity won’t be adding it to their list of Rio ‘must-sees’, but as a fun and educational family day out it’s well worth the Metro ride to Rio’s Zona Norte (North Zone).

With an entry price of just R$6 for adults, and R$3 for children, the zoo is an affordable option for almost everybody in the city, and local families flock here at weekends. One word of advice – set off early, as the zoo is vast, and you’ll need to set aside a good few hours if you want to see everything.

One thing that sets Rio Zoo apart from the zoos of my native England is the impressive collection of non-captive wildlife dropping by to pay their distant relatives a visit. Flocks of vultures sit among the treetops, herons swoop above the man-made water features, and parakeets chatter happily above the parrot enclosures.

A few of the larger species, most notably the brown bears, could unarguably due with more freedom to roam, but generally the zoo is well-kept by South American standards, and there is a wealth of information about endangered species and animals native to Brazil.

Cash-strapped backpackers can snack on inexpensive pizza, popcorn and other such items of dubious nutritional quality, although it’s worth taking a picnic if you’re looking for something a little more substantial.

The easiest way to reach the zoo (known as the Jardim Zoologico is to take a Metro to Quinta da Boa Vista, where the zoo sits within the extensive park grounds of the Museu Nacional , a former palace that is well worth a visit in itself.