Gran Acuario Mazatlán (Mazatlan Aquarium), Mazatlan

Opened in April 2023, the Mazatlan Aquarium stands as the largest and most modern aquarium in Mexico, anchoring the city’s expansive 75-acre Central Park. With an investment of $99.3 million, this cutting-edge facility offers visitors a glimpse into the breathtaking biodiversity of the Sea of Cortez through 26 unique habitats and more than 260 marine species. The recent addition of expansive sea lion and penguin exhibits has boosted its total area by 259,000 square feet. Alongside these exhibits, guests can enjoy a lush botanical garden, 19 interactive exhibition rooms, and a 240-seat auditorium designed for educational and entertaining programs.

The aquarium is the work of acclaimed Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao Estudio, whose vision fuses the natural and human worlds. Her design features a 32-foot cascading waterfall, glass walkways suspended in an aviary, and a stunning 42-foot-tall glass panel that reveals the mesmerizing depths of the Great Ocean Tank. The result is a multi-sensory experience that invites visitors to explore, reflect, and marvel at the ocean’s mysteries while immersed in a setting where architecture and nature harmoniously intersect.

Beyond its visual grandeur, the Mazatlan Aquarium carries a powerful conservation mission. A portion of its revenue supports a dedicated research center focused on preserving the Sea of Cortez, famously dubbed “the aquarium of the world” by oceanographer Jacques Cousteau.