Where Is Avilon Zoo Located?
Avilon Zoo sits inside Barrio San Isidro in the municipality of Rodriguez, Rizal, historically called Montalban. It is approximately 20 to 25 kilometers northeast of Cubao, Quezon City, tucked into a natural valley flanked by hills. The address puts it well outside Metro Manila’s usual day-trip radius, but the drive on a clear morning takes under an hour from the Cubao side.
The valley setting is central to everything about this place. The terrain shapes the layout, the heat, the signal quality, and the walking difficulty. If you go in expecting a flat, air-conditioned park, the geography will catch you off guard. It is very much an outdoor, hillside experience. Knowing that in advance makes the visit significantly more enjoyable.
If you are building a broader Rizal itinerary around your zoo trip, the Rizal tourist spots guide on LakbayPinas has a solid overview of what else is worth visiting in the province.
How to Get to Avilon Zoo
Getting to Avilon Zoo from Manila requires a multi-leg journey, but the commute is manageable once you know the route.
By Public Transportation from Cubao
The most common approach from Metro Manila uses Cubao as the staging hub. Take the LRT-2 or MRT-3 to the Araneta Center-Cubao interchange, then look for UV Express vans or jeepneys bound for “Rodriguez,” “Montalban,” or “Luvers” at terminals near Farmers Market or along Aurora Boulevard. The road leg from Cubao to Rodriguez takes roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic through Commonwealth Avenue or the Marikina-San Mateo corridor.
Once you alight at Puregold San Rafael or the Montalban Church intersection, you are not yet at the gate. The zoo is recessed into Barrio San Isidro, so you ride a local tricycle for the final stretch. Tricycle fare runs PHP 50 to PHP 100 per passenger, depending on where you board and how many people fit in the sidecar.
By Public Transportation from Masinag
Visitors coming from Antipolo, Cainta, or Taytay have a more direct option. Ride the LRT-2 to the Antipolo Station near SM City Masinag, then board a jeepney or mini-bus going to “Montalban” or “Rodriguez.” The fare on this leg is roughly PHP 40 to PHP 65, and travel time is about 1.25 to 2 hours. The same tricycle final leg applies upon arrival at the main drop-off area.
By Private Car
Drivers from Manila take EDSA northbound, then transition to Commonwealth Avenue, and turn right onto IBP Road toward the Batasan-San Mateo road network. Upon reaching Gen. Luna Street near Puregold, turn right onto M.H. del Pilar Street. From there, brown tourist directional signs guide you through the residential roads straight to the zoo entrance.
Parking at Avilon Zoo
The parking area is a large, unpaved, open-air lot shared with the adjacent Noah’s Park Resort, located a 3 to 5-minute walk from the main Avilon Zoo gate. There is no printed fee schedule or automated ticketing. The lot operates informally, and while entry itself is free, tipping the local attendants who manage the flow of cars and buses is the norm. Bring small bills for this. The lot accommodates private cars, motorcycles, and large tour buses, but it fills up fast on weekends, which is another reason arriving at 8:00 AM matters.
Table of Contents
Where Is Avilon Zoo Located?
Avilon Zoo sits inside Barrio San Isidro in the municipality of Rodriguez, Rizal, historically called Montalban. It is approximately 20 to 25 kilometers northeast of Cubao, Quezon City, tucked into a natural valley flanked by hills. The address puts it well outside Metro Manila’s usual day-trip radius, but the drive on a clear morning takes under an hour from the Cubao side.
The valley setting is central to everything about this place. The terrain shapes the layout, the heat, the signal quality, and the walking difficulty. If you go in expecting a flat, air-conditioned park, the geography will catch you off guard. It is very much an outdoor, hillside experience. Knowing that in advance makes the visit significantly more enjoyable.
If you are building a broader Rizal itinerary around your zoo trip, the Rizal tourist spots guide on LakbayPinas has a solid overview of what else is worth visiting in the province.
How to Get to Avilon Zoo
Getting to Avilon Zoo from Manila requires a multi-leg journey, but the commute is manageable once you know the route.
By Public Transportation from Cubao
The most common approach from Metro Manila uses Cubao as the staging hub. Take the LRT-2 or MRT-3 to the Araneta Center-Cubao interchange, then look for UV Express vans or jeepneys bound for “Rodriguez,” “Montalban,” or “Luvers” at terminals near Farmers Market or along Aurora Boulevard. The road leg from Cubao to Rodriguez takes roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours, depending on traffic through Commonwealth Avenue or the Marikina-San Mateo corridor.
