Fun in the sun is the goal of a tropical vacation! But when you have little ones who may not be ready for the voracious waves of the ocean, choosing a resort with a fantastic waterpark can add so much more to your family holiday. And for those who are looking for more adventurous water exploits, waterparks can offer adrenaline-inducing thrills over and over!
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in the Riviera Maya, Mexico offers a great family vacation full of ancient Mayan history, culture, and natural cenotes in an eco jungle park with the large waterslides of Aqua Park. The Aqua Park includes a total of 29 waterslides for your enjoyment with both medium-sized and big slides, as well as a small kids area, so there is something for everyone of all ages. For a truly unique perspective, snorkel through the clear waters of the cenotes (freshwater caverns and pools) in the eco jungle at the resort. Staying at the Sandos Caracol Eco Resort gives you complimentary access to the Aqua Park included in your stay.
Photo credit: Barcelo Hotel Group
Barcelo Maya Grand Resort
The Barcelo Maya Grand Resort in Riviera Maya, Mexico is a grand resort of epic proportions as it offers stay-at-one, play-at-four resorts, all onsite in the same area. With access to four resorts during your vacation, there is something for everyone with activities to suit all guests. Between the Caribe and Tropical Resorts, the Pirate’s Island Waterpark is a great place for kids ages 6 and above with waterslides, surfboards and a Flow Rider available. There is an additional cost to access the Pirates Island Waterpark.
Nickelodeon Punta Cana
It’s “Slime O’Clock” somewhere, and the slime is free flowing at the Nickelodeon Hotel & Resort Punta Canada! Aqua Nick is the perfect place to be for kids under the age of 12 for waterslides, splash pad, spray park and lazy river. Kids can spend all day at Aqua Nick, join their favourite Nickelodeon characters at Character Central, experience daily mass slimings or get messy with your very own sliming experience under the Slimulator!
Jewel Lagoon and Waterpark
An all-day waterpark adventure in Jamaica awaits at the Jewel Runaway Bay Beach & Golf Resort. The family-friendly waterparks offer zero entry lagoons with geysers and splash down pools for the little ones. With slides, lazy river rides and both speed slides and family rafting slides, the waterpark has something for everyone of all ages.
The Leap of Faith, 60-foot vertical drop into a shark-filled lagoon.
Aquaventure at Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas
The largest waterpark in the Caribbean and its non-stop waterpark fun will keep your kids busy with activities for all ages. There are zero entry pools, lazy river and a kids pool area for the little ones. For the older adventurous crowd, experience The Current for a thrilling rush of four-foot waves and rapids, underground tunnels in an inner tube water slide ride. The Power Tower has four adrenaline-inducing drop ride waterslides guaranteed to give you screaming fast thrills! Take a Leap of Faith and plunge 60 feet vertically into a shark-filled lagoon or challenge a friend to see who will reach the bottom first!
Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon
While most people think of theme parks like the Magic Kingdom and Epcot at Walt Disney World, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon are two waterparks onsite that guests can visit with a Park Hopper Plus ticket. Both waterparks include a variety of water attractions, with rides for young kids, family friendly rafting rides, lazy rivers, inner tube water rides, wave pools to thrilling, adventurous heart-pounding experiences! Themed after a one-time ski resort now turned into a slushy waterpark, Blizzard Beach boasts Mount Gushmore is home to one of the world’s tallest and fastest waterslides. At Typhoon Lagoon, an epic storm blew through the lands creating havoc, so the area is prime for a misadventure on an island that has been disrupted by storm so things are just “not quite right”. Either water park experience will provide a super fun water park day or break from the theme parks. With the waterpark access added to your tickets, you are permitted access to the same number of admission days as your tickets purchased. But if you want to visit for just one day, then you can always purchase a one-time ticket access to the waterpark.
Volcano Bay, Universal Studios Orlando
Over at Universal Studios Orlando, Volcano Bay is the third park onsite and the newest waterpark in the Orlando area that opened May 2017. Enjoy a tropical paradise experience with the warm waters heated by the lava below Krakatau volcano. The South Pacific Paradise islands of the Waturi come to life at Volcano Bay. No need to wait in line with their Tapu Tapu wearable wristbands that provide you with a virtual line so you don’t have to physically wait in line to experience their water rides!
