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 kept solely 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!
👉 You might also like:
– Samui Elephant Sanctuary – Honest Review
– Best Family Resorts in 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.
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 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.
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. Check out my big guide on the best things to do in Samui with kids!
Here are some of 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.
Where to Stay in Samui with Kids?
Samui has amazing family resorts with kids’ clubs! These are my favorite ones:
Anantara Bophut Resort
- From $250 (€232) per night (Premier Room)
- Lush gardens, calm beach, close to the Fisherman’s Night Market, read my review here!
Hyatt Regency Koh Samui
- From $230 (€212) per night (Family Room)
- Read my honest review here!
SALA Samui Choengmon Beach
- From $180 (€165) per night (Deluxe Room)
- Quiet beachfront hideaway with lush gardens and private pool villas
Key Takeaways: Capybara Cafe Koh Samui
- Located near Big Buddha – entry 400 THB adults, 200 THB kids
- Animals live in small enclosures, no space to hide or rest
- Meerkats are handled constantly and show clear stress
- Capybaras need water, space, and company – none provided
- The café calls itself “ethical” but feels like a petting zoo for profit
- Open daily 8:30 am–8 pm, with no quiet time for animals
- We left feeling heartbroken, and even our kids sensed something was wrong
- Skip it — visit Samui Elephant Sanctuary, Koh Madsum, or indoor play cafés instead
👉 You might also like:
– Thailand Family Itinerary: 2 Weeks with Young Kids
– Living in Thailand with Kids – Experience of a Family of 4
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
FAQ About the Capybara Café Koh Samui
Why do people visit the Capybara Café in Koh Samui?
Mostly because it looks cute on social media — visitors can sip coffee while taking photos with capybaras and meerkats. But what you don’t see in the videos is how small the space is, how stressed the animals are, and how little rest they get. It’s not the joyful experience it appears online.
Is the Capybara Café Koh Samui ethical or animal-friendly?
No. Even though the café advertises itself as “ethical,” the animals are constantly handled, have no hiding spaces, and live in small artificial enclosures. Watching them closely for just a few minutes makes it clear that they’re uncomfortable and overexposed to human contact.
What can I do instead of visiting animal cafés in Thailand?
Choose experiences that respect animals and support their well-being. The Samui Elephant Sanctuary is a great example — no riding, no tricks, just rescued elephants living freely. A day trip to Koh Madsum (Pig Island) or visiting family-friendly indoor play cafés like Kidomo are also much kinder options for families.
Check out my article on the best things to do in Samui with kids.
Why does this matter for families?
Because children learn empathy from what we show them. Visiting places that exploit animals sends the wrong message. Choosing sanctuaries or nature-based activities teaches kids to respect animals and understand their needs — and that’s a lesson that lasts much longer than any selfie.
12 Responses
Thanks so much for this. We were excited about visiting the Capybara Cafe, so watched a YouTube video.
It looked pretty awful, so investigated further and came across your article.
We definitely will not be visiting now.
Those poor creatures.
Hi Marianne, thank you for your comment! It made my day!! I felt the same after seeing it myself. Just sad and not what I expected. 🙁 Really happy you looked into it more. I really hope more people become aware of this, and that places like this start to feel the impact. Maybe then things will finally change for the animals.
Hallo Lulu! Gestern landeten wir auf Ko Samui. Heute führ ein laut capybara-Song dudelnder Truck herum, um Werbung für das Café zu machen. Ich hielt es für eine nette Idee, dort einmal mit unserem sehr tierliebenden Knirps hinzufahren. Glücklicherweise fand ich vorher noch Deine Bewertung. Da uns Tierschutz und artgerechte Haltung sehr wichtig ist, werden wir auf einen Besuch definitiv verzichten. Geplant ist noch ein elephant sanctuary (da bekam ich eine Empfehlung eines Ortsansässigen, nachdem ich ihm meine Bedenken mitgeteilt habe, nicht unter einer großen Gruppe Touris sein zu wollen, die mit Selfie-Stick bewaffnet die Ruhe der freundlichen Riesen stören) und vielleicht ein Ausflug zu pig Island.
