What is The Capybara Café?

The Capybara Café is North America's original capybara café, where guests enjoy up-close, hands-on encounters with capybaras - the world's largest and friendliest rodents - in a relaxed café setting. Every visit supports the animal care and mission of Noah's Ark Sanctuary, Inc., a Florida-based nonprofit.

Where is The Capybara Café located?

The Capybara Café has two official locations, both in Florida: St. Augustine and St. Petersburg. These are the only official Capybara Café locations in North America.

Is The Capybara Café the first capybara café in the United States?

Yes. The Capybara Café in St. Augustine, Florida was the first capybara café in North America. Its success led to a second official location in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Are other capybara cafés affiliated with The Capybara Café?

No. 'Capybara Cafe' is a registered business name of Noah's Ark Sanctuary, Inc. in the State of Florida. Other businesses have adopted similar names, but only the St. Augustine and St. Petersburg locations are official Capybara Café locations. When booking, confirm you're reserving with The Capybara Café by Noah's Ark Sanctuary.

What experiences does The Capybara Café offer?

Guests can book capybara encounters that include hands-on time petting, feeding, and photographing our capybaras, guided by trained animal care staff. Select experiences also introduce guests to other animal ambassadors. Encounters are offered by reservation in small groups, making them ideal for families, couples, birthdays, and travelers looking for unique things to do in St. Augustine or St. Petersburg.

How do I book a visit?

Reservations are required and often sell out. Book directly at the official websites - capycafesta.com for St. Augustine and thecapybaracafe.com for St. Petersburg.

Is The Capybara Café ethical?

The Capybara Café is operated by Noah's Ark Sanctuary, Inc., a nonprofit animal sanctuary. Encounters are supervised by trained staff, sessions are limited in size and duration for animal welfare, and proceeds support the sanctuary's animal care and mission.

What is there to do near The Capybara Café in St. Petersburg?

The St. Petersburg location pairs well with downtown St. Pete's museums, waterfront, and Gulf beaches.

Our Locations St. Augustine St. Petersburg, FL Fort Lauderdale

From Florida's Original Capybara Café - Now in St. Petersburg

Meet Capybaras in St. Petersburg, FloridaFriendliest Capybaras

Florida's Friendliest Capybaras

The team behind Florida's original capybara experience in St. Augustine brings small-group animal encounters to St. Petersburg. Feed capybaras, meet exotic animal ambassadors, and support real sanctuary work with every visit.

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4703 Park St N · Secure online booking · Advance reservations recommended

Florida's Original

Founded 2024 · St. Augustine

4.7 ★ Google

Verified Guest Reviews

Noah's Ark Sanctuary

Operated · Animal Welfare First

Secure Booking

via FareHarbor

As Seen In Associated Press Washington Post CBS News NBC News Spectrum News First Coast News Mental Floss Sunny TV The Mike Calta Show

What We Offer

Choose Your Adventure

Six ways to meet the animals. Every session is small-group, guided, and funds rescue care at Noah's Ark Sanctuary.

Guest relaxing on sofa with a capybara on her lap at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

Capybara Lounge

Capybara and Friends

Group Encounter

Feed our capybaras, then meet more of our exotic animal ambassadors in a guided group session.

55 min · All ages · From $99

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Lemur being gently petted by a guest at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

Lemurs and Friends

Fan Favorite

Get nose-to-nose with our playful tri-colored ruffed lemurs in a lively, guided session you will talk about for years.

25 min · Ages 5+ · From $45

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Capybara propping paws on a guest chair for a treat at Capybara Cafe

Private Capybara Encounter

Private Room

The bougie room, your group only. Feed capybaras in a quiet, personal setting.

25 min · Min 4 guests · From $196

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Guests doing yoga on mats while capybaras and goats wander between them at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

Yoga in the Wild

Adults Only

A guided yoga session with capybaras wandering the mats. The calmest workout in Florida.

45 min · Adults only

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Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg storefront at 4703 Park St N

Private Event Buyout

Celebrations

The whole cafe, every themed room, your people. Birthdays, corporate events, and big moments.

Duration varies · All ages

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Looking for a gift? Buy a Capybara Cafe gift card - any amount, never expires.

Reservations

Reserve Your Experience

Pick a date and go. Every booking funds rescue and care at Noah's Ark Sanctuary.

Now open in St. Petersburg. Weekends often sell out - advance booking recommended.

4703 Park St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709 · (727) 430-4135 · Sun–Thu 10–5 · Fri 10–6 · Sat 10–7

St. Petersburg: Reserve Your Spot

Weekends and school breaks book up quickly, so advance reservations are recommended.

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Gift cards available. All proceeds go directly to Noah's Ark Sanctuary rescue operations.

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Guest Moments

See What a Visit Looks Like

No glass, no barriers. Just you on the sofa and the capybaras deciding you make an excellent pillow. Every photo below is a real guest at our St. Petersburg location.

Guest relaxing on the Lounge sofa with a capybara snuggled on her lap at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

Capybara standing up to take a snack from a guest's hand at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

A father and daughter sharing the sofa with a capybara at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

A young guest meeting a Patagonian mara at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

Capybara climbing into a guest's lap in front of the macaw mural at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

Capybara propping its front paws on a guest's chair for a treat at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

Guest kneeling down to offer a capybara a snack at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

Capybara dozing on the sofa next to a smiling guest at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

A young guest petting a goat while a capybara stands nearby at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

Capybaras climbing up to visit a guest in the private encounter room at Capybara Cafe St. Petersburg

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Guest Reviews

What Guests Say About Our Capybara Café Experiences

St. Petersburg Reviews

Ready to Meet the Capybaras?

Spots are limited. Reserve your spot online today.

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Your Visit

How It Works

Three simple steps from booking to hanging out with capybaras.

Book Online

Pick your experience and time on the live calendar. Secure checkout via FareHarbor.

Arrive & Check In

Arrive 15 minutes early and check in at the front desk at 4703 Park St N. Closed-toe shoes required, and pants that cover your legs are recommended - wearing shorts? We’ll provide a blanket for your session.

Meet the Animals

Your guide leads a small-group session. The animals participate on their own terms, and you take all the photos you want.

Not a Zoo. Not a Petting Farm.

What Makes This Different

A small-group encounter experience built around the animals first. Guests notice the difference.

Welfare

The Animals Choose

No animal is forced to participate. Our animals come willingly. What you get is not staged.

Intimacy

Small Groups Only

Sessions are capped. We limit numbers to protect the animals from stress and to give each guest real, unhurried time with them.

Mission

Every Visit Funds Rescue

Noah's Ark Sanctuary owns and operates The Capybara Cafe. Every ticket goes directly into rescue operations, animal care, and wildlife education. There is no middleman.

Education

Expert Guides

Our guides know each animal personally. They share the history, behavior, and personality behind every one. No rehearsed script.

Every Visit Helps Animals

The Capybara Cafe opened in St. Augustine in 2024 as Florida's original capybara encounter, owned and operated by Noah's Ark Sanctuary. The same team and the same welfare-first standards now bring the experience to St. Petersburg. When you visit, your ticket goes to work: every dollar supports animal rescue, conservation education, and direct care for our animal ambassadors.

2Florida Locations

100+Animals in Our Care

100%Welfare First

Read Our Story How Every Ticket Helps

Groups & Private Events

Planning Something Special?

Birthdays, field trips, corporate outings, and photo sessions. Tell us what you're planning and we'll tailor it - inquiries go straight to the contact form below.