Zoo Miami
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Zoo Miami today occupies almost 750 acres, and is home to more than 3,000 animals representing over 500 different species. Of this population, more than 40 species are classified as endangered. The zoo also houses more than 1,000 species of trees, palms and other plants, and over 100 special exhibits showcasing a broad number of species and scientific topics. We are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) which means we have passed a rigorous application and inspection process and meet or exceed the AZA's standards for animal health and welfare, fundraising, zoo staffing, and involvement in global conservation efforts. Zoo Miami is proud to be an active leader in many global wildlife and environmental conservation initiatives, and we are currently involved in over 36 projects taking place on six continents.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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  • 307leven
    Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania284 contributions
    Nice day at the zoo
    Visited the 2nd Friday in December. The zoo was conveniently located off the turnpike and it wasn't crowded during our visit. We bought our tickets and decided we would walk the zoo instead of renting their safari bikes which cost $54 for a small cycle and $69 for a large cycle. The zoo also offers tram rides lasting 45 minutes and cost $7 for non-members and $6 for members. A sign said they discontinued the monorail last year because it was cost prohibitive for the zoo and it was getting difficult to get replacement parts for it. We did a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes if you go and decide to walk. During our visit, we saw countless animals from multiple continents and there was a sign there that illustrated the times they were feeding some of the animals as well as zoo keepers giving speeches on various animals in their care. It was a mostly cloudy day and wasn't that hot, so the animals seemed a little more active than normal. Throughout the zoo, the most popular animals were all the iguanas running around as well as dozens of squirrels seeking snacks from visitors. There were several places throughout the zoo where you could buy refreshments or a snack, etc. The zoo was larger than we expected and we spent about 4 1/2 hours walking around and taking photos from 1 animal exhibit to another before visiting the gift shop and leaving.
    Thank you so much for your recommendation and review. We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit. We would like to encourage you to please share your experience on Yelp to help spread the word. Hope to see you at Zoo Miami again soon!
    Written January 4, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited December 2022
    Written December 26, 2022
  • Sharon H
    359 contributions
    A must see!
    Wonderful zoo but not handicap friendly in terms of renting a wheelchair. Long walk from parking lot to entrance and then a long walk to wheelchair rental kiosk. A person who needed a wheelchair and was alone would not be able to get to the wheelchair rental place. Only way to rent a wheelchair was online which leaves your credit card info exposed to a non-secure network when you are traveling. Staff at ticket office was not very friendly.
    Hi Sharon. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. First, let us say that we are truly sorry you had a less-than-ideal experience at the zoo. We always strive to give our visitors and our animals the best experiences possible and are displeased to hear we fell short in this regard. We would like to connect with you directly to get more feedback and try to ameliorate this. We’d like to ask that you please reach out to us at zoomiami@miamidade.gov. We hope to hear from you soon.
    Written January 4, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited November 2022
    Written January 3, 2023
  • 30yrtraveler
    Tampa, Florida37 contributions
    Throughly enjoyable.
    A beautiful, relaxing, environment. With the bonus of well kept animals in large and open habitats, many without cages and bars. The grounds are big enough that the 600 children there that day were hardly noticeable. Clean rest rooms, well placed. Some AC rooms when you need it. Food was very acceptable for all ages, from healthy to hot dogs.
    Thank you so much for your recommendation and review. We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit. We would like to encourage you to please share your experience on Yelp to help spread the word. Hope to see you at Zoo Miami again soon!
    Written March 21, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2023
    Written March 6, 2023
  • Laura W
    Denver, Colorado41 contributions
    Great zoo
