Sint Maarten Zoo

See tropical birds, deadly snakes and the largest rodent in the world, then let the kids pretend to be pirates of the Caribbean at Philipsburg’s wildlife park.

Families will find few better attractions on the island than the St. Maarten Zoo. See hundreds of mammals, reptiles and birds then play on the largest playground on St. Maarten.

The St. Maarten Zoo is the largest zoo in the Caribbean, but its manageable size means you can see everything in a few hours. The attraction was built in 1991 and today houses animals from Central and South America.

Explore the zoo as part of a guided tour. Animal keepers will show you many of the zoo’s favourite creatures, such as the caiman, a type of alligator. See the world’s biggest rodent, known as the capybara. There are Burmese python and colourful rainbow boa on display in the reptile house. Deadly snakes are kept behind glass, so you can safely see them up-close. Hear the bats before you see them as they flit above your head in the bat house; hundreds of the nocturnal creatures live in a colony here.

Watch monkeys at play and have your photograph taken with a parrot. There are a host of colourful Caribbean birds on display. See lovebirds, toucans and macaws among the tropical birdlife in the St. Maarten aviary. Many animals roam freely through the park, including huge lizards, goats and peacocks. Buy food and feed the lizards.

Once you’ve seen all the animals, watch the kids have fun at the largest playground on the island. The pirate-themed playground is in the shape of a ship.

St. Maarten Zoo is in Philipsburg on the north edge of the Great Salt Pond. Visit the nearby Madame Estate shopping centre. Reach the zoo by car. There is free parking on the zoo grounds, but take any valuables with you because there’s no security in the parking lot. The zoo is open daily. There’s a fee for entry but children pay half price.