Delfines
1 / 10

Oceanario Acuario San Martín de Pajarales

4.5
·12k reviews·Cartagena, Colombia

Discover vibrant marine life, from dolphins to sharks, at this aquarium, often a highlight of Rosario Islands tours.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Monday mornings

Fewer crowds, better viewing

CrowdLow
Loading map...
Delfines

Oceanario Acuario San Martín de Pajarales

Best Time

Monday mornings

Fewer crowds, better viewing

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover vibrant marine life, from dolphins to sharks, at this aquarium, often a highlight of Rosario Islands tours.

4.5
(12k reviews)

"A fun stop with plenty of variety of fishes, turtles, dolphins, sharks to check out."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Go on a Weekday

Visiting on a Monday means fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience with the exhibits and shows.

💰 Dolphin Swim Extra Cost

Be prepared for an additional $40 USD for a short dolphin swim experience. It's a group activity.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.5 · 12,151 reviews

Type

Aquarium

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Dolphin and Shark Encounters

Dolphin and Shark Encounters

Main exhibits

Witness thrilling dolphin shows and get up close with nurse sharks. A truly immersive marine adventure awaits!

Diverse Marine Life Exhibits

Diverse Marine Life Exhibits

Various tanks and enclosures

Explore vibrant tanks filled with groupers, turtles, stingrays, and a variety of colorful fish.

Interactive Animal Experiences

Interactive Animal Experiences

Designated interaction zones

Get hands-on with marine creatures in a safe and educational environment. Touch and see animals up close.

Your AI travel agent

Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you

Start Chatting

Planning Your Visit

Timing Your Visit to Avoid Crowds

To make the most of your visit to Oceanario Acuario San Martín de Pajarales, consider going on a Monday to minimize crowds. Weekends and holidays can get busy, impacting your experience with the exhibits and shows.

Understanding Dolphin Swim Costs

While the aquarium offers a memorable experience, be aware that swimming with dolphins is an additional $40 USD per person and lasts only 5 minutes. It's a group activity, so manage expectations regarding exclusivity and photo opportunities.

Best Times

When
Monday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, better viewing
Crowd
Low
When
Afternoons
Why
Shows are often scheduled
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

reddit.com

Rosario Islands - Cartagena

Hi everyone! I’ll be visiting Cartagena and San Andrés in December and will have three days in Cartagena. I’m wondering if it’s worth doing the day trip to the Rosario Islands, considering I’ll be spending four days in San Andrés afterward. I’ve seen a lot of mixed reviews…

🎯 Go on a Weekday

Visiting on a Monday means fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience with the exhibits and shows. Reddit

💰 Dolphin Swim Extra Cost

Be prepared for an additional $40 USD for a short dolphin swim experience. It's a group activity. Reddit

🚤 Boat Trip Essential

The aquarium is typically accessed via boat trip from Cartagena, often included in island tours. Reddit

🍹 Tiki Hut Drinks

Don't miss the tiki hut for refreshing drinks after your aquarium visit. Reddit

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Go on a Weekday

Visiting on a Monday means fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience with the exhibits and shows. Reddit

💰 Dolphin Swim Extra Cost

Be prepared for an additional $40 USD for a short dolphin swim experience. It's a group activity. Reddit

🚤 Boat Trip Essential

The aquarium is typically accessed via boat trip from Cartagena, often included in island tours. Reddit

🍹 Tiki Hut Drinks

Don't miss the tiki hut for refreshing drinks after your aquarium visit. Reddit

🎟️ Entry Fee Details

Entry fee was around 40,000 COP paid at the dock. Dolphin swim is an extra $40 USD. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.5
(12k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors generally find the Oceanario Acuario San Martín de Pajarales to be a worthwhile stop, especially when visiting the Rosario Islands. The variety of marine life and the engaging dolphin shows are frequently praised. However, the optional dolphin swim experience is often noted as being expensive for its short duration and group nature.

"Swimming with dolphins and nurse sharp is an option. Bunch of fishes like large groupers, turtles, sting rays, dolphins and sharks shows. We went on a Monday. Less crowded. It took an hour from Cartagena by boat. You can take a tour or charter a boat. Either way, it was worth a visit."

