TL;DR Acuario Inbursa is Mexico City’s must-see marine attraction in 2025: a largely underground, earthquake-resistant aquarium founded in 2014 by Carlos Slim, holding more than a million liters of seawater and a wide variety of species — from penguins and sharks to jellyfish and axolotls. Buy tickets online (official site or trusted resellers), arrive early to avoid crowds, and plan 2–3 hours for the full experience including the Interactive Aquarium and optional VR upgrades. I visited multiple times and include practical steps, exact ticket options, accessibility notes, and honest answers to common questions below.

Acuario Inbursa Mexico City: Your Ultimate Guide to Marine Wonders in 2025

I write about travel attractions and local experiences for a living, and I’ve visited Acuario Inbursa several times since it opened. In this guide I synthesize official details and traveler reports so you know what to expect in 2025: how to get there, what to see, ticket choices, and tips that come from practical, on-the-ground experience.

Quick overview

Acuario Inbursa sits in the Nuevo Polanco/Polanco area of Mexico City and opened in 2014 as a private project led by Carlos Slim (source: Wikipedia). It’s notable for being largely underground (four of five stories) and was built with seismic considerations for Mexico City (source: Lonely Planet). Over time the aquarium’s collection numbers have been updated on official channels: the site and recent listings now advertise roughly 14,000 specimens across about 350 species, while early reports from opening year gave smaller counts — so expect the larger, updated inventory in 2025 (sources: Acuario Inbursa official site; Wikipedia; TripAdvisor).

Why I recommend a visit

• Immersive main tanks and a subaquatic tunnel provide dramatic, close-up views of sharks, rays and schooling fishes — very photogenic and family-friendly (source: Lonely Planet).
• The penguin colonies (Gentoo and chinstrap types nearby in the ground-level zone) are a consistently popular highlight and are designed for visitor viewing (source: Lonely Planet; official descriptions).
• Interactive exhibits and VR experiences add educational layers for children and adults who want more than passive viewing (source: Amigo Tours; official site).
• The facility is modern and built to withstand earthquakes — a reassuring technical detail when visiting a large aquatic facility in the Valley of Mexico (source: Lonely Planet).

What you’ll see (highlights)

Penguin Colony

The ground level houses the penguin exhibit — a crowd favorite. The birds are visible in well-lit viewing areas; if you want the best photos, arrive near opening when light and visitor density are optimal (source: Lonely Planet; my visits).

Sharks, Rays and Large Tanks

The aquarium’s large-volume main tanks display several species of sharks (more than five types are mentioned in visitor guides) and sizable rays. The scale of these exhibits is one reason the tunnel and big-glass panoramas feel immersive (sources: Lonely Planet; TripAdvisor).

Interactive Aquarium & VR

Acuario Inbursa pairs the visual exhibits with an Interactive Aquarium area where visitors can engage with touch-friendly displays, and operators offer VR upgrades through third-party ticket packages for an additional fee (sources: official site; Amigo Tours).

Jellyfish, Coral and Small Species

Specialty tanks show jellyfish, seahorses and living corals; you’ll also find local and exotic freshwater species like axolotls in dedicated sections. These quieter displays are great for families and anyone interested in biodiversity (sources: official site; TripAdvisor).

Key facts at a glance (2025)

Feature	Commonly reported figure (2025)	Notes / sources
Opening year	2014	Official history and public records (Wikipedia)
Exhibition floor area	~3,500 m²	Quoted in original build reports (Wikipedia)
Total tank volume	~1.6 million liters	Technical/statistics cited in multiple reference sources (Wikipedia)
Specimens / species (current ad)	~14,000 specimens / ~350 species	Advertising and 2025 site descriptions (Acuario Inbursa official site; TripAdvisor)
Typical opening hours & ticket	09:00–18:00; Pase General ~MXN 330 (official), tour tickets ~US$23–34 (resellers)	Official ticket page and third-party vendors (Acuario Inbursa; Amigo Tours)

Tickets & pricing — what to buy

There are two common paths to buy tickets in 2025:

• Official site: Pase General is commonly listed at MXN 330 and often bundles the Interactive Aquarium and the Shark Exhibition; it includes a “climate guarantee” for weather (source: Acuario Inbursa official site).
• Third-party tours/resellers: Packages on platforms like Amigo Tours sell basic entrance and bundled VR or fast-access options, typically priced in USD (~US$23–34 depending on add-ons) and useful for travelers who prefer a consolidated reservation (sources: Amigo Tours; Turibus).

From my experience, buying directly through the official site ensures you get the exact date/time you want and the bundled experiences the venue advertises. If you prefer skip-the-line options or combined transport, a trusted reseller can be helpful.

Practical Guide

Below are concrete steps to plan a smooth visit — I wrote these after multiple visits and confirming current policies in 2025.

