Hacienda Nápoles

This large estate covers approximately 7,720 acres (3,120 hectares) and includes a zoo with rescued animals, water park facilities, replica dinosaur exhibits, and safari tour routes that allow visitors to observe wildlife in semi-natural settings throughout the property.

Built in the late 1970s by drug lord Pablo Escobar, the estate served as his private retreat and featured a colonial-style mansion, private airport, racing track, and zoo with illegally imported exotic animals including hippopotamuses that were brought from Africa in 1981.

The site represents Colombia's complex relationship with its recent past, transforming from a symbol of narcotics wealth and excess into a family-oriented attraction that generates employment for the local community while sparking ongoing debates about how to interpret this controversial legacy.

The park typically operates from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM with admission fees varying by season and selected activities, and visitors should check the official website for current pricing and confirm transportation arrangements since the location requires considerable travel from nearby cities.

The estate houses a feral population of over 100 hippopotamuses descended from Escobar's original four animals, creating an invasive species problem that has led to environmental debates about sterilization, relocation, or population control measures to protect native ecosystems in the Magdalena River basin.

Inception: 1979

Website: https://haciendanapoles.com

GPS coordinates: 5.92554,-74.72219

Latest update: November 28, 2025 11:18