Retire Early Lifestyle
Retirement; like your parents, but way cooler

In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

The Aquarium

Acuario de Veracruz

Veracruz, Mexico

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Currency Exchange

We have been having fun in Veracruz, Mexico.

Our hotel is fabulous, we can watch the traffic in the international port of Veracruz, we've been to the historical fort that Hernan Cortez built in the 1500s, and of course, we've been having some great meals.

Today, we are showing you some photos from the Acuario de Veracruz, the largest aquarium in Mexico and Latin America by area, with more than 7,500 square meters.

The construction of the Aquarium took over a decade to complete with the shark tank, a manatee tank, a terrace, a dolphinarium and a penguinarium.

Our tickets to the Aquarium

We took a nice but windy walk to the Aquarium, and when we arrived, there were people spilling out onto the street and in line to buy tickets. We must have come right at the perfect family time because there were kids, strollers and Moms and Dads everywhere.

It was quite hectic at the ticket counter, and I noticed that there were several packages being offered. One could feed the sharks, or play interactive aquarium games or several other combinations for kids and families.

Our INAPAM price was 110Pesos, about $5.50USD.

One of the many tanks of fish in the aquarium

We didn't stand in line that long actually, and upon entering inside we were shuffled around. It was screaming-noisy with the kids having the time of their lives, and someone from the Aquarium told us to stand against this wall so she could take our photo.

We weren't sure what was going on, and I, personally was confused. I hadn't asked for a photo, but apparently this is what is done here.

We stood against the wall, and - ham that Billy is - he gives thumbs up and a big smile. Me? I looked dumbfounded and didn't even remove my mask!

Oh dear.

This impressive new aquarium is home to over 3,000 species of both local and international marine life

After our photos were taken we go further inside the Aquarium, but cannot get anywhere at all. The entrance was clogged with kids and strollers all hyper at seeing the fish in the tanks.

This chaos wasn't our style, and even though we had to miss a few displays we walked past the families and came out somewhere later where it was peaceful and interesting.

A shark in one of the tanks

There were plenty of exhibits, including a jungle zone, a freshwater gallery, a reef tank, a shark tank, jellyfish tanks and a manatee tank.

This Acuario can be seen in 1.5 or 2 hours, depending on how interactive one wants to be.

A lobster

Having lived by the ocean all of our adult lives, we were familiar with many of the sea creatures in the tanks. In fact, we visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California some years back.

A better view of the shark tank

Still, sea creatures are mesmerizing, and to be able to view animals right through the tank water is always entertaining.

Here you see some sharks, brain coral, starfish, sea anemones and more.

Sting ray

Every creature has a way to disguise themselves so they may forage for food or not be eaten by a predator.

Sting Rays often bury themselves with a light covering of sand over the top of them, and when they choose to move, their "wings" disturb the sand in a big fluff of commotion and they "fly" up into the ocean.

There are about 220 known species of sting ray, some preferring salt water, and others able to live in fresh water.

You might not know this, but sting rays are related to sharks!

Shark overhead

As one walks through the Acuario, there is a tunnel with water above your head and on both sides.

This photo is of a shark swimming over our heads.

The penguinarium

The penguinarium was inaugurated in 2014, the first in Mexico. These are Humboldt penguins and as of 2017, 22 of them have been born here in the aquarium.

Aquarium photo of Billy and Akaisha

We get to the end of the walking tour, and the photo that was taken at the beginning of our entrance to the Acuario was ready.

Did we want it?

We don't normally do anything so kitchy, but if they could give it to us digitally, then we could share it with YOU!

The price was 130Pesos, just under $7USD.

Which of course is a tourist price... but could we have it digitally?

Back and forth and back and forth -- this modern Aquarium had no way to give us our photo on a drive or via email. This seemed incongruent with the rest that they were offering, but... since we saved so much money on our INAPAM card admission, I figured this photo cost us about 10 pesos or $0.50USD.

So we took it.

The photo above is a photo of a photo... but you get the idea!

Do we recommend the Acuario de Veracruz?

YES.

__________

Acuario de Veracruz

Website: https://acuariodeveracruz.com/

Tele: 229. 931. 1020

Blvd. Manuel Avila Camacho S/N

Colonio Flores Magon

91900 Veracruz, Veracruz, Mexico

Open Mon-Thurs 10AM to 7PM

Fri-Sun10AM to 7:30PM

Current price: Adults 170P, Children and INAPAM 110Pesos

Email: contabilidad@acuariodeveracruz.com 

For more stories and photos about Veracruz, Mexico, CLICK HERE

For more stories and photos about Mexico CLICK  HERE

Retire Early Lifestyle appeals to a different kind of person – the person who prizes their independence, values their time, and who doesn’t want to mindlessly follow the crowd.

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