Once you alight at Puregold San Rafael or the Montalban Church intersection, you are not yet at the gate. The zoo is recessed into Barrio San Isidro, so you ride a local tricycle for the final stretch. Tricycle fare runs PHP 50 to PHP 100 per passenger, depending on where you board and how many people fit in the sidecar.
By Public Transportation from Masinag
Visitors coming from Antipolo, Cainta, or Taytay have a more direct option. Ride the LRT-2 to the Antipolo Station near SM City Masinag, then board a jeepney or mini-bus going to “Montalban” or “Rodriguez.” The fare on this leg is roughly PHP 40 to PHP 65, and travel time is about 1.25 to 2 hours. The same tricycle final leg applies upon arrival at the main drop-off area.
By Private Car
Drivers from Manila take EDSA northbound, then transition to Commonwealth Avenue, and turn right onto IBP Road toward the Batasan-San Mateo road network. Upon reaching Gen. Luna Street near Puregold, turn right onto M.H. del Pilar Street. From there, brown tourist directional signs guide you through the residential roads straight to the zoo entrance.
Parking at Avilon Zoo
The parking area is a large, unpaved, open-air lot shared with the adjacent Noah’s Park Resort, located a 3 to 5-minute walk from the main Avilon Zoo gate. There is no printed fee schedule or automated ticketing. The lot operates informally, and while entry itself is free, tipping the local attendants who manage the flow of cars and buses is the norm. Bring small bills for this. The lot accommodates private cars, motorcycles, and large tour buses, but it fills up fast on weekends, which is another reason arriving at 8:00 AM matters.
Entrance fee and Passes at Avilon Zoo
A single admission ticket covers all-day access to every animal enclosure, aviary, botanical garden, and walking path inside the 7.5-hectare property. There are no separate zone fees and no ride coupons to buy. What you pay at the gate is your total entry cost, with a few add-ons explained below.
Admission Rates
| Ticket Type | Walk-In Gate Price | Online Price | Effective Rate (3-Pax Promo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult / Child (above 3 feet) | PHP 800 | PHP 600 | PHP 450 |
| Child (below 3 feet) | PHP 600 | PHP 600 | N/A |
| Infant (12 months and below) | Free | Free | Free |
| Senior Citizen / PWD | PHP 640 | N/A | N/A (see note below) |
The 3-Pax Promo: The Best Deal Here
The Avilon Zoo 3 pax promo is an online-exclusive bundle priced at PHP 1,350 for three people, bringing the per-person cost down to PHP 450. For a family of four, combining one 3-Pax Promo (PHP 1,350) with one additional regular online ticket (PHP 600) totals PHP 1,950, compared to PHP 3,200 if you walk in without booking. That is a PHP 1,250 difference for doing nothing more than booking ahead.
Purchase the promo through the official Avilon Zoo website via iPay88 (accepts credit cards and e-wallets), or through third-party platforms like Klook. Klook tickets are valid for 90 days from booking; direct site tickets are valid for 60 days. Both are redeemed at the gate via a printed or digital QR code, bypassing the cash window entirely.
Important: Buy Tickets Before You Enter the Valley
Do not wait until you arrive at the gate to buy online. The San Isidro valley has unreliable cellular signal, and transaction timeouts at the payment gateway are common when you are standing in the queue. Buy at least 24 hours before your visit and download the confirmation or QR code while you still have a strong connection.
Senior Citizen and PWD Discount
The Avilon Zoo senior citizen PWD discount follows Philippine law: a mandatory 20% reduction applies to the regular walk-in gate price. For adults above 3 feet, the senior/PWD rate is PHP 640 instead of PHP 800. For children below 3 feet, it drops to PHP 480.
This statutory discount cannot be stacked on top of online promo prices. Here is the practical implication: a senior citizen who joins a younger relative’s 3-Pax Promo online pays an effective PHP 450, which is actually cheaper than claiming the senior discount at the gate (PHP 640). Financially, being counted as one of three in an online bundle beats the statutory privilege at the walk-in window.
To claim the walk-in discount, present a valid government-issued Senior Citizen ID or PWD ID at the ticket booth.
Payment Methods
On-site gate: cash only. No GCash, no Maya, no credit or debit cards. The ticket booths have no card terminal infrastructure. The surrounding area is an ATM desert, so withdraw enough cash in Cubao, Masinag, or Rodriguez town proper before heading into the valley. Budget cash for the gate, animal feeding (PHP 50 to PHP 100 per bowl), corkage if you bring food (PHP 50 per person), stroller rental (PHP 200), tricycle fares, and meals.
