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SANTA MARTA AQUARIUM

Santa Marta is not only the oldest city in Colombia, but also the one that opened the doors of the first public aquarium in all of South America: The current El Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum, an emblematic place in Santa Marta, located just 10 minutes by boat from the main beach of El Rodadero. Below we tell you everything you need to know to visit it, the marine life you will find, how to get there and how much it costs.

Where is the Rodadero Aquarium, Marine Life Center? 
The Rodadero Aquarium is located in Santa Marta, Colombia. Specifically in the Ensenada de Inca Inca, between the beaches of El Rodadero and Playa Blanca.
25 minutes from the Historic Center of Santa Marta.
How much does it cost to go to the Rodadero Aquarium?
The budget will depend on the services and activities you choose, so we do not give you a total, but we do give you the price list that you should know:
Boat transportation: $15,000 COP (4 USD) each way
Taximarino water transportation: $30,000 COP (9 USD) round trip
Admission to the Aquarium: $65,000 COP (18 USD)
Interactions with dolphins: from $150,000 COP (39 USD)
There are packages that include these or more combinations of services to facilitate your visit to the Rodadero Aquarium, contact us to guide you and recommend the plan with which you will fully enjoy this wonderful destination.

How to get to the Rodadero Aquarium, Marine Life Center?
To get to the aquarium, the first thing you have to do is go to El Rodadero, just 25 minutes from the Historic Center of Santa Marta.
Once you are in El Rodadero, the next step to get to the aquarium is to find sea transportation. You have two options, take the service with Taximarino, or with the local boatmen.
To get the most out of your trip, we recommend that in addition to visiting the Aquarium, you spend the afternoon in Playa Blanca and enjoy the sun and the sea a little more. Now in Playa Blanca you can enjoy a delicious typical seafood dish, go ziplining, snorkeling or other activities.
Hours of the Rodadero Aquarium, Santa Marta Marine Life Center 
Opening hours: 9:00 a.m. meter. at 4:00 pm. meter.
Guided tour of the glass pools and aquariums: From 9:00 a.m. meter. 
Entrance to the Tayrona Museum and the Museum of the Sea: From 9:00 a.m. meter.
Educational dolphin exhibit: 9:30 am - 11:00 am - 12:30 am - 2:00 p.m. meter. - 3:30 pm. meter.
Be surprised by the impressive marine life

Beyond the exhibitions, the Rodadero Aquarium has as its main objective the conservation and preservation of the species and their habitat. In addition, through these spaces they also teach about the value of our oceans and the life they house.
If you love the ocean, this plan is for you!

Did you know that Santa Marta already has a new and incredible underwater tunnel more than 400 meters long? Be part of this marine world and discover it!

One of the most notable features of this tunnel is the possibility of observing different species from any angle, which creates the sensation of being submerged in the depths of the ocean.

Each attendee will be able to walk through the tunnel and marvel at the marine life that unfolds above them and around them, generating a direct connection with the underwater world.
In addition to its recreational value, this attraction also has an educational impact by providing the opportunity to learn about the importance of the conservation of marine ecosystems and the protection of the species that inhabit them.

What animals can you see at the Rodadero Aquarium?

The aquarium has a wide variety of fish and other aquatic animals within which you can find: Rays, moray eels (Gymnothorax funebris), horse mackerels (Caranx hippos), hedgehog fish, grunts (Haemulon flavolineatum), sergeant major fish (Abudefduf saxatilis) , shad (Megalops atlanticus), groupers, seahorses, sea turtles, crabs, lobsters, octopuses, snails, oysters, urchins, anemones, sea sponges, corals and more, the list of which would become very extensive here.

Swim with dolphins in Santa Marta

Dolphins are very special animals, whether due to their intelligence or social behavior, it is very pleasant to interact with them. We tell you that at the Rodadero Santa Marta Aquarium you can have contact with dolphins, the “most intelligent mammals in the ocean.”
Among the activities you can swim with them in a safe space supervised by an expert in animal care.

Also, have you heard about dolphin therapies (Delfinoterapia)? These are part of animal-assisted therapies and are used in a complementary way to other therapies to provide help on an emotional, social, physical or cognitive level.

How much does it cost to swim with dolphins in Santa Marta?