    Every time I travel I go to a zoo and since I travel twice a year I’ve been to many zoos. This one is excellent. A pretty good price for a ticket considering all there is here. I spent 5-6 hours here. A lot of the attractions have close up viewing spots. My favorite was the crocodile tube! There’s a wide variety of animals. I ate at Nourish 305 and had the strawberry chicken salad. It was so good! I’m so glad the zoo had lighter options so I didn’t have to eat a burger and have an angry stomach the rest of the day. I did get an icee at Miami Ice and it was definitely way over priced but helped beat the heat. I was surprised by the amount of shade offered. The gift shop is pretty on par with prices as other attractions. Definitely recommend this zoo!
    Thank you so much for your recommendation and review. We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit. We would like to encourage you to please share your experience on Yelp to help spread the word. Hope to see you at Zoo Miami again soon!
    Written May 2, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited April 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written April 25, 2023
  • TikiTownTraveler
    Virginia Beach, Virginia148 contributions
    Miami Zoo is Worth the Visit
    We had a number of hours until our flight left at 9:00 pm so we decided to go to the zoo. It was a great zoo. You walk in the front gate and see flamingos. That's a nice way to start your day. They didn't have any trams running which was too bad.
    Thank you so much for your recommendation and review. We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit. We would like to encourage you to please share your experience on Yelp to help spread the word. Hope to see you at Zoo Miami again soon!
    Written July 12, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 30, 2023
  • JamesV
    Huntsville, Alabama92 contributions
    Start off with a VIP golf cart tour!
    Take the VIP golf cart tour. Well worth it. Animal encounters also well run. Staff all very friendly. The rhino encounter was one of the best zoo encounters we have done in the US. Book in advance! Zoo food is not great. Think high school cafeteria. Would be nice if they had something more upscale for eating. All staff were very helpful and friendly.
    Thank you so much for your recommendation and review. We’re so happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit. We would like to encourage you to please share your experience on Yelp to help spread the word. Hope to see you at Zoo Miami again soon!
    Written October 1, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited July 2023
    Written July 12, 2023
  • Nomad
    222 contributions
    Stay hydrated
    A lot of concrete. These widely paved walkways create expansive open pedestrian areas that lead to long walks to get to the animals. They have bikes for rent to deal with these distances. Hot and sunny with lack of shade in most areas. Showing its age a bit. The newer more lush and shaded Amazonian South America collection sector is wonderful and recommended.
    Hi there, sorry to hear about your experience. We know how hot Miami can be. We do offer many water fountains and water filling stations along the paths as well as giant fans. For the kids, we offer several water play areas to cool off. We hope you change your mind and come visit us again in the future!
    Written October 1, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled solo
    Written July 23, 2023
  • The Pidge
    Wayne, New Jersey582 contributions
    A large zoo with a refreshingly logical layout
    An expansive, beautiful property with a comprehensive collection of animals and exhibits, I was pleased to find the layout straightforward and logical, comprised of two large loops meeting in the middle without meandering paths and confusing dead-ends. I was able to walk the entirety of the grounds in about two hours and spent another hour or so in the various exhibits, opting to spend the money on the charming Lostman's River Ride (there's also a carousel and pedal boats if one is interested). Speaking of transportation, Zoo Miami used to offer a monorail to get guests from one end of the property to the other. Because it has been retired, the decision was made to offer Rydables, which are animal-shaped ECVs that can be rented based on time used. While a nice idea in theory, they seemed to be used mostly by teens with no regard for pedestrian traffic, so I was constantly having to be aware of them coming up behind me out of fear of getting into a collision with one. Great in theory; less so in execution. If you're a lover of animals, there isn't much reason not to visit.
    Visited October 2023
    Written November 11, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Dennis B
Ottawa, Canada1,011 contributions
Jan 2020
We arrived at about 11:00 AM on a Wednesday. The parking lots are huge but there were few visitors that day. We purchased Seniors tickets ($17.21 + tax) and all day tram tickets at $5.each.

