Quick Facts: The Cheat Sheet (2026)
Avilon Zoo is open daily. Weekdays: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Weekends/Holidays: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The zoo is located in Brgy. San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal. The best time to visit is 8:00 AM sharp to catch active animals and beat the valley heat.
Operating Hours:
Mon – Fri: 08:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Sat – Sun & Holidays: 08:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Contact Number: 0960 2805 766
Best Day to Visit: Weekdays (Mon-Thu) to avoid the crowd, or Saturday mornings.
Connectivity: Warning: Mobile signal is spotty inside the valley (Smart/Globe fluctuations). Download offline maps before leaving the city!
Avilon Zoo is the largest zoo in the Philippines, covering 7.5 hectares of lush valley in Rodriguez, Rizal. Home to over 3,000 animals including the rare Philippine Eagle, it offers a raw, nature-focused alternative to city theme parks. Walk-in rates are ₱800, but smart planning (specifically the “3-Pax Hack”) can drop your entrance fee to just ₱450.
If you’re used to the air-conditioned, tiled pathways of typical city attractions, brace yourself. Avilon Zoo is a different beast entirely.
Hidden away in the quiet barangay of San Isidro, Rodriguez (formerly Montalban), this isn’t just a place to look at animals—it’s a massive 7.5-hectare trek through a tamed jungle. To put that in perspective, it is significantly larger and wilder than the renovated Manila Zoo. It’s raw, it’s humid, and it’s honestly the closest thing you’ll get to a safari within the Greater Manila Area.
For years, this has been the go-to spot for educational field trips and adventurous family bondings, often topping the list of must-visit Rizal tourist spots. But let’s be real: navigating the commute to Eastern Rizal and figuring out the pricing can be a headache.
That’s where we come in.
Most visitors make the mistake of showing up at the gate and paying the full ₱800 walk-in fee. We aren’t going to let you do that. In this guide, I’m breaking down the commute from Cubao, the realities of the “no-tram” policy, and—most importantly—the “3-Pax Promo” strategy that will save you ₱350 per head.
Let’s get wild.
Table of Contents
How to Get There: The Commuter’s Gauntlet
To reach Avilon Zoo via public transport, take the LRT-2 to Cubao or Santolan stations. Board a UV Express or Jeepney marked “Montalban/Rodriguez” and disembark specifically at “Eastwood Greenview Subdivision” (Landmarks: Total Gas Station and Baliwag Lechon). From the subdivision gate, hire a tricycle (approx. ₱50-100 per trip) to drive you directly to the zoo entrance. Private vehicles can park for free at the designated unpaved lot.
Let’s be honest: the trip to Rodriguez, Rizal isn’t exactly a walk in the park. The traffic along the Marikina-San Mateo-Rodriguez corridor is legendary, so patience is key.
Option A: Public Transportation (Commute Guide)
Most “Manileños” find the Cubao Gateway the most reliable option because the terminals are organized. Here is exactly how we do it:
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Step 1: The Hub. Take the LRT-2 or MRT-3 to Araneta Center-Cubao. Make your way to the transport terminals near Farmers Market or along Aurora Boulevard.
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Step 2: The Ride. Board a UV Express Van or Jeepney with the signage “Rodriguez” or “Montalban.” Be prepared for a travel time of 1.5 to 2 hours if you leave during rush hour.
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Step 3: The Critical Drop-off. Do not sleep and let the driver take you all the way to the Montalban Town Proper. Tell the driver you need to get off at Eastwood Greenview Subdivision (corner M.H. Del Pilar St. & C. Reyes St.).
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Landmark Watch: Look for a Total Gas Station, a Palawan Pawnshop, or a Baliwag Lechon Manok stand.
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Step 4: The Final Mile. Once you get off at the subdivision gate, you’ll see a line of tricycles. Ask them to take you to Avilon Zoo.
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Cost: Fares are usually negotiable or fixed for special trips, ranging from ₱50 to ₱100 depending on your group size.
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Insider Tip: If you are coming from LRT-2 Santolan Station, there are also jeepneys passing by that head to Montalban. However, during rush hour, these are often already full when they arrive from Marikina. I highly recommend starting at Cubao to secure a seat.
Option B: Private Vehicle (Waze/Google Maps)
Driving offers comfort, but you still have to battle the narrow roads of Rizal.
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Digital Navigation: Set your Waze or Google Maps specifically to “Avilon Zoo Parking.”
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Warning: Signal gets spotty near the valley approach. Download an Offline Map of Rodriguez/San Mateo before you leave the city.
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Parking Situation: Good news—Parking is Free of Charge. Bad news—it is an unpaved, gravel lot that gets muddy during the rainy season.
