Looking to visit the top zoo in Guatemala? In that case, you are in the right place. I can easily spend a whole day at La Aurora Zoo, which is one of my favorite places in the city.
I’m here to provide you with all the knowledge you need to enjoy yourself at La Aurora.
Animal lovers, families, and anyone looking for a day away from the noise of traffic, horns, and diesel smells will enjoy this Guatemala City attraction. It provides a welcome change from computer screens.
Who wouldn’t want to spend the day surrounded by enormous white rhinos and little cotton-top tamarin monkeys, after all? I’m assuming you would, given that you clicked on this post.
But what can one anticipate at the zoo?
You can see Humboldt penguins, enormous anacondas, magnificently plumed birds, marine fish, orange iguanas, and hundreds of other species as you stroll along the zoo’s lush garden walks.
Continue reading to find all the information you require about visiting La Aurora Zoo in one convenient location.
Is it worthwhile to visit Guatemala’s La Aurora Zoo?
Yes! La Aurora is without a doubt worth visiting, in my opinion. It is a wonderful location to spend several hours observing animals and discovering interesting information about them.
One of the top 15 zoos in the Americas, La Aurora is regarded as the greatest in Central America. Though I haven’t visited many zoos, I do accept the assertion.
My family and I spent over SEVEN hours at the zoo on our most recent trip, exploring every exhibit, taking pictures, feeding giraffes, learning about the animals, and having fun on the swinging bridges. We adored every aspect!
The Greater Vancouver Zoo in Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada, is the only other zoo I’ve seen recently. Personally, I compare La Aurora Zoo to that.
The Aldergrove Zoo’s enclosures are a glaring distinction, being significantly larger. But Guatemala outperforms other countries in terms of the variety of species. That’s fairly impressive for a nation the size of Tennessee, in my opinion.
The zoo has significantly improved over time. There are ever more specialized enclosures and fewer cages. Despite being small, the animals are well-cared for, and the surroundings are lovely.
Additionally, there are chances to partake in exclusive activities, VIP encounters, and occasions like Trompita the elephant’s birthday.
You can participate in a 5K to “Run for the Zoo” and even witness the nocturnal creatures in action at “Nights Under the Moon.”
What attractions does the La Aurora Zoo offer?
There are roughly 2,500 animals in the La Aurora Zoo, representing 287 different species. America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania are their home continents.
In addition, the zoo features areas for fish, birds, snakes, and a small farm with domesticated animals.
The complex is completed by lovely plants and trees, recreation grounds, event spaces, and a food court.
Esquilandia is a theme park containing rides like bumper cars, slides, and merry-go-rounds that you can also enjoy. Despite there being no admission fee, each ride costs between Q10 and Q20. Although I haven’t personally been there, the next time I travel, I’ll probably check it out. It probably caters more to young children than to teenagers and adults.
African animals at the La Aurora Zoo:
The African savannah is the first place you’ll see as you enter the zoo. Giraffes, hippos, zebras, ostriches, lions, chimps, and numerous antelope species can all be found here.
The antelopes promenade with the zebras or the giraffes as they want as they move from enclosure to enclosure using ramps.
Hippos do not swim; instead, they tense their muscles to decrease buoyancy. By pushing off using their feet, they can walk or hop forward after diving to the bottom of a body of water.
Asia:
The portion devoted to creatures from the continent of Asia is located further on. Here, Trompita, the well-known Asian elephant of La Aurora, resides. A brown bear, two enormous white rhinos, anteaters, macaques, and Indian flying foxes are also present.
Fun fact: The two rhinos are from South Africa even though their enclosure is in the Asian region. They arrived at the zoo in September of this year and can lift more than 8,000 pounds.
(Another fascinating tidbit is that one of my university professors describes in his memoir how his wife was once struck by a charging rhino in Kenya and managed to survive, albeit with severe injuries, which is quite incredible given how much a rhino weighs.)
