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Hacienda Nápoles guideWhat to see at Hacienda Nápoles: hippos, safari, water parks and a recommended route
The history of the place, the famous hippos, the areas of the park and a route to make the most of your day.
By Viajes Maxitours TeamUpdated: October 19, 20267 min read
- Location
- Doradal, Puerto Triunfo
- Distance
- About 4 hours from Medellín
- Opened as a park
- December 2007
- Weather
- Above 30 °C
- Must-see
- Wildlife sanctuaries
- To beat the heat
- Water parks
Hacienda Nápoles is one of the largest parks in Colombia: sanctuaries with hippos and other animals, dinosaur sculptures, water parks and museums set in the hot landscape of the Magdalena Medio. It is so big that, if you arrive without a plan, you end up walking back and forth under the sun.
In this guide we tell you what to see at Hacienda Nápoles, the history of the place, what is going on with the famous hippos and a recommended route to make the most of a full day. If you still don’t know which ticket to buy, first check our guide to Hacienda Nápoles prices and passports.
From private estate to theme park
The story of the place begins in 1978, when Pablo Escobar bought about 2,000 hectares in Puerto Triunfo, next to the Medellín–Bogotá highway. There he built a house, airstrips, lakes and a private zoo with animals brought from other continents. After his death, the State took over the property, and in December 2007 it opened its doors as a theme park.
Today Hacienda Nápoles is a family park devoted mainly to wildlife and fun. In 2023 it received about 1.3 million visitors. The small plane that sat for years on top of the entrance gate was removed in January 2019, and in October 2025, 120 hectares of the former estate were handed over to victims of the armed conflict.
The hippos of Hacienda Nápoles
They are the symbol of the park. In the early 1980s, 4 hippos arrived at the estate’s private zoo. When the place was abandoned, the animals bred out of control and began moving into the rivers and wetlands of the region. Today it is estimated that between 169 and more than 200 hippos live in the wild in the Magdalena Medio.
They are an invasive species and dangerous to people, fish and native vegetation. That is why in May 2026 the government announced a plan that includes euthanizing 80 animals, along with sterilizations and relocations. Inside the park, the hippos live in fenced lakes and can be viewed safely from the lookouts.
What to see at Hacienda Nápoles
Wildlife sanctuaries
They are the heart of the park. Here you can see hippos, birds, reptiles and many other species, some of them rescued from illegal wildlife trafficking.
Aventura Jurásica
A trail with life-size dinosaur sculptures. The first figures were part of the old estate, and today it is one of the kids’ favorite spots for photos.
Museums
They explain how the property of a drug trafficker became a family park, and why it matters never to repeat that history. It is a short visit but an essential one for understanding the place.
The Octopus and the water parks
The Octopus and the Cataratas Victoria and Cobras water parks are the best way to spend the hottest hours. They are included from the Safari passport up and open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Mundo de Pangea and Parque Congo
These are the Premium passport areas. Parque Congo opens in the afternoon, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., and is ideal if you are staying overnight in the area. On our tour you can upgrade to Premium by adding COP 60,000 per person to the Safari Passport.
Recommended tour
Hacienda Nápoles Tour
- Pickup at your hotel in Medellín
- Transportation and breakfast
- Basic or Safari Passport included
- Guide and medical assistance card
From COP 259,000 per person · no deposit
You can pay in US dollars at the day’s exchange rate. Ask your advisor for the current rate.
Recommended route for one day
- Arrive early: go in as soon as the park opens, while the heat is still bearable.
- Wildlife sanctuaries: spend the morning with the animals. That is when they are most active.
- Aventura Jurásica and museums: visit them before lunch; they are close to the sanctuaries.
- Lunch: at the park’s restaurants. Remember that outside food is not allowed.
- Water parks: the afternoon is for the water, until 4:00 p.m.
- Departure: leave before 5:00 p.m. if you are returning to Medellín the same day.
Tip: wear light clothes and put your swimsuit on underneath. That way you save time in the changing rooms and get more out of the water parks.
Is it worth staying overnight?
If you have time, yes. Inside the park is the Hotel África, and there are more places to stay in Doradal and Puerto Triunfo. Staying lets you use the Premium passport, which is valid for 3 days, and combine the visit with the Río Claro Canyon Nature Reserve (Reserva Natural Cañón del Río Claro), a few kilometers away on the same highway. We cover it in our guide Río Claro Canyon Nature Reserve.
If you only have one day, the most comfortable way is to go on a tour from Medellín: the Hacienda Nápoles Tour includes hotel pickup, transportation, breakfast, a guide and park admission with the Basic or Safari Passport.
What to bring
- Swimsuit, towel and sandals.
- Sunscreen, a cap and sunglasses. Temperatures rise above 30 °C.
- Insect repellent.
- A reusable water bottle.
- Your ID and a ticket bought in advance.
Frequently asked questions
What is there at Hacienda Nápoles?
Wildlife sanctuaries with hippos and other species, dinosaur sculptures, museums, the Octopus, water parks and, with the Premium passport, Mundo de Pangea and Parque Congo.
How much time do you need to see Hacienda Nápoles?
A full day is enough for the sanctuaries, the museums and the water parks. To use every area of the Premium passport, two or three days are recommended.
Why are there hippos at Hacienda Nápoles?
Because in the early 1980s, 4 hippos were brought to the estate’s private zoo. They bred out of control, and today more than a hundred live in the wild in the Magdalena Medio.
Can you visit Hacienda Nápoles as a day trip from Medellín?
Yes. The drive is about 4 hours each way, so it is best to leave very early or go on a tour that includes transportation.
Is the small plane still at the entrance?
No. The small plane that sat on top of the entrance gate was removed in January 2019.
Is there a hotel inside the park?
Yes. The Hotel África operates inside the park, and there are more places to stay in Doradal and Puerto Triunfo.
Keep planning your trip
Viajes Maxitours TeamTour agency in Medellín, registered with Colombia’s National Tourism Registry (RNT 172253). We run day tours from Medellín and write these guides based on what we see on every trip.