FAQ

12400 SW 152 Street
Miami, FL 33177

We are open daily from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The last ticket is sold at 4 p.m. Some animals start going in for the night at 4:30 p.m. During special event days, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, hours of operation will change. Check our Tickets page for more information about our hours.

Admission is $22.95 plus tax/adult and $18.95 plus tax/child ages 3 – 12. Children 2 and under enter free. For access all year round, you can purchase a membership on the Membership section of our website.

We offer various discounts – for military, seniors, teachers, schools, camps, groups, and more. For more information on discounts, click Tickets. For more information on rates for schools and camps, click Field Trips.

Parking is free.

We have over 2,500 animals representing 400 species, including highly endangered species. At Zoo Miami you will find amphibians, birds, fish, mammals, and reptiles. Explore some of the animals you can spot during your visit by clicking on Animals.

We are comprised of 740 acres, 346 of which are developed and house the zoo. This translates into over three miles of walkways. Most of the undeveloped land, which surrounds the zoo, is endangered and federally protected.

It depends whether you walk, rent a safari cycle, or take a tram tour.  The average guest spends four to five hours exploring, but for some guests one eight-hour day is not enough. For those guests we recommend purchasing a membership. Find out more by clicking on Become a Member.

We have concession stands throughout and they serve regular and vegetarian foods; we do not serve kosher meals but you may bring your own, store it in the lobby of the Administration Building with the receptionist and then pick it up when you are ready to eat. Picnic tables are located outside the zoo entrance.

We do not allow food or drinks inside the park.  If you bring food, you may leave it at the reception desk and when you are ready to eat, you may store it in the lobby of the Administration Building with the receptionist and then pick it up when you are ready to eat. Picnic tables are located outside the zoo entrance.

The general rule states that outside food and beverage are not allowed in the zoo.

• One bottle of water per guest which includes commercial or reusable bottles.  Exceptions to the rule include:

  • For children 2 and under:

  • Baby formulas and food.

  • Baby bottles and drinking cups for toddlers.  Box and pouch drinks are permitted once the attached drinking straws are removed.

  • Individual snack portions for toddlers in a sandwich size bag.

• Oversize bags, back packs, coolers and luggage are allowed but are subject to be searched.  Guests are welcome to use the picnic area located at the front of the zoo to eat their food.

Guests who do not wish to return food items to their vehicles can store their belongings in crates located in the lobby in the Administration Building at the main entrance.

While we cannot determine what the weather is going to be at any given moment, your best bet is to click here to get accurate information.

Guests are able to feed giraffes and parrots for an additional cost. We also have Meet the Zookeeper talks throughout the day where you can listen to keepers talk about their animals and watch them feed them. Our animals are on strict diets and can only eat the food prepared for them by their keepers and our veterinarians. Find out more about the feedings and other activities you can do at the zoo by clicking Activities. 

Golf carts can only be driven by team members for the safety of our guests, however, there are opportunities for guests to be toured in one. For more information on our tours, click on Tours and Encounters.

Yes.  All exhibits, concessions, and modes of transportation are handicap accessible.  Additionally, service animals are allowed inside Zoo Miami. For more information, check our Plan Your Visit, Guests with Disabilities section of our website.

Yes, we host birthday parties and other types of events such as company picnics, and weddings! Click on Venue Rentals for more information. 

At Zoo Miami, you can have family or corporate picnics, school group field trips, teambuilding events, walks/races, weddings, receptions, and just about any other special event you can think of.  Events can be held indoors or out, day or night. We do it all! For information click on Venue Rentals or contact the Sales and Events office at zooevents@miamidade.gov.

Zoo Miami has special events throughout the year for kids and adults. To find out more, click on Upcoming Events.

Email zoodonationrequests@miamidade.gov a letter of request on your non-profit's letterhead with details on how passes will be used and a copy of the organization's Tax Exempt Certificate.

If taking pictures for your own personal non-promotional use, no permits are required. You will only have to purchase admission. To get permission to film or have a professional photo shoot that will be used for promotional/commercial use at Zoo Miami, please contact Zoo Miami Foundation’s Director of Marketing, Cindy Castelblanco, at 305-255-5551.  She will instruct you on what permits you need, insurance, liability waivers, cost, etc.

The animals’ night houses are built to Miami-Dade County building code and the animals are placed in them in case of extreme inclement weather – tornados, hurricanes, etc.  As they sleep there every night, they are not stressed since they are used to being in their night house.

No.  However, we do have Amnesty Day once a year at the zoo where you can bring your unwanted exotic pet (does not include cats and dogs) and drop it off, no questions asked. Check our website for dates.

Yes - If you have never been a Zoo Miami Member, and purchased general admission tickets to Zoo Miami, you may be eligible for an upgrade to a Membership. Tickets must have been purchased within 14 days, and can be credited toward a Membership. For more information, click on the “Upgrade Day Pass” tab above, or call Member Services.

• Visit http://shop.zoomiami.org/save

• Call 305-255-5551 and ask for Member Services during regular operating hours (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

• At Zoo Miami: Visit the Member Services window at the front entrance

Yes! Parking is free.

The Membership provides you with 12 months of free admission from the date of purchase.  Admission is valid during general operating hours and there are no blackout dates. In addition, Members get various discounts, event and exhibit previews, special access or pre-sales and various other benefits. For a current list of benefits, see the Membership Benefits tab here. 