This is a magnificent and expansive property. There are four main areas, Asia, Australia, Amazon and Africa, displaying the animals of each region. The animals range over their enclosures at will so they may not be visible when you are nearby. We found quite a few displays closed or vacant. During our visit on a Wednesday we were fortunate that there were few visitors but this resulted in most of the main food outlets being closed. The monorail was also closed but a "tram" was substituted. Of particular interest for the next short while are the animated dinosaurs that are display throughout the grounds.

Because of its size and numerous exhibits allow at least four hours to explore.
Written January 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

William
1 contribution
Jan 2021 • Couples
After paying $50 dollars to get in they will not let you take in your own bike. I’m 68 years old walking for three hours is hard I live on social security and don’t have $40 more dollars to rent there bike. They are just plan to money hungry very disappointed.
Written January 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us. First, let us say that we are truly sorry you had a less than ideal experience at the zoo. We always strive to give our visitors and our animals the best experiences possible and are displeased to hear we fell short in this regard. We would like to connect with you directly to get more feedback and try to ameliorate this. We'd like to ask that you please reach out to Diana Vega at diana.vega@miamidade.gov and Carol Bernier at carol.bernier@miamidade.gov. We hope to hear from you soon.
Written February 2, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Zurisj
Key West, FL48 contributions
Aug 2019
I live about 3 hours away from Miami, we always go every time we get an opportunity to go to the Zoo. The animals are well taken care of and the exhibits are really nice. You can walk the Zoo it takes 4-5 hours or you can rent a bike. There are plenty of places to eat and get things to drink but I would bring my own water though it can get very expensive. Don't forget to bring sunscreen!
Written January 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EduardPM
Cancun, Mexico391 contributions
Sep 2021
I visited the Zoo because of my children, however I am not a zoo fan, because I think the animals need to be free in their natural habit, or at least living with more of the same specie.
The Zoo is divided in world sections, like Africa, Australia, Asia, with animals according to the geographical area.
The regular Fee to entrance is $ 30 USD but you can buy the Meal package for $ 39, and get the meal at the oasis restaurant after noon.
You can book a bike for 2 or more people, it will make it easier to move around, specially if you are coming with little kids.

The Zoo has reasonable areas for big animals, like elephants, antilopes or lions, even for the Birds, however in the Australia section, there is a Koala and another animal in a small room each one, which I think that's not nice for some one who is goint to be lockdown for the rest of his life, at least they should be with animals of the same specie in bigger areas, to make lees stressful their lifes.
There is also a big turtle at the snake area, living in a small container, this little creature bearly moves....

Anyway, is just my opinion,.. But I think is OK for families
Written September 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jessel S
35 contributions
Dec 2019
It is quite an interesting long walk with a number of animals.
However, you can rent a multi-person bike (you have to leave your license with the rental place) and make the visit more fun.
Also, 2 "free" photos were offered on entering the zoo that you collect on leaving, but on leaving you are presented with a small book on the zoo with the photos for $36.
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Wesley
Frederick, MD48 contributions
Mar 2022
My children had a great time at the Miami Zoo. During our trip to Florida, we were looking for activities for the kids. We purchased our tickets online, and the park was not as crowded, which was ideal for our visit. We attempted to rent a bicycle to ride around the park, but they were all booked for the entire two hours. We chose to take the tram ride around the Zoo. The ride lasted 45-50 minutes, with the conductor explaining each animal that passed by. The ride took us behind the park for the first 5 minutes, so there wasn't much to see. It was a pleasant experience for the children, and it beats walking. Other activities that can be done while walking through the water park and feeding the giraffes include viewing the animals in an enclosed rock dome. There is an activity area in an enclosed building at the zoo's entrance that was a fun experience for the kids with virtual butterflies, a maze, and other activities.
Written March 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your recommendation and review.
Written June 3, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Samuel M
Erie, PA228 contributions
Mar 2022
It's been 17 years since my last visit to Zoo Miami and my how things have changed (and improved) here since then. This has always been a large, well run zoo but it was even better with this latest visit. Price for admission is about on par with other zoos this size, though seniors do get a 25% off reduction. It can be a bit of a challenge to get here, especially on days when the traffic is heavy. But, it's worth the trip.

Usually, large zoos such as this one have zoo maps and sometimes animal footprints painted on the pathways so you know where you are going. This zoo does not have either, so it helps to print the zoo map from their website before you visit. Basically, Zoo Miami is broken down into three major pathways, with each route taking roughly two hours to cover on foot. As you enter, the flamingo exhibit is very nice and allows you get very close to these amazing birds. Just past this on the right is the exhibit for the Sumatran Tiger, another must see item. You can then go left, straight, or to the right into the various world zones, but be sure to cover all three thoroughly.

