Checking out Jardin Botanico and Zoologico

Location:
Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina

City Park

By Shawn O'Bryant

With its main entrance facing plaza Italia, the Jardín Botánico (www.jardinbotanico.gov.ar ) stretches for five or six blocks along Avenida Las Heras. Filled with tons of trees, plants, benches and statues, it offers plenty of shade for napping or nice glades for sunbathing. All flora is labeled for identification and guided tours in English are offered every Friday at 10:30 a.m.. Take a seat on one of the many benches and people watch, but don’t be surprised if one of the dozens of friendly resident cats takes a seat next to you and shares the experience.

The Botanical Garden certainly has an amazing collection of plants, but don’t forget that right across the way the Jardín Zoológico (Av. Sarmiento and Av. Las Heras, Tel: 5411 4011 9900, www.zoobuenosaires.com.ar) represents the animal kingdom in its diversity. With over 2,000 species, an aquarium and a reptile exhibit, the zoo has plenty to look at. Open from Tuesday to Sunday, it costs a little less than $3 for a ticket to all the exhibits and $1.50 for limited access. Children under twelve get in free.