A great opportunity to stroke a dolphin (Mundomar (Benidorm, Spain))

Member Name: takeachance

Product:	Mundomar (Benidorm, Spain)
Date:	26/06/09 (126 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great full day out enjoyable by all ages

Disadvantages: a little pricey

I was at Mundomar, Benidorm on Sunday. We were in Spain with my parents so I took my dad for fathers day along with my three year old and my mum.
Mundomar is an animal park up on the hills on the outskirts of the bustling Benidorm. Benidorm itself seems to be surrounded by theme parks and Mundomar itself is indeed situated next door to Aqualandia water park.

Mundomar translates as Seaworld but there are other animals here too, lemurs, monkeys, parrots, tucans and bats for example as well as all the marine life. Most notoriously the dolphins, otters and sea lions.

On arrival there is a huge free car park which is used by both the vistors to Aqualandia and the visitors to Mundomar. They are very much 'sister' parks with reduced entry if visiting both parks.

Knowing that the park opened at 10am we were there nice and early as we wanted to make a full day of it.
Entry on the day was advertised as 22euro adult and 17euro children but I have seen so many different prices advertised on various websites that it is worth checking this out before travelling. Personally I bought a voucher from Ebay which got us in at 8euro per adult and 5euro per child (Massive saving). I believe that these vouchers are given out in the 'sister' parks as we were given reduced price entry coupons for Aqualandia next door.

As I said we arrived at 10am and it was very quiet and I was a little worried that perhaps the shows wouldnt be on as there were not many visitors. The shops and restaurants were also shut so we decided to have a quick walk around and familiarise ourselves as to where the shows were going to be held.

As you walk through the gates there are WC conveniently located and they were clean enough (I do find this important when out and about with small children). Then its straight on to the turtles, flamincos.
We were almost straight away accosted by two guys dressed as a parrot and a sea lion and realised that they were closely followed by a photographer. You will need to be prepared for this as these photographers are everywhere - They must take thousands of photos a day in the hope that you will buy them on your way out.

The park is all uphill, so be aware if travelling with small children or indeed elders lol. It really isnt that big at all when you get your bearings.

We then came along the sea lion feeding session - here I was suprised to see that a 'kiosk' opened selling small dead fish for 1 euro for about 11 fish that you threw in and fed them yourself! i was expecting a 'feeding show' type thing. I wasnt keen, but my three year old had a go!

By lunchtime the shops, restaurants and kiosks all came to life and it began to look alot busier and began to ressemble a holiday park and I felt more reassured that we hadnt had a wasted journey.

The main attractions / shows are by far the dolphin shows, sealion shows and parrot shows and these are repeated 2 / 3 times a day so youll be sure to catch at least one of each.

By far the show-stopper is the aprox 40 minute dolphin show with synchronised swimmers. (wow what a job in a million!)
Before the show there is the opportunity to don the wellies and have a photo taken with a dolphin.
Then the fun starts and it is amazing just how clever these mammals are!
The stunning synchronised swimming girls compliment them fantastically and we were all mesmerised ! There is audience participation with clapping and cheering, ooing and ahhing and also some children that were picked to go in a boat and be pulled by a dolphin! It is truly jaw dropping and I would recommend to all ages.

The sea lion show was the next crowd puller. Here the same sort of thing - photo with the animals followed by a show.

The parrot show also seemed popular, it is located next to the fast food restaurant and here you can rest indoors at table and chairs and eat and watch parrots scooting about on skateboards and cycling!

All shows were in Spanish and also translated into English albeit a little difficult to understand at times.

Halfway up the Park there is an excellent play ground area for the children with bridges and slides and tunnels. I had difficulty dragging my three year old away from here!

A good day over we made our way to the exit through the expensive souvenir shop and to the photos.
The photos are all developed and up for your perusal which I was suprised to see. The photos with the walking 'characters' were 3euro and I was pleasantly suprised but as you walk around to thed dolphin photos these are an inflated 10euro!
You are not pushed into anything though and for free you can have the opportunity to touch a dolphin, but be warned that you will find it hard to resist buying the photos afterwards!

All in all a great day out enjoyed by all ages. At full price I think that this is a little expensive so be sure to plan your trip here and look out for an offer or indeed pre book your tickets. The restaurants are expensive but the food available extensive and the souvenirs are expensive tat but no different to most theme parks.

Summary: If youre within an hour of Benidorm, spare a day for Mundomar!