What the Ticket Covers and What It Does Not
Your admission gives you unlimited, all-day pedestrian access to all enclosures, aviaries, reptile habitats, aquatic tanks, and botanical areas. It does not cover:
- Animal feeding bowls at designated stations (PHP 50 to PHP 100 per bowl)
- Supervised photo interactions at wildlife selfie stations (fee varies by station)
- Food and drinks at the canteen
- Stroller rental (PHP 200 flat fee at the front gate)
- Corkage fee if you bring outside food (PHP 50 per person)
Operating Hours at Avilon Zoo
Avilon Zoo is open 365 days a year, including public holidays.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Friday | 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays | 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
Avilon Zoo operating hours are consistent year-round, though the valley’s heat and the animal activity rhythms make the opening hour far more valuable than it looks on paper. Arriving at 8:00 AM means cooler temperatures, awake and active animals, and first access to the steepest uphill sections before the sun is overhead. By midday in July, the valley traps heat and humidity at a level that makes a casual stroll feel significantly harder than it actually is.
Top Attractions at Avilon Zoo
There are no mechanical rides at Avilon Zoo. That is not a limitation, it is just a different kind of park. The 70 numbered stations across the 7.5-hectare grounds are the attraction, and some of them are legitimately spectacular.
The Arapaima Feeding Pond
This was the moment that stuck with me the most during my July 2026 visit. You buy a bowl of feed for PHP 50, toss it into the pond, and these massive prehistoric fish lunge to the surface with a force and sound that genuinely surprises you even when you expect it. It is loud, it is close, and it is one of those animal encounters that does not require any performance from a handler. The fish do all the work.
The Arapaima pond tends to draw a crowd quickly once it gets going. If you want your group to have space at the railing without elbowing for position, get there early in the morning.
The Bornean Orangutan Pavilion
The zoo’s most famous residents are Trixie and Joey, two Bornean Orangutans that are social enough to engage directly with visitors. They are the face of Avilon Zoo’s interactive encounters and the most photographed animals on the property. Expect a line here during weekends. This is the exhibit where arrival time matters most: if you arrive at 8:00 AM, you can often interact with minimal queuing. By 10:30 AM on a Saturday, the wait for a close photo can stretch considerably.
Walk-Through Aviaries
The netted walk-through aviaries are large enough that you forget you are inside an enclosure. Ostriches, cassowaries, flamingos, hornbills, and raptors share these spaces with guests in a way that a glass panel can never replicate. The Philippine Eagle is the marquee bird, and seeing it at close range without a barrier between you is genuinely different from any zoo experience I have had elsewhere. The name “Avilon” is rooted in birds, and this section earns that etymology.
Reptile Caves and the Butaan Conservation Story
The reptile section is partly underground and temperature-controlled, which makes it a welcome break from the valley heat. Beyond the crocodiles and pythons, this section holds real scientific weight: Avilon Zoo achieved the first documented captive hatching of the Gray’s Monitor Lizard (Varanus olivaceus), known locally as the butaan, a conservation milestone recognized in international wildlife documentaries. You probably will not read that on a sign you can miss. It is worth knowing before you walk through.
The Giraffe Deck and Farmland
The elevated feeding platform puts you at eye level with giraffes, which is a different physical experience than looking up at one from the ground. Feed is PHP 50 to PHP 100 per portion. The adjacent farmland sector lets younger kids interact with guinea pigs, rabbits, sheep, miniature horses, and giant tortoises at a pace they can control.
Wildlife Selfie Stations
Near the main entrance pavilion, handlers position macaws and cockatoos on guests’ arms and shoulders for photos. At the reptile stations, handlers drape albino Burmese pythons over willing shoulders. These are staffed encounters with trained handlers monitoring the interaction, not unsupervised selfie props.
The 70-Station Breadcrumb Trail
The park uses no paper maps. Instead, large numbered signboards from Station 1 to Station 70 (sometimes up to 75 with seasonal exhibits) guide visitors along the entire circuit. Follow the numbers. Deviating from the sequence in hilly, dense terrain will get you turned around, and backtracking uphill in July heat is not something you want to do twice.
Best Time to Visit Avilon Zoo
Arrive at 8:00 AM, regardless of the day. That advice covers most situations, but the reasoning matters.
The valley geometry traps heat. By 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM during summer months, the temperature on exposed pathways rises sharply, and animals retreat to shade, making many enclosures visually emptier than they were at opening. Early morning is when nocturnal and crepuscular animals are still active and visible, when the uphill treks are physically tolerable, and when the photo stations have no queue.
Weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends. If your schedule allows, a Tuesday or Wednesday morning visit gives you the full park experience without crowd pressure at popular exhibits like the Orangutan Pavilion or the Arapaima pond.