Our favorite exhibits included the jaguar exhibit which contains a cave that you can enter to see this magnificent cat up close if you are lucky. The two female African elephants are both 47 years old and put on their own little show if you time your visit when the trainer is feeding them. We also loved the Lowland Gorilla exhibit with it's two powerful silverback males, the painted wild dogs from Africa are a must see, and the precocious pygmy hippopotamus is quite entertaining and even used her water fountain jet by the pool as a personal bidet! Finally, the collection of adult and juvenile giraffes is equally impressive, and allows visitors to climb up a ramp onto a platform and feed them.

Zoo Miami offers a fair amount of shade, but on hot days you may want to take several breaks because there is a fair amount of walking here, or catch the tram if you prefer. COVID has shut down the zoo's monorail system, which hopefully will be operational again some day soon.

There are plenty of places to grab refreshments both near the entrance and on the various paths, and a nice gift shop can wrap your visit before exiting.

Suggestions for improvement would include re-introducing zoo maps when you pay for admission, color-themed painted animal tracks to better separate the zone you are in (similar to other large zoos like the Metro Toronto Zoo), and re-establishing the monorail system now that COVID is winding down.

Overall, this is a wonderful zoo and easily ranks among the top three that we have ever visited. It comes highly recommended.
Written March 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for the recommendation! Hope to see you soon.
Written March 11, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

old98
Port Charlotte, FL17 contributions
Jun 2020
We purchased our tickets online because of covid19 and went whe zoo opened at 10 am. That worked out well as we parked close to admitting gate. Zoo is largest in Florida and has a great variety of animals many endangered species. Zoo employees were great to speak with about exhibits. You can walk, bicycle, monorail (not running due to covid19) tours (not with covid19). Animals housed in well kept areas. Food at Zoo was excellent (surprise, surprise). Would recommend this zoo to anyone who enjoys zoos.
Written July 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much! Come and visit us again soon.
Written July 3, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TheCovertCritic
Apex, North Carolina424 contributions
Jan 2020
I wish that zoos were not something we "need" now. Zoos used to be merely for entertainment and that focus certainly was of no benefit to the animals involved. Today, good zoos are expected to be "keepers" of the species and educators of the public.

Most of the habitats at this zoo are labeled with extinction warnings. So many of the animals are endangered that only a few in zoos remain. I am not convinced that saving the last few will make any difference if there is no habitat remaining to release them into, but with the education that a zoo like this can provide maybe one child seeing an endangered animal today will be able to help to conserve the habitat needed to allow a reintroduction of a species to a wild space.

Visitors can spend a day at the zoo just walking. Double and quad pedal cycles are available for rent to couples and families. The monorail was not running while I visited.

I must have come on just the right day as the zoo was relatively empty. I noted the massive parking areas that had no cars as well as the number of unrented cycles.

I would have not been able to enjoy the up close experience that this zoo provides if hordes of people were in front of me.

Habitats are on islands surrounded by moats. Most of the animals were visible and active. Fencing is low because the moat is the barrier.

There are a number of keeper talks throughout the day and opportunities to feed the animals. The latter has an extra charge.

The zoo is well landscaped and generally handicapped accessible. Most of the main trail is paved and flat. Beware of careless cyclists though. Benches are provided as well as picnic tables, but you are not supposed to bring your own food. There are a number of restaurants.

There is no charge for parking.
Written January 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kristina B
Heredia, Costa Rica86 contributions
Jan 2021 • Solo
I LOVED this zoo. I was a little unsure about visiting since in general I'm not a fan of zoos BUT this zoo is wonderful. If you are like me and unsure about going just go! You will not regret it. The spaces/exhibits are big and most of them are in the open air, you can tell the animals are well taken care of and they seem happy. The way the exhibits are built also allows you to view them better. I love that they have little spaces for viewing the animals which makes the experience more interactive. I adored the feeding experiences, they are short but awesome. All the staff was SO friendly. I went during the week and had no issues with overcrowding or people disrespecting COVID safety guidelines. The zoo is HUGE. I walked all of it but it was exhausting, and I would definitely recommend renting one of their bicycle style cars to make the experience easier.
Written January 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your recommendation and review. We're so happy to hear you enjoyed your visit. Hope to see you at the zoo again soon!
Written February 2, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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