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Trinidad and Tobago🇹🇹 | attractionsEmperor Valley ZooScarlet ibis aviary, ocelots, giant river otters, snake house | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Emperor Valley Zoo
👍 Recommendedattraction ranked #7
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Emperor Valley Zoo sits beside the Queen’s Park Savannah, so you can walk to it from most Port of Spain guesthouses and skip the taxi haggling entirely. It lies in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago, on the northwest edge of the Savannah, next to the Botanic Gardens. The animals are the point, and the local fauna is the best part: scarlet ibis, agouti, ocelot, caiman and a decent run of snakes native to the island. The big-name safari species are thin on the ground, and some enclosures are dated, so do not come expecting a world-class zoo. It is small, shady, cheap and an easy half-morning among families and school groups. Worth it for the island wildlife, not for the lions. Go early, before the heat flattens both you and the animals.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Trinidad and Tobago Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #7 attraction in Trinidad and TobagoWhat makes it a must-see attraction

Emperor Valley Zoo is the quickest way to meet Trinidad and Tobago’s wildlife without a boat, a guide or a muddy trail. The island sits just off Venezuela, so its animals are South American rather than Caribbean, and the zoo gathers them in one flat, walkable site. You can study a scarlet ibis, the national bird, at close range before trying to spot wild flocks in the Caroni wetlands. The collection also covers ocelots, caimans and tropical snakes that you would almost never see in the forest, however many hikes you do.
There is a second reason: the setting. The zoo is part of the capital’s green belt, a short stroll from the Botanic Gardens and the huge open Savannah where locals run, play cricket and buy coconut water. For a backpacker on a tight Port of Spain day, it fills a shady gap between … read more 👉
Emperor Valley Zoo is the quickest way to meet Trinidad and Tobago’s wildlife without a boat, a guide or a muddy trail. The island sits just off Venezuela, so its animals are South American rather than Caribbean, and the zoo gathers them in one flat, walkable site. You can study a scarlet ibis, the national bird, at close range before trying to spot wild flocks in the Caroni wetlands. The collection also covers ocelots, caimans and tropical snakes that you would almost never see in the forest, however many hikes you do.
There is a second reason: the setting. The zoo is part of the capital’s green belt, a short stroll from the Botanic Gardens and the huge open Savannah where locals run, play cricket and buy coconut water. For a backpacker on a tight Port of Spain day, it fills a shady gap between museums, doubles and street food. Families fill it on weekends, which tells you something about its local standing.

💡 HighlightsEssential experiences to have while visiting Emperor Valley Zoo

  1. Scarlet ibis aviary: The national bird, a flaming red wader, is the first thing many visitors search for. Seeing it up close shows the color that wild flocks only hint at from a distance.
  2. Ocelot and big cat enclosures: Native wild cats are the stars here, and the ocelot’s spotted coat is easy to admire in the shade.
  3. Snake house: Native species such as the large boa constrictor are kept here, giving you a safe look at animals you hope never to meet on a trail.
  4. Caiman and reptile area: Spectacled caimans and other reptiles lie motionless in their pools, offering good photo chances.
  5. Agouti and small mammal paths: The agouti, a long-legged rodent, is a local menu and forest staple, and here you can see how it actually moves.
  6. Monkey enclosures: Red howler and capuchin monkeys supply noise and entertainment,
… read more 👉
  1. Scarlet ibis aviary: The national bird, a flaming red wader, is the first thing many visitors search for. Seeing it up close shows the color that wild flocks only hint at from a distance.
  2. Ocelot and big cat enclosures: Native wild cats are the stars here, and the ocelot’s spotted coat is easy to admire in the shade.
  3. Snake house: Native species such as the large boa constrictor are kept here, giving you a safe look at animals you hope never to meet on a trail.
  4. Caiman and reptile area: Spectacled caimans and other reptiles lie motionless in their pools, offering good photo chances.
  5. Agouti and small mammal paths: The agouti, a long-legged rodent, is a local menu and forest staple, and here you can see how it actually moves.
  6. Monkey enclosures: Red howler and capuchin monkeys supply noise and entertainment, especially in the cooler morning hours.
Plan on two to three hours to see everything at an easy pace.
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🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

