- Zoológico de São Paulo: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, last entry 4pm. Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 8:30am to 6pm, last entry 5pm. Ticket office closes one hour before closing.
- Simba Safari SP: Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, entry until 5pm. Saturday, Sunday, and holidays 8:30am to 6pm, entry until 5pm.
- Jardim Botânico SP: Daily 9am to 5pm, last entry 4pm. Museum and greenhouses weekends and holidays only, 10am to 4pm. Weekday mornings before 11am are the quietest and coolest period across all three.
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Quick overview of São Paulo Zoo
- Access included: São Paulo Zoo entry covers 230+ species across 47 Atlantic Forest hectares, self-guided, full day. Big cats, elephants, primates, and tropical birds are all on the main circuit.
- Simba Safari SP: Separate ticket. Guided vehicles through open wildlife areas on fixed-time departures. First session 9am weekends, 9:30am weekdays. Last session 5pm daily.
- Botanical Garden SP: 12-month pass for unlimited visits. Trails and lakes open daily. Museum and greenhouses weekends and holidays only, 10am to 4pm.
- Timing: Visit the São Paulo Zoo before 11am to see the animals at their most active. For Simba Safari SP, book one of the first morning departures for the best wildlife sightings, and visit the São Paulo Botanical Garden early for cooler temperatures and quieter trails.
- Booking: Zoo-only visits work at the last minute on weekdays. Book an early slot at Simba Safari and Botanical Garden on weekends for a complete visit.
- Best option: Zoo entry for the core wildlife day. Add Simba Safari SP separately for open-area animal encounters, while you can enjoy another complete day at the Botanical Garden to trek and explore the hidden trails.
Which São Paulo Zoo ticket is best for you
| Ticket type | Entrance used | Includes | Why pick this | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
São Paulo Zoo | São Paulo Zoo main entrance | Zoo entry only | • Covers main exhibits in ~3–4 hrs • E-ticket skips ticket office queue | From R$119.90 |
Simba Safari Tickets | Simba Safari main entrance | Drive-through Safari with guide | • 40-min safari ride experience • See roaming animals up close | From R$119.90 |
Jardim Botânico Tickets | Jardim Botânico main entrance | Access to botanical garden exhibits and trails | • Explore the garden• Adjacent attraction to zoo | From R$229.90 |
Things to know before booking
Booking window
- Book the Zoológico de São Paulo and an early morning Simba Safari slot in advance for your preferred date and the best chance to see animals at their most active. Both can be comfortably visited in one day. The Jardim Botânico SP pass includes unlimited entry for 12 months, making a separate weekend visit ideal to explore the museum, greenhouses, and trails.
Three separate tickets, three separate sites
- São Paulo Zoo, Simba Safari, and the Botanical Garden each require separate tickets and entrances. While the zoo and safari can be combined in one day with early planning, the São Paulo Botanical Garden is best visited on a separate day. Simba Safari SP is about a 10-minute drive from the zoo, so allow time for travel between the two sites.
What zoo entry includes
- Full-day self-guided access to all 230+ species across 47 hectares. Does not include Simba Safari or the Botanical Garden. The ticket office closes one hour before the zoo, so do not arrive late expecting to buy at the gate.
How Simba Safari SP works
- Guided vehicle departures run throughout the day. Arrive 20 minutes before your session. First departure weekdays 9:30am, weekends 9am. Last departure 5pm daily. Pre-booking secures your preferred session time, which is not guaranteed on-site.
Jardim Botânico SP
- Gives unlimited entry for 12 months from purchase. Trails and lakes open daily 9am to 5pm, last entry 4pm. The Botanical Museum and greenhouses open on weekends and holidays only, 10am to 4pm. While the Cerrado greenhouse is currently closed, the Atlantic Forest greenhouse is open.
Species to look for at São Paulo Zoo
Flamingo
A large resident flock in open water habitats. One of the easiest species to photograph clearly given their size, colour, and open positioning in the aviary section.
Visiting São Paulo Zoo with Kids?
São Paulo Zoo works well for families. Paths are mostly paved and stroller-friendly, with stroller rental available at the entrance. Children respond strongly to the big cat enclosures, elephant habitat, and aviaries with colourful tropical birds at close range.
Zoológico de São Paulo covers 47 hectares and involves significant walking, so building in regular rest stops matters more here than at a compact city zoo. Start with the big mammal section in the cooler morning, use the reptile houses as a mid-afternoon cool-down, and finish at the play area near the entrance when energy runs low.
Kid-friendly features:
- Play area: Playground equipment and picnic space near the main entrance.
- Facilities: Restrooms, drinking fountains, and shaded seating along the main circuit.
- Food: Snack kiosks and cafés at regular intervals without long detours from the route.
Visitor tips
- Arrive early: Animals are most active at opening, and temperatures are cooler. Big cats, elephants, and primates are worth prioritising before crowds build along the main loop.
- Beat crowds and queues: Go on a weekday if you can, or be at the gate right at opening on Sundays and school holidays.
- Use shade smartly: Do the open big-mammal enclosures in the cool morning, then escape midday heat in the aviaries and reptile house.
- Respect the animals: Don’t tap on glass, feed animals, or shout near enclosures—quiet visitors see more natural behavior.
- Head to large mammals first: Most visitors drift to this section after 11am. Going earlier gives clearer sightlines and less waiting at viewing rails.
- Use the reptile houses in the afternoon: Indoor exhibits stay cool when outdoor paths get hot between 1pm and 3pm. A practical temperature break mid-visit.
- Book Simba Safari in advance: Fixed departure capacity means popular slots fill quickly on weekends. Morning sessions consistently offer more active animals and shorter boarding queues.
- Find the Hidrofitotério at the Botanical Garden: Most visitors never reach this 1947 aquatic garden with 80 plant compartments because it sits furthest into the grounds. Push through to it before doubling back.
Frequently asked questions about São Paulo Zoo tickets
Weekday zoo visits rarely sell out. For Simba Safari , weekends, and school holidays in July and December to January, book a few days ahead to avoid sold-out sessions and ticket desk queues.
Full-day self-guided access to all 230+ species across 47 hectares. Does not include Simba Safari SP or the Botanical Garden. Each requires a separate ticket purchased individually.
No. São Paulo Zoo , Simba Safari , and the Jardim Botânico SP are each sold separately. There is no combo or bundle option available.
Online tickets bypass the ticket desk queue. Security checks and turnstile scanning still apply. For Simba Safari, pre-booking also locks in your preferred departure session.
Simba Safari runs on fixed-time sessions throughout the day. On weekdays, the first session starts at 9:30am with the last departure at 5pm. On weekends and holidays, sessions begin earlier at 9am with the same 5pm last departure. Arrive at least 20 minutes before your chosen session, as each departure has a fixed vehicle capacity.
São Paulo Zoo takes about 4 to 6 hours. Adding Simba Safari makes it a full-day visit, while combining all three attractions with the São Paulo Botanical Garden is best split across two days.
São Paulo Zoo and Simba Safari SP tickets are single-entry. Confirm re-entry conditions with staff at the gate before leaving if you plan to step out and return the same day.
Main paths are paved with accessible parking near the gate. Some sections involve gradients and long distances. For specific requirements, check the accessibility page or contact the zoo before visiting.