Earth America:
Agoutis, a gray fox, jaguars, otters, jaguarundis, capybaras, peccaries, marmosets, spider monkeys, capuchin monkeys, Humboldt penguins, and black bears are just a few of the wildlife that may be found in the American zone.
Fun fact: Humboldt penguins are endangered and originate from Chile. The penguin population suffered when people began to harvest guano for use as fertilizer because they like to nest in guano deposits (bird and bat droppings).
Oceania:
Despite the fact that this area of the Zoo is small, the creatures are incredibly distinctive. Ring-tailed lemurs, cockatoos, emus, red kangaroos, and Bennett’s wallabies can all be seen here.
Fun fact: Bennett’s wallaby infants are born weighing less than 1 gram. Even though they lack hair and are undeveloped, they can climb into their mother’s pouch and grab her teat. They will spend an additional nine months growing there.
Reino Kan:
There are 433 animals from 81 species in the Reino Kan, the zoo’s herpetarium. These include spiders, lizards, snakes, and amphibians. Twenty of the species, including fourteen venomous ones, are native to Guatemala.
You must enter a structure designed in the shape of a pyramid if you wish to witness these animals. The interior has a touch of darkness, warm, muggy air, with roots hanging from the ceiling.
The heloderma is one of the reptiles you can see in the herpetarium, fun fact. Only found in El Progreso, Guatemala, this relative of the Gila Monster faces an imminent extinction.
Aviaries:
The aviaries are just another lovely aspect of the zoo. The free aviary, where you may wander around amidst roaming birds, was my favorite. This was an enjoyable way to get up close to a lot of gorgeous creatures.
The Mandarin Ducks were my favorite; my, are they impressive!
Additionally, there are a number of closed aviaries as well as separate enclosures for flamingos and gray crowned cranes (famous for their exploding fireworks tops).
Fun fact: During its mating dance, the Grey Crowned Crane jumps, moves its head up and down, and expands its wings.
Aquarium:
There are a number of fish tanks at the aquarium at the Aurora Zoo, the majority of them are saltwater aquariums with marine fish and vibrant coral. It is compact but lovely.
Granjita:
You can observe domestic animals such cows, llamas, tiny goats, lambs, Sicilian donkeys, piglets, geese, and chickens at the “granja” or barnyard section.
La Aurora Zoo Prices and Hours
La Aurora Zoo admission costs 2023
You can pay with cash, a debit card, or a credit card at La Aurora. Even better, you can purchase your tickets online rather than at the zoo’s box office.
Foreigners are not subject to a fee. Here, the entrance cost is the same for everyone.
Car Park Fees
Motorcycles cost Q35.00, light vehicles Q35.00, school buses Q50.00.
Normal Admission Tickets
2 to 12 years old child
Q. 25.00 Youth/Adult, Ages 13 to 59
A. 60+ Older Adults (Question 45.00)
Q. 23.00
Zoo VIP Tours in La Aurora:
At the Guatemala Zoo, there are a number of VIP tours offered if you’d prefer a more distinctive experience. The cost of each already includes park entry.
Penguin Tour for VIPs
Do you wish to feed penguins? You have the chance now!
You have unparalleled access to La Aurora’s prettiest residents—the Humboldt Penguins—during this 45-minute tour. Feed these adorable little fellas fish within their enclosure.
Do you have an image of them stumbling around you?
Important information: This tour is accessible Tuesday through Friday at 8 am or 2 pm and is limited to 2-4 individuals (aged 10 and above).
Cost: Q250.00 per individual
Tour for VIP Pachyderms
The pachyderms trip is for you if it sounds like fun to feed a rhino, an elephant, and a hippo!
Anyone seven years of age and older may take this trip on Tuesday through Sunday at 8 am and 2 pm.
Cost: Q200.00 per individual
Elephant VIP Tour
The “wilds” of Africa will be your destination on this excursion, where you’ll get to feed elephant Trompita, giraffes, and lemurs. What a blast, huh?
Tuesday through Sunday between 8 am and 2 pm, this trip is open to anybody aged 7 and up.
Cost: Q200.00 per individual
Mixed VIP Tour
You will be able to feed an elephant, macaws, and giraffes as part of this entertaining mixed trip. Additionally, you’ll get a close-up look at camels, leopards, and lions.
From Tuesday through Sunday, the tour departs at 8 a.m. There is no required minimum age, but children under 2 are admitted free.
Cost: Q150 per individual
VIP Tour of Granjita
Enjoy a fun private tour of the “barnyard” where you can feed the animals there, including a donkey, a cow, a goat, a llama, and a rabbit. Sounds adorable, no?
Tuesday through Sunday, between 10 am and 2 pm, you can take this trip. It doesn’t have a minimum age, which is great for kids!
Costs and Details: Unique Zoo Activities
By taking part in some of the unique activities organized by volunteers, you may give your visit to the zoo a unique spin.
You can feed the animals, interact closely with emus, and have fun with miniature goats.
Directions to the La Aurora Zoo
The La Aurora is situated in Zone 13 of Guatemala City, on 9th Avenue. The La Aurora Airport may be reached in just 5 minutes by car (or a 25-minute walk).
You can travel to the zoo on foot, by bus, by taxi, by Uber, by Transmetro, by Transurbano, or by your own vehicle.
By Car
Use your preferred navigation app and follow the instructions provided for the simplest route to the zoo.
In essence, the airport and zoo are located on the same street. The intersection of 9th Avenue and Boulevar Liberación and the entrance are barely separated by about half a block or less. It is just before you get to the Obelisco if you’re coming from Mixco.
Transmetro
The Transmetro, the city’s public transit system, may also take you to the zoo.
The “Estación Acueducto” station on the green line (line 13) is where you must get off. To get to the zoo entrance, walk for another 13 minutes.
Commuter Bus
You can also get to the zoo by taking the public buses on lines 40R, 63, and 83. Get off at the Boulevar Liberación crossing for the zoo.
If you have alternative choice, I would not advise taking the city buses because they are not particularly secure.
By foot
You can also walk to the zoo if you’re already quite close to it, like if you’re at the La Aurora Airport or staying at one of the hotels near the airport.
Proceed toward Boulevar Liberación along 9 Avenue. From the airport, this should take around 25 minutes.
Things to Bring to the Zoo
I suggest doing the following to make the most of your time at the zoo:
Cash (if you want to interact with small goats, Australian parakeets, or giraffes)
Cash is also acceptable, of course, as payment for the admission charge and/or food when using a credit/debit card.
wearable, light clothing
Shoes for walking
plenty of hydrated beverages and water
Snacks/Food
Sunscreen
either a hat or sunglasses
If you have binoculars, you can use them to get a closer look at the creatures.
If you’re going to a Night Under the Moon—more on that below—bring a flashlight with a red glow.
At the La Aurora Zoo, what is forbidden?
The Guatemala City Zoo prohibits the following:
Weapons
Pets
feeding the creatures
Animals being disturbed
attacking the animals with things
accessing a space
standing on or climbing the root barriers
hitting and touching the aquarium’s and herpetarium’s glass
The National Zoo of Guatemala’s past
José Maria Reyna Barrios, the president of Guatemala, made the decision to give Guatemala City a touch of French flair in 1892. He purchased a sizable plot of land known as “Finca la Aurora” with the intention of establishing a botanical garden there. Does that name ring a bell?
A few groves and man-made lagoons were built, but once Reyna Barrios was murdered, development came to a complete halt. The Ministry of Agriculture was given control of the finca.
President José Mara Orellana revived the plans to construct a zoo with nurseries, ponds, gardens, and a tea house 26 years later, in 1924.
The zoo’s original goals included encouraging the preservation of local wildlife, developing educational initiatives, advancing research, and serving as a recreational destination.
Over time, open enclosures have taken the place of the original cages.
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