The National Aquarium of Cuba is a scientific center specialized in research, environmental education and dissemination of the marine environment, flora, fauna and ecology and is visited by many people. Its main objective is to raise the culture and education about the care, conservation and rational use of the sea, coasts and marine resources. The National Aquarium, open to the public since January 23, 1960, is located on First Avenue and 60th Street, in the Miramar area, in the capital's Playa municipality.

At the beginning there were only 13 small fish tanks that gave the first visitors to what would later become the National Aquarium the chance to see and interact with live fish and marine invertebrates.  As time went by, the fish tanks and ponds began to increase, achieving larger capacities and thus a better exhibition of the tropical marine flora and fauna. In 1985 didactic and recreational demonstrations began with Diana and Ciclón, two bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus. This allowed the realization of interactive programs with dolphins, including an aquatic ballet with these mammals, which was selected as the best contribution of that year at international level in this activity. Another exhibition area of the Aquarium is the Lobario, where sea lion demonstrations are held. The Dolphinarium has a capacity for 1,200 spectators. The National Aquarium also has a suggestive restaurant where diners can enjoy a meal and at the same time see multiple species of marine fauna through glasses.