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The “Drop-Off” Hack: The parking lot is physically separated from the main gate by a steep 3-5 minute walk. If you are with Lolas or toddlers, drive up to the Main Entrance Gate first to drop them and the heavy bags off, then drive back down to park.
Ticket Prices & “The Arbitrage” (How to Save)
The standard walk-in entrance fee for Avilon Zoo is ₱800 per person (Adults and Kids above 3ft). However, booking online via Klook or the official website drops the price to ₱600. The absolute best deal is the online-exclusive “3-Pax Promo” for ₱1,350, which reduces your cost to just ₱450 per head.
Let’s be real: paying the full walk-in rate here feels like a “lazy tax.” The price difference between showing up unannounced and booking ahead is massive. This is similar to the pricing models we see at other destinations like Zoocobia Fun Zoo in Clark, where online deals reign supreme.
Here is the 2026 price breakdown so you can see exactly where the savings are:
| Ticket Type | Walk-In Rate (Cash Only) | Online / Promo Rate | Net Savings |
| Adult | ₱800 | ₱600 | ₱200 |
| Child (Above 3ft) | ₱800 | ₱600 | ₱200 |
| 3-Pax Group Promo | N/A | ₱1,350 | ₱1,050 (Total) |
| Infant (<12 months) | Free | Free | – |
| Senior Citizen / PWD | ₱640 (20% Off) | N/A (Apply Onsite) | – |
The “LakbayPinas” Strategy
We call this “Ticket Arbitrage.” The zoo heavily incentivizes group travel. If you are a group of three, the 3-Pax Promo effectively prices your ticket at ₱450 each. That is nearly 44% cheaper than the gate price.
Even if you have an awkward group number, do the math.
Scenario: You are a group of 4.
Don’t: Pay walk-in (Total: ₱3,200).
Do: Buy one “3-Pax Promo” (₱1,350) + one Single Online Ticket (₱600).
Total: ₱1,950. You just saved ₱1,250—enough to cover your lunch and tricycle fare!
Insider Tip: If you are a solo traveler or a couple standing in line, look around. I’ve seen savvy visitors team up with strangers in the queue to buy the 3-Pax Promo together and split the savings. It works every time.
⚠️ Critical Warning: The “Cash Only” Rule
This is the number one complaint I hear from readers. The entrance gate, food stalls, and animal feeding stations are CASH ONLY.
No GCash.
No Credit/Debit Cards.
No Maya.
You must withdraw your cash in Cubao or the Rodriguez Town Proper before heading up to the zoo. There are no reliable ATMs near the entrance, and you do not want to be the person asking the tricycle driver to drive you back to town just to get cash.
Top Attractions & Feeding Rates
The top attractions at Avilon Zoo are the interactive feeding sessions, specifically the Arapaima Feeding (₱50) and the Giraffe Feeding (₱50-100). The zoo also houses the critically endangered Philippine Eagle and offers hands-on photo ops with Macaws and Pythons (₱50). Prepare plenty of small bills (₱20, ₱50, ₱100) as these stations strictly do not accept digital payments.
If you think zoos are just for looking, you haven’t been here. The core experience at Avilon Zoo is tactile—you get to feed, hold, and interact with the animals.
The Giants (Interactive Feeding)
This is where you should spend your extra cash.
Arapaima Pond (₱50): This is the main event. You buy a bowl of chicken heads or necks to throw into the water.
The Experience: Do not expect a gentle koi pond. The Arapaima Gigas (massive Amazonian fish) strike the surface with a loud, vacuum-like “thwack” that echoes through the valley.
Warning: Stand back from the railing! I have seen unsuspecting tourists get soaked by the splash zone when the fish jump.
Giraffe Deck (₱50 – ₱100): Located deeper in the zoo, this elevated platform puts you face-to-face with the giraffes. You can purchase carrot sticks to hand-feed them. It is easily the best selfie spot in the entire park.
The “Instagram” Zones
Scattered near the Main Pavilion and the entrance, these spots are designed for close encounters.
Bird Perches: Handlers will place colorful Macaws or Cockatoos on your arm or head for a photo. The fee is ₱50 per person.
Reptile Encounters: If you are brave enough, you can drape a heavy Burmese Python over your shoulders.
Orangutan Exhibit: Say hello to the zoo’s famous residents, Joey and Mimi. While you can’t hold them, their enclosure allows for very close observation compared to other zoos.
The Educational Zone
Avilon is a conservation center first. Make sure to visit the Philippine Eagle enclosure to see our national bird up close—a rare sight outside of Davao. Also, keep an eye out for Philippine endemics like the Visayan Warty Pig and the Writhed-billed Hornbill.
