Provide fodder for your jungle fears with a visit to the Vivarium, home to 40 species of reptiles and amphibians including snakes, iguanas, turtles, frogs and caimans. It’s a herpetological research and education center, and the staff periodically give close demonstrations with one of the snakes.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Quito attractions

1. Museo de Ciencias Naturales

0.1 MILES

To further acquaint yourself with Ecuador’s flora and fauna, head to the curious natural-history museum inside the Instituto Nacional de Bioversidad in…

2. Jardín Botánico

0.14 MILES

Parque La Carolina’s most popular attraction is this peacefully set botanical garden with native habitats covering páramo (high-altitude Andean grasslands…

3. Parque La Carolina

0.21 MILES

North of Mariscal Sucre lies expansive Parque La Carolina. The attractively landscaped park fills on weekends with families who come out for paddleboats,…

4. Mundo Juvenil

0.27 MILES

An interactive museum featuring life-size animatronic dinosaurs, a planetarium, a library and a theater as well as temporary exhibitions are among the…

6. Centro Cultural Mexicano

0.91 MILES

Features great monthly exhibits of Mexican artists and other cultural events celebrating Mexican culture.

7. Mirador de Guápulo

1.2 MILES

The views from the lookout platform are magnificent: on a clear day, you can see Volcán Cayambe and Cerro Puntas as well as the upscale suburb of Cumbayá …

8. Santuario de Guápulo

1.26 MILES

In an elegant square in Guápulo stands the neighborhood’s centerpiece, the 17th-century Santuario de Guápulo, surrounded by sheer valley sides. It has an…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "ecuador/quito/attractions/vivarium/a/poi-sig/436500/363359",
      "destination": "Quito",
      "continent": "South-America",
      "country": "Ecuador",
      "city": "Quito",
      "position": "superzone"
    }