Belo Horizonte Zoo

Over the Corpus Christi holiday, we took a trip to the Zoo with our friends Corinne and Kevin. Matt went with his parents and the kids back in December, but it was on my last day of work, so I didn't get to go. But of course the kids wouldn't miss another opportunity to visit! I double checked to make sure that it was really open and called (3277-7363). This website had helpful info (it's in Portuguese). It cost R$7 per car, and R$4 per person over the age of 7. This was the holiday price; normally it's less, and on Tuesday's it's free! I would recommend going to Portaria 2 (gate number 2) for easier access to the animals and parking. Here's how to get there by bus:

From Centro, you can connect with bus numbers 4403A or S53. Here's a map

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Here's how to get there by car (kind of):

2739 Avenida Antônio Francisco Lisboa
(
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I was very impressed with the zoo. There were lots of people there because it was a holiday, but it wasn't crazy busy. You can bring a picnic lunch (like we did) and eat it in any of the many grassy, shaded areas. You can also buy food there, but I was told it was not very good, and not so cheap. We saw elephants, a rhino, giraffes, lions, a sleeping tiger, turtles, monkeys, gorillas, some really cool snakes, and lots and lots of birds. There is a nice aquarium (so I've heard), but we decided not to try to squeeze it in. There's also a cool looking butterfly pavilion, but it's only open on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and during certain hours. We had a fun time!


Turtles--this is for you mom!

Sebastian and buddy Kevin

The kiddos on a Popsicle break.