On a trip to visit the city of Merida, Mexico, we found the Parque Zoológico del Centenario near our Air BnB. The park is free, and very popular, and we thought it would be fun to check out.
The park is easy to get to, and we used Google Maps for directions. It looks like there is just street parking there, but I could be wrong.
We walked to the zoo from our Merida AirBnB. Merida can be very hot, and when we went in July, it was around 100 degrees F every day.
It is easy to spot the zoo, and there is a lovely fountain in the front.
We walked around for a little bit before arriving at the zoo and train area. It is nice that there are plenty of spots to sit and hang out in the shade.
There are many vendors around the park, and plenty of snacks and souvenirs to choose from, as well as bathrooms and playgrounds.
The zoo is very family-friendly, with lots of things for younger children.
We had heard about the rocketship at the zoo, which is a popular spot.
There are lots of spots to stop and relax in the park.
Be prepared to pay a restroom attendant for toilet paper before entering the bathrooms. This is a common practice in Mexico and does not cost much.
We decided to ride the train around the park to get an idea of the layout of the zoo. You have to buy a ticket for the train, which I believe was only one Mexican peso.
There are no animals until you enter through the Zoo arch in the park. Outside of the animal exhibits, there are are vendors, playgrounds, and areas to wander.
There are a variety of animals in the exhibits, from birds to tigers.
While I am not a fan of animals in captivity in general, I felt the enclosures for the larger animals were too small. However, it was good to see that the exhibits looked like they were well kept.
This was the primate exhibit, which had a nice design.
It was nice to spend a couple hours walking around and exploring the zoo, and to see such a popular Merida destination.
Busy blogger and mom of two girls! We love traveling and the great outdoors, and are always looking for our next adventure!Feel free to contact me with questions: marysa@anationofmoms.com
This looks like such a nice zoo to visit. I like the idea of the train rather than wandering around.
Whitney Stewart
January 2, 2023 at 3:09 pm - Reply
This place looks so peaceful! I luv it! And the perfect family friendly activity that with keep the kids entertained all day! That’s interesting about having to pay for toilet paper before going into the bathroom; but it makes sense when think about it. Thank you for sharing your experience with us! My family and I haven’t been the Mexico since my aunts wedding many years ago; so this could be the excuse we need to go back!
These are beautiful photos and my son would love this! Not only will he want to ride the train multiple times but he would enjoy what this park has to offer.
I really enjoyed reading about the Parque Zoologico del Centenario in Merida on this website. The article provided great information about the park’s conservation efforts and its unique animal exhibits.
Aw, this zoo is so cute! We used to visit Mexico each year before kids. I hope we all fly there next spring; it will be so much fun! Thank you for inspiration.
This sounds like a lovely zoo! My kiddo loves all things animals and zoos so it’d be perfect!
I love zoos! This looks like a fun one to visit!
This is such an awesome place to visit! Everything here just looks so mesmerizing! An amazing place for that quick family getaway! Loved it!
My girls love the zoo! Would love to visit some like this and in other countries!
Wow! This sounds like a really wonderful and amazing Zoo to visit with my kids! They’re going to love to be here for sure!
This place seems so amazing! Mexico is always my favorite place. I love the zoo.
What a magical place! It’s a must visit for sure! I love Zoo!
This looks like so much fun. I would love to visit some day.
This would be a cool place to check out. I always love going to the zoo.
Ooh! I love that it’s free. I really enjoy heading to zoos (as long as the animals are treated well!), and this looks like a fun one to visit.
This looks like such a nice zoo to visit. I like the idea of the train rather than wandering around.
This place looks so peaceful! I luv it! And the perfect family friendly activity that with keep the kids entertained all day! That’s interesting about having to pay for toilet paper before going into the bathroom; but it makes sense when think about it. Thank you for sharing your experience with us! My family and I haven’t been the Mexico since my aunts wedding many years ago; so this could be the excuse we need to go back!
Everything is so colorful and the sky is so blue. What a beautiful place.
I’m not a big fan of zoo’s either but it does look beautiful. I would love to go some day.
That looks like such a lovely place to visit. I honestly would love going there some day with my family.
Wow! This looks like a really great and wonderful place to visit the whole family would really love to be here!
That’s such a lovely location, the play sets at the park look like they would be a lot of fun and the animal displays were nice too!
I love the zoo, this place looks like fun
It is always fun to visit the zoo especially if you have kids. We visited Zoo Atlanta before and it was huge. My son rode the train as well.
Wow… what stunning photos and looks like the most beautiful of places to visit. It reminds me that I am in need of a getaway and this is perfect!
Mexico is so beautiful. Very colourful and bright. I can see my family visiting there.
These are beautiful photos and my son would love this! Not only will he want to ride the train multiple times but he would enjoy what this park has to offer.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
I always love visiting zoos as long as the animals are treated humanely. This looks like such a great one to visit while in Mexico!
You find the best places. I hope to visit Mexico again very soon. We haven’t been in so many years.
There are more big attractions that can be found in Mexico than I expected. Thanks for bringing us to this beautiful place in your post.
Wow this looks brilliant. So much to see and do at the zoo and the extra bonus it is in Mexico. Beautiful vibrant country and well worth visiting xx
I really enjoyed reading about the Parque Zoologico del Centenario in Merida on this website. The article provided great information about the park’s conservation efforts and its unique animal exhibits.
I love visiting zoos and this one looks beautiful! I’ve never been to Mexico, we’re not even close, but I’d love to visit someday!
Nnniiiccceeeeee….I hadn’t known about this zoo before. I look forward to being here someday.
Aw, this zoo is so cute! We used to visit Mexico each year before kids. I hope we all fly there next spring; it will be so much fun! Thank you for inspiration.
Oh, I’m surprised about the toilet payment. I thought they only do that here in the Philippines, haha!
What a lovely place to visit with the kids. I’m surprised with the toilet payment too. Coz we don’t do that here in Japan.
I’ve been to Merida a few times, but never to the zoo. I wish I had known about this beautiful zoo prior to going before.
WOW! What a cool place to visit! Such a once in a lifetime opportunity!