Insider Tip: The animal food (carrots/chicken) often runs out by mid-afternoon on busy weekends. Head to the Arapaima Pond immediately after entering (around 8:30 AM). The fish are hungriest then, and you’ll get the most explosive reactions before they get full!
Where to Eat: The Corkage vs. Canteen Debate
Avilon Zoo permits outside food and drinks but strictly enforces a Corkage Fee of ₱50 per person (regardless of food amount). While there is an internal Main Canteen serving Silog meals and hotdogs (₱150-₱200), the servings are basic and pricey. For groups, the most cost-effective strategy is to bring a heavy packed lunch and pay the corkage fee.
Deciding where to eat here is a math game. You have two choices: rely on the zoo’s limited canteen or haul your own feast.
Inside the Zoo: The Main Canteen
The Main Canteen is located right at the Entrance Pavilion. It’s your only source of sustenance once you pass the gates.
The Menu: Expect basic Filipino staples like Tapsilog, Hotdogs, and instant noodles.
The Cost: Prices carry a heavy “captive audience” markup. A simple rice meal runs about ₱180, and bottled water can hit ₱40-₱50.
The Vibe: It’s functional, not fancy. It’s good for an emergency ice cream or cold drink after the uphill trek, but I wouldn’t plan my main meal here.
The “BYO” Strategy (Highly Recommended)
We almost always recommend the “Bring Your Own” approach for families. The zoo has designated Picnic Tables and gazebos scattered throughout the grounds.
Here is why the math works in your favor:
Buying Inside: 4 people x ₱180 meal = ₱720.
Bringing Baon: 4 people x ₱50 corkage = ₱200 fee + Cost of your home-cooked Adobo.
The Verdict: Unless you are solo, bringing a pot of Fried Chicken or Menudo saves you over ₱500.
Post-Tour Dining (Montalban Town)
If you prefer to starve a little and feast later, take a tricycle back down to the Rodriguez (Montalban) Town Proper.
Dad’s Burger: A local favorite for heavy, post-hike burgers.
GaRaHe Korean Restaurant: Affordable samgyupsal options if you have the energy to grill.
Insider Tip: Do not underestimate the thirst factor. The valley gets incredibly humid between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM. I suggest buying 1.5L bottles of water at the 7-Eleven or Mercury Drug in town before riding the tricycle up. Even with the corkage fee, it’s cheaper than buying five small bottles inside the canteen.
Suggested “Maximizer” Itinerary
A complete tour of Avilon Zoo takes 3 to 4 hours of steady walking. There are no trams or shuttles inside, so visitors must trek the entire 7.5-hectare loop on foot. The zoo uses a strict numbering system (Exhibits 1 through 70) to guide the flow. The best strategy is to arrive at 8:00 AM to conquer the steep uphill sections before the valley heat peaks at noon.
This is a “Walking Zoo” in the truest sense. Unlike Singapore Zoo or even Manila Zoo, there is no mechanized transport here. You are the transport.
The layout can be confusing if you wander aimlessly, so the park engineers created a “Breadcrumb Trail.” You simply follow the signage numbers from #1 to #70. If you skip a number, you missed an animal.
Here is the “Morning Maximizer” route we use to beat the heat and the crowds:
| Time | Activity | Notes |
| 08:00 AM | Arrival & Validation | Download your offline maps now. Signal drops fast. |
| 08:30 AM | Arapaima Pond | Do this first. The fish are active, and the air is cool. |
| 09:30 AM | The Uphill Trek | Tackle the Big Cats & Sun Bears now. This is the steepest part of the zoo. Do not save this for noon! |
| 10:30 AM | Primate Gallery | Visit the Orangutans and Macaques as the path levels out. |
| 11:30 AM | Interactive Zone | Giraffe Feeding & Petting Zoo. Great reward for the kids after the hike. |
| 12:30 PM | Lunch Break | Find a Gazebo near the entrance for your picnic. |
Insider Tip: Do not rush the Arapaima Pond at the start. Most tour groups blitz past it to get to the tigers. Hang back for 15 minutes here. It’s the coolest part of the valley in the morning, and watching the staff prep the buckets of chicken heads is a show in itself. Plus, the lighting at 8:30 AM is perfect for video, whereas the water gets glary and reflective by 10:00 AM.
What I Wish I Knew
Bring at least ₱2,000 in cash (small bills) for a group of four, as there are no ATMs inside and digital payments are not accepted at food stalls. Wear sturdy rubber shoes for the 7.5-hectare trek, as the mossy pathways can be slippery. Finally, take a photo of the main map at the entrance—there are no paper brochures.
