Santa Fe Zoo
A compact, family-friendly zoo with over 1,000 animals from 200+ species. Highlights include the butterfly garden, hippo enclosure, and Colombian wildlife section with jaguars and condors.
Explore the Santa Fe Zoo
The Story Behind Santa Fe Zoo
Founded in 1959
The Santa Fe Zoo was established in 1959 by the Universidad de Antioquia's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. Originally created for research and conservation, it has evolved into one of Medellín's most popular family attractions. The zoo sits on 4.5 hectares in the Santa Fe neighborhood, right along the Medellín River.
Conservation Focus
The zoo focuses on Colombian wildlife conservation, participating in breeding programs for endangered species like the Andean condor and the cotton-top tamarin. It houses over 1,000 animals from 200+ species, with emphasis on native Colombian fauna including jaguars, spectacled bears, and golden poison frogs.
The Butterfly Garden
One of the zoo's most beloved features is the butterfly garden (mariposario), where visitors can walk among hundreds of live butterflies native to Colombia — which has more butterfly species than almost any country on earth.
Highlights
Plan Your Visit
🕐 Hours
Tuesday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (box office closes 4:00 PM) | Monday: Closed
🎫 Tickets
Adults: COP $25,000 | Children (2-12): COP $18,000 | Under 2: Free | Students with ID: COP $18,000
📍 Address
Carrera 52 #20-63, Santa Fe, Medellín
🚇 Getting There
Industriales Station (Line A) — 10-minute walk
Make the Most of Your Visit
- •Great for families with kids — compact and easy to navigate
- •Visit early when animals are most active
- •The butterfly garden is best on sunny days
- •Allow about 2 hours for a full visit
- •Bring water — the zoo has limited shade on hot days
- •Combine with a walk along the Medellín Riverfront nearby
- •The zoo offers educational programs in Spanish