  • Dry Season (January to May): Days run 29 to 33°C (84 to 91°F) with little rain, so the open enclosures are comfortable in the morning and animals are most active before 11 a.m. Daylight lasts roughly 11.5 to 12.5 hours.
  • Wet Season (June to December): Afternoon downpours are common, with highs of 28 to 32°C (82 to 90°F) and heavy humidity. Paths get muddy, but crowds thin out on weekdays.
  • Carnival Weeks (February or March): Port of Spain fills up and rooms nearby get pricey, though the zoo itself stays quiet on the main parade days.
  • School Holidays (July to August, mid-December): Local families arrive in numbers, especially on weekends, and queues at the gate grow.
Arrive when the gates open on a weekday morning, and you get cooler air and the animals at their liveliest.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: excellent for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: fair for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: good for traveling
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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

Woodbrook is the best base, a ten-minute walk from the zoo along the edge of the Queen’s Park Savannah. It is Port of Spain’s liveliest neighborhood for budget travelers, with guesthouses, small hostels and cheap eateries along Ariapita Avenue. The street fills with bars and restaurants at night, so you can meet other travelers without a long trip back. Take licensed taxis after dark rather than walking side streets.

St. Clair is a quieter alternative, directly beside the Savannah and the zoo. It is leafy and residential, with a handful of guesthouses and apartment rentals that suit solo travelers … read more 👉
Woodbrook is the best base, a ten-minute walk from the zoo along the edge of the Queen’s Park Savannah. It is Port of Spain’s liveliest neighborhood for budget travelers, with guesthouses, small hostels and cheap eateries along Ariapita Avenue. The street fills with bars and restaurants at night, so you can meet other travelers without a long trip back. Take licensed taxis after dark rather than walking side streets.

St. Clair is a quieter alternative, directly beside the Savannah and the zoo. It is leafy and residential, with a handful of guesthouses and apartment rentals that suit solo travelers who want calm and easy access to the park’s morning joggers and food stalls. It has fewer social options, though Woodbrook is a short taxi ride away.

Downtown Port of Spain has the cheapest rooms and the main bus and maxi-taxi terminals, but it empties out after business hours and feels less safe at night. Stay there only if an early departure matters more than evenings out.
Best hostels in Trinidad and Tobago


Best quality hotels in Trinidad and Tobago

👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)What things cost and how to budget

Emperor Valley Zoo costs roughly US$31 to 54 per day for a backpacker in Port of Spain, with the entry ticket itself a small part of that. Everything is paid in Trinidad and Tobago dollars, though many places quote US dollars for rooms.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Zoo entry (adult)US$2 to 4Low fee for non-residents; children and local residents pay less.
Extras insideUS$0 to 5Snacks and drinks at the kiosk; animal feeding sessions are limited.
Accommodation (high season)US$20 to 30Dorm bed or basic private room in Woodbrook or St. Clair.
FoodUS$8 to 12Doubles, roti and Savannah street stalls keep meals cheap.
Local transportUS$1 to 5Shared maxi-taxis cost under US$1; short taxi rides run US$4 to 8.
Total Daily BudgetUS$31 to 54Mid-range total is about US$43 with one zoo visit.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

FAQCommon questions from travelers

Two to three hours is enough for Emperor Valley Zoo, which is compact and sits beside the Queen’s Park Savannah. Arrive at opening to see the big cats and primates active, and keep an extra hour if you want to walk the Savannah or the neighboring Botanic Gardens.
Emperor Valley Zoo is worth the low entry fee of about US$2 to 4, mainly for its collection of native species such as scarlet ibis, ocelots, agoutis and local snakes. It is small and its enclosures are dated, so travelers who plan to see wildlife in the Caroni Swamp or Asa Wright Nature Centre may find it only a short extra stop.
Take a taxi or maxi-taxi to the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, where Emperor Valley Zoo sits on the northwest side next to the Botanic Gardens. From Woodbrook it is a ten-minute walk, and from Piarco Airport a taxi takes 30 to 40 minutes and costs roughly US$30 to 40. Buses and maxi-taxis from the City Gate terminal run to the Savannah for under US$1.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Trinidadian and Tobagonian attractions near Emperor Valley Zoo

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We 💚 feedbackParting advice and final tips

Emperor Valley Zoo pairs naturally with the Botanic Gardens next door and a lap of the Savannah, so plan them as one morning. I would finish with doubles or coconut water from the vendors on the Savannah’s edge, then spend the afternoon at the Caroni wetlands to see the real scarlet ibis.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on in-depth research, insights shared by experienced travelers, and feedback from the local travel community in Trinidad and Tobago. While every effort is made to keep the information accurate and current, conditions can change — so if you spot anything incorrect or outdated, please get in touch.



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