Gran Acuario Mazatlán, also called Mar de Cortés, is an aquarium at Avenida de los Deportes 111 in Colonia Tellería. It has more than 50 tanks, and its collection centres on the Gulf of California, with a few animals from other seas. Sharks, jellyfish, sea horses, stingrays and turtles share the grounds with sea lions, macaws and capybaras. Sea lion and bird shows run during the day. Rays and capybaras can be fed for a fee, and guides explain the rescue work with sea lions and turtles. It suits families with children and anyone curious about the marine life of the region.
Land, coast and sea
The aquarium is laid out in three parts: land, coast and sea. The theme is the Gulf of California, also called the Sea of Cortez, and the name Mar de Cortés refers to it. A few animals from other oceans are included too.
The site holds more than 50 tanks, among them 34 saltwater and 17 freshwater ones. Species include sharks, stingrays, eels, snapper, groupers, surgeonfish, sea horses, jellyfish, turtles and starfish. Mudskippers, the fish that move over land on their fins, are among the smaller curiosities. One source counts more than 250 species of fish, birds, reptiles and mammals across the whole site.
Tanks, jellyfish and the outdoor grounds
The tanks are large, which gives the animals room to move. Indoors you pass the jellyfish display, the shark and ray tanks, and the smaller tanks of reef fish and sea horses. At the touch area you can handle some animals after washing your hands. Puffer fish can be watched at very close range.
Outdoors, the grounds are planted and the architecture is modern. The birds, including macaws and parrots, are in the open air, and so are the capybaras. A few indoor tanks are small, and labels can be missing or wrong, so do not rely on them alone to identify species. Because the outdoor areas get hot, they are best seen first, early in the day.
Shows and animal encounters
Animal shows with sea lions, macaws and parrots are held three times a day. The sea lion show includes jumps to touch a ball and a short demonstration of training and health checks. The arena has concrete tiered seating around a small pool and platform, and it fills up, so arrive well before the start.
Several encounters are paid extras. You can feed stingrays and manta rays, feed koi, and feed the capybaras for a small amount. A paid option lets you go in with the capybaras. Photo packages are on offer, and so is scuba diving in one of the large tanks. The aquarium also does rescue work with sea lions and turtles, and the guides tell visitors about it.
Facilities and tickets
Elevators, a wheelchair accessible entrance, restrooms and parking make the site workable for visitors with reduced mobility. There is a paid parking lot, a gift shop, a playground and a cafe that serves coffee and micheladas.
Admission is on the higher side for the size of the site, and advance tickets are recommended. A year pass is sold, and it pays off for anyone who plans several visits, which locals do for the cafe and the exhibits.
FAQ
Where is Gran Acuario Mazatlán?
It is at Avenida de los Deportes 111, Colonia Tellería, in Mazatlán, Sinaloa.
How long do you need at the aquarium?
Plan on 2 to 3 hours to see the tanks, the outdoor animals and one show. Add time if you book paid encounters such as ray feeding.
Are there animal shows?
Yes. Sea lion, macaw and parrot shows are held three times a day. Sit away from the front rows if you want to stay dry.
Can you feed or touch the animals?
Yes, for a fee. You can feed stingrays, manta rays, koi and capybaras, and go in with the capybaras. A touch area is open after you wash your hands.
Is the aquarium good for children and wheelchair users?
Yes to both. It has a playground, animal shows and hands-on encounters for children. Elevators, accessible restrooms, parking and an accessible entrance serve wheelchair users.
Should you buy tickets in advance?
Advance tickets are recommended. Buying ahead also lets you plan which paid extras to add.
