Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asunción
In its own language: Jardín Botánico y Zoológico de Asunción
A 110-hectare garden and zoo in the north of Asunción, Paraguay
The Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asunción is a large public space in Paraguay’s capital, combining a botanical garden, zoo, and historic estate. Visitors find native trees, a medicinal plant nursery, and animals mainly from South America, all set in natural forest.
- Covers 110 hectares of natural forest in Asunción
- Home to over 500 species of medicinal and native plants
- Zoo features about 64 animal species, mainly from South America
- Historic estate of former president Carlos Antonio López
- Year-round public access for recreation and education
What is Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asunción?
This garden and zoo covers 110 hectares of natural forest in northern Asunción. The botanical garden features old native trees, shady paths, and a nursery with over 500 plant species, many of them medicinal. The zoo houses about 64 animal species, including mammals, birds, and reptiles mostly from Paraguay and South America. There is also a historic house, once home to a former president, and a natural history museum within the grounds.
The history of Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asunción
The estate was once the country house of Carlos Antonio López, Paraguay’s president in the mid-1800s. The garden was founded in 1914 by German botanist Karl Freibig and Anna Gertz, who also designed much of the landscape. The zoo was added soon after, aiming to show animals in naturalistic settings. Over time, the estate shrank from its original 600 hectares, but the garden and zoo remain a key green space in Asunción. The main house is a protected historic building.
What there is to see
The botanical garden’s trees are over 150 years old, offering shade and a sense of history. The nursery, open to the public, grows and studies more than 500 plant species, focusing on medicinal and native plants. The zoo exhibits animals in enclosures designed to resemble their natural habitats. The grounds also include a golf course, managed separately, and educational spaces like the Center for Conservation and Environmental Education.
When to go
Open year-round, the garden and zoo serve as a place for recreation, education, and research. The nursery teaches about medicinal plants and their uses in Paraguay. The zoo introduces visitors to native and exotic animals, with a focus on conservation. The site also hosts exhibitions, such as the Ethnobotany Project, and offers public green space for the city.
Parts and collections
The garden’s plant collections include both native and introduced medicinal species, with ongoing research and educational projects. The zoo’s animal collection highlights Paraguayan wildlife, such as the Tagua, a once-thought-extinct peccary from the Chaco region. The nursery collaborates with international institutions, like the Geneva Botanic Garden.
Why Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asunción matters
The estate is part of Asunción’s architectural and historical heritage, with the main house registered as a protected site. The gardens help preserve knowledge of Paraguayan medicinal plants and support environmental education. The zoo’s focus on native species and conservation reflects local pride in Paraguay’s natural heritage.
Questions people ask about Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asunción
Where is the Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asunción located?
It is in the north of Asunción, the capital city of Paraguay, covering 110 hectares of natural forest.
What can visitors see at the garden and zoo?
Visitors find native trees, a medicinal plant nursery with over 500 species, and a zoo with about 64 species of mammals, birds, and reptiles, mostly from South America.
What is special about the plant collections?
The garden’s nursery specializes in medicinal plants and native species, supporting research and education about their uses in Paraguay.
What animals are in the zoo?
The zoo houses mammals like jaguars, peccaries, and tapirs, birds such as macaws and owls, and reptiles including caimans and anacondas.
Is the site historically significant?
Yes, the estate was once the country house of President Carlos Antonio López, and the main building is a protected historic site.
Good reading and sources
- Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asunción on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Botanical Garden and Zoo of Asunción", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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