Swimming With Dolphins

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Back to Puerto VallartaSwimming With Dolphins

Ever been kissed by a dolphin? Take advantage of a unique opportunity to swim with Pacific bottlenose dolphins in one of two facilities -- a clear lagoon or a special swim facility that's part of the Vallarta Adventures offices. Dolphin Adventure (tel. 866/256-2739 toll-free in the U.S., or 322/297-1212, ext. 3; www.vallarta-adventures.com) operates an interactive dolphin-research facility -- considered the finest in Latin America -- that allows limited numbers of people to swim with dolphins Monday through Saturday at scheduled times. Cost for the swim is $145. Reservations are required, and they generally sell out at least a week in advance. You may prefer the Dolphin Encounter ($60), which allows you to touch and learn about the dolphins in smaller pools, so you're ensured up-close-and-personal time with them. You can even be a Trainer for a Day, a special 7-hour program of working alongside the more experienced trainers and the dolphins, for a cost of $250. The new Dolphin Kids program, for children ages 4 to 8, is a gentle introduction to dolphins, featuring the Dolphin Adventure baby dolphins and their mothers interacting with the children participants ($60). I give this my highest recommendation. Not only does the experience leave you with an indescribable sensation, but it's also a joy to see these dolphins -- they are well cared for, happy, and spirited. The program is about education and interaction, not entertainment or amusement, and is especially popular with children 10 and older.