Zoo Ave, San Jose

A visit to Zoo Ave is a visit to the Dark Ages. You'll get to see animals in obvious, small cages. You'll note that many of the specimens are not identified, or are mis-identified. But you won't get many good photos, because the bars, chain link, and screen all ensure that the animals are hidden from view. The overgrown bamboo in many cages also helps hide the victims. But you may see some animals, like Agoutis, ducking in and out of cages in their search for food. Or see uncaged squirrels visiting the caged squirrels. This is Costa Rica's best zoo. That's too bad.

We have 4 kids ranging from toddler to teenager so I wanted a quick way to introduce them to the amazing wildlife and forests of Costa Rica. This rehabilitation zoo was perfect. They got a taste of all that was to come in our subsequent nature hikes and bird walks and actually knew what to look for when the guide said "look! a Toucan!". Just strolling through the thickly covered walkways was amazing - seeing the exotic "Candle" plants and the mammoth bamboo was an education in itself since all the trees and plants are well labeled with lots of information. Do not confuse this conservation center with the Zoo inside San Jose which I understand is a small affair with animals confined to tiny pens. The enclosures here are designed for the animals' comfort rather than optimal people viewing. So it is better to visit in the mornings when they are most active. But even so the birds especially are a lot easier to see here than in the actual rainforest and you will probably not see a glimpse of the famed national bird, Quetzel, unless you stop by here!