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All 172 Sao Paulo Attractions »

Instituto Butantan

Av. Vital Brasil 1500, Sao Paulo, State of Sao Paulo 05503, Brazil
(011) 3726-7222
Ranked #18 of 124 attractions in Sao Paulo
4.0 of 5 stars 42 Reviews
Type: Zoos
Fee: Yes
Owner description: Frogs and spiders and snakes, oh my! The Instituto Butantan, a biomedical research and zoological center founded in 1901, has all these creepy...... more » Owner description: Frogs and spiders and snakes, oh my! The Instituto Butantan, a biomedical research and zoological center founded in 1901, has all these creepy crawlies and more. The institute was instrumental in controlling scores of tropical diseases and now focuses on developing vaccines and researching venomous animals. Brazil's largest serpentarium is on-site, as is a convenient anti-venom clinic, just in case things get out of hand. In any event, the kiddies will get a kick out of handling the cool-blooded things, or at least peering at them through reinforced glass. Once you've had your fill of scales and rattles, take a stroll in the lovely landscaped gardens. « less
Useful Information: Activities for young children, Stairs / elevator, Bathroom facilities, Wheelchair access, Activities for older children
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42 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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    17
    6
    2
    0
Date Rating
Sao Paulo, SP
Senior Contributor
36 reviews 36 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed May 22, 2012 NEW

A biological institute which speciallity is snakes and poisonous animals. Children will love it, as long as you do not throw them at the snake pit (just kidding). Nice park, full of shadow for promenade. The problem is the lack of car parking. More

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See 15 more reviews by alshajj for Sao Paulo
Lima
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 14, 2012

if you take your time l you will learn a lot about life and history of Brazilian medicine and research. The place is old but well preserved. It is place of wonder and admiration for the snakes and other not too friendly animals on display. Advice: ask a lot of questions More

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See 11 more reviews by Oscar M for Sao Paulo
São Paulo
Senior Contributor
27 reviews 27 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 23, 2012

Butantan is a great institute. The visit is perfect for kids and those who love animals like me. There are several snake and other venous species and lots of information about the production of antidotes. It is also a beautiful place to spend a sunny day. More

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See 14 more reviews by CPBB for Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo, SP
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed March 29, 2012

Take your kids for a picnic and then to check out the snakes at the Institute. They will enjoy a good day there. On weekends there are people riding their bikes, children running around and playing ball. More

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See 6 more reviews by LuaA1982 for Sao Paulo
Campinas
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 28, 2012
1
person found this review helpful

More snakes all of them beautiul. I never thought of snakes in a positive way until I had visited More

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See 4 more reviews by Tony B for Sao Paulo
Sao Paulo, SP
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 28, 2012

The former farm Butantan Institute provides to peoples of all ages a very interesting tour to the snakes kingdom and others animals,with an historical museum and the other one displaying several specimens of alive snakes,spyders and scorpions from Brazil and from several parts of the world,including the possible handle of non poisonuos snakes and another ones and the exhibinting of... More

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Sao Paulo, SP
Senior Contributor
38 reviews 38 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 16, 2012

If you like snakes, scorpions and spiders, that's your place to be! Butanta Institute is the maker of the Antivenom for snakes bites in Brazil. More

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See 18 more reviews by Miriade for Sao Paulo
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Top Contributor
90 reviews 90 reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
103 helpful votes 103 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 19, 2011

It is a unique place to earn about reptiles. This centenary institution have a large live and not alive exhibition of reptiles, mainly snakes and spiders. At the museum you may see demonstrations about snake attract and capture More

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See 26 more reviews by darwinsail for Sao Paulo
Long Valley, New Jersey
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
Reviews in 17 cities Reviews in 17 cities
21 helpful votes 21 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 16, 2010
2
people found this review helpful

The somewhat hard to find Butanta Institute is one of the most renowed scientific research centers in Brazil and in the world. The Museum was founded by Vital Brasil, a Brazilian physician, biomedical scientist and immunologist, internationally renowned for the discovery of the polyvalent anti-snakes serums that still today saves lots of lifes. A lot of the world research on... More

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São Paulo
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed January 12, 2010

I went to Butanta with my three children after many years and was not disappointed. The place is beautiful and very organized (it's in the middle of a park within the city). They have a wide range of animals (snakes, lizards, spiders, frogs), very well exposed and with plenty of useful information. It would be good if they had more... More

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See 2 more reviews by Armustus for Sao Paulo

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