Hacienda Nápoles Theme Park
A sprawling former estate turned theme park, featuring a zoo, waterpark, and amusement rides, set against a backdrop of controversial history.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, shorter lines
Hacienda Nápoles Theme Park
Best Time
Fewer crowds, shorter lines
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A sprawling former estate turned theme park, featuring a zoo, waterpark, and amusement rides, set against a backdrop of controversial history.
"It's huge and has many things to do from the Safari ride to the water parks, museums, restaurants, amusement parks."
🚗 Rent a Vehicle
The park is huge! A car or golf cart is essential for getting around.
💧 Stay Hydrated
It gets hot and humid. Bring plenty of water or buy it inside.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
African Safari Zone
Zoo Area
Encounter diverse African wildlife roaming in expansive, naturalistic enclosures. A true highlight for animal lovers.
Waterpark Thrills
Waterpark Area
Cool off on a variety of slides and a lazy river, perfect for a hot Colombian day. Fun for all ages.
Pablo Escobar's Legacy Museum
Cultural Museum
Explore the controversial history of Hacienda Nápoles and its infamous former owner. A unique cultural experience.
Congo Amusement Park
Amusement Park Area
Enjoy thrilling rides and attractions, with some staying open later for evening fun. A newer addition to the park.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Plan for a Full Day (or Two!)
Getting Around is Key
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Rent a Vehicle
The park is huge! A car or golf cart is essential for getting around.
💧 Stay Hydrated
It gets hot and humid. Bring plenty of water or buy it inside.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking, even with a vehicle.
🍔 Pack Snacks
Food options are limited and pricey. Bring your own snacks.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Rent a Vehicle
The park is huge! A car or golf cart is essential for getting around.
💧 Stay Hydrated
It gets hot and humid. Bring plenty of water or buy it inside.
👟 Comfortable Shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking, even with a vehicle.
🍔 Pack Snacks
Food options are limited and pricey. Bring your own snacks.
🎟️ Buy Tickets Online
Save time and potentially money by purchasing tickets in advance.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Hacienda Nápoles offers a vast array of attractions, from a diverse zoo to thrilling waterparks and amusement rides, making it a potentially fun-filled destination. However, many visitors express concerns about the park's immense size, the high cost of food and internal transport, and the welfare of some animals in their enclosures. The long queues and strict rules at the waterpark and amusement rides also detract from the experience for some.
"Hacienda Nápoles was much more than we expected. We had a wonderful experience. Paying for the three days for $159,000 is not only convenient but also a very good deal.
I recommend paying the $28,000 to get into the car; it's a very large place.
They thought of everything. The place is wonderful, and each space has its own charm.
My teenager loved it; the slides are varied and very fun. The new attraction, the amusement park, Congo, is also entertaining and closes until 8 p.m. the other parks closed at 5pm.
The workers are very friendly and attentive."
Johanna Pinto
"I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. My friend and I only payed for general entry and struggled to see everything so I would recommend one day for the zoo and one day for the theme park/water park. The food options were slim so bring your own food unless you’re happy with fried chicken (it was delicious).
My only complaint is the maps provided in the park were very difficult to read and many of the animal enclosures (big cats, baboon and reptile enclosures) didn’t seem very ethical. I couldn’t see anything enrichment activities for animal and some of the enclosures were very small with little to no shelter. Another concern was the snakes were covered in parasitic ticks!"
Henry Smith
"Horrible.
It's very expensive for what it is.
The park brags over 1500 animals... we saw maybeeee 60. Most of the animals were sad, in small enclosures, and visibly unhappy. The lonesome elephant was missing his tusks.
The park is massive. You cannot get around without a vehicle.
The kids waterpark is packed... and for some reason, my 10 years old, who knows how to swim, isn't allowed to go down the slides without me accompanying him. The slides let off in shallow water... so I really don't get it.
The large waterpark has huge lines. After waiting almost 2 hours to get into the slide with my son, I was told that I couldn't because of the bars (piercings) in my ears. They require tools to be removed, which I explained, and was still denied access because they may fall out. 1. So what??? And 2. Do you not think people have body piercings that aren't visible that that can happen with?? Stupid.
The Congo, where the rides are is also full of long lines. Rides are in poor condition. Some coasters only operate at half capacity. This park is only open for 3 hours a day, and with the lines, you'd be lucky to get in 3 rides during that time (we only managed 2).
Food is horrible and ridiculously over priced.
Waste of time and money."
its me
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Hacienda Nápoles is about a 4-hour drive from Medellín. You can drive yourself, hire a private driver, or take a bus to Puerto Triunfo and then a taxi to the park. Renting a car is highly recommended for navigating the park itself.
While technically possible, it's a very long day with significant travel time. Many visitors recommend staying overnight nearby or dedicating at least two full days to fully experience the park.
The park is enormous. You can rent a car or golf cart for a fee, which is highly recommended. Walking is possible but extremely tiring and time-consuming.
Yes, various tour operators offer packages from Medellín. Some Reddit users found the tour prices to be high, questioning if they were inflated for international visitors.
Arriving early in the morning, especially on weekdays, is the best strategy to avoid the largest crowds and enjoy attractions with shorter wait times.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket prices vary, with options for general admission, multi-day passes, and packages that include access to specific attractions. Some reviews suggest multi-day passes offer good value.
Yes, you can purchase tickets at the entrance, but buying them in advance online is often recommended to save time and potentially secure better rates.
General admission typically grants access to the zoo and some common areas. Access to the waterpark, amusement park, and specific animal encounters may require additional fees or separate tickets.
You are generally not allowed to bring outside food and drinks into the park. There are also specific rules for the waterpark regarding jewelry and piercings.
Operating hours can vary by season and specific attractions. The amusement park (Congo) often stays open later than the waterparks and zoo. It's best to check the official website for the most current hours.
🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience
Highlights include the African Safari Zone with its diverse animals, the waterpark for cooling off, the Congo amusement park for rides, and the museum detailing the park's history.
Some visitors have raised concerns about the size and enrichment activities in certain animal enclosures, particularly for big cats and primates. Some animals appeared sad or in small spaces.
The waterpark has slides and a lazy river suitable for various ages. However, some parents noted strict rules, like needing to accompany younger children on slides.
The Congo amusement park offers rides, but some visitors reported long lines and rides in poor condition. It's a newer attraction that stays open later than other park areas.
The park is described as massive, covering a significant area. It's impossible to see everything in a single day without efficient transportation.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
Food options inside the park are generally limited and can be expensive. Fried chicken was mentioned as a tasty option, but variety is scarce. Many visitors recommend bringing your own snacks.
Yes, reviews consistently mention that food inside the park is overpriced and of poor quality. Bringing your own food is a common suggestion to save money.
No, you are generally not permitted to bring outside food and beverages into Hacienda Nápoles.
Information on specific dietary options is limited, but given the general feedback on food quality and variety, it's advisable to prepare for limited choices and consider bringing your own meals if you have specific dietary needs.
For more diverse and affordable dining, consider eating in Puerto Triunfo before or after your visit to the park, or exploring options in nearby towns.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture shots of the diverse animals in their enclosures, the vibrant waterpark slides, the iconic white plane, and the sprawling landscapes of the former estate.
It can be challenging due to enclosure bars and distances. Early morning or late afternoon light can be better. Some animals may be less active or visible depending on the time of day.
A zoom lens is helpful for animal photography. For general park shots, a versatile lens or even a smartphone camera will suffice. Consider a waterproof case for waterpark photos.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, professional photography or drone usage may require special permits. Always check park rules.
The 'golden hours' around sunrise and sunset offer the best light for landscape and animal photography. Midday sun can be harsh.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider dedicating separate days for the zoo and the water/amusement parks to allow ample time for each. While the waterpark is fun, be aware of strict rules regarding supervision on slides and jewelry. Bringing snacks is a good idea, as food options can be limited and pricey.
💰 Budget Travelers
Consider purchasing multi-day passes if you plan to explore extensively, as they can offer better value than single-day tickets for multiple attractions. Prioritize which attractions are most important to you to avoid paying for experiences you won't fully utilize. Traveling during weekdays can also help avoid peak pricing and crowds.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Consider a zoom lens for capturing wildlife from a distance. The golden hours around sunrise and sunset offer the best light. Be mindful of the park's size and plan your routes to maximize your photographic opportunities without excessive travel time.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Navigating the Vastness: Transportation at Hacienda Nápoles
Without a dedicated vehicle, experiencing the full breadth of what Hacienda Nápoles offers becomes a significant challenge. While some may opt for the bus from Medellín to Puerto Triunfo, followed by a taxi to the park, the internal transportation is where the real planning comes in. The cost of renting these vehicles is often seen as a worthwhile investment, especially for families or groups, enabling them to maximize their time and enjoyment within the park's sprawling grounds.
Consider the logistics: the zoo section alone is vast, and then you have the separate waterpark and amusement park areas. Planning your route and ensuring you have a way to get between them quickly is key to avoiding a rushed or incomplete visit. This internal mobility is as crucial as your transport to the park itself.
The Animal Experience: Between Wonder and Concern
However, a significant number of reviews also voice concerns regarding animal welfare. Some visitors noted that many animal enclosures, especially for big cats and primates, appeared small and lacked adequate enrichment activities. There were observations of animals seeming sad, listless, or in visibly poor condition, with one mention of an elephant missing its tusks and snakes covered in ticks. This disparity between the park's claims and the observed conditions has led to mixed feelings among guests.
For those planning a visit, it's advisable to go with realistic expectations. While there are certainly impressive animal sightings to be had, be prepared for some enclosures that may not meet modern ethical standards. Researching specific animal areas beforehand or being mindful during your visit can help manage expectations and inform your experience.
Waterpark Woes and Amusement Park Adventures
Despite the fun, some visitors have encountered significant frustrations. Long queues are a common complaint, particularly for the larger slides and rides. There are also strict rules in place, such as requiring adults to accompany children on slides and specific regulations about jewelry and piercings in the waterpark, which some found overly stringent and inconvenient. One reviewer was denied access to a slide due to ear piercings, despite explaining the situation.
The Congo amusement park, while open later, also suffers from long lines and reports of rides being in poor condition or operating at reduced capacity. This means that even with extended hours, getting to experience multiple rides can be difficult. Visitors looking for a seamless amusement park experience might find the reality falls short of expectations, with a focus on quantity of attractions over quality of operation.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit