El Serpentario Reptile Center & Cactus Nursery

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

Did you know that Mexico boasts the largest variety of reptiles of any country in the world (707 known species, in fact)? Or that the world's fastest lizard is the spiny-tailed iguana, which can reach speeds of 21.7 m.p.h.? Learn these facts and more at El Serpentario Reptile Center, where some of the world's rarest and most dangerous reptile species can be seen, heard and touched.

Your two-and-a-half hour excursion will take you on a journey of discovery where you'll learn fascinating details about these precursors to the dinosaurs. Wear comfortable shoes and light clothing and remember to bring your camera (these creatures are very photogenic).

After boarding your air-conditioned transportation at the pier, sit back, relax and enjoy the sea and desert views at you make your way into La Paz. Your 30-minute scenic route will take you past the sleepy beaches of Punta Caimancito and Playa Coromuel and off in the distance you'll see many of the area's deserted islands just outside your window.

Arriving in La Paz, you'll journey down the palm-lined waterfront promenade to El Serpentario Reptile Center. Once you disembark, a naturalist guide will amaze you with details about these exotic animals (such as the scales of snakes and lizards are made of keratin, the same substance that's in your hair and fingernails). And a special exhibit explains how exotic animals like snakes, iguanas, lizards and tortoises play an important role in the world's ecosystem.

Then, you're free to roam the Center on your own and observe Mexican animals, as well as reptiles from around the world like albino cobras and giant python. But El Serpentario Reptile Center not only houses an outstanding collection of reptiles it also specializes in the conservation, environmental education and rehabilitation of these creatures, as well. Many of the reptiles are placed outdoors in pits where you can observe these powerful creatures in their everyday habitat; if you're lucky you may be able to watch them eat, sleep, even mate or possibly fight. El Serpentario Reptile Center lets you touch harmless specimens during a live show and meet informative experts who can answer your questions. This is a great photo opportunity so have your cameras ready. In addition to reptiles there's also a creepy crawly arthropod collection that's full of spiders, scorpions and centipedes.

When your exciting excursion comes to an end, you'll climb back aboard your waiting transportation and return to the pier along the same scenic route.

Special Notes:

Please wear comfortable walking shoes as they are some uneven surfaces and bring a hat, sunglasses, sunblock, camera and cash for any purchases. Please be aware that the air conditioning standard in Mexico is not the same as North America or of that onboard. It may seem warmer than to what you are normally accustomed.