Visit the most important aquarium in Latin America

If you are a sea lover, a visit to the Gran Acuario Mazatlán Mar de Cortez is a must.

Located in the city's Central Park, next to the old aquarium and meters away from Mazatlán's malecon, this amazing place inspired by the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez, and by many called the "world's aquarium"!

Don't leave Mazatlán without stopping by the aquarium, it is quite an experience, starting with its architectural structure to the design of the habitats, built by Tatiana Bilbao, a Mexican architect, who aimed to re-create atmospheres that invite you to a unique undersea encounter.

As you begin the tour it feels like you've stumbled into a building in ruins of a lost city abandoned under the sea for thousands of years and over time emerged into the surface of bay Mazatlán, leaving hundreds of species living inside, making it their home, and now a treasure on land where humans can explore, learn and interact.

Main building of "Gran Acuario Mazatlán"

As you enter to explore the exhibitions and embark on your journey through the most important aquarium in Latin America, you encounter a staircase between two enormous walls, one filled with plants and the other one with a veil of water that gives you the impression as if the building is emerging from the sea. Visitors can't help but touch the wall as they continue up the stairs.

Feel, interact and learn in the Intertidal Zone!

One of the most interesting interactive areas that should definitely not be missed is the Intertidal Zone, where you'll find starfish, sea cucumbers, crabs, hermit crustaceans, sea urchins and other species. You'll feel like an excited child once again!. You'll be able to touch the species delicately to not to hurt them, and with specifications of the experts who are there answer all of your questions.

Intertidal Zone

Mangrove and sea turtles: a space for survival.

After spending a while interacting and learning about some species, moving on into the Mangrove Area, you'll find in the middle of exhibit a cilindrical habitat dedicated to the mangroves, where you can find different species of fish and the biodiversity of this incredible ecosystem . 

However, what captures your attention is the Sea Turtle Refuge and Rehabilitation Area, one of our favorite sections of the aquarium. Watching the turtles come and go so close makes you wonder whether we are observing them or they are observing us.

You can see some of the turtles are missing a flipper or are being sheltered or rehabilitated and might not be able to go back to their natural habitat, but the "Gran Acuario Mazatlán Mar de Cortés" will provide them with the ideal space for their survival.

Feeding the rays!

Passing to the next exhibit you will see a large pond with stingray species such as: Cortez round stingray, guitar ray and the spotted round stingray. To feed the rays, you'll have to buy small fish cubes, and placed them in the middle of your knuckles an make a fist shape and submerge it as far as you can to stop the rays from jumping.

Don't be afraid they're totally harmless and won't bite you, you'll just feel a slight suction. Besides, you will be accompanied by the guides at all times. Definitely an experience you have to live during your visit to the "Gran Acuario Mazatlán".

Unther "The Wave"

Another major attraction is "The Wave", where water flows rhythmically in a transparent ceiling in intervals as the ocean waves, giving you the illusion of being beneath the wave when it breaks.

The entire building is a masterpiece with many settings to take pictures, although "The Wave" is one of our favorite spots.

360° of the "Coral City"

An iconic landmark exhibition, where we can appreciate a 360° views of the coral ecosystem and learn about their importantance to our oceans since they provide safety, shelter, breeding sites, nutrients, and food for the species that habitate them.

As you walk around this magnificent scenery, a imposing 13 meter long by 7 meter high screen immediately mesmerizes you, giving you the sensation that it is a movie screen. Divers are often spotted in the background keeping the area clean and even when you're taking a selfie you may see a diver behind you posing for your picture.

Behold the beauty of the underwater world!

Following your tour you will walk under a transparent tunnel overlooking the great Oceanic Window, where you can take a break before continuing with the tour or simply to contemplate a small part of the magnificence of what is found in the depths of the Sea of Cortez.

This interactive room that looks like you're at the bottom of the sea operating a submarine is one of the other fun and favorite exhibits, inviting you to play with your imagination and to operate a submarine at the deepest part of the ocean. Screens will show how the ecosistem changes as you go deeper into the depths.

There is an exclusive exhibition for jellyfish, where you will find sphere-shaped fish habitats with bullet jellyfish, a native species of the Sea of Cortez, and also one of our favorite places for photos.

What about the little ones?

The aquarium also has an interactive and recreational area for kids, with a screen overlooking the "Oceanic Window", with an interactive whiteboard with photos of some of the species that live in the Sea of Cortez, children can enjoy this experience and learn to love the ocean through different recreational activities specially designed for them.

Still a lot to discover.

Although when you leave the building your experience in the underwater world comes to an end and you go back to surface, the adventure has not ended yet! Therefore, by heading down a spiral staircase and continue your way to the Land Area, passing over a wooden bridge overlooking the Central Park of the City and its lagoon. In this location you will find snacks like food, drinks and rest a little before continuing through your last stops.

We finally arrived to the last habitat: Land!

Finally, the last habitat to visit is Land, where there is a cocodrile pit, and the "Casa Guacamaya" where you can see the guacamayas, red-headed parrots, peacocks, ducks, among other beautiful species of birds. Likewise, there are also birds that are being safeguarded or under rehabilitation.

With over 5 million liters of water in its habitats as well as its focus on research, education and the dissemination of knowledge, the Gran Acuario Mazatlán Mar de Cortés is one of the most attractive experiences in the city. It's a must see!

We hope you visit the "Gran Acuario Mazatlán Mar de Cortés" during your stay at El Cid Resorts, where you will also be able to purchase your tickets in our Pronatours desks.

How to purchase tickets?

• At the hospitality desks of our tour agency, Pronatours located in our resorts in Mazatlán.
• Send an email to reserve@pronatours.com.mx
• Call us at (669) 989.6969 Ext. 3490 / 3489

The aquarium is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.