During the rainy season, the brick pathways accumulate moss and become slippery fast. Wear shoes with real grip. The wet season also brings elevated mosquito populations in the lower valley areas near the ponds, so bring insect repellent. It is not optional.
How Long Do You Need at Avilon Zoo?
The honest answer is a full day, with a minimum of 3 to 4 hours of active walking. The 7.5-hectare circuit is not small, and the terrain adds physical weight to the distance.
Sample Time Plan
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:45 AM | Arrive at parking lot, walk to gate |
| 8:00 AM | Enter at opening; start at Station 1 |
| 8:00 to 9:30 AM | Lower valley: Arapaima pond, reptile caves, aquatic tanks |
| 9:30 to 11:00 AM | Primate gallery, Orangutan Pavilion (Trixie and Joey) |
| 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM | Aviaries, bird photo stations |
| 12:30 to 1:30 PM | Lunch break at canteen or picnic area with packed meal |
| 1:30 to 3:00 PM | Giraffe Deck, Farmland, Big Cat enclosures |
| 3:00 to 4:00 PM | Final stations, souvenir area |
| 4:00 PM | Exit, queue for tricycle back to main road |
Half-day visitors who arrive late (10:00 AM or after) frequently miss the animal activity window and find themselves rushing the final sections before close.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
I would bring a secondary small bag just for cash, broken into amounts I expect to spend per station: feeding bowl money separated from corkage, tricycle fare separated from canteen budget. On my July visit, I dug through a single wallet four separate times at four different payment points, which gets annoying fast when your hands are sweaty and the line is moving.
I would also time my Arapaima stop for the very first activity after the gate, before any crowd forms. By 9:15 AM it already had a ring of people around the railing. Being first there at 8:05 AM would have been worth it.
Finally, I underestimated how much water I needed. One 500ml bottle for a four-hour walk in a humid valley in July is not enough. Bring at least two liters per adult, more if you have children.
Full Budget Breakdown for a Day at Avilon Zoo
This assumes a group of three adults using the 3-Pax Promo and bringing outside food.
| Expense | Cost (PHP) |
|---|---|
| 3-Pax Promo (3 adults, online) | 1,350 |
| Tricycle to/from zoo (per person, both ways) | 100 to 200 per person |
| Corkage fee (per person, if bringing food) | 50 per person |
| Animal feeding bowls (2 to 3 per group) | 100 to 300 |
| Stroller rental (if needed) | 200 |
| Canteen meals (if not bringing food) | 150 to 250 per person |
| Souvenir / miscellaneous | 100 to 300 per group |
| Parking tip (private car) | 50 to 100 |
| Realistic total for 3 adults (with packed food) | PHP 2,100 to 2,700 |
| Realistic total for 3 adults (eating at canteen) | PHP 2,700 to 3,500 |
Cash is mandatory for everything on-site. Have it ready before you leave Metro Manila.
What to Bring to Avilon Zoo
| Item | Needed? |
|---|---|
| Cash (PHP, sufficient amount) | Yes, absolutely required |
| Comfortable, closed-toe shoes with grip | Yes |
| Sunscreen | Yes |
| Insect repellent | Yes, especially rainy season |
| Water (at least 2 liters per adult) | Yes |
| Packed meals (optional, corkage applies) | Recommended for large groups |
| Downloaded offline map | Yes, for parking and navigation |
| Printed or downloaded ticket QR code | Yes if booked online |
| Lightweight stroller for toddlers | Yes, or rent one for PHP 200 |
| Umbrella or rain poncho | Yes during wet season |
| GCash, Maya, or credit card | No (on-site is cash only) |
| Drone | No, banned |
| Pets | No, strictly prohibited |
| Alcohol or vape | No, banned |
| Outside animal feed | No, banned |
Tips and Rules for Visiting Avilon Zoo
Book online and buy the 3-Pax Promo if your group has three or more people. The savings are real and the process is straightforward. Do it the day before, not the morning of.
Withdraw cash before entering the valley. There are no ATMs near the zoo. The closest reliable machines are in Cubao, at SM Masinag, or in Rodriguez town. Under-budgeting cash is the single most common visitor mistake.
Do not tap on enclosure glass or shout at sleeping animals. The zoo enforces a hands-off policy except at guided handler stations. Free-roaming animals like peacocks or monitor lizards on the paths should not be grabbed or blocked.
Download an offline map before losing signal. Globe Telecom coverage fluctuates; Smart and DITO subscribers frequently lose signal entirely in the lower valley areas. Coordinate return tricycle pickup times with your driver before walking through the gate.