I’ve learned these lessons the hard way so you don’t have to. Here are the honest realities of visiting Avilon Zoo:
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The ATM Desert: This is the most critical warning. The nearest reliable ATM is kilometers away in Rodriguez Town Proper. Once you go up the hill to the zoo, you are in a cash-only economy. Bring enough cash for the tricycle (₱100), Corkage Fees (₱50/head), and animal feeding (₱50-₱100/bowl).
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It’s a Leg Day Workout: Do not wear flip-flops or aesthetic sandals. The zoo covers 7.5 hectares of valley terrain. While paved, the bricks get mossy and slippery due to the humidity. I wore trekking sandals last time, and even I slipped on the ramp near the Sun Bear enclosure.
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The “Map” Hack: There are no paper maps or brochures handed out at the ticket booth.
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Pro Tip: Before you start walking, stop at the Entrance Plaza. There is a massive, fading billboard map. Take a high-resolution photo of it with your phone. You will need to refer to this photo when you are trying to find the shortcut from the Tiger exhibit back to the toilets.
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Valley Bugs: The zoo is situated in a valley with stagnant water ponds (like the Arapaima tank). This is prime mosquito territory. Apply Off Lotion or citronella patches before you enter, especially on your legs.
FAQ (People Also Ask)
Avilon Zoo is strictly a “No Pets Allowed” zone to protect its 3,000+ animals. While the park is technically wheelchair accessible with paved paths, the 7.5-hectare terrain is steep and hilly, making manual wheelchairs physically exhausting to push. There are no lockers on-site, so travel light. For connectivity, Globe generally offers better signal coverage in the valley than Smart.
Here are the answers to the questions I get asked the most in our DMs:
1. Is Avilon Zoo wheelchair and stroller friendly?
Technically, yes, because the pathways are paved. However, be warned: the terrain in Barrio San Isidro is naturally hilly.
The Reality: Pushing a manual wheelchair up the ramps near the Sun Bear or Tiger enclosures is a serious cardio workout.
Strollers: Highly recommended for toddlers. Do not attempt to carry them for the full 3-4 hour tour unless you want back pain.
2. Can I bring my dog/pet?
No. Avilon Zoo enforces a strict Biosecurity Protocol. Domestic pets can carry diseases that are fatal to wild animals (and vice versa). Security at the main gate will turn you away if you have a furry friend in the car.
3. Do I really need to book in advance?
You don’t have to, but you are throwing away money if you don’t.
Walk-in: ₱800.
Online (Klook/Website): ₱600 (or ₱450 with the group promo).
Verdict: Book at least 24 hours before your trip. Why pay an extra ₱200 when you could use that for a tricycle ride?
4. How is the mobile signal inside?
It is hit-or-miss because the zoo sits in a valley.
Globe: Generally decent coverage throughout the park.
Smart/DITO: Expect dead spots, especially in the lower areas near the Arapaima Pond and fishing zones.
Pro Tip: Send your “pick me up” text to your tricycle driver before you descend into the valley floor.
5. Are there lockers for my luggage?
No. There is no baggage counter or locker facility at the Entrance Pavilion.
The Rule: If you bring it, you carry it.
Advice: Leave heavy bags in your car or travel light. Lugging a heavy backpack through 7.5 hectares of humidity is not fun.
Conclusion: Is Avilon Zoo Worth the Trip?
For travelers seeking a polished, air-conditioned experience like the Singapore Zoo, Avilon Zoo might feel too rugged. However, if you are looking for a massive, raw, and incredibly affordable wildlife adventure that beats the Manila Zoo in terms of sheer biodiversity and scale (7.5 hectares), Avilon is absolutely worth the effort. At the effective promo price of ₱450 per head, it is one of the best value-for-money day trips near Metro Manila.
Let’s manage your expectations one last time. This is not a theme park; it is a conservation center built into a valley.
The Cons: You will sweat. The paths in Barrio San Isidro are steep. The signage is old, and some glass enclosures need a good scrub.
The Pros: You will see animals here that you won’t see anywhere else in the country. Standing inches away from a Philippine Eagle or feeling the splash of an Arapaima feeding (₱50) is a core memory you can’t put a price tag on.
Compared to the renovated but smaller Manila Zoo, Avilon feels like a true expedition. It demands more energy, but it rewards you with a “jungle” vibe that the city just can’t replicate. And if you still have energy after the zoo, you can easily explore other must-visit Tanay tourist spots nearby to round out your Rizal adventure.
Final Verdict: Don’t overthink the commute. Just prepare for the walk.
Book the 3-Pax promo, pack your Adobo lunch to save on food costs, and wear your most comfortable sneakers.
The giants of Montalban are waiting!