M Jeero

"A fun stop if you’re already visiting the Rosario Islands. Most hotels will offer a daily stop to/ from or could be coordinated with your day trip to the islands. Plenty of variety of fishes, turtles, dolphins, sharks to check out with knowledgeable and fun guides providing talks while feeding and doing shows. Entry fee was 40,000 COP paid right at the dock."

Daniel Austin

"We went on this tour and learned that swimming with dolphins is not included—you must pay an extra $40 USD per person for only 5 minutes. It’s not a private activity either; several groups are in the water at the same time, so it feels crowded. The staff also don’t take pictures for you, which made it difficult to capture the moment. My partner asked and was told no. We even saw a couple from Spain who didn’t get to do it at all because their boat was leaving, and they were very upset.

On top of the dolphin fee, you first have to do a mandatory 45–50 minute guided tour around the Oceanario before your turn. Between the long wait and the short time with the dolphins, it honestly didn’t feel worth it. Be prepared for the extra charges and delays if you plan to add this activity."

America Calvario

What People Like

Diverse marine life
Dolphin shows
Educational talks

What People Dislike

Expensive dolphin swim
Short dolphin swim duration
Crowded dolphin swim

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Oceanario Acuario San Martín de Pajarales is typically accessed via a boat trip from Cartagena. Many visitors coordinate their visit as part of a day trip to the Rosario Islands. You can opt for a tour or charter a private boat. The journey takes about an hour by boat. Reddit

Most hotels and tour operators in Cartagena offer daily stops to and from the Oceanario as part of island tours. It's advisable to confirm this when booking your trip. Reddit

The boat trip from Cartagena to the Oceanario Acuario San Martín de Pajarales generally takes around one hour. Reddit

Yes, you can charter a boat for a more personalized experience, though tours are a common and convenient way to visit. Reddit

Boat departures are usually from the main tourist docks in Cartagena. Confirm the exact departure point with your tour operator. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The entry fee was approximately 40,000 COP, paid directly at the dock. This fee grants access to the aquarium exhibits. Reddit

No, swimming with dolphins is an additional cost, typically around $40 USD per person for a 5-minute session. Reddit

While advance booking might be possible through tour operators, tickets are often purchased at the dock upon arrival, especially if you're part of a group tour. Reddit

Information on discounts is not widely available, but it's always worth inquiring with tour providers or at the ticket counter. Reddit

Operating hours can vary, but it's best to check with your tour provider or local information sources for the most up-to-date schedule, especially regarding show times. Reddit

🎫 🐠 Onsite Experience

You can see a variety of marine life including dolphins, nurse sharks, large groupers, turtles, stingrays, and many other species of fish. Reddit

Yes, the aquarium features dolphin shows and feeding sessions where knowledgeable guides provide talks about the animals. Reddit

Yes, swimming with dolphins is an optional activity, but it comes with an extra charge of $40 USD for a brief, group session. Reddit

The aquarium is generally suitable for children, offering close-up views of marine life and interactive experiences. However, the dolphin swim is short and may not be ideal for very young children. Reddit

Before any optional activities like the dolphin swim, there's a mandatory guided tour that lasts approximately 45-50 minutes. Reddit

🍽️ 🍹 Food & Dining

Yes, there is a tiki hut on-site that serves drinks. It's recommended for refreshing beverages during your visit. Reddit

Information on bringing outside food is not readily available, but it's common for island destinations to have on-site vendors. It's best to check with your tour operator. Reddit

The tiki hut is primarily known for serving drinks, offering a place to relax and refresh. Reddit

As the aquarium is often part of an island tour, other dining options might be available on nearby islands or back in Cartagena. Reddit

Prices for food and drinks at tourist attractions can be higher. The tiki hut is noted for having good drinks. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Yes, you can take photos of the marine life exhibits. However, during the dolphin swim, staff may not assist with taking pictures, making it challenging to capture moments. Reddit

Generally, photography is allowed during shows, but it's always good to be mindful of other visitors and any specific rules posted. Reddit

The close-up views of marine life in the tanks and the dolphin encounters offer great photo opportunities. Reddit

The areas with clear tanks showcasing diverse marine life and the dolphin interaction zones are prime spots for photography. Reddit

There is no mention of professional photographers being available for hire at the aquarium. Visitors are generally expected to take their own photos. Reddit

You may also like

1 of 2
Oceanario Acuario San Martín de Pajarales (2026) – Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide