Hope Zoo opening hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, every day of the week including weekends and public holidays. Admission is JMD $2,000 for adults and JMD $1,500 for children. No booking required — pay at the gate.
Hope Zoo Opening Hours — Open Every Single Day
Hope Zoo opening hours are refreshingly simple: the gates open at 10:00 am and close at 5:00 pm, seven days a week. Unlike most zoo Kingston Jamaica attractions that close on Mondays or public holidays, Hope Zoo is open 365 days a year — making it one of the most flexible family day out Kingston options regardless of when you visit.
Hope Zoo hours sit within the broader context of Hope Gardens — the surrounding Hope Botanical Gardens that share the same Old Hope Road address. The gardens themselves have their own separate entrance fee, but the zoo has its own ticketed gate and operates independently. You can visit just the zoo, or combine both for a full day at Hope Gardens.
For Hope Zoo Kingston hours on public holidays, the zoo remains open on most Jamaican holidays. Always check their Instagram @hopezookingston before visiting on major holidays for any last-minute announcements.
| Monday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Open |
| Tuesday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Open |
| Wednesday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Open |
| Thursday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Open |
| Friday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Open |
| Saturday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Open |
| Sunday | 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Open |
Weekday mornings between 10:00 am and noon are the quietest times at Hope Zoo. Weekends and public holidays are busier, particularly during school holidays. Arriving at opening time gives you the full 7-hour window and lets you see the animals when they are most active.
Hope Zoo Admission Prices & Ticket Information
Every Hope Zoo admission fee goes directly back into animal care, wildlife rehabilitation, veterinary treatment, and the conservation programme for the critically endangered Jamaican iguana. As Jamaica’s only non-profit zoo, there are no shareholders — every dollar you spend at the gate supports the animals Jamaica most needs to protect. Hope Zoo admission hours run from 10:00 am, so you can pay at the gate any time within the standard opening window.
| Visitor Type | Price (JMD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult / Teenager | JMD $2,000 | Full day access, 10am–5pm |
| ChildAges 2–11 | JMD $1,500 | Full day access |
| Senior Citizen | JMD $1,500 | Same rate as children |
| Children under 2 | Free | No ticket required |
| Group Discounts | Available | Contact Hope Zoo directly for group rates |
Do You Need to Book Hope Zoo Tickets in Advance?
No. Hope Zoo does not currently require advance booking for general admission. You pay at the cashier on arrival during standard Hope Zoo hours. Tickets can sometimes be purchased at a discount through their official website at hopezookingston.com/tickets — check before you go as online promotions are offered periodically.
Hope Zoo accepts cash (JMD). Card payment availability may vary — bring JMD cash as a backup, especially for add-on animal experiences which are paid separately at the attraction point. Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the zoo, but you may bring a reusable water bottle.
Where Is Hope Zoo Kingston? Location & Getting There
Hope Zoo is located within the grounds of Hope Botanical Gardens on Old Hope Road, Kingston, St. Andrew — just before the University of Technology (UTech) as you head towards Papine. The zoo has its own dedicated entrance off Old Hope Road.
(876) 230-8442
Driving to Hope Zoo — Entrance Notes
On Sunday mornings, the zoo sometimes uses a side entrance only — from Old Hope Road, turn onto the unmarked side road just after the United Hope Church. There is a gate attendant on site to direct you. On-site parking is available. If you are visiting Hope Botanical Gardens as well, note there is a separate JMD $200 entry fee for the gardens before you reach the zoo entrance.
Hope Zoo has on-site parking with Guardsman security present. Visitors should not leave valuables visible in parked vehicles. The zoo is not liable for items left in cars — this is noted at the front entrance. Keep valuables on your person during your visit.
Animals at Hope Zoo — Jamaica’s Wildlife Sanctuary
Hope Zoo is far more than a visitor attraction. It functions as Jamaica’s primary wildlife sanctuary, working alongside NEPA (National Environment and Planning Agency) to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured native wildlife. Animals that cannot be returned to the wild are given a permanent home here. The zoo is the global leader in Jamaican iguana conservation — having run the headstart programme since 1991 in partnership with institutions including San Diego Zoo and Fort Worth Zoo.
What Animals Can You See During Hope Zoo Hours?
The zoo is home to over 1,000 animals including 400 bird species and 75 mammals. The resident collection spans African, Caribbean and American species — a combination chosen to reflect the three regions that have most shaped Jamaica’s cultural and natural history.
Other residents include ostriches, emus, toucans, owls, budgerigars, cockatiels, ibises, mandarin ducks, bobcats, miniature horses, donkeys, mongooses, the critically endangered Jamaican hutia (coney) and over 300 Jamaican iguanas in the headstart programme.
