Parque Jaime Duque

Jaime Duque Grisales was a commercial pilot who bought land north of Bogota and opened the park in 1983, transferring it to a foundation whose income supports care homes and social work - the park exists to fund that rather than to make money for anyone. The centrepiece is a scaled replica of the Taj Mahal housing a small museum, built because Duque had seen the original and wanted Colombians who would never travel to see something of it. There is also a large relief map of Colombia, a monument to God, a zoo section that has moved towards larger enclosures and rescue animals, and standard rides. The mix is eccentric and unlike a commercial theme park, which is the point of visiting.

What you actually see

• A Taj Mahal replica - housing a museum, built for people who would not travel.
• A large relief map of Colombia - showing the country's terrain.
• A park funding a foundation - income goes to care homes and social work.
• An eccentric mix - rides, monuments and a zoo section.

When to go

Year round; weekends are busiest. A full day.

Honest expectations

It is dated in places and the tone is unusual to visitors expecting a modern park. Animal enclosures have improved but the zoo element divides opinion. Weekends and holidays are very busy. It is over an hour from central Bogota.

Nearby

Zipaquira is west; Bogota is south.