Varadero Dolphinarium
Experience the magic of dolphins at Varadero's unique island Dolphinarium, offering shows and intimate swim encounters.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Less crowded for swimming
Varadero Dolphinarium
Best Time
Less crowded for swimming
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience the magic of dolphins at Varadero's unique island Dolphinarium, offering shows and intimate swim encounters.
"A fun-filled day for families, with a captivating dolphin show and memorable swim experiences."
🎯 Arrive Early for Best Seats
Shows can get crowded; arrive early to get a good view and avoid obstructed sightlines . :seat:
💰 Bring Cash for Extras
Photo packages and souvenirs may require cash. Small bills in EUR or USD are recommended . :moneybag:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Dolphin Show
Main Arena
Watch dolphins perform tricks and interact with trainers in a lively 30-minute show. Fun for all ages!
Swim with Dolphins
Interaction Pool
An unforgettable experience to get up close, touch, and even get a kiss from these intelligent marine mammals.
Camel Ride
Near Entrance
A short, fun ride for kids, offering a different kind of animal encounter at a reasonable price.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Key for the Show
Budgeting for Extras
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Arrive Early for Best Seats
Shows can get crowded; arrive early to get a good view and avoid obstructed sightlines. :seat:
💰 Bring Cash for Extras
Photo packages and souvenirs may require cash. Small bills in EUR or USD are recommended. :moneybag:
📸 Photo Package Costs
Be aware that photo packages are often sold as a bundle and can be expensive. :camerawithflash:
💧 Stay Hydrated
While drinks are available, bringing your own water might be a good idea, especially on hot days. :droplet:
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Arrive Early for Best Seats
Shows can get crowded; arrive early to get a good view and avoid obstructed sightlines. :seat:
💰 Bring Cash for Extras
Photo packages and souvenirs may require cash. Small bills in EUR or USD are recommended. :moneybag:
📸 Photo Package Costs
Be aware that photo packages are often sold as a bundle and can be expensive. :camerawithflash:
💧 Stay Hydrated
While drinks are available, bringing your own water might be a good idea, especially on hot days. :droplet:
🚽 Bathroom Check
Some visitors have noted that bathroom facilities could be improved. :toilet:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors generally find the Varadero Dolphinarium to be a fun experience, especially for families with children, with the dolphin show being a highlight. While the 'swim with dolphins' offers a unique interaction, some feel it's overly focused on photo sales and can be expensive. Payment issues and the condition of bathrooms are occasional drawbacks.
"50 CAD$ FOR 2 ADULTS+ 2 KIDS.
5$ each child for camel ride.
June 2025. Few people. Shadow, 30 min show. Good for kids"
Julia Julietta
"We flew with Air Canada but they dont offer excursions with Dolphins, so we Booked through Nexus Tours in our lobby to see a show and swim with the dolphins. It was $75 USD per person if we took the bus on our own, which was our only choice as the tour only offers pick up and drop off one day a week and we missed it. With direct transfers it would have been $90 USD. The hop on/hop off bus is $5 per person (USD or CAD cash) and it drops you off across the street.
The Dolphin show itself is kind of short and its hard to see due to people standing at the fence instead of sitting in the bleachers during the show. The dolphins do some tricks and interact with the trainer which is really fun to watch. The dolphins look healthy and happy, despite the areas they live in not being big enough in my opinion.
When it came time to swim with them, we were brought to a different section, told to change into our bathing suits and got a life jacket. My husband and I were with a group of two other women. There is NO opportunity for you to take pictures of your interaction on your own cameras unless you are with someone who is not also swimming. Anyone with you who is not swimming with them will be waiting on the dock and can take some photos/videos. However, the swimming is really just creating photo opportunities for the photographers. You get a kiss from the dolphins, touch their stomachs, they pull you around in a circle, you do a little jump and then do another circle and its essentially over. We did throughly enjoy the interaction and being in the water with them was really cool, but I do wish the importance was put on the experience of the customers and less on the photos. When you're finished, you rinse off and are told to go get your photos. You cannot buy individual photos, you need to buy the whole package. It was $50 USD or $65 CAD. They had no connection for credit cards and we were essentially told too bad. We pushed because we didn't bring cash (our mistake) and after about an hour someone came with a machine. We were charged $65 as Canadians...but our card was charged in USD so we paid $90 for the package instead. They should have charged us $50. So yep, we got scammed and didn't notice until we got back to our resort. Nexus tours was not helpful in correcting this.
