Manati Park - Manati Park guide, attractions and pictures



Manati Park is a theme park and a major attraction for tourists visiting the Dominican Republic. Visitors can choose from plenty of entertainment options, including swimming with dolphins, different shows, viewing wildlife, visiting the Taino Village, and a lot more.

Situated in Bavaro and close to many all-inclusive hotels, the theme park is the home to a variety of marine species, birds, and animals. Visitors will be able to approach, caress, and take pictures of crabs, dolphins, sea lions, flamingos, and other animals. The birds are kept in cages, which is understandable, and you won’t be able to take good pictures of them.

The park offers sea lion, dolphin, parrot, and horse shows, with dolphins making jumps and parrots performing pirouettes. The parrots drive cars, are on roller-skates, and do other tricks. Visitors can hold them and take pictures of them. Tourists are allowed to take pictures or can buy pictures for $12 each. The sea lions are adorable and kiss tourists on the head. Manati Park offers nine different shows every day, and visitors can choose the ones that suit them.

Many tourists come to the park to swim with the dolphins. Visitors are fitted with life jackets before they jump into the clear waters. The two dolphins swim around and pictures are being taken. Note that there is a minimum age requirement for the dolphin swim – only children aged 8 or over are allowed. Some tourists say that the dolphins do not have sufficient space and are generally mistreated. In fact, all birds and animals are taken care of and look healthy.

Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, the Taino Village offers a glimpse to folklore and traditional culture. There is a museum dedicated to Taino sculpture and works of art, featuring traditional costumes, paintings, statues, and artifacts. Actors wearing traditional costumes entertain the visitors by performing Taino dances and rituals. The locals invite tourists to their homes, which are in fact shops, but they don’t pressure them to buy souvenirs.

Staff is helpful and attending and will walk you around the park, explaining how locals use different leaves and plants for healing. Everyone speaks some English. The park offers plenty of dining options, including a pizza place, a snack bar, a barbeque ranch, and a burger bar. Most places offer sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. All drinks and bottles of water are taken at the entrance. A bottle of beer or water costs between $3 and $5. The park also has souvenir shops that sell handcrafts, art crafts, cigars, rum, and other souvenirs.

Be prepared to spend at least half a day in the park. The entrance fee is $35 for adults and $20 for children (taxes included). Swimming with the dolphins costs $115, and the cost includes free entrance. Guided tours are also available. The shows run from 9 am to 3.30 pm, and all shops and restaurants are open until 6 pm. Buses run every two hours and pick tourists from their hotels. Buses are not air-conditioned, but the service from your hotel is free-of-charge.

If Manati Park is the main attraction you plan to visit, you may want to look for hotels close to the park. There are plenty of hotels to check, including IFA Villas Bávaro Resort & SPA, Melia Tropical, and Barcelo Bavaro Beach All Inclusive. Melia Tropical is a midrange hotel facing the famous Bavaro Beach. Manati Park is just 3 miles away from the property, and local attractions abound. Entertainment venues include restaurants, casino, pools, and nightly entertainment. Room rates start at $177 per night.
Manati Park Dominican Republic Flamingos
Manati Park Dominican Republic Dolphin Show
Manati Park, Dominican Republic, Dolphin Show

Manati Park Dominican Republic Dolphin Show
Manati Park, Dominican Republic, Dolphin Show

Manati Park Dominican Republic Crocodiles
Manati Park, Dominican Republic, Crocodiles

Manati Park Dominican Republic Parrots
Manati Park, Dominican Republic, Parrots

Manati Park Dominican Republic Flamingos
Manati Park, Dominican Republic, Flamingos

Manati Park Dominican Republic Iguanas
Manati Park, Dominican Republic, Iguanas

Manati Park Dominican Republic Dolphin Show
Manati Park, Dominican Republic, Dolphin Show

Manati Park Dominican Republic Dolphin Show
Manati Park, Dominican Republic, Dolphin Show

Manati Park Dominican Republic
Manati Park, Dominican Republic


Manati Park, Dolphins Show



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