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Salvador Zoo: meet Brazilian wildlife up close

A free visit in Ondina with Brazilian wildlife, an immersive aviary, green space and family-friendly attractions inside Salvador.

By Salvador Insider Editorial Team

Research, verification and editorial maintenance by Salvador Insider.

Brazilian wildlife at the Parque Zoobotânico da Bahia in Salvador. — Zoo Bahia, in Ondina: Brazilian wildlife and environmental education inside the city.

For an international visitor, the best reason to visit Salvador's zoo is not simply to tick another zoo off a list. It is the chance to meet part of Brazil's wildlife at close range, in a large green area inside the city. That makes the visit especially useful for travellers who have never seen Brazilian fauna beyond documentaries, photographs or the occasional airport gift-shop macaw.

Think of this as a Brazilian wildlife stop first and a conventional zoo second. For visitors from abroad, that shift makes the place much more interesting.

Why it is worth visiting

The Parque Zoobotânico da Bahia, also known as Zoo Bahia or Salvador Zoo, is managed by INEMA and works with conservation, environmental education and research as well as public visitation. Its location in Ondina makes it easy to combine with the Atlantic coast, Barra or Rio Vermelho on the same day.

The birds are a highlight

The renovated immersive aviary is one of the strongest reasons to include the zoo in a first trip to Salvador. After the park's 2025 reopening, official information reported more than 200 birds from different species in the aviary. Brazil's birdlife is extraordinarily diverse, colourful and unfamiliar to many foreign visitors, so this can be one of the simplest ways to encounter it without organising a specialist nature excursion.

What else you will find

Brazilian native wildlife and species involved in conservation programmes.
A revitalised feline area and the primate island.
A large green setting with remnants of Atlantic Forest inside the urban area.
A paleontological area with a near-10-metre life-size Tyrannosaurus rex replica, particularly popular with children.
Environmental education activities and occasional special programmes throughout the year.

Practical information

Detail	Information
Admission	Free
Opening hours	Tuesday to Sunday, 9am–5pm
Neighbourhood	Ondina
Address	Rua Alto de Ondina, s/n, Salvador
Best for	Brazilian wildlife, birds, families, nature and a low-cost day out

Hours and access arrangements can change for maintenance, holidays or special events. Check Zoo Bahia's official channels before leaving your hotel.

Good to know before you go

Do not feed the animals. Their diets are planned by the zoo's technical team.
Bring water and sun protection. Salvador's midday sun is not known for negotiating.
Give yourself enough time to walk the grounds without rushing, particularly if you are visiting with children.
Respect barriers, signs and instructions from staff. The visit should be pleasant for the animals too, a revolutionary concept in some corners of tourism.

Insider tip: Zoo Noturno

Zoo Noturno is a special guided night experience that lets small groups observe nocturnal and crepuscular animals with the park's technical team. Editions were held again in 2026, but dates and registration are released separately and places can disappear quickly. Treat it as a bonus rather than part of the regular visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Salvador Zoo free?: Yes. Official INEMA information in 2026 confirms free admission to Zoo Bahia.
Is the zoo worth visiting if I am coming from abroad?: It can be, particularly if you want an accessible introduction to Brazilian wildlife and birds without leaving Salvador. The immersive aviary is the strongest reason to include it.
Can I visit on Monday?: No under the regular schedule. The park is normally open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm.