San Antonio, TX – April 15, 2025 — The San Antonio Zoo is making a major move to modernize and streamline the guest experience by transitioning to a fully cashless operation starting Friday, April 18. The shift is designed to improve convenience, increase safety, and reduce wait times throughout the zoo.

Moving forward, all purchases at the zoo—including admission, food, merchandise, and more—will require a credit card, debit card, or mobile payment option. This change builds on the zoo’s previous step toward cashless operations with the launch of its new entrance in 2023, which began limiting cash transactions for ticket purchases.

To accommodate guests who may not have a cashless payment method, the zoo is offering a helpful alternative at no cost. Cash-to-card kiosks—also known as reverse ATMs—will be located throughout the grounds. These kiosks allow guests to load cash onto a prepaid Mastercard, which can be used not only within the zoo but anywhere in the U.S. that accepts Mastercard.

Reverse ATM kiosk locations include:

Zoo Entrance
Beastro Restaurant
Valerie Guenther’s Mariposa Market
Jambo Market
(Coming soon) Congo Falls – opening later this year

The zoo’s leadership says going cashless brings several advantages:

Faster Service & More Time for Exploration
Guests will enjoy reduced wait times at admission, gift shops, and food counters, giving them more time to explore habitats and engage with wildlife.

Increased Safety
Removing cash from daily transactions reduces the need for employees to handle or transport money, creating a safer environment for both staff and visitors.

Touch-Free Convenience
The adoption of mobile payments and contactless options provides a smoother and more hygienic way to pay.

“We’re always looking for ways to make the zoo experience better,” said Tim Morrow, President & CEO of San Antonio Zoo. “We’ve seen this model work well around the country, and right here in San Antonio at places like our city’s theme parks, Alamodome, Frost Bank Center, and more.”

The San Antonio Zoo joins a growing list of major attractions embracing cashless systems to enhance service and convenience. Guests planning a visit are encouraged to come prepared with a digital or card-based payment method—or make use of the complimentary kiosks inside the park.

For more information, visit sazoo.org.