Yes, as a Zoo Member, you are entitled to many different discounts, including 10% off concessions, 20% off Safari Cycle rentals, $1 off animal feedings, and more.

Your Membership includes free express entry to events such as Egg Safari, Party 4 the Planet, and Zoo Boo. Some special events, particularly evening events, are not included. However, Members may qualify for discounts or pre-sales depending on the event.

Members can enter with their membership cards and photo IDs prior to 5pm.

Coupons must be present at time of purchase. Discounts will not be given retroactive to a purchase. However, you can utilize coupons for a renewal if you wish to add another discounted year to your current Memberhsip term.

YES! When you purchase your Membership online you will automatically receive a temporary pass that will allow you into the park until your card is ready for pick up at Member Services.

Typical processing time is one month from the date of purchase and you can pick up your cards at Member Services. If you have paid for your pass, and it is still not ready, you can still enter the zoo as a Member by showing your Temporary Pass. After 1 month from the date of purchase, Members are required to pick up their membership cards to gain entry to the zoo.

Buddy passes are one of the extra perks you receive as a Member. They are good for $4 OFF up to six guest admission tickets, per visit. Active and named Member must be present to receive this discount. Simply show you Membership ID at the ticket booth before purchasing daily admission tickets.

You may have your cards reprinted at the Member Service cart for a $10 fee. Reprints can be requested on your next visit or by calling Member Services. Cards will be made available for pick-up or mailing upon payment of re-print fee.

Absolutely!  As a courtesy and to avoid extra charges to Members, we do offer a one-time Day Pass. You may stop at Member Services and present your photo ID to obtain it. We will log the first Day Pass on your record.  A second request for a day pass will incur the $10 reprint fee for new cards.

To ensure appropriate use of Member benefits and privileges, we ask for a valid photo ID. We also want to protect our Members should their cards be lost or stolen. Children are not required to present photo ID. We appreciate your understanding.

Membership cards are non- transferable. Only the persons named on the Membership cards may enter the zoo using those cards. All named Members will be required to show a valid photo ID along with their cards in order to gain admission.

Dual and Family Memberships offer the option for a second named member or an unnamed guest. The benefit of the unnamed guest option provides the named members(s) the benefit of bringing any guest with you each time you visit the zoo. Unnamed guests can only enter when accompanied by a named member(s) in that household. On Dual and Family levels, you can purchase up to four additional guests for $35 each and choose to name them or leave them unnamed.

The Membership offers benefits to Members based on unique households. Therefore, family or children that are not immediate relatives living within the same house at the same address cannot be included. The only option available is the purchase of up to 4 guest spots at $35 each to bring guests when you visit. We encourage you to have your friends & relatives become Members as well to enjoy the zoo 365 days a year.

Yes! Grandchildren are considered part of your immediate family and are our only exception to our policy that allows members to list children not living within the same household. Remember, we only allow up to 4 children listed on a Membership and all children must be between the ages of 3 – 17.  A 5th and 6th child may be added to your membership for an additional fee of $25 for each add-on.

Dual and Family Memberships offer the option for a second named member or an unnamed guest. If the spouse is not named, he/she is not a Member. Cards are non-transferrable and only those named on the Membership are entitled to entry and other benefits. You may add your spouse for $35 on Dual or Family level any time during your Membership term. Please remember children and unnamed guests must be accompanied by a named member on the Membership in order to receive free admission.

In order for a nanny/babysitter to use the Membership to bring your children, they must be a named Member. You can add them to Dual or Family levels for $35 anytime during your Membership cycle. Otherwise, they must pay for admission for themselves and your children. Children must always be accompanied by a named Member in order to receive free admission.

Sorry, children under 18 and unnamed guests MUST be accompanied by a named adult Member in order to gain admission.

The Membership cannot be used to replace the cost for a child or adult attending as part of an organized field trip. These field trips are booked through Group Sales and group tickets must be fully accounted for. If a parent is attending the zoo on the same day as their child’s field trip, they must have permission from the group organizer to join during the zoo walkway visitation, but may not be allowed to participate in field trip activities such as tram rides, monorail, and others. Additional fees may apply and should be handled with in advance of a field trip by contacting the field trip organizer to purchase additional tickets.

For the Family Membership, children are counted from age 3 through 17. At 18, children are automatically removed from the Membership. To continue coverage of your 18+ child, you may add them as an additional guest for $35.

You may not make changes to named adults or unnamed guests listed during the year. Changes to any named adult or unnamed guests will only be allowed on a case by case basis and at the discretion of our Membership Manager and/or Director.  You may add additional guests to your Membership for $35 each at any time throughout your term.

While we wish Members visited weekly, we cannot assign credit for those who have not used their Membership. Even if you have lost or have not yet received your cards, you are always able to visit the Zoo by checking with Member Services for a Temporary Pass or re-print.

Unfortunately, our system is unable to place temporary freezes or holds on accounts.

Members receive 20% off hourly rentals for Safari Cycles, non-electric wheelchairs, and strollers.

Yes. We send quarterly digital newsletters by email. If you have not received any, please contact Member Services at 305-255-5551.

Yes, you will receive discounted admission at over 140 zoos nationwide. For a full listing please see our reciprocal list. Please call visiting attraction ahead of traveling to ensure that benefits are still active.

View Reciprocal List Here!

Please send an email to MBR@ZOOMIAMI.ORG with your full name, Member Number and new contact information.