The Adventures of Cupcake and the Queen: Avilon Zoo in Rizal

Over the long weekend (I wasn’t sick anymore! Hooray!), the Cupcake decided to take me to Avilon Zoo in Barrio San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal—which is a 7.5-hectare zoo housing more than 3,000 specimens of exotic and indigenous wildlife, and is currently the largest zoological institution in the Philippines. It was my first time to visit, so I was super duper excited. I’ve been to Manila Zoo, Zoobic Safari, Ocean Park, and all—so hearing about Avilon Zoo being the biggest made me look forward to seeing all the animals they had in store—especially the large cats, crocodiles, and snakes.

The Adventures of Cupcake and the Queen: Avilon Zoo in Rizal

How To Get There

• Via Public Transportation

1. Take either a Jeep or an FX with the sign Montalban from Cubao Aurora/Farmers.
2. You will pass through Marikina City and San Mateo, Rizal to get to Rodriguez, Rizal.
3. The fare is Php 45 (subject to change).
4. Ask the driver to let you off at Total Gas Station.
5. Ride an orange tricycle going to Avilon Zoo.

• Via Private Transportation

1. Enter Commonwealth Avenue, then take the Tandang Sora Flyover.
2. Keep going, then turn right on Batasan Road. Turn right again onto Batasan-San Mateo Road.
3. Turn left onto General Luna Avenue (this road is a little long and can be traffic because of the jeepneys), and keep going until the road turns into J.P. Rizal Avenue.
4. Turn right onto MH del Pilar Street (at the very end of J.P Rizal), then left at C. Reyes Street (after the Total Gas Station to your right).
5. Keep going until the street turns into a narrow, dirt road. Follow the dirt road to Avilon Zoo (which will be to your right). Refrain from going on a rainy day or after a rainy day because the dirt road can get really muddy and your car might get stuck.
6. Parking in Avilon Zoo is free.

Entrance Fees and Other Fees

• Php 400 for Adults
• Php 300 for Kids Below the Counter
• FREE for Kids Below 12 Months Old
• 20% Discount for Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities
• Php 50 if you want to take pictures per animal (I took a picture with an Albino Python!)
• Php 40 if you want to feed the Arapaimas (Four chicken heads per container)

Schedule

• Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm
• Saturday to Sunday: 8am to 6pm

We left my house at around 11am. The trip took almost an hour (it was a bit traffic along General Luna because of the jeepneys). As soon as the Cupcake and I entered, we had lunch first at the mini food court. Upon entrance, there was already a huge pond full of Arapaimas, and you can even dine with them on the Floating Barge for Php 1,500 (inclusive of food for five people, and food to feed the Arapaimas). After lunch, we started with our long trek. The Cupcake came prepared with his huge Nalgene of water, an umbrella, a couple of face towels, and extra shirts.

I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire!

Below are pictures of our trip and close encounters with the animals. There were some areas and animals we couldn’t take pictures of, like the Reptile House, because they’re more sensitive than others.

We caught this Lar Gibbon checking himself for fleas, then eating them.

 

This guy was so funny. He got a leaf stalk and used it to clean his ears. He ate his ear wax after.

This guy was shy at first, but he eventually warmed up to us.

He even tried asking for food!

 

We also caught him smiling.

 

I really enjoyed watching this huge White Tiger.

Tigger smiling at me.

Naaaaants! Ingonyamaaaa! Bagithi babaaaaaaa.

The highlight of our trip (aside from seeing large cats, crocodiles, and snakes) was feeding the Arapaimas with chicken heads. My heart jumped the first time I threw in a chicken head because I didn’t expect them to go that wild! You can watch the video here:

An Arapaima waiting to be fed.

 

Here’s Timon.

And here’s Pumbaa.

 

 

I’m used to only seeing large crocodiles on TV, but this was by far the biggest crocodile I’ve seen in person.

Small, Big, and Big Big!

This turtle was so adorable, I couldn’t stop laughing.

Another highlight was taking a photo with this Albino Snake. I wasn’t able to catch his name, therefore I’m just going to call him Nagini.

Like I said, Avilon Zoo is huge! In fact, there were times I had to ask Cupcake to rest first. Good thing there were benches and rocks scattered all over the place that I could sit on. There were also Snack Areas and designated rest places.

We left the zoo at around 5:30 pm to really see and appreciate each and every animal. It’s a great place to visit, especially if you’re an animal lover or you love to learn. I didn’t even need a tour guide because Cupcake knew so much about all the animals. I’m already looking forward to our next visit, because they’ll be bringing in new animals and attractions soon.

For more information and updates on Avilon Zoo, you can like their Facebook page here.

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