We got about 20 photos in total for two people and an 8 minute video including the experience of everyone else in the group. Overall, it was a good experience and I didn't feel bad for the dolphins and their conditions as an animal lover. Nothing felt cruel about their envirnment or treatment which I was nervous about. Mostly disappointed in the payment issue."
K
"Nice show for kids. There are two shows per day, at 11:00 and 15:30. If you want to swimming with them, there are 3 slots per day, 9:30, 11:30, 16:00. Best is before show, in the morning. Bring the small bills EUR or USD. Entrance for two adults plus one swimming was 80 euros. Pictures and video are another 50 EUR (55 usd or 70 cad per price list). In bar you can buy a beer or lemonade, there is no water and espresso machine doesn’t work :-). Prices are 5 EUR/USD per any drink."
Aleksandar Avramovic
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can reach the Dolphinarium via the hop-on hop-off bus, which costs $5 USD or CAD cash and drops you off across the street. Some tours, like those booked through Nexus Tours, may offer direct transfers, though schedules can be limited.
It's also accessible by catamaran tours from Varadero, often combined with a visit to Cayo Blanco.
Yes, the Varadero Dolphinarium is situated on Cayo Blanco, an island accessible by catamaran tours from Varadero.
Taxis are a common mode of transport in Varadero and can be hired to take you to the Dolphinarium. Confirm the fare before starting your journey.
Yes, various tour operators in Varadero offer excursions that include visits to the Dolphinarium, often combined with catamaran trips and stops at Cayo Blanco.
Travel time can vary depending on the mode of transport. Catamaran trips from Varadero typically take about an hour to reach the Dolphinarium.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Admission prices can vary. One review mentioned 50 CAD for 2 adults and 2 kids, with an additional $5 per child for a camel ride. Another noted 80 Euros for two adults and one person swimming, with pictures and video costing an extra 50 EUR.
Be aware that advertised prices on websites might differ from the actual cost.
Yes, there are separate options for attending the dolphin show and for swimming with the dolphins. The swimming experience is typically more expensive.
The dolphin shows usually occur twice a day, at 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM.
Slots for swimming with dolphins are available throughout the day, with reported times including 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, and 4:00 PM.
Tickets are generally purchased on-site. For organized tours, booking in advance through your hotel or a tour operator is recommended.
🎫 🐬 Onsite Experience
The dolphin show lasts about 30 minutes and features dolphins performing tricks and interacting with their trainers. It's described as fun for kids and a good watch, though some find it short.
This experience involves getting into the water with dolphins for a short period (around 8 minutes of interaction). You'll get a kiss, touch them, and be pulled around. It's heavily geared towards photo opportunities.
While some visitors express concerns about enclosure size, others report that the dolphins appear healthy and happy, and nothing felt cruel about their environment or treatment.
It's difficult to take your own photos during the swim unless you have someone not participating who can take them from the dock. The focus is on purchasing professional photos.
Yes, there's a cool playground for children and a camel ride available for an extra fee.
📸 📸 Photography
Professional photo packages are available for purchase after the swim-with-dolphins experience. Prices can range from $50 USD to $70 CAD, and you typically have to buy the whole package, not individual shots.
It's challenging to take your own photos during the swim unless a non-swimming companion is present to capture the moments from the side.
Yes, the 'swim with dolphins' experience is designed to create photo opportunities, and professional photographers are on hand to capture these moments.
Photo packages often include a set number of photos and sometimes a short video of the interaction, which may also feature other participants from your group.
Payment for photos can be an issue. Some visitors have reported that credit card machines were not readily available, and cash (EUR or USD) was preferred or required.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💰 Budget Travelers
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Dolphin Experience: Show vs. Swim
For a more intimate encounter, the 'swim with dolphins' experience allows visitors to enter the water with the dolphins. This is a shorter, more focused interaction, typically lasting around 8 minutes.
Navigating Costs and Payments
Payment methods can also be a point of contention. Several visitors have reported issues with payment processing, noting a lack of readily available credit card machines and a strong preference for cash payments (EUR or USD).
Location and Accessibility: Cayo Blanco
+1 This means that accessing the dolphinarium typically involves a boat trip. Many popular catamaran tours departing from Varadero include a stop at Cayo Blanco, allowing visitors to experience both the island's beauty and the dolphinarium in a single excursion.+1These tours offer a scenic journey across the turquoise waters, often providing a refreshing break from the mainland. While the catamaran trip itself is part of the adventure, it's worth noting that the travel time to reach the dolphinarium can be around an hour.
For those not opting for a full catamaran tour, the hop-on hop-off bus is another viable option, dropping visitors off across the street from the departure point for boat excursions.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit