Published on Wednesday, August 20, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) announced Tuesday that the former Simón Bolívar Zoo in downtown San José will be transformed into an urban nature park.

The $8 million project will be financed through the Sustainable Cities Impact Program of the Global Environment Facility (GEF 7), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and the Organization for Tropical Studies (OTS).

Officials stated that the new park will showcase Costa Rica’s biodiversity and ecosystems, while providing spaces for recreation and leisure.

Exhibition areas will feature natural collections from the National Museum, and former animal enclosures will be repurposed as art galleries, cultural event spaces, and recreational areas.

Located in the heart of the capital, the park is expected to provide wide-ranging benefits, including cleaner air, reduced “heat island” effects, greater urban biodiversity, opportunities for physical activity, and improved mental health for residents. It is also intended to serve as a community hub that fosters social connections and strengthens neighborhood ties.

Covering 2.63 hectares, the site forms part of the Río Torres Interurban Biological Corridor in San José. Opened in 1921, the Simón Bolívar Zoo had long served as Costa Rica’s oldest botanical garden and zoo, named after Latin American independence leader Simón Bolívar.

Before closing permanently in May 2024, it housed a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and other species.

Authorities expect construction to be completed and the park open to the public within five years.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) is the government agency in charge of setting policies on environmental protection, natural resource management, and the sustainable use of renewable energy.

Another project aimed at improving communities and boosting tourism was announced last year by the Municipal Council of the Cóbano District in Puntarenas Province. The plan calls for the construction of a water park with support from the United States.

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