The Interactive Aquarium (La Isla Shopping Village, Blvd. Kukulcán Km. 12.5, tel. 998/883-0411, www.interactivedolphins.com, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily, US$10) has a disappointingly small display of fish and other sea creatures, but its raison d’être are the interactive dolphin and shark exhibits.

Dolphin programs range from petting and receiving a “kiss” from them to getting a “foot push” (US$85–135, 30–55 minutes); a Trainer for the Day program (US$250) also is available. Shark interactions involve climbing into an acrylic booth and being lowered into the aquarium’s huge shark tank to feed bull, brown, and nurse sharks from small slots (US$60 one person, US$100 two, US$120 three; 30 minutes). Admission to the aquarium is included in the cost of both programs.

Located within Wet n’ Wild water park, Dolphinaris Cancún (Blvd. Kukulcán Km. 23, tel. 998/881-3000, toll-free Mex. tel. 800/365-7446, www.dolphinaris.com) offers dolphin interaction programs that include petting, “handshaking,” and receiving a “kiss” from dolphins (US$79, 1 hour), swimming with them (US$99, 1 hour), and getting a foot push (US$135, 1 hour). For those toying with the idea of working with dolphins, visitors also can help out as Trainers for the Day (US$200, 8 hours). All participants enjoy a full day, all-inclusive pass to Wet n’ Wild.

Delphinus Dreams Cancún (Dreams Cancún Resort, Blvd. Kukulcán Km. 7.5, tel. 998/206-3304, toll-free Mex. tel. 800/335-3461, www.delphinus.com.mx) offers similar dolphin interaction programs in a group setting (US$159, 50 minutes) as well as one-on-one (US$499, 1 hour). Trainer for the Day programs (US$200, 8.5 hours) are offered, too.