São Paulo Zoo attracts more than 1.6 million visitors each year, making it one of the city’s most popular family attractions. A unique feature of this zoo is its incorporation of Sao Paulo’s natural landscapes, which comprise lush rainforest and several lakes formed by the Ipiranga River.
Choose between a basic zoo admission ticket, which doesn’t include access to Dinosaur World or the Zoo Safari, a 2.4-mile (3.9-kilometer) route that can be navigated by private car or park van. Night tours give you the chance to experience the sounds of the Atlantic Forest after dark and increase your chance of spotting elusive nocturnal creatures.
The zoo is located within the Parque do Estado, a massive reserve of native Atlantic rainforest on the outskirts of the city. The best way to get there is to take Bus 4491-10 from Parque D. Pedro II Terminal to the zoo entrance.
The zoo is open daily throughout the year, though the best time to visit is on weekday mornings, when crowds are thinner and temperatures are cooler. Spring and fall—March to May and October to November—tend to be the driest months.
Brazil’s largest city is a surprisingly family-friendly destination. A trip to the zoo ranks among the top experiences for travelers with kids in tow, but families can also get hands-on at the Museu Catavento science museum; go for a bike ride through leafy Ibirapuera Park; check out the macaques and snakes at the Butantan Institute; or go underwater at Sao Paulo Aquarium.
