If you’ve been scrolling through reels or TikToks about Koh Samui, chances are you’ve seen it — a place where you can sip iced coffee and watch capybaras. Sounds dreamy, right?
That’s what we thought, too.
We’ve been living in Thailand since 2019, and when my mother-in-law came to visit us in March 2025, we decided to check it out. Capybara Cafe Koh Samui (the official name is “Capybara Coffee”, you can find it here) is just a few minutes from Big Buddha. It was the first café on the island where you could hang out with these big, funny-looking rodents. It’s colorful, shiny, and built for Instagram.
But behind the cute photos and happy music lies a very different story.
In this article, I’ll show you why Capybara Coffee might not be the ethical, family-friendly stop it claims to be — and why we left feeling heartbroken instead of happy.
What Is the Capybara Cafe in Koh Samui?
Capybara Cafe Koh Samui (officially “Capybara Coffee”) is a trendy animal café where visitors can drink coffee and pet animals like capybaras and meerkats.
But behind the cute photos is a harsh reality: the animals live in a small, artificial space with no break from human interaction. Meerkats are passed around for selfies, capybaras have no space to retreat, and the café markets itself as ethical—despite showing signs of animal exploitation.
What It’s Like to Visit Capybara Cafe
Booking was easy. You just message them on WhatsApp, pick a time slot, and show up. It’s 400 THB per adult, 200 THB per child, and you must buy at least one drink per person. We picked sodas for the whole crew.
At first, it felt like any other cute café experience. The staff greeted us at the front desk, we sanitized our hands, and waited at a table for our turn. A staff member came over and gave us the rules: no screaming, no running, no chasing the animals, and no picking up the meerkats. Okay, good.
Then the group before us left, and it was our time to enter the animal zone.
And this is where it all went downhill.
First Impressions: Something Feels Wrong
The animals — capybaras, meerkats, and ducks — all share one small enclosure. There’s a little two-storey pond, and the floor is covered with artificial grass. It’s clean, but crowded. And loud.
There’s no space for the animals to escape. Nowhere to hide if they feel stressed. And with a new group of 10 people coming in every 30 minutes, that’s a lot of noise, excitement, and hands reaching out to touch.
Every guest is allowed to pet the animals, feed the capybaras grass, and snap as many selfies as they like. There’s no sign saying “don’t touch sleeping animals.” So even if a capybara tries to rest, people just go ahead.
I started to feel uneasy.
And then came the part that really hit me.
The Meerkats: Passed Around Like Toys
One of the staff members casually picked up a meerkat and handed it to a visitor for a photo. Then another. And another. The poor animal was clearly distressed, trying to get away.
Imagine being a meerkat in that situation. Picked up 10+ times per 30-minute session. The café is open from 8:30am to 8pm, seven days a week. That’s over 100 times a day… just so tourists can take a cute picture.
Our youngest daughter got a little excited and squealed at one point — and I could see how scared the meerkats were. They ran to the corner, trying to hide. But there was nowhere to go.
This Isn’t Just Unethical — It’s Cruel
I haven’t been to a zoo in over 20 years. And I definitely don’t support animal cafés where animals are just there for entertainment.
But somehow, this place felt even worse than what I remembered from back then.
These animals aren’t just living in small enclosures — they’re being used nonstop. For entertainment. For profit. For selfies.
There’s no break. No quiet time. No proper rest. No social life. No option to say, “I’ve had enough, leave me alone today.”
It’s 11.5 hours a day, seven days a week, of being touched, stared at, picked up, and posed with. And that’s the reality for every single animal in there — especially the meerkats, who are basically treated like living teddy bears.
The worst part? The café calls itself ethical. Claims “100% happiness.” I honestly don’t know whose happiness they mean. The owner’s, probably — because I’m sure this business is doing well.
Why This Matters — Especially for Families
As a parent, I try to show my girls the world. The real world. Beautiful places, kind people, and yes, animals too — but in a way that respects their space.
At Capybara Café, our kids were excited at first. But even they noticed that something felt wrong, that the enclosure is way too small.
This isn’t education. This isn’t connection. This is just animal exploitation dressed up as a trendy café.
So, Should You Go?
Honestly? No. Don’t go.
I know it looks cute online. I know your kids might love capybaras. But there are better, kinder ways to meet animals in Thailand — ways that don’t involve forcing them to perform all day long.
Skip the café. Support real sanctuaries. Choose places that protect animals, not just profit from them. Start with reading my review of the amazing Elephant Sanctuary Koh Samui!
What Capybaras Are Really Like
Capybaras are basically giant guinea pigs. But unlike your childhood pet, these guys can weigh over 60 kilos (130 pounds) and grow up to 130 cm (about 4 feet 3 inches) long. They’re the world’s biggest rodents — and also some of the most misunderstood.
