Parque Nacional Simón Bolívar is a zoo and botanical garden that spreads out over 14 hectares in downtown San Jose. It is the oldest park of its kind in Costa Rica. All animals that live in the zoo were found injured, have been orphaned, or have been disabled. When possible, they are nursed back to health before being released into their natural environment. The zoo started its life as a plant and animal garden established by Swiss botanist and naturalist Henry Pitter in 1884. Today, the zoo has 30 species of birds, 11 species of mammals, two species of frogs, 10 species of reptiles, and one species of fish – koi carp. Some of the most interesting animals in the zoo are different species of turtles, the green vine snake, emperor boa, fer-de-lance, tropical rattlesnake, American crocodile, strawberry poison frog, spectacled caiman, and blue-sided tree frog.
Simon Bolivar Parque Zoologico y Jardin Botanico Nacional, Calle 13, San José Province, San José, Costa Rica, Phone: +5-06-22-56-00-12
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