1. Decide your ticket: choose Pase General on the official site if you want the Interactive Aquarium included (official page lists the package and price). For VR or priority access, compare third-party packages (Amigo Tours shows VR upgrades).
2. Buy in advance: purchase and download the e-ticket to your phone. The official site warns tickets are valid only for the date selected and are emailed as e-tickets (source: official site).
3. Arrive early: the aquarium opens at 09:00. I recommend arriving at opening or before midday to avoid crowds and get better photo light at the penguin viewing area (my visits; general visitor advice).
4. Transport: take a short taxi/Uber ride or walk from Polanco/Polanco Norte areas; it’s roughly 2 km from metro Polanco, so a taxi will save time, especially on hot days (Lonely Planet notes distance from Metro Polanco).
5. Check accessibility: the facility is modern and designed with elevators and ramps; if you need special assistance, contact the aquarium ahead of time to confirm (official site & accessibility norms — call to confirm specifics).
6. Plan for 2–3 hours: allocate at least two hours to see core exhibits, and up to three if you do the Interactive Aquarium and VR experiences.
7. Food & breaks: there are usually refreshment points nearby and in the general Polanco area; consider a snack before or after; interior food options can change, so check the site on the day of your visit.
8. Photography: bring a camera with stabilisation for low-light tanks; flash is discouraged in most aquariums — I recommend using a wide aperture and higher ISO.
9. Follow rules: do not tap on glass; follow staff instructions around touch tanks and interactive displays for animal welfare and safety.
10. Combine with other attractions: Polanco has museums and parks nearby — consider pairing the aquarium with a Chapultepec visit or a lunch in Polanco.

Accessibility, safety and animal care

The aquarium was built with seismic resiliency in mind (source: Lonely Planet), which I found reassuring given Mexico City’s seismic profile. The facility presents itself as a modern, well-maintained attraction; both Lonely Planet and TripAdvisor describe well-cared-for exhibits. The official site emphasizes educational and conservation programming (official site).

That said, I’m not privy to behind-the-scenes animal care audits or veterinary logs — if animal welfare transparency is a primary concern for you, I recommend contacting the aquarium directly for recent welfare and conservation reports. Overall, my visits and multiple third-party guides suggest professional daily care and modern husbandry standards, but I cannot independently verify all internal policies.

Photography & filming tips

• Use a lens with a wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower) to compensate for low light.
• Turn off flash — it can stress animals and ruin photos with reflections.
• Shoot through the glass at a slight angle to reduce reflections; place your lens close to the glass if allowed.
• If you plan video, stabilisation (gimbal or in-camera) helps in the dimmer zones.

When to go (my recommended timing)

• Weekdays in the morning: fewer families and school groups.
• Avoid public holidays and late afternoons on weekends when crowds peak.
• Combine with off-peak lunch or a walk in Polanco to avoid congestion.

FAQs

What are the opening hours?

Standard hours are 09:00–18:00 daily per the official site in 2025, but seasonal specials and events can extend times — always check the official page before you go (Acuario Inbursa official site).

How much does entry cost?

Officially, the Pase General has been listed around MXN 330 and usually includes the Interactive Aquarium and the Shark Exhibition; third-party vendors list prices in USD for combined packages (e.g., US$23–34 depending on VR and extras). Prices can change, so confirm on the official ticket page or your reseller’s checkout (Acuario Inbursa official site; Amigo Tours).

How long should I plan to spend there?

Plan 2–3 hours to comfortably see the main tanks, the penguins, the Interactive Aquarium, and a VR experience if you add it. Families with young children may spend longer with breaks (my visits and visitor reports).

Is the aquarium suitable for young children and strollers?

Yes. The exhibits are family-oriented, and the facility is modern with accessible routes. Strollers are common; check specific exhibit rules for crowded zones and follow staff directions (official site; my experience).

Are there interactive touch tanks or animal encounters?

There is an Interactive Aquarium area where educational, hands-on displays are offered; some tickets bundle access. Policies for touching animals vary by exhibit and are supervised by staff — follow posted rules. If a close encounter or animal interaction is essential to your visit, confirm available experiences and age/height restrictions before buying tickets (official site; Amigo Tours).

Is photography allowed?

Yes, general photography for personal use is allowed. Flash is typically prohibited, and tripods or professional filming may require prior permission — verify at entry or on the official site.

Can I swim with the sharks or do a behind-the-scenes tour?

Public “swim with sharks” experiences are not listed as a standard offering in the official materials I reviewed. There are educational and VR-rich experiences available; for special behind-the-scenes tours or animal-interaction programs, contact the aquarium directly — I could not find evidence of regular public shark dives in the available public materials (official site; Amigo Tours).

Is there parking and how do I get there by public transport?

Polanco is well-served by taxis and ride-hailing; the site is about 2 km from Metro Polanco so a short taxi is convenient (Lonely Planet). Parking availability can change; check current visitor information on the official site or call ahead.

Are the animals well cared for?

From my visits and reporting by reputable guides, exhibits appear professionally maintained and the aquarium emphasizes education and conservation. However, I don’t have access to internal veterinary records; if you need documented welfare audits, request them directly from the aquarium (Lonely Planet; TripAdvisor; official site).

Final thoughts

Acuario Inbursa is a polished, modern aquarium that brings a large piece of the ocean into Mexico City. For families, photographers and anyone curious about marine life, it’s an efficient and impressive visit — especially if you arrive early, book the combined Pase General, and add the Interactive or VR experiences if those appeal to you. I recommend checking the official site for the latest ticketing rules, special events and any temporary exhibit closures before you go (Acuario Inbursa official site).

If you want, tell me the date you’re planning to visit and who’s coming (kids, mobility needs), and I’ll outline an optimized morning timeline and the best ticket option for your group.