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Santacruz Zoo

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Animal habitat
—°15
Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)

Weather…

Santacruz Zoo is located in San Antonio del Tequendama, approximately 40 kilometers from Bogotá, and was established in 1975. Situated in a scenic region with a subtropical climate at an altitude of 1,500 meters, the zoo functions primarily as a rescue and rehabilitation center for wildlife. Many of its inhabitants have been recovered from illegal trafficking or inadequate captive conditions. Across its 12-hectare grounds, the facility houses over 320 animals representing more than 70 species, including pumas, jaguars, spectacled bears, and a diverse array of primates and birds. A core focus of the institution is environmental education, aiming to raise awareness about the protection of Colombia's native fauna. The zoo is organized into thematic zones that replicate natural habitats, ranging from tropical rainforests to Andean highland ecosystems. Given its location near the famous Tequendama Falls, the zoo is a popular destination for day trips and educational outings. The Santacruz Foundation works closely with national environmental authorities to implement species conservation and animal welfare programs.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C192020191918181919191819
Rain mm4471132209207162134108103186165103

📋 Practical info

📅
Best season
Santacruz Zoo is best visited during the dry season from December to March. The rescued animals are more active then and the climate is mild.
🌅
Best time of day
Early morning is handy because animals are active after their night rest. Feeding times are often public and worth watching.
📜
Etiquette
Please do not feed the animals as many require a special diet. Keep your distance, especially from rescued wildlife.
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What to bring
Comfortable hiking shoes are recommended due to uneven terrain. Binoculars help observe animals from a safe distance.
🧭
Getting there
The zoo is located in Cundinamarca, Colombia, and can be reached by car or bus from Bogotá. Ask locally for the exact route.
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What to expect
Many rescued animals need time to acclimatize and do not show themselves immediately. Watch quietly and wait patiently.

Geography

Coordinates
4.53670, -74.30050

Facts

  • Founded in 1975 as a private wildlife conservation facility.
  • Located at an average elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level.
  • Home to more than 320 individual animals from over 70 species.
  • The zoo grounds cover a total area of approximately 12 hectares.
  • Acts as an official rescue center for victims of wildlife trafficking.
  • Situated near the historic and scenic Tequendama Falls.

Explore nearby

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Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Santacruz Zoo (15)

Tequendama Falls Museum🏛 museum

A museum housed in a historic 1920s French-style mansion overlooking the spectacular Tequendama Falls.

Salto de Tequendama📍 landmark

A dramatic 132-metre high waterfall on the Bogotá River, renowned for its scenic and historical significance.

Zoológico Santacruz🎡 recreation

A popular local zoo focused on the conservation and exhibition of native Colombian wildlife.

Hacienda Fute🏺 historical

A traditional countryside manor reflecting the historical agricultural estates of the region.

Paradero La virgen🏺 historical

This religious roadside monument near the zoologico-santacruz-life-v2 serves as a local shrine.

Nueva Esperanza🏺 historical

This archaeological site by the zoologico-santacruz-life-v2 preserves the remains of pre-Columbian settlement traces.

Aire Libre🎭 culture

This open-air theatre provides an outdoor stage for performances near the zoologico-santacruz-life-v2.

Teatro Municipal de Sibaté🎭 culture

The municipal theatre building by the zoologico-santacruz-life-v2 hosts local arts and cultural performances.

Upaesamrta⛪ religious

This spiritual worship center provides a space for community prayer near the zoologico-santacruz-life-v2.

Iglesia⛪ religious

This local church building serves as the main place of worship for the congregation by the zoologico-santacruz-life-v2.

Templo Mormon⛪ religious

This Latter-day Saints temple is located in the region of the zoologico-santacruz-life-v2.

Plaza de Mercado🎭 culture

This bustling indoor marketplace gives fresh agricultural produce near the zoologico-santacruz-life-v2.

Zipline📍 landmark

This zipline adventure course carries visitors through the air in the region of the zoologico-santacruz-life-v2.

Roquemonte📍 landmark

This natural attraction features scenic landscapes and rock formations by the zoologico-santacruz-life-v2.

Mirador San Francisco🌿 nature

This scenic viewpoint by the zoologico-santacruz-life-v2 provides a wide panoramic look over the landscape.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Where is Santacruz Zoo located?
In San Antonio del Tequendama, about 1.5 hours from Bogotá.
Are the animals rescued?
Yes, many animals were rescued from illegal trade or circuses.
What is special about the climate?
It has a temperate cloud forest climate, pleasantly cool.
What big cats are there?
There are lions, tigers, and jaguars.
Is there parking?
Yes, there is a parking lot for visitors right at the entrance.
Santacruz Zoo: where is it located?
Santacruz Zoo is located in Colombia.
Santacruz Zoo: what is there to see?
Highlights include Tequendama Falls Museum, Salto de Tequendama, Zoológico Santacruz.
Santacruz Zoo: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Sep.
Santacruz Zoo: why is it worth visiting?
Santacruz Zoo is located in San Antonio del Tequendama, approximately 40 kilometers from Bogotá, and was established in 1975.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Soacha — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Soacha
Large suburb of Bogotá with rich indigenous history.
Facatativá — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Facatativá
Agricultural and industrial city near Bogotá.
Zipaquirá — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Zipaquirá
Historic city world-famous for its underground salt cathedral.
Chía — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Chía
Northern suburb of Bogotá, known as the city of the moon.
Girardot — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Girardot
A bustling riverside resort city that serves as a popular warm-weather weekend getaway for Bogotá residents.
Guatavita — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Guatavita
Guatavita is a charming Colombian town known for its striking white-washed colonial architecture and its proximity to the sacred Lake Gua…

History & landmarks

Ráquira — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Ráquira
Colombia's pottery capital, a vibrant and colorful town known for its traditional clay craftsmanship.
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá
The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá is an underground Roman Catholic church built within the tunnels of a salt mine.

Nature

Lake Guatavita — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Lake Guatavita
A nearly circular crater lake, widely considered the origin of the El Dorado legend.

More places

Facatativá Archaeological Park — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Facatativá Archaeological Park
Features massive rock formations with ancient pictograms left by the indigenous Muisca people.
La Sabana Railway Station — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
La Sabana Railway Station
The historical main railway station of Bogotá, a national monument of early 20th-century architecture.
Casa de Nariño — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Casa de Nariño
The official home of the President of Colombia, named after independence leader Antonio Nariño.
Capitolio Nacional — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Capitolio Nacional
The seat of the Colombian Congress, a magnificent neoclassical building located on the Plaza de Bolívar.
Primary Cathedral of Colombia — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Primary Cathedral of Colombia
A neoclassical cathedral on the Plaza de Bolívar in Bogotá, the largest in the country.
Museum of Independence - Casa del Florero — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Museum of Independence - Casa del Florero
The historical house in Bogotá where a dispute over a flower vase on July 20, 1810, sparked the independence movement.
Church of San Francisco (Bogotá) — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
Church of San Francisco (Bogotá)
The oldest surviving church in Bogotá, known for its spectacular 17th-century wood-carved altar.
La Candelaria — Santacruz Zoo (Colombia)
La Candelaria
The historic neighborhood of Bogotá, known for its steep streets, colonial houses, and rich history.