A lot of people think capybaras are super chilled animals that love cuddles. And yes, they do look relaxed — they sit in hot tubs with ducks and hang out with other animals in memes. But that doesn’t mean they’re here for human entertainment.
Capybaras are semi-aquatic. They need water — not just to splash around, but to stay healthy. Water is where they cool off, escape danger, socialize, even sleep sometimes. In the wild, you’ll find them lounging in rivers and ponds across South America, usually in big groups. They’re social animals — they don’t like being alone.
They also have a strict hierarchy, communicate through sounds and scent, and need plenty of space. A bored capybara isn’t a happy capybara — and one that’s constantly being touched by strangers? That’s even worse.
Fun fact: capybaras are surprisingly fast swimmers and runners. But in a small enclosure, with no escape from noise or attention, they can’t really act like themselves. They just sit there… because they have no other option.
What You Can Do with Your Kids in Samui Instead
Looking for something fun (and animal-friendly) to do with your little ones in Samui instead? Good news — there’s plenty. Here are our favorite spots for family fun:
Kidomo – Indoor Play Paradise
Kidomo Kids Club is a high-quality indoor play area designed for younger children. It’s clean, colorful, and fully air-conditioned — perfect for those hot or rainy days. There’s soft play, different crafting stations, and a lot of space for toddlers to roam safely.
Central Festival Samui
This open-air mall in Chaweng is more than just shopping. There’s a free outdoor playground, a cinema, ice cream, and a supervised indoor play area with huge slides and big climbing structures. Great for a half-day trip!
Le Blocks Café – LEGO Lover’s Dream
This little gem in Lamai is a must if your kids love LEGO. The walls of Le Blocks are covered with LEGO boxes, and there are plenty of building zones to get creative. You can sip coffee while your little one builds a robot or castle. Win-win.
Elephant Sanctuary Samui
If you want an animal experience that’s truly ethical, visit the Elephant Sanctuary in Chaweng Noi. No riding, no tricks. Just rescued elephants doing elephant things — eating, walking, and splashing in the mud. A meaningful day for the whole family.
Day Trip to Koh Madsum (Pig Island)
Yes, it’s real! A tiny island with pigs roaming the beach. Take a half-day boat tour from Thong Krut Pier. Most tours include snorkeling and a chill beach break. The pigs are technically wild, but far more relaxed than in a cramped café enclosure.
Fire Show at Fisherman’s Village Beach
This is a must-see! Every Friday night at 7:15 pm, head to the beach in front of Coco Tam’s and catch the fire show. It’s exciting but still safe to watch with little ones.
Beach Club Fun
Many beach clubs in Samui welcome families. My favorites: Shiva Beach Club and SEEN Beach Club (where kids are welcome every Sunday and during special holidays, like Songkran). Order food, let the kids play in the sand or splash in the pool, and enjoy some laid-back vibes.
Key Takeaways: Capybara Cafe Koh Samui
- Capybara Coffee is located near Big Buddha and costs 400 THB per adult, 200 THB per child
- Animals are kept in a small enclosure with no hiding space or rest time
- Meerkats are passed from person to person, clearly distressed and unable to escape
- Capybaras, despite looking calm, need space, water, and social groups to thrive
- The café calls itself “ethical,” but operates like an animal petting zoo for profit
- It’s open daily from 8:30 am to 8 pm with no quiet time for the animals
- Our visit left us feeling heartbroken, not happy, and even our kids noticed something felt wrong
- Better alternatives include Elephant Sanctuary Samui, Koh Madsum, or kid-friendly indoor play areas
- We recommend skipping the café and choosing experiences that truly respect animal welfare
👉 You might also like:
– Wat Plai Laem in Koh Samui – Our Family’s Visit
– Na Muang Waterfall Koh Samui
– The 20 Best Koh Samui Luxury Hotels
– Hyatt Regency Samui with Kids
– Thailand’s Koh Madsum: Visiting Pig Island with Kids
– Rick Tew’s Ninja Gym Koh Samui
Final Thoughts on the Capybara Cafe Koh Samui
I wish I didn’t have to write this. I wish I could tell you it was magical and fun. But the truth is, we walked out of Capybara Café feeling sad and ashamed.
Sadly, there’s now a second Capybara Cafe at Fisherman’s Village — and from the photos and reviews, the conditions there seem even worse. Update June 2025: The same owner obviously opened a third one.
If even one person decides to skip these places after reading our story, that’s a small win for the animals.
Let’s do better. For them.
Have you visited the Capybara Cafe Koh Samui? How was it? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments.
Thank you for reading and for making me part of your day. Yours, Lulu
Just a heads up: some links in “Capybara Cafe Koh Samui” are affiliate links. This means if you click and buy, we might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
