"Dolphins in captivity is an awful idea. Swimming with dolphins in captivity is disgraceful. The dolphins can't do much about being held in captivity. The people paying to swim with them, can act responsibly if they choose to. I think everyone can find another enjoyable activity besides being entertained at the expense of the animals right to exist freely. I notice the canned responses from the management of this facility. The plain fact of the matter is that these dolphins do not belong in captivity and the people who are paying to experience swimming with them are not doing some wonderful conservation experience. They are exploiting animals who should not be held captive. Plain and simple. Management replies to all negative reviews with one or two canned responses. Save the "scripted" reply for someone who might fall for it. That someone is not me."

alice tirella

"Delphinus Punta Cancun, located at the Hyatt Ziva resort, offers a well-organized dolphin experience, but there were several issues that made it less enjoyable than expected.

I visited on January 6, 2025, with my six-year-old son while staying at the Grand Fiesta Americana next door. When booking, we were told that someone would meet us at the Grand Fiesta Americana marina area to walk us over. However, no one showed up, so we walked to the Hyatt Ziva ourselves. When we arrived, my wife and son were stopped by security and told they couldn’t enter because they weren’t guests of the resort, even after explaining they were there for the dolphin excursion. I was able to find a staff member who eventually walked us to the right area, but this was an unnecessary hassle that could have been avoided with better communication.

Once we checked in, my son and I got ready while my wife was directed to a viewing area on the far side of the dolphin pool. We were told at booking that she could stand near us to take photos, but once we arrived, we were told otherwise. This seemed less about resort policy and more about pushing their professional photo sales. The cost for pictures was excessive—$189 USD for ten photos and over $200 USD for all photos.

The actual dolphin experience felt very short. We booked the “ride” package, which was supposed to include 15 activities plus a ride. While the ride itself was fun, it lasted about ten seconds. The other activities were also brief, including splashing, swimming next to the dolphin, a kiss, and touching them. We were also offered extra activities for an additional cost, which wasn’t mentioned when booking.

After returning home, I received an email offering to buy photos online. I purchased one for $31 USD, but when I got the download link, it was the wrong picture. I contacted them to fix the mistake, but they insisted it was the photo I selected, which wasn’t the case.

I’ve done dolphin experiences before that were included with catamaran trips, and those lasted longer with more time in the water. The pricing for photos at those locations was also much more reasonable.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this experience due to the short duration, the difficulty accessing the venue, overpriced photos, and poor customer service when trying to correct a mistake.

5/10"

R Photography

"An absolutely unforgettable experience at Delphinus Punta Cancun! Swimming with the dolphins was magical—the staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and truly cared about the well-being of the animals. The facility was clean and well-maintained, and the interaction with the dolphins was both fun and educational. The trainers made sure everyone felt comfortable and safe, and the photos captured some incredible moments. If you’re in Cancun, this is a must-do experience. Highly recommend!"

Cierra Pankowski