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Capybaras are having a real moment right now, and it turns out you don’t need to fly to South America to hang out with one!
Located just off the historic downtown, Capybara Cafe is Florida’s original capybara experience and it opened back in 2024.
You get a guided session where you can feed and pet the capybaras, plus there are loads of other animals to meet while you’re there.
And the best part about it is that every single ticket goes straight back into Noah’s Ark Sanctuary, the rescue that owns and runs the place!
It’s an easy stop if you’re already exploring St. Augustine, and about 50 minutes from Jacksonville.
🐹 Quick Information About Capybara Cafe
📍 Where: 105 S Ponce De Leon Blvd, Suite B, St. Augustine, FL 32084
🐹 What is it?
Despite the name, there is no coffee here, it’s more of a petting zoo where you can meet the capybaras.
There are two experiences to pick from. The Capybara Encounter is 30 minutes long and includes a 5-minute safety briefing as well as 25 minutes feeding and petting the capybaras. 🥬
The other experience is called Capybara and Friends. It’s 55 minutes long and adds the other animal ambassadors like skunks, porcupines, ferrets and more. 🦨
You’ll also find rabbits, guinea pigs, birds and snakes.
It’s all indoors and air conditioned, which is very welcome in a Florida summer or when the rain comes in. ❄️
Groups are kept deliberately small and the animals can opt out whenever they feel like it, so what you get is genuine. 🐾
And of course, the whole thing is owned and run by Noah’s Ark Sanctuary, so your ticket money funds their rescue work. 💚
🚗 From Jacksonville: About 50 mins
🚗 From downtown St. Augustine: About 5 mins
📅 Days & hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 5:30pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5:30pm
🎟️ What’s on offer
Capybara Encounter (30 mins) and Capybara and Friends (55 mins), plus private bookings for birthdays, school trips, corporate groups and photo sessions
👨👩👧 Ages: All ages including babies in the Lounge. Some rooms have a minimum age, which shows up when you book
👕 What to wear: Closed toe shoes are required. Pants that cover your legs are recommended, and they’ll lend you a blanket if you turn up in shorts
⏰ Turning up: Arrive 15 minutes early to check in, and allow 30 to 60 minutes overall
⚠️ Worth knowing: Weekends and school breaks sell out, so book ahead. Parking is behind the building
📞 Contact: (386) 346-1058
🎫 How To Book 👉 See prices and availability here
🏖️ There’s a second one in St. Pete: Same owners, same set up, over on the Gulf side at 4703 Park St N. 👉 See prices and availability here
🌐 Website: thecapybaracafe.com
📸 Instagram: @capycafefl
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