Manila Zoo known as Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden is located at M. Adriatico St, Malate, Manila, 1004 Metro Manila, Philippines. It has a land area of 5.5 Hectares (55000 square meters) and it houses numerous Plants and 1000 Animals for more than 50 years. Manila Zoo first opened its doors to the public on July 25, 1959. The main entrance of the zoo is fronting the Playground for Manila Youth. It is a government-run Animal Theme Park in the City of Manila.
We’ve been to Manila Zoo many times because we consider the Zoological theme park as one of the essential educational places we can get our son into. In a span of 4 years, I think we visited the place 3 times (record-breaking). I will not dwell much on our zoo experience instead I’ll share here some important details that you would probably ask if you’re going to Manila Zoo.
Manila Zoo Entrance Fee List 2023
The ticket price to enter the zoo is between 100 pesos and 300 pesos. Persons with Disability and Senior Citizens have a 20% discount on the prescribed ticket price. Meanwhile, kids 2 years old and below can enter the zoo for free.
- Manila Residents Adults/Children – 150 pesos
- Manila Residents Students – 100 pesos
- Non Residents Adult/Children – 300 pesos
- Non Residents Students – 200 pesos
- Teachers and Government Employees of Manila – 100 pesos
- Person with Disabilities (PWD) / Senior Citizen – 20% discount on the entrance fee
- Children 2 years old and below – Free Entrance
Manila residents need to prepare a valid ID with a picture and address to avail of the discounted ticket price. Accepted IDs include the following: New TIN ID, Voter’s ID, Driver’s license, Barangay ID, UM ID, and School ID for Manila students only.
Manila Zoo Schedule
The Zoo is open from Mondays to Sundays including public holidays from 9 am to 6 pm.
- Monday: 9 am to 6 pm
- Tuesday: 9 am to 6 pm
- Wednesday: 9 am to 6 pm
- Thursday: 9 am to 6 pm
- Friday: 9 am to 6 pm
- Saturday: 9 am to 6 pm
- Sunday: 9 am to 6 pm
The Manila Zoo is now operational. Here is a photo of the main entrance of the educational park. 
How to Buy Entrance Ticket for Manila Zoo Online
Manila Zoo has an online ticketing system that allows you to schedule your visit to the park as well as purchase your entrance ticket online. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website of Manila Zoo and Go to Tickets
Its official page is www.manilazoo.ph. On the homepage, go to Tickets located at the upper right side of the page. Alternatively, the zoo also has placed a Get Ticket button at the bottom center of the page. Visiting either of the links will redirect you to the “Get a ticket” link.
Step 2: Input your Details and Book an Appointment
The website will request you to input your details in the required fields such as your first name, surname, mobile number, email address, and age.
The site will also request you to select your Gender, Region, Province, Municipality, and Barangay details. Moreover, you have to tick the box whichever is applicable to you. For example, if you are a student, then tick the box declaring that you are a student, and so on.
Agree with the terms and conditions, and tick the reCAPTCHA to declare that you are not a robot. Afterward, press the “Set Appointment” button.
Step 3: Select your Preferred date of visit to Manila Zoo
From the calendar, select the Date and the Time Slot of your planned visit. The website will also show you the remaining capacity of the zoo for your chosen date. Double-check the details, afterward, proceed to “Set Appointment” to view your Appointment Summary and to Checkout.
Step 4: Select your Payment Method and Pay your Entrance Ticket
After the Checkout, the website will show on your device’s screen the amount that you need to pay. Proceed to “Pay Now” to pay for your ticket.
You can pay your entrance ticket using your VISA/Mastercard, PayMaya, GCash, GrabPay, UnionPay, Kiosk Machines, WeChat Pay, AliPay, and ShopeePay. Choose your payment method. Afterward, input your payment details then go to “Proceed.”
Take note that using any of the payment methods will incur a Service Fee.
Step 5: Receive your Manila Zoo Booking Pass via Text Message
Once you completed the payment process, Manila Zoo will send you an SMS containing your booking pass to enter the zoo. It is a QR code that you need to present upon entering the Zoo premises.
It is highly recommended that you save a copy of your booking pass on your mobile device so it will be accessible to you even without an internet connection. Go to Manila Zoo on your scheduled visit date. That’s it!
What Animals and Plants can you see in Manila Zoo?
Manila Zoo houses more than 1000 animals of 70 species. The types of animals that you can see in Manila Zoo are Mammals, Birds, Amphibians, Reptiles, and Fish. Furthermore, thousands of plants are growing in its Botanical Garden.
