Medellín Aquarium (Acuario Explora)

What it's like

The aquarium is the part of Parque Explora that most visitors remember. It's built around one idea: Colombia is a water country, with 2 oceans, huge river systems and some of the richest freshwater life on the planet. Rather than mixing in sharks and penguins from elsewhere, the tanks focus on Colombian ecosystems, so what you see is what lives in the rivers and reefs a few hours from the city.

The space is dim, cool and quiet compared with the busy science halls upstairs, and it's an easy place to slow down for an hour. Parque Explora says the aquarium holds more than 200 species and over 4,000 animals.

The freshwater floor

The first level follows Colombia's big river basins: the Magdalena, which runs through the middle of the country, and the Amazon and Orinoco in the south and east. The star is the arapaima, called pirarucú locally, one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. It has to rise to the surface to gulp air, so if you wait by the big flooded-forest tank you'll see one come up to breathe.

You'll also find arawanas, whose males carry their eggs and young in their mouths for around 2 months, piranhas, catfish, tucunaré and cachama, a fish that swims into flooded forest in the rainy season to eat fallen fruit and seeds. The panels explain these habits in Spanish, and they're worth a slow read with a translation app.

The saltwater floor

Upstairs, the marine tanks recreate Colombia's Caribbean and Pacific reefs. Look for clownfish among the anemones, surgeonfish, moray eels and living corals. It's a smaller section than the freshwater floor but the colors make it a favorite with children.

Conservation work

The aquarium isn't only for display. Parque Explora runs conservation and research programs with universities and specialist centers, and its animal care team works on assisted breeding for fish and corals. The exhibits also talk openly about threats to Colombia's waters, such as overfishing, mining and pollution.

Tips for your visit

• Tickets: The aquarium is part of Parque Explora, and you buy tickets through the museum. Check the official site for which ticket covers which areas.
• Timing: Weekday mornings are busy with school groups. Weekday afternoons are often calmer.
• Combine it: The vivarium of frogs and reptiles is in the same complex, and the free Jardín Botánico is right next door.
• Allow time: About 1 to 2 hours for the aquarium alone, and half a day or more for all of Parque Explora.

Getting there

Take metro Line A to Universidad station. Parque Explora, with the aquarium inside, is right outside the station. From El Poblado the ride takes about 20 minutes. For more ideas nearby, see our list of things to do in Medellín.