Amaru Bioparque Zoo in Cuenca: A Complete Visitor Guide
If you’re anything like us, the idea of visiting a zoo usually brings hesitation. We’ve never felt comfortable with the thought of animals being kept in captivity purely for entertainment. So when one of our good friends in Cuenca insisted we had to visit Amaru, we were skeptical but curious.
And honestly? We are so glad we went.
Amaru is not a zoo in the traditional sense. It’s a hillside wildlife rescue and rehabilitation reserve, and once you’re inside, you immediately feel the difference. The space feels raw, natural, intentional and is absolutely worth the visit!
If you are interested to learn about animals, then this place should be on your list! In this blog, we will share what to expect, the animals we saw, and our thoughts about Amaru.
What Is Amaru Bioparque Zoo?
Amaru is a wildlife rescue center built on the side of a mountain overlooking Cuenca. The animals here are not brought in for display but rather they are rescued from illegal trafficking, injury, or unsafe conditions.
Once rehabilitated, the team evaluates whether each animal can safely return to the wild.
- If they’re native and capable, they’re released.
- If they’re non-native or releasing them poses a risk, they remain in the reserve where the team cares for them long-term.
Walking through Amaru feels like walking through an outdoor classroom mixed with a forest hike. Everything (from the trails to the enclosures) is designed to give animals a more natural space to heal and live.
Quick Facts:
Hours: 9 AM – 4 PM
Entry Fee: $9 USD for adults
Trail: ~4 km loop
Time Needed: 3–4 hours
Is Amaru Worth Visiting? (Short answer: YES!)
If you love:
✔️ Nature
✔️ Animals
✔️ Surprises
✔️ Hikes
…then YES, Amaru is absolutely worth it.
It’s built directly on the side of a mountain, so instead of strolling around on flat pavement, you’re basically on a scenic hike with animal encounters every few minutes. The views? Incredible. The experience? Even better!
We kept saying to each other how intentionally it’s all built. You feel the love and effort that went into making this place meaningful for both visitors and wildlife.
What to Expect?
Amaru is not a light stroll. This is a legit hike which means:
- Trails are natural: dirt, rock, and some wooden planks.
- Mostly uphill climb. The very end (about 450 meters) is downhill.
- Some steep and narrow sections. But totally manageable with some basic fitness.
- Rest stops are available for snack breaks, water, and pit stops.
- Bathrooms are available, and clean enough to make you grateful.
Bring basic endurance and curiosity, and you’ll be rewarded with wildlife and views like no other. Unfortunately, it is not suitable for people who have difficulty walking or kids in strollers. If you are coming with kids, leave the stroller behind.
What Will You See at Amaru Bioparque Zoo?
Let’s get to the fun part of what you will be seeing there. To make it easier, here’s a breakdown of what the experience felt like for us.
Part 1: The First Ascent + Mammals & Birds
The loop begins right at the gate as you pay your entrance fee. As you walk, you will see the signs where you can read about each animal.
Within the first 5 minutes, you meet the star of the Andes. An Andean bear munching, climbing, or lounging depending on its mood.
As you continue upward:
- You might spot a puma. We didn’t see one, but that’s part of the beauty. The animals are not put on display; they roam in their natural space.
- We saw deer, vultures, a mountain cat, and the cutest 3-month and 5-month-old baby bears playing and exploring.
- The condor area was breathtaking with condors displaying their massive wings.
Guides are present at certain stops, eager to answer questions. Don’t hesitate to ask them any questions. Learning the stories of those animals makes the visit even more meaningful.
Part 2: Birds, Parrots, Sloths, and Reptiles
After completing almost half the trail in 2 hours, we took a rest at one of the rest stops to eat something and use the washroom. At the snack shop, you will find instant coffee, chips, and biscuits.
We continued on the trail and our next section was birds! So many parrots! The place was alive with their sounds. It was quite amusing to see how they had their own groups. They would even try to mimic you if you made sounds. One of them literally copied us and it was hilarious.
You are very close to them, and the curious birds will try to come near you. As we were taking pictures, one of the parrots kept inching closer, and we had to step back. Remember, they are not your pets so always respect their space, and never feed or touch them.
Later, we saw more birds and a toucan, along with sloths and turtles. The turtles and tortoises were too cute! And they came in all sizes, the massive ones and the tiny baby ones.
As we continued, we saw reptiles such as snakes, crocodiles and frogs.
Part 3: Big Cats, Monkeys, and Final Views
The last section felt like the grand finale. As we walked, we heard a loud roar. Turned out, it was the jaguar! In this section we saw:
- A tigrillos margay, a fierce little wild cat pacing with an attitude
- African lions (rescued from captivity situations)
- A stunning jaguar
- Monkeys
- Mountain goats and llamas
- Bright, proud peacocks
- Ducks waddling around
And the views were spectacular. Cuenca looks tiny, peaceful, and beautiful from above. If you love photography, this part is for you.
After about 4 hours, we completed the loop feeling tired but genuinely fulfilled. You can take as much time as you want or as little time but if you are there, might as well take your time, enjoy and learn about the animals, see how they are behaving and at the same time enjoy the views!
Best Time to Visit Amaru Bioparque Zoo
Go early. Amaru opens at 9:00 AM, and mornings are usually dry.
By early afternoon, Cuenca often gets light showers. We had perfect weather, but just as we were leaving around 1:30 PM, it began to drizzle.
Wet trails can get slippery, so morning visits are safer and more enjoyable.
How to Get to Amaru From Cuenca
There are two main options: taking the bus or taking the taxi. If you take the bus, it would drop you near the hospital del Río and you will have to take the taxi.
Therefore, just grab a taxi from the city center for $4–$6 USD.
It drops you right at the entrance. When you’re done, the staff will call a taxi for you. Ours arrived in minutes, so it was very smooth and stress-free.
What to Pack for Amaru (Don’t Skip These)
You’re basically going on a hike, so bring:
- Water
- Sun protection (sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses)
- Bug spray as you are in the woods and there will be bugs
- Rain jacket as showers in Cuenca are unpredictable
- Good hiking boots to keep your ankles protected
Park Etiquette (Respect the Wild!)
In order to make sure this park remains a safe place for animals, please:
- Don’t feed the animals as what you feed can be harmful for them
- Don’t touch them no matter how tempting it is (even the overly friendly parrots)
- Don’t leave trash
- Follow the signs
The animals here are recovering so let’s keep their environment safe.
Final Thoughts About Amaru Bioparque Zoo
Amaru wasn’t just another outing for us, it was one of the most meaningful experiences we had in Cuenca. It’s the perfect mix of nature, conservation, education, and adventure. You learn about animals, you get surprised at every turn, you laugh, you sweat, and you leave feeling grateful that places like this exist.
If you’re traveling to Cuenca, trust us and add Amaru to your list. Go early, take your time, and let the mountains and animals work their magic.
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