Zoológico Nacional

Santiago


The dinky Zoológico Nacional houses an aging bunch of neglected animals. It is, however, probably the only place in Chile where you are assured a glimpse of a pudú, the world's smallest deer. Note that the funicular stops at the zoo on the way up, but not on the way down.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Santiago attractions

1. Cerro San Cristóbal

0.07 MILES

The best views over Santiago are from the peaks and viewpoints of the Parque Metropolitano, better known as Cerro San Cristóbal. At 722 hectares, the park…

2. Terraza Bellavista

0.17 MILES

Near the top of the funicular is the Terraza Bellavista, where there are a few snack stands and extraordinary views across the city.

3. La Chascona

0.17 MILES

When poet Pablo Neruda needed a secret hideaway to spend time with his mistress Matilde Urrutia, he built La Chascona (loosely translated as 'Messy Hair')…

4. Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción

0.26 MILES

A snowy white 14m-high statue of the Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción towers atop the cumbre (summit) at the Bellavista end of Cerro San Cristóbal.

5. Patio Bellavista

0.38 MILES

Upmarket eateries and posh souvenir shops ranged around a huge courtyard make up Patio Bellavista, a clear attempt by developers to spruce up Barrio…

6. Patronato

0.56 MILES

This barrio within a barrio, roughly bordered by Recoleta, Loreto, Bellavista and Dominica streets, is the heart of Santiago's immigrant communities,…

7. Parque Forestal

0.62 MILES

On weekend afternoons, the temperature rises in Parque Forestal, a narrow green space wedged between Río Mapocho and Merced. The rest of the week it's…

8. Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes

0.66 MILES

This fine art museum is housed in the stately neoclassical Palacio de Bellas Artes, built as part of Chile's centenary celebrations in 1910. The museum…