Among the notable animals are the Asian Elephant named Mali, African Lion, Bengal and Siberian Tigers, Celebes Black Ape, Hebra, Philippine Monkey, Palm Civet, and the Philippine Deer.
There are also the Philippine Serpent Eagle, Eagle Owl, and Ostriches. You will be able to see the Philippine Crocodile, different types of Turtles, Snakes, Iguanas, Pythons, Giant Catfish, Red Pacu, Alligator Gar, and Oscar (Astronotus Ocellatus).
The varieties of plants that you can find in Manila Zoo are Japanese Bamboo. White Moa, Mayana, Mandarin, Fortune Plant, Gumamela, Iresine, and Blue Plumbago.
The Zoo is guaranteed to be the place in Metro Manila where kids and adults can learn about different species of wild animals. Other than the usual farm animals such as pigs, cows, carabao, goats, and house pets like parrots, dogs, and cats.
Tips and Reminders when visiting Manila Zoo
Wear light and bright-colored clothing to reflect the sun’s heat and keep your body cool as you enjoy roaming around Manila Zoo. You can also put some insect repellent to avoid insect bites. Wear comfortable shoes
House pets are not allowed inside the zoo therefore you can’t bring your pets with you when visiting the zoo.
For the animal’s safety and for your own safety, you are not allowed to feed and hold the animals in Manila Zoo.
Outside food and bottled drinks are not allowed inside the Zoo. But you can bring your own tumbler. You can buy food and drinks inside.
Manila Zoo has a parking area. You can bring your own passenger vehicle and park it inside the Zoo’s parking area. You have to buy a parking ticket for it.
Under normal conditions, the zoo has the capacity to accommodate 16000 visitors per day.
The ideal time to visit Manila Zoo is from 8 am to 10 am when the theme park is usually not crowded and the temperature is cooler. The zoo is usually busy between 2 pm to 3 pm on a daily basis. Visitors spend 1 to 3 hours per visit there.
What are the Do’s and Don’ts inside Manila Zoo
As a visitor of the zoo, you are requested to follow these guidelines for your own safety as well as for the animals. You are also requested to follow the instructions on the signages that you will see inside the zoo vicinity.
- Respect the Animals
- Do not feed the animals
- No Smoking
- No Littering
- No Outside Food and Drinks
- Pets are not allowed inside the zoo
- All kinds of toys including balloons at not allowed inside the zoo
- Children must be supervised by adults at all times
- Do not pluck the flowers
- Do not step on the grass
Manila Zoo Navigation Guide: How to Get around inside the Zoo
Guests would take a maximum of 3 hours of roaming inside the Manila Zoo to explore all the different animals and plants that live there.
To cover all of them, you can roam freely inside the zoo or you can follow a directional map so you will be efficient in the use of your time and you will not miss any of the animals, plants, and insects exhibits.
Based on Manila Zoo’s navigational map, after you pass the entrance and ticket booth, the best way to see all the plants and animals is to walk in a counterclockwise direction. Here is a possible suggestion:
You can start by viewing the enclosure of the elephant Mali, and the Hippopotamus. Afterward, turn to your back to view the birds at the Aviary enclosure.
Once done, proceed to the enclosures for the Hyenas and the Savanna. Then turn to your back to see the Lions and Tigers at the Apex Predators enclosures. After you pass by the latter, on your right is where you will see the exhibits of animals that are endemic to the Philippines. Turn on your back to see the enclosure of the outdoor reptiles, then proceed to the Museum.
When you get out of the building, walk along the path located between the reptile and apex predators’ enclosures until you face the lagoon. Afterward, turn right to see the enclosure of the indoor reptiles.
Continue walking along the path to see the enclosures for Primates. Next to it is the Children’s Park. Once you are done in this area, take the bridge to cross over the lagoon and get to the food court to have your refreshments and rest for a few minutes.
Once you regain your energy, proceed to the Butterfly Garden located next to the lagoon and then to the Botanical Garden. Your final stop will be the souvenir store which is just outside the Aviary. That’s it…
Manila Zoo Location Map and Landmarks
The Zoo is very accessible, it is near the Manila Hospital (Ospital ng Maynila), the old Harrison Plaza, Paraiso ng Batang Maynila, the Central Bank of the Philippines, the Philippine Sports Museum, and the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.
*image from google maps
You can get to the place via different public and private transportation depending on your choosing. Public utility jeeps and buses coming from Cavite pass by near it.