In the aquarium there are different plans to interact with dolphins. Prices range from $150,000 COP onwards. Below we give you the prices of each plan and its duration:


Encounter with dolphins (7 minutes) from $150,000 COP
Swim with dolphins (15 minutes) from $250,000 COP
Dolphin therapy from $350,000 COP
Remember that these values ??are approximate and may vary depending on the season and other factors.
Packages to visit the Aquarium, Marine Life Center in Santa Marta
If you decide to visit the Rodadero Aquarium, you could leave logistics aside and dedicate yourself to enjoying the experiences. We recommend our Dolphin Encounter Combo, where you can interact with these mammals and enjoy a complete experience in Playa Blanca, taste a delicious typical lunch from the Caribbean region and spend an incredible vacation in Santa Marta. Join us!
Tips Visitors: Tips to enjoy your trip to the Aquarium much more
Now that you know all the details about the Rodadero Aquarium, we share these additional tips:
Bring sun protection, wear comfortable clothing and carry enough cash, as several places still do not accept card payments.
Choose your travel dates, being aware that in December, January, and Easter, the largest influx of tourists to this destination occurs.
Respect local regulations and keep beaches clean and free of trash.


What activities does the Aquarium do to promote preservation and rehabilitation?
The Center for Care, Assessment and Rehabilitation of Marine Fauna in Colombia (CAV-R Marino) operates in the facilities of the Rodadero Aquarium, which, as its name suggests, is responsible for the rehabilitation and subsequent release of marine fauna.
In addition to this activity, on several occasions he has participated in underwater cleaning campaigns, planting in the “coral nursery,” releasing turtles, among others.

2.

Santa Marta Aquarium launches SOS for the survival of marine fauna

The director of Pro Rodadero, Iván Calderón, explained that this call for help is launched with the aim of continuing to care for marine fauna.

The El Rodadero aquarium, in Santa Marta, which houses more than 1,000 species of marine animals, does not escape the effects of the coronavirus pandemic and in the absence of visitors, the resources to support them were exhausted. Now they turn to public charity and launched an SOS to raise support funds.
For 55 years its ponds have always been adorned by the beauty, color and even the trained movements of the most striking animals of the sea. Despite the absence of visitors since March, dolphins, turtles, sharks and other species continue to swim in these pools. But now their movements do not seem to seek to entertain, but rather to remind them that they are there and that they need help.
The director of Pro Rodadero, Iván Calderón, explained that this call for help is launched with the aim of continuing to care for marine fauna.
There are 1,200 different species that require at least 200 kilos of fish every day to feed themselves. The lack of income makes subsistence practically impossible.
“We cannot allow these hundreds of animals that are there, and that cannot be released because they were born in captivity, or have had injuries and were rescued, to die,” Calderón added.

For her part, Ángela Dávila, the aquarium's veterinarian, said that the facilities have been closed to the public since March 16 due to the pandemic, which is why they are asking for donations.
In addition to support, the request for help is to subsidize marine survival projects. “As are those of the coral nursery, the rehabilitation and release of sea turtles such as the hawksbill,” added Dávila.
For now, a reopening pilot exclusively for Samarians is ready, while tourism is reactivated. A donation now can mean, in the future, a marine animal show combining entertainment and gratitude.
The Santa Marta Aquarium where dolphins dance and let themselves be kissed
This year they inaugurated a tunnel that allows visitors to immerse themselves in the marine world and observe 800 species, sharks, rays and other fascinating creatures.

The Santa Marta Aquarium was founded more than 60 years ago by Captain Francisco Ospina and is a must-see destination for families who can travel by boat from the Rodadero, a service provided by the aquarium. His son Franco Ospina, a lover of the sea who has carried out high-impact campaigns to clean the ocean of plastic.

Captain Ospina's heirs have continued his legacy, permanently renewing it so that life in our oceans is known and protected. They have just inaugurated an underwater tunnel that is 400 meters long that visitors travel through to immerse themselves in the marine world and marvel at the diversity of more than 800 species, including sharks, rays and other fascinating marine creatures.


One of the most notable features of this aquarium tunnel is the ability to observe species from any angle while receiving explanations from knowledgeable biologist experts who help you dive into the depths of the ocean.


The Santa Marta Aquarium Tunnel becomes a fantastic place where science, nature and tourism come together, entertainment but also has an educational role by providing the opportunity to learn about the importance of the conservation of marine ecosystems and protection. of the species that inhabit them.

Here are all the keys you should know to be able to travel to the underwater world of the Caribbean in this place, unique on the entire Colombian Atlantic Coast, which is located 25 minutes from the Historic Center of Santa Marta.

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