Bioparque Ukumari

Ukumari replaced Pereira's old city zoo with something much larger and more spread out, built on open hillside so that most species are held in wide enclosures with moats and banks rather than bars. The African section, with elephants, lions, giraffes and rhinos, is the draw for Colombian families; the more interesting part for a visitor is the South American side, where Andean bears, jaguars, tapirs and Amazonian species are shown alongside explanation of where in the country they live. Circuits are long and mostly uphill, with a shuttle for those who want it. The name comes from the Quechua word for the Andean bear.

What you actually see

• The Andean bear - the species the park is named for, in a large forested enclosure.
• The African savanna - elephants, giraffes, rhinos and lions on open ground.
• The South American section - jaguars, tapirs and Amazon species in habitat groupings.
• The hillside circuits - long walking loops with views over the Risaralda valleys.

When to go

Open year round but closed on some weekdays outside holiday periods, so check before going. Mornings are cooler and the animals are more active; by early afternoon most are asleep in shade. Weekends and Colombian school holidays are crowded and the shuttle queues get long. Allow four hours as a minimum if you want to see every section.

Honest expectations

The park is still being built out and some areas are construction sites or empty enclosures. Distances between sections are long, largely uphill and shadeless, which is hard going with small children or in the heat. Food and drink inside are expensive and the choice is limited. On a quiet day you can walk ten minutes between anything worth stopping for.

Nearby

Pereira, the Santa Rosa de Cabal hot springs and the coffee towns of Quindio are close.