What are the Hotels near Manila Zoo
Should you wish to stay longer near the vicinity of Manila Zoo and enjoy the other surrounding tourist attractions near the Animal Theme Park. There are affordable hotels near the zoo that you can choose from. These are the following:
- Aloha Hotel (300 meters away)
- Hotel Sogo Quirino (100 meters away)
- Hotel Ava Malate (100 meters away)
- Casa Micarosa Hotel and Residences (200 meters away)
- Armada Hotel Manila (380 meters away)
- Mannra Hotel (390 meters away)
- Orchid Garden Suites – Manila (740 meters away)
- Century Park Hotel (740 meters away)
How to Get to Manila Zoo by Public Transportation
The fastest way to get to Manila Zoo is to ride a train at any LRT 1 station and then alight at Quirino Station. Take the exit facing the MARC 2000 Tower. From there walk 600 meters toward Baywalk. When you reach M. Adriatico Street, turn left. You will find Manila Zoo at the corner of Quirino Avenue and M. Adriatico Street.
Alternatively, from MARC 2000 Tower, ride a Pedicab and tell the driver to bring you to Manila Zoo. The estimated Pedicab fare is 30 pesos per person.
From Monumento LRT 1 Station to Manila Zoo
Ride the LRT 1 at Monumento Station then drop off at Quirino Avenue LRT Station 12 stops after. The train fare is 30 pesos. At the exit of the station ride a Pedicab to get to Manila Zoo. The Pedicab fare is 30 pesos per person.
Alternatively, from Marc 2000 Tower ride a Jeepney with a signboard Dakota, it will pass by the entrance of the Zoo. The Jeepney fare is 12 pesos.
From Cubao Araneta Quezon City
Ride a train bound for Recto Station at Araneta Center Cubao Station LRT 2. Alight at Recto Station 7 stops after. The LRT 2 train fare is 20 pesos.
Take the footbridge to get to Doroteo Jose LRT 1 Station. Ride the train bound for Baclaran Station. Then alight at Quirino Station 5 stops after. The train fare is 15 pesos. Afterward, take the exit facing the MARC 2000 Tower.
From the building, walk 600 meters toward Roxas Boulevard (Baywalk). When you reach Adriatico Street, turn left. You will find Manila Zoo at the corner of Quirino Street and Adriatico Street.
Alternatively, at MARC 2000 Tower, you can ride a Jeepney with a signboard Dakota. Tell the driver to drop you off at Manila Zoo. The jeepney fare is 12 pesos.
From SM Fairview Quezon City
From SM Fairview ride UV Express bound for Buendia. Tell the driver that you will alight at Quirino Avenue LRT 1 station.
From MARC 2000 Tower, ride a jeep with the signboard “Dakota.” Tell the driver to drop you off at Manila Zoo. The Jeepney fare is 12 pesos. Alternatively, you can ride a Pedicab to bring you to Manila Zoo. The Pedicab fare is 30 pesos per person (estimated).
Or from MARC 2000 Tower, walk 600 meters towards Roxas Boulevard (Baywalk). Turn left at Adriatico Street. You will find the Manila Zoo at the corner of Quirino Street and Adriatico Street.
From Alabang Muntinlupa
Ride the bus going to Manila then tell the bus conductor to drop you off at Quirino LRT Station. From there ride a pedicab or jeep with a signboard Dakota going to the Zoo.
From Cavite
Ride any bus bound for Manila then drop off at Quirino LRT station. From there you can ride a jeepney via to A. Mabini Street then alight near the zoo and just walk a few meters. You can also ride a pedicab and then tell the driver to bring you to the zoo. You can also walk for LRT to the zoo, it will only take you 10 minutes to get there.
From Laguna to Manila Zoo
Route 1: Ride a bus bound for Gil Puyat (Buendia) LRT Station then from there I suggest you take a taxi.
From Baclaran
You can ride Jeep with signboard Divisoria via A. Mabini. Tell the driver to drop you off at the zoo. From there just walk for a few meters to get to the entrance of the zoo.
You can also take the Grab Car or Taxi
If you will be going to the theme park with toddlers and small children, it is best to ride a Grab or a Taxi if it is available in your area. For me, it is the most convenient and safest. It can minimize transfer to different transportation, which is crucial if you have your kids with you.
It is also less stressful on your part as these types of transportation will pick you up from your location and drop you off at the entrance of the animal theme park. There is a disadvantage though, which is that it is expensive compared to other PUVs.
Read: About a Zoo located in Montalban Rizal
Or if you’re coming from other places that I did not mention just hit the comment and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.