National Zoo Cuba
An inexpensive zoo offering a safari bus ride, but with significant concerns about animal welfare and enclosure design.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
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Best Time
Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures
National Zoo Cuba
Best Time
Fewer crowds, cooler temperatures
Highlights
Must-see attractions
An inexpensive zoo offering a safari bus ride, but with significant concerns about animal welfare and enclosure design.
"Concerns about animal welfare and enclosure design are prominent, despite affordable entry."
⏳ Safari Wait Times
Be prepared for potential delays on the safari bus; drivers may aim to finish quickly.
🚶♀️ Limited Viewing
Some animal enclosures are small, making it difficult to see all the animals clearly.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Safari Bus Ride
Designated safari route
Experience a unique bus tour through a section of the park, offering glimpses of animals like zebras and giraffes.
Cheetah Encounter
Animal enclosures
A lucky few may get a close-up view of the cheetah, a highlight for some visitors.
Park Cleanliness
Throughout the zoo
Despite some concerns, many visitors found the park to be clean and well-maintained.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Animal Welfare Concerns
Safari Bus Logistics
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
⏳ Safari Wait Times
Be prepared for potential delays on the safari bus; drivers may aim to finish quickly.
🚶♀️ Limited Viewing
Some animal enclosures are small, making it difficult to see all the animals clearly.
💰 Affordable Entry
The zoo is not expensive, and entry often includes a small treat like cookies and juice.
🚕 Taxi Recommended
Reaching the zoo typically requires a taxi, as it's a significant ride from Havana's center.
Tips
from all over the internet
⏳ Safari Wait Times
Be prepared for potential delays on the safari bus; drivers may aim to finish quickly.
🚶♀️ Limited Viewing
Some animal enclosures are small, making it difficult to see all the animals clearly.
💰 Affordable Entry
The zoo is not expensive, and entry often includes a small treat like cookies and juice.
🚕 Taxi Recommended
Reaching the zoo typically requires a taxi, as it's a significant ride from Havana's center.
⏱️ Quick Visit
You can see the entire zoo, including the safari, in under an hour.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
The National Zoo of Cuba offers an inexpensive outing with some unique aspects like a safari bus tour. However, visitors frequently raise serious concerns about animal welfare, including underweight animals and inadequate water, as well as poorly designed, small enclosures that hinder viewing. The safari experience can also be unpredictable with long waits and rushed tours.
"It's a nice zoo for other cubans to visit. I felt sorry for the animals in the cages, I didn't see any water for them and so looked under weight. It is not expensive and they give you a bag of cookies and juice. The staff was friendly, you take a bus tour and then you can walk to see the animals. The park was very clean and the staff was friendly. We arrived late and waited for a bus to get us and found out the park was closing and had to walk to the entrance to get out."
Marita
"The safari is a 10min ride in a bus, depend on your luck you may have a long yime for safari ( you may be the only one there and the driver can be on lunch or on the phone for hours 😂) on safari no lion, no elephant and … for rest like zebra and jirafa certainly driver doesn’t like to wait for you to see anything, he wants to finish fast and get on with it.
The other part of zoo: animales are in a cages that designed so bad and small that you can’t see anything! The ride to this place is required taxi, you can see the whole zoo in less than 1 hour including safari so if you go from havana center , you are riding 2 hours for 15 min safari on the bus !
Place is not keep clean really, everything outdated, almost 90% animals have no cart with name or name and info cart is faded and blank (due to sun)"
ivan abed
"Animals are in a cages that designed so bad and small that you can’t see almost all !
I was so lucky to have a close view of the cheetah
The ride to this place is required taxi, you can see the whole zoo in less than 1 hour including safari so if you go from havana center , you are riding 2 hours for 15 min safari on the bus !"
Faith Egwuatu
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The National Zoo of Cuba is located outside the city center, so a taxi is the most common and recommended mode of transport. The ride can take a significant amount of time from Havana's center, so factor this into your plans.
Information on direct public transportation to the zoo is limited. Taxis are generally the most reliable option for visitors.
The travel time can vary, but expect a considerable journey, potentially up to an hour or more depending on traffic and your starting point in Havana.
It's advisable to discuss return transport with your taxi driver beforehand or be prepared to arrange a taxi upon your departure, especially if arriving late.
While the park itself is generally clean, the layout and potential for uneven paths might pose challenges. It's best to inquire about specific accessibility features if needed.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
The zoo is noted as being inexpensive, making it an affordable option for visitors.
Some visitors have mentioned receiving a bag of cookies and juice as part of the admission.
It's recommended to check the most current opening hours before your visit, as some visitors have experienced arriving late and finding the park closing.
Information on advance ticket purchases is not widely available. It's likely that tickets are purchased upon arrival at the zoo.
The safari bus is typically part of the zoo experience and not an additional cost, though wait times can be a factor.
🎫 🦁 Onsite Experience
The zoo features animals like zebras and giraffes on the safari, and some visitors have reported seeing cheetahs. However, some enclosures are small, and animal information may be faded or missing. +1
The safari is a short bus ride, but wait times can be long, and drivers may rush the tour. Not all expected animals like lions or elephants are present in this section. +1
There are significant concerns raised about the design and size of animal enclosures, with some being too small to see animals properly. +1
While some reviews mention the park being clean, others note that it's not well-maintained, with outdated facilities and faded animal information.
Most visitors report that the entire zoo, including the safari, can be explored in less than an hour. +1
📸 📸 Photography
Capturing clear photos can be challenging due to small enclosures and potentially faded signage. The safari bus offers a different perspective, but animal visibility can vary.
Some visitors have been lucky enough to get close views of certain animals, like the cheetah, but this is not guaranteed due to enclosure designs.
Lighting conditions will vary throughout the day. Early morning visits might offer softer light, while midday can be harsh.
No specific restrictions on photography have been widely reported, but always be mindful of animal welfare and avoid flash photography if it might disturb them.
Patience is key. Try to find angles where the animal is visible and use a zoom lens if possible to avoid disturbing them.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider bringing snacks and drinks, as availability and quality might be inconsistent. The short overall visit time (under an hour) means it can be a quick outing, but the travel time from Havana can be lengthy.
💰 Budget Travelers
However, remember to factor in the cost and time of transportation, as you'll likely need to take a taxi to reach the zoo from Havana, which can add to your overall expenses and travel time.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Safari Experience
Be prepared for potential unpredictability when it comes to the safari. If you're hoping for extended viewing opportunities or specific animal sightings, you might be disappointed. The advice from those who have visited is to be patient and make the most of the glimpses you get. Some reviews even mention drivers being on their phones or taking extended breaks, further impacting the experience.
For those visiting, it's recommended to try and go during off-peak hours if possible to potentially reduce wait times. However, even then, the driver's pace can be a factor. The safari is a distinct part of the zoo visit, separate from the main animal enclosures, and offers a different, though sometimes frustrating, perspective on the zoo's inhabitants.
Animal Welfare and Enclosure Design
The design of the animal enclosures is frequently criticized. Many are described as being too small and poorly designed, making it difficult for visitors to see the animals clearly.
The stark descriptions of 'starving lions' and 'inhumane conditions' from some reviews are particularly concerning and paint a grim picture of the zoo's current state.
Logistics and Time Management
The zoo itself is relatively small, and most visitors report being able to see the entire park, including the safari, in less than an hour.
Given the time commitment for travel and the short duration of the visit, it's important to weigh the overall experience against the time spent. If you are short on time in Havana, a visit to the zoo might not be the most efficient use of your schedule, especially considering the potential for long waits for the safari bus and limited viewing opportunities.
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