I knew it existed and had passed by it many times without ever entering. This time I decided to go. I had to wait for someone, and knowing the distances, the characteristics of the person, and the transportation options, I knew I'd have time to explore the Zoo on 26th Street. I must confess that I was always curious about what it looked like inside, so I decided to go in.
Finding the cocodriles can be a challenge
The entrance ticket costs 60 Cuban pesos for Cubans; I don't know how much foreigners must pay. Once inside, the scene is a bit bleak. Many areas seem completely abandoned. Services that surely excited children, like the little train that runs through the different areas, have disappeared.
Seeing the conditions of the facilities, the call by many animal protection advocates to close zoos makes sense. Perhaps they should be left only for the breeding and reproduction of endangered species. Because, even with all the conditions, a life of confinement is always sad.
Another thing that surprised me is how small Zoo 26 is compared to the one in Santiago de Cuba, which I remember being almost twice as big.
What is abundant are cafes and private stalls, both food and games. It even has a space for children's performances (magic, clowns, music, etc.).
It's not a dazzling place, but Zoo 26 is a space where children can have fun and families can share, although spending can be quite expensive if not controlled. It can also be a quiet place to go to relax and enjoy the silence, especially in the crocodile, hippopotamus, and condor areas.
