Cuddly Capybaras Take the Spotlight at Florida's Whimsical Capybara Cafe
 Discover Capybara Cafe Florida, where cuddly capybaras and exotic animals offer a fun, hands-on experience for the whole family.
In the heart of the nationâs oldest city, something unusual and irresistibly adorable is capturing the hearts of animal lovers. Nestled behind a real estate office building in downtown St. Augustine, Florida, lies a cozy haven for fans of one of the internetâs current âitâ animals: the giant, gentle capybara.
Welcome to The Capybara Cafe, a charming experience center where visitors can spend time cuddling with the worldâs largest rodents â and much more.
A Hands-On Capybara Encounter
Founded by Stephanie Angel in late 2024, The Capybara Cafe is not your typical animal encounter. Since opening its doors in October, the cafe has drawn hundreds of visitors, many traveling hours just for a chance to relax with these semi-aquatic South American natives.
âYou give them lots of scratches and love,â said Angel. âA lot of times theyâll climb on your lap because theyâre very used to people, and if youâre really good at giving scratches, theyâll actually fall over.â
The capybaras are no strangers to affection. Munching on corn on the cob and gently climbing into laps, they thrive on human interaction and seem to reward gentle touch with trust and, at times, nap-like flops.
More Than Just Capybaras
While the capybaras steal the spotlight, The Capybara Cafe experience includes a delightful cast of supporting animals. Visitors are guided into a room â blankets on laps, smiles on faces â where, in addition to the trio of capybaras, other exotic animals like a wallaby, a skunk, and even an armadillo join in.
âThe armadillo was the softest and cuddliest,â shared visitor Leah Macri, who traveled from Orlando with her daughter. âHe was just very sweet.â
Macri, like many others, was surprised to find that capybara fur is not as soft as it appears online. âTheir fur kind of feels like straw a bit,â she noted. Chris Cooper, another guest who made the 157-mile drive from Weeki Wachee, was similarly taken aback by the texture. âAnd I wasnât expecting how affectionate they were. They enjoyed the hands-on rubs.â
What to Expect â and What It Costs
Reservations are required and often booked out months in advance. Guests can choose between:
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30-minute encounter â $49 per person
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1-hour deluxe experience â $99 per person (includes additional animals)
Although the âcafeâ does not serve coffee or food, it offers a selection of capybara-themed merchandise â mugs, shirts, and plush toys â perfect for a take-home souvenir of your fuzzy encounter.
From Fuzzy Friends to Viral Fame
Capybaras, which can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh over 100 pounds, have found their way into American hearts (and shopping carts). From bath bombs and robes to plushies and slippers, their sudden popularity has made them pop culture darlings. They join a trend of quirky animal obsessions, following in the footsteps of axolotls, sloths, foxes, and hedgehogs.
But The Capybara Cafe offers more than a trendy photo op. Angel created it to financially support Noahâs Ark Sanctuary Inc., a nonprofit refuge based in Hastings, Florida. Every cuddle helps care for rescued and rehabilitated animals, giving this unique business a warm and worthy mission.
Coming Soon: A Second Location
Due to overwhelming demand, Angel is already working on opening a second Capybara Cafe in St. Petersburg, Florida. With even more Floridians eager for their dose of rodent relaxation, the gentle giants are set to charm new corners of the state.
Whether you're a seasoned capybara fan or simply curious about these chill, web-footed creatures, The Capybara Cafe offers a memorable, one-of-a-kind encounter. Just be sure to bring your love for animals â and maybe a lint roller.
đ Location: St. Augustine, Florida
đ More info: Visit [The Capybara Cafe] online (https://thecapybaracafe.com/)
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