The Dallas World Aquarium is actually much more than an aquarium though it’s name suggests differently. It houses a variety of animals-mostly those from tropical areas of the world- in their natural habitat in a series of specially designed eco-systems. This makes the visitors feel as if they are walking around the world as they experience the different plant life and climate of various locations from all over the globe.

Visitors can usually choose their own path around the complex allowing them to spend more time on the animals that intrigue them the most. There are four main sections of the zoo each one representing a different eco-system. One represents the ocean and is a huge salt water aquarium, a rainforest, the South American Rainforest, a series of South African Biomes and the centerpiece is no doubt the Mundo Maya exhibit which shows the gradual progression of biomes from the Highland Rainforest to the sea of the Yucatan Gulf in Central America.

The two most interesting exhibits are the aquarium and the Mundo Maya complex though the other two are breathtaking as well. The aquarium represents the waters of four continents, three oceans and various seas; the aquarium gives a glimpse of the underwater world. The exhibit has more than 85,000 gallons (321,800 l) of saltwater with marine life from around the world. Tourists can walk through the 22,000-gallon (83,280 l) tunnel to experience a panoramic view of reef life. Many animals found at the top of the food chain can be seen in the Predators exhibit. Ten 2,000-gallon (7,571 l) displays present marine life from around the world - Palau, Southern Australia, Lord Howe Island, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Bahamas, British Columbia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Japan.

Mundo Maya is an eight-story, immersion exhibit that takes visitors from the waters of the Yucatan's gulf coast to the highland rainforests. This great culture believed that nature did not need to be conquered or subdued. Many plants and animals were given important roles in their daily lives. The land of the ancient Maya included the countries of modern day Belize and Guatemala, the western parts of Honduras and El Salvador, and five Mexican states (Yucatan, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Campeche and Chiapas).

There are of course many Dallas hotels that offer access to sights and sounds of the city and are conveniently located. The decision making factor for a tourist when staying at a hotel in Dallas would be the price, cheaper accommodation is available at a number of motels and lodges while, some star class hotels offer guests and especially business travelers with many facilities.