The dolphinarium is about 5 minutes from the PP, it costs about 79peso's per person and isn't any cheaper for you to go there yourself than it is if you book through your rep.
Ellie

Definately do NOT swim with the dolphins at Varaderro - the water is filthy... The dolphin experience at Cienfuegos is out of this world!

ATB,J.

Merseygull - have to second you on that!! Cienfuegos dolphin experience is out of this world and definately the best setting we've been to. The dolphins are kept in a natural, mango grove inlet off the sea and you get plenty of time swimming with them. They then put on a bit of a show and get the audience involved - hubby was one who got picked on and had a great time!!!!! The sealions were cute as well!

I had a play with the dolphins when in cuba last year when I stayed at the PRDO in Guardalavaca. The dolphins at the dolphinarium are kept in sea pens which is better than most places where they are kept in large saltwater "swimming pools". It was a good day out.





I was a little disapointed at the way the dolphins were treated though. The dolphins were in good condition generally, but I noticed some of the trainers giving them a slap if they didn't do as they were told. One of the dophins was just swimmnig around and playing with us as we got out of the pen. She didn't like that and gave the dolphin a bit of a whack. That put a sour taste on the day which was otherwise excellent.

Darren

we came back a few days ago and we swam with dolphins in Cienfuegos, it was lovely and my teenage girls loved it so much. The show was fine and we spent lots of time in the water with them. I have to say the photos were great. I was a bit dissapointed after going to Ocean World in Dom Rep last year which was the most amazing day out, I don't think anything could compete with that, but we did have a great time.

Just have to say I and my family swim with Dolphins in Varadero, didnt find the water dirty and it was a great experience.

Kind Regards
Stewart

Believe me, you would have seen much better facilities at Cienfuegos, the whole set-up was vastly superior...

stayed in playa pesquero in June. 10 of us went swimming with the dolpins and a great experience, well worth the money.

We paid a little extra for a video which was excellent quality.

Hi, can anyone tell me how much it cost to swim with dolphins in Cuba and where is the best place to do it ,we are staying at Cayo Coco.

Hi Maddy

Before choosing a location, please check the MARINE CONNECTION WEBSITE as some facilities are of a very poor standard where the welfare of the animals is a low priority.

Pippy

We were told in 2004 that a new swim with dolphins complex was being built in The Cayos. It was not there in Sept 2005.
You have a cost and transport choice, go by coach and stay over night or fly for a day trip. If you travel Thomas Cook check with them for this years prices. Increased fuel cost may put price up from last year. There are also problems with flights and diverted planes. I would go by coach, but if you want to fly go early in your holiday, so you can rebook if flight is off. Thomas Cook will not let you fly on old Russian Planes.

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone had any information on the swimming with Dolphins experience in Cuba.
We are going to Cuba on the 12th June with my parents and they really want to swim with the dolphins.
I have heard that it is one of the best places in the caribbean to swim with dolphins, but I am not very happy about these sort of money making schemes, especially if the dolphins are captive and been held in small tanks or pools.
I don't want to shell out the money only to get there and be upset with what I see.

Hope someone can help.
Cheers

Hi
Welcome to HT.
Had a look about the site and managed to find loads of postings about swimming with dolphins in the caribbean yet it appears there is only 2 posts about Cuba.

This may give you some answers you seek
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=41163
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=63682

Hope this helps.
Cheers Ken.

Thanks Ken,

That has certainly given me a good idea.
Looks like some of the places may be a bit dodgy and we will have to try and avoid them.
But thanx for the info.

Claire

Hi Guys,

I've been looking at the excursions available in Cuba and noticed the swilling with dolphins is only £50 with Thomson which is really cheap compared to what the missus paid in Dominican Republic last year which was near on £100.

Apart from the usual selling of overpriced Photo's and DVD's of the experience, does anyone know what the price includes? I'm worried we'll get there and then be stung for more money as it doesnt include everything you would expect going on our experience in Dominican Republic.

Thanks in advance

Lee

Lee,

Are you going to Varadero or the Holguin area? I've been to both resorts and swam with the Dolphins in Guardalavaca and seen the Dolphinarium in Varadero. Of the two, I'd definatly recommend Guardalavaca over Varadero. The one in Varadero is set in a lagoon and the water quality looked iffy to me. Guardalavaca is set in a bay and the Dolphiarium is based in sea pens which is far better than most places.

As for the price, the one in Guardalavaca included everying. All the tours are run by Cubanacan, the state owned tour company. It included coach transfers, boat transfers to the Dolphiarium in some impressive RIBs, about 30mins swimming with the Dolphins, lunch (lobster) with one drink, and a Dolphin show. Pretty much everything apart from photo's if you wanted. Just take your own camera which solved that problem. It was good value for money compared to a lot of places.

For more information and a few photo's, have a look on this thread.

Darren

We didn't like the dolphin area in varadero either... we stayed at sandals and did an excursion which took us to cienfuegos wher the dolphins were in very clean water... would def recommend it

ATB,J.

Thanks for the reply Guys!

I'm stopping at the Playa Pesquero which I beleive to be in the Guardalavaca so I assume it will be this location that the swimming will be in.

I've also read that you can hire a speedboat (not sure if thats an excursion or not though)

Does anyone know if any details of this and whether its available? I might be barking up thr wrong tree but the hotel can organise it from the hotel beach? I think I read it somewhere on trip advisor.

Excellent choice! I stayed at the Paradise Rio De Oro whish isn't far from the Pesquero and you couldn't hire speedboats there (Playa Esmarelda). These are the excursions wich Cubanacan offer in the area.

Darren