Coordinate with your tricycle driver for a pick-up time. Tricycles park right outside the exit, but during peak hours on weekends, the queue to get one can take 15 to 20 minutes. Agreeing on a time in advance is simpler.
Do not bring bicycles, scooters, hoverboards, or drones. All are banned on the pedestrian paths and within the aviary zones.
Smoking and vaping are banned on the entire property, including the parking area approach.
Avilon Zoo vs Manila Zoo
If you are weighing Manila Zoo against Avilon Zoo, the comparison is not really about which is better overall; it is about what kind of visit you want. Manila Zoo is centrally located in Malate, easier to reach by public transit, and requires far less physical effort. Avilon Zoo is the larger facility by a significant margin, with a collection that is broader, more diverse, and set in an environment that feels more natural. For sheer animal variety and the quality of walk-through experiences, Avilon Zoo is in a different category.
Avilon Zoo is the better choice for families willing to commit to a full day. Manila Zoo makes more sense if you have limited time, are traveling solo, or cannot manage the multi-leg commute and the physical demands of the valley terrain.
For a broader look at theme and attraction parks around the country, the Philippine amusement and theme park guide on LakbayPinas puts this kind of day trip in useful context. And if you are looking for other destinations beyond Rizal, the LakbayPinas Philippines tourist spots directory covers regional options worth considering. The full LakbayPinas travel site is also a solid resource for planning any Philippine itinerary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Avilon Zoo
Does Avilon Zoo have any mechanical rides or a ride-all-you-can pass?
No. Avilon Zoo is a walking zoo and wildlife conservatory. There are no roller coasters, carousels, drop towers, or any other mechanical rides anywhere on the 7.5-hectare property. Questions about height limits for rides or ride-all-you-can passes do not apply here. Your ticket covers unlimited pedestrian access to all animal enclosures, aviaries, and botanical areas for the entire operating day.
What is the Avilon Zoo animal feeding schedule, and which encounters require the most time?
The zoo does not publish a fixed daily schedule for feeding shows. Instead, professional handlers are stationed at high-traffic exhibits throughout the day for continuous interaction. The Arapaima pond and the Bornean Orangutan Pavilion draw the longest queues, especially after 10:00 AM on weekends. Arriving at opening gives you the best access to both. Feeding bowls at most animal stations cost PHP 50 to PHP 100 and are purchased on-site with cash.
Can I buy Avilon Zoo tickets at the gate with a card or GCash?
No. The physical ticket booths at Avilon Zoo operate on cash only. No GCash, Maya, credit cards, or debit cards are accepted on-site. The only way to pay digitally is through advance online booking via the Avilon Zoo website (using iPay88) or through Klook. Bring enough physical cash for your entry, food, animal feeding, corkage, and transport before you enter the valley, as there are no ATMs nearby.
How does the Avilon Zoo senior citizen PWD discount work, and is it better than the online promo?
Senior citizens aged 60 and above and registered PWD individuals are entitled to a 20% discount on the walk-in gate price, bringing the adult rate from PHP 800 down to PHP 640. To claim it, you must present a valid government-issued Senior Citizen ID or PWD ID at the ticket booth. However, this discount cannot be combined with online promotional prices. A senior citizen who joins a group’s 3-Pax Promo pays only PHP 450 as one of the three, which is lower than the PHP 640 senior discount at the gate. If the math works out, the promo is the better deal.
Is the Avilon Zoo entrance fee for 2026 the same on weekdays and weekends?
Yes, the Avilon Zoo entrance fee 2026 does not change based on the day of the week. The walk-in gate price remains PHP 800 for adults and qualifying children regardless of whether you visit on a Tuesday or a Sunday. The online promo rate of PHP 600 per person, or PHP 1,350 for a 3-Pax bundle, is also consistent across all days. What changes on weekends is the closing time, which extends to 6:00 PM versus 5:00 PM on weekdays.
Final Verdict: Is Avilon Zoo Worth Visiting?
Avilon Zoo earns a 4.5 out of 5 for families and wildlife enthusiasts willing to commit to a full day. It is the most comprehensive zoo experience in the Philippines, and the combination of walk-through aviaries, the Arapaima feeding pond, the orangutan pavilion, and the sheer scale of the animal collection makes the commute and the physical effort worthwhile.Â
The only reasons it does not hit a perfect score are the cash-only economy, the absence of reliable ATMs nearby, and the real physical demand the valley terrain places on older visitors or young children who are not in strollers. Come prepared, buy your tickets online, and Avilon Zoo delivers a genuinely rewarding day that a typical urban park simply cannot replicate.
