Centenario Park and Zoo 

Merida is such an iconic city that even its parks are historically significant. In 2010, the Centenario Park and Zoo turned 100 years of existence (making it the two-centenario park, I guess)—though, then it was just a park. The zoo was added later, and today, it houses a variety of animals that you wouldn’t expect. The best part: it’s free!

Where is Centenario Park and Zoo?

Most of Merida’s tourist and historic attractions may be around downtown, but the Centenario Park and Zoo is a bit further away. It’s located on Itzaes Avenue, west of downtown, across another famous park, Parque de la Paz.

Getting here is no problem, though, as it is quite well-known locally; any taxi driver knows where it is. Plus, as it’s on one of the most important avenues in Merida, it is quite accessible via public transport.

The Zoo part of Centenario Park and Zoo

There are many other zoos around the Yucatan Peninsula. Their animal population is usually made up of rescue animals in need of care. Because of that, they are mostly endemic species. That makes the animals here a bit surprising. Though they’re still made up of rescue animals, they’re mostly African.

Lions, tigers, hippos, camels, and chimps are only a few of the species you’ll find here, as well as an aviary housing several species of birds. If animals with fur or feathers are not your thing, you’ll be happy to know Centenario also houses several crocodiles and snakes.

The Park part of Centenario Park and Zoo

Besides the zoo, the park has an area with all kinds of activities and games for the younger ones in your party, like rowboats, as well as one of the park’s oldest attractions: the train, which was built in the 1950s.

In the beginning, we said this place is completely free. Well, we confess that wasn’t entirely true. You’ll have to pay 1 Mexican peso to ride the train. That is USD 0.050, so you better pay in local currency. Though just a small ride, the train is a good way to scan the entire park as it takes you all around it.

There are food stalls as well, in case you grow hungry. Grab a torta (what we know as a sandwich), recharge your batteries, and carry on with your visit.