Activities at Hope Zoo — One of the Best Things to Do in Kingston
Beyond the animal exhibits, Hope Zoo offers a series of paid interactive experiences on top of your standard admission. These are subject to availability — call ahead on (876) 927-1085 to confirm the day’s schedule before visiting, especially for the VIP experiences.
Camel Experiences — The Signature Hope Zoo Activity
The camel feeding session and the VIP Camel Experience are the most popular add-ons. The VIP experience gets you up close for photos and a more hands-on interaction than the standard feeding session. Camels are one of the zoo’s most-photographed residents and a firm favourite with visiting families — the kind of encounter that makes Hope Zoo a genuinely memorable family day out Kingston-wide.
Children’s Play Zone at Hope Zoo Kingston
The zoo features a dedicated children’s playground designed to encourage imaginative play and calculated risk-taking. Equipment includes obstacle courses, stump jump, a willow tunnel, dig boxes, balance beams, slides, swings and mini rock climbers — making it one of the more thoughtfully designed outdoor play spaces in Kingston. It is included with standard admission.
Facilities & Amenities for Visiting Hope Zoo
Food & Drinks During Hope Zoo Hours — The Hungry Hut
The Hungry Hut is the zoo’s on-site food and beverage outlet, serving snacks and full lunches. Since outside food and drinks are not permitted inside the zoo, this is your only dining option. You may bring a reusable water bottle. The Hungry Hut is open during standard Hope Zoo operating hours. Browse the full amenities list at hopezookingston.com.
Planning Your Hope Zoo Kingston Visit — Tips & What to Know
Making the Most of Hope Zoo Opening Hours
- ✓Arrive at or before 10:00 am. Opening time is the best window to see animals at their most active — particularly birds, monkeys and the big cats. By midday many will be resting in shade.
- ✓Allow 2–3 hours minimum. The zoo is laid out on a ring road making navigation easy, but there is genuinely a lot to see. Families with young children typically spend a full afternoon.
- ✓Call ahead to confirm experience schedules. The camel, tortoise and budgie feeding sessions run at specific times that can change. Call (876) 927-1085 before your visit to check what is available on your chosen day.
- ✓Bring JMD cash. Admission is payable at the gate. Activities like camel feeding are paid separately on-site. Card payment may not be available at all points.
- ✓Leave a reusable water bottle. Outside food and drink are not allowed, but a reusable water bottle is permitted. The Hungry Hut covers all food needs.
- ✓Wear comfortable footwear. The zoo grounds are extensive and mostly unpaved. Trainers or walking shoes are far more comfortable than sandals or flip-flops.
- !Respect the animals. Do not yell at, taunt, bang on enclosures, or throw objects into habitats. Hope Zoo will remove visitors who violate this rule on the first offence. The zoo is the animals’ home.
- →Check Instagram for promotions. Follow @hopezookingston for discount announcements, new animal arrivals and event updates. Discounted day passes are posted periodically.
“Since 1991, Hope Zoo has been home to the headstart programme for the Jamaican Iguana — one of the world’s most critically endangered lizards. Every visit you make helps fund that work.”
— Hope Zoo, Conservation ProgrammeFrequently Asked Questions
Hope Zoo opening hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, every day of the week — including weekends and public holidays. The zoo is open 365 days a year. No advance booking is required for general admission.
Hope Zoo admission costs JMD $2,000 for adults and teenagers and JMD $1,500 for children (ages 2–11) and senior citizens. Children under 2 enter free. Occasional discounts and promotions are available through hopezookingston.com and their Instagram page.
Yes. Hope Zoo is open every day including most Jamaican public holidays, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Check their Instagram @hopezookingston before visiting on major holidays for any last-minute updates.
Hope Zoo is located within Hope Botanical Gardens on Old Hope Road, Kingston, St. Andrew — just before the University of Technology (UTech) heading towards Papine. A bus from Half Way Tree stops at the Hope Gardens entrance. On-site parking is available.
Hope Zoo has over 1,000 animals including lions, zebras, flamingos, squirrel monkeys, spider monkeys, ostriches, peacocks, macaws, toucans, crocodiles, the critically endangered Jamaican iguana, African tortoises, camels, white-tailed deer, miniature horses and over 400 bird species.
No. Outside food and drinks are not permitted inside Hope Zoo. The on-site Hungry Hut restaurant serves snacks and full lunches during zoo hours. You may bring a reusable water bottle.
You can reach Hope Zoo Kingston on (876) 927-1085 or (876) 230-8442. You can also message them on Instagram @hopezookingston or contact them through hopezookingston.com/contacts.
Sources
- hopezookingston.com — Official Hope Zoo website
- Instagram @hopezookingston — Official hours, admission and animal updates
- Adventures from Elle — Detailed visitor review with 2025 pricing confirmed
- TripAdvisor — Hope Zoo reviews
