The Naples Zoo was instituted in 1919 as a tropical botanic garden. When the space was re-outfitted to house animals, it was done with the utmost care to preserve the historic garden setting, and the result is a unique and beautiful space complete with not only exotic animals but also rare tropical plants and trees that have grown in the Naples Zoo for almost a century. The Naples Zoo features a mile-long paved walking path that will lead visitors through exhibits where they will find lions, bears, and giraffes as well as primates, reptiles, and some rarer creatures like fosas from Madagascar. The Naples Zoo is open to the public seven days a week from 9am until 5pm, and the last tickets of the day are sold at 4pm.

A nationally accredited zoo, Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens is one of the most popular family-friendly attractions in Naples. A 44-acre park that got its start as a botanical garden in 1919, visitors can now come to observe lions, tigers, bears, leopards and gazelles. It’s here that you can feed giraffes, ride aboard camels or see a honey badger up close. Lively animal shows and multimedia exhibits keep the entire family entertained, while a boat cruise sails past the primate island where you’re given a chance to see monkeys and lemurs. Make sure to see the Black Bear Hammock exhibit, catch a captivating “Snakes Live” show or plan a visit to the 19-foot reticulated python.

Fans of the movie "Madagascar" will surely recognize one of the Naples Zoo's inhabitants, the fosa, in Petrof's Primate Pavilion exhibit. The exhibit is also home to another Madagascar native, the lemur. As you walk around the grounds, stop and check out the rare Indochinese tigers and a collection of other interesting mammals like hyenas and leopards. Although recent visitors said it only takes a couple hours to see the zoo from top to bottom, it is unequivocably worth visiting. If you're looking for an educational experience, take in a live show, where zookeepers show off some of the zoo's animals. You can also watch live feedings. Times for all of these events can be found on the zoo's website. The zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission for adults costs $19.95; children between the ages of 3 and 12 enter for $12.95. You can save up to $3 per ticket if you purchase your tickets in advance online.

Once a private garden for botanist Dr. Henry Nehrling, Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens opened as a zoo in 1969. Most of the original garden plan remains, and the zoo's pathways meander through thick Caribbean foliage. The main pathway is about 1.6 km with exhibits lining either side. Consider purchasing a ticket for the primate cruise on the man-made lake in the center of the park. The zoo's primate inhabitants populate the islands in the middle of the lake, and a ride on the catamaran is the only way to view them. Alligator Bay is home to the American alligator species. Check presentation times at the reception area to see the beasts during their feeding time. Choose to start, finish, or center your holiday on a trip to Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens by using our Naples trip itinerary planner.