Zoo Ave

Turrucares, Costa Rica

Text©Beatrice Blake-New Key to Costa Rica

15 minutes west of Alajuela, houses the world’s most comprehensive exhibit of Costa Rican wildlife, while also breeding and releasing more native species than any other zoo in Latin America. All the animals at Zoo Ave were former pets, or injured or confiscated wildlife. They are now healthy and living in a beautiful jungle environment, and are released to the wild whenever possible. If you missed seeing monkeys, wild felines, toucans, or crocodiles on your trip, you can catch plenty of them here. Birders visit Zoo Ave to familiarize themselves with the calls of the birds they want to see. Highly recommended. See their website for volunteer opportunities.

To get there, drive five minutes west of the airport and take the exit just after the large Zoo Ave sign. Cross a small bridge after the exit, and continue 2.5 kilometers east. You’ll see the entrance on your left. A taxi from downtown Alajuela costs about $3.

Open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.