Located in the Butantã district in the western part of São Paulo, Brazil, Instituto Butantan is a world-renowned public scientific center and Latin America's largest producer of immunobiologicals and biopharmaceuticals. Founded on February 23, 1901, by Dr. Vital Brazil to fight a bubonic plague outbreak, this historic institution combines groundbreaking medical research with public health products, historically hosting famous figures like Theodore Roosevelt.
Set within a vast park featuring rare tree types, the institute serves as a major educational and tourist attraction. When you visit, you can explore its historic museum, biological museum, and museum of microbiology. A focal point of your tour is the famous venom farm and serpentarium, where you can see live venomous snakes housed in representations of their natural environments.
Researchers here extract venoms from reptiles and insects—including snakes, spiders, scorpions, and lizards—to develop life-saving antivenoms, serums, and vaccines against diseases like rabies, tetanus, and hepatitis. You will also discover the site's rich scientific history, learning how it advances global medicine while operating specialized facilities like the Hospital Vital Brazil.
What to see at Instituto Butantan
- Observe venomous snakes in naturalistic environments at the serpentarium and venom farm.
- Explore diverse educational exhibits across the historical, biological, and microbiology museums.
- Learn about the historic biomedical breakthroughs pioneered by founder Dr. Vital Brazil.
- Wander through the sprawling park grounds filled with rare tree types.
Visiting tips
Make sure to visit the serpentarium and venom farm to see how researchers house live venomous snakes for antivenom development.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Morning
How to get there & what’s nearby
Instituto Butantan is easy to reach on São Paulo’s public transport, and pairs naturally with São Paulo Cathedral. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our São Paulo travel guide.
See the full São Paulo travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.