Danke für den interessanten Bericht und viele Grüße von der Insel
Nina
Liebe Nina,
vielen Dank für deinen Kommentar! Ich freu mich total, dass du meine Bewertung gefunden hast und dass sie euch geholfen hat. Gerade mit tierliebenden Kindern möchte man ja doppelt sicher sein, dass der Besuch auch für die Tiere fair ist.
Das klingt super, dass ihr ein empfohlenes Elephant Sanctuary besuchen wollt. Ich hoffe, es wird eine tolle Erfahrung. Und Pig Island ist eine super Idee! Wir lieben es auch dort.
Ganz liebe Grüße und habt einen schönen Urlaub!
Lulu
Thank you for this article, having visited Thailand many times but this is the first with my son, I know that often ethical animal tourism is not really ethical. I am glad I took the time to research this and stumbled upon your article. We have already been to the elephant sanctuary and 100% recommended as well. We will skip the capybara cafe.
That’s such a lovely message! Thank you, Tam! I’m really happy the article helped. It means a lot to hear from fellow parents who take the time to research and make thoughtful choices. Yes, skipping the capybara café is definitely the right call. I’m so glad you had a good experience at the elephant sanctuary, we loved it too! Wishing you and your son a wonderful time in Thailand!
Thank you, we were keen to take our girls after being disappointed when the weather didn’t allow for our planned dolphin watching. Your article really made us think, we had already skipped elephant theatre in prattya, and buying shark teeth at the markets due to mistreatment of animals and really glad I read your article in advance so we could avoid support this appalling treatment of capybaras and meerkats.
Hi Laura, I’m so happy to hear that! You just made my day!
It means a lot to know the article helped with your plans. Everytime I pass one of the Capybara Cafes in Samui, I hope that people make their research before they go and decide not to. I hope the Capybara trend stops at some point. Wishing you and your family a fantastic time on the island! Lulu
Hi,
Thank you so much for sharing the information about how cruel and abusive the Cafe is for the animals 🙏🏻
Just got sad reading that you still recommend another Tourist attraction that is cruel for the animals?😔
“Pig Island (Koh Madsum) is generally not considered an ethical tourist attraction due to concerns about animal welfare, including overbreeding, insufficient food and water, and lack of natural environments for the pigs and dogs. While some sources claim the animals are well-cared for, many visitors report seeing sad, overcrowded, and stressed animals”.
Wish you all the best 🫶🏼/
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
Thank you so much for the feedback! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts. I visited Pig Island twice and honestly had different experiences. Especially since the animals had the chance to move away from the tourist crowds (as they’re not trapped) more inland of the island.
But I hear you — I’ll definitely check it out again with a closer look at what may have changed since my last visit. Thank you again, it’s important to keep these conversations open!
Kindly,
Lulu
You know what’s worse? The owner is French and is opening so many capybara cafes in the past year… throwing unvaccinated baby meerkats and capybaras at the cafe for entertainment… it was awful. Such conduct is dangerous for the animals and for the customers – especially kids!
I wonder why Thai govt allow foreigners like him to run such business that poorly without any consequences at all! Really gives a bad name to the country.
You can see the 1-star reviews from his cafes… some of the capybaras are sick and have open wounds…. And they let meerkats out with the capybaras…. digging on their wounds….
He opened 2 new cafes in Bangkok in the past 6-7months, 1 in Chiang mai and another new one coming up in Pattaya….
100% happiness for the French owner for sure.
That’s horrible!! I didn’t know that they were unvaccinated. Thank you for sharing these info! Honestly, it’s getting worse and worse. With each new cafe, the animal exploitation rises. It’s the same with elephant riding…when will people finally realise that this is not ok? 🙁