Even beach-lovers are skipping the sand in favor of all the new poolside water parks…
Nickelodeon Riviera Maya
Aqua Nick at Summit Mountain is a (huge!) six acre waterpark, featuring both lazy and adventure rivers in addition to water playgrounds, sandy beaches, 7 water slides for both single and double riders, and an on-site restaurant (included, natch) to help keep you fueled for more water fun. Admission is included for all guests of Check PricesNickelodeon Riviera Maya.
Related:[NEW] Nickelodeon Riviera Maya is Incredible!
Moon Palace Cancun, Mexico
If you love to surf, or if you or your kids want to learn how to surf, you’ll find a perfect endless wave at the all-inclusive Check PricesMoon Palace Cancun. This is all thanks to FlowRider (not to be confused with American rapper Flo Rida, no relation), a pool-based system that pumps thousands of gallons of water over a riding surface, allowing you to surf non-stop on an unbroken wave. Children and adults can both have a go, with bodyboards available for kids who are not quite ready to stand on a surfboard. Wear a tight swim suit. That water is very strong
Hard Rock Hotels – Riviera Maya, MX and Punta Cana, DR
Check PricesHard Rock Hotels are well-known for offering outstanding activities for all ages, and with the added benefit of complimentary access to Rockaway Bay Water Park (at BOTH the Check PricesHard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya and Check PricesHard Rock Hotel Punta Cana), those who love the adrenaline rush and splashdown of a great waterslide will find even more to love about these terrific all-inclusive resorts…..Each Rockaway Bay features 23 slides: eight are designed for kids who stand at least 3’5″ tall, nine are designed for older kids and teens, and six heart-pounding, high-speed slides are for the bravest teens and adults. There’s also splash pools for the littlest guests and an on-site snack bar to keep you fueled up and having fun!
Beaches, Providenciales Turks & Caicos
It seems somehow ironic for an all-inclusive resort in a British Overseas Territory to have its own “Pirates Island”. But you won’t find any rum-fueled bar brawls at this Check PricesBeaches Turks & Caicos waterpark, as it’s very much for families — and especially for kids. Set around a huge pirate ship, the waterpark includes a 650-foot lazy river, water cannons, three huge waterslides (and eight smaller slides), swim-up soda bars, and the SurfStream surf simulator, supposedly the only one of its kind in the Caribbean.
Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas
Atlantis Paradise Island has featured in a few of our articles, including as an all-inclusive for celebrity spotting and a resort for watching major international music concerts. It also happens to be — with not a hint of exaggeration — a veritable water wonderland. The massive resort-based Aquaventure waterpark includes 20 distinct swimming areas for families, kids, and one for adults only. You’ll also find a lazy river; a mile-long series of inner-tube traversed rapids; a 120-foot tall tower slide; a 200-foot body-slide; and various other water slides, towers and forts for all ages. And when all that water wears you out, you can go relax on one of Atlantis’ three white-sand beaches.
Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa, Montego Bay, Jamaica
The Check PricesHilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa is located in an 18th-century tropical estate with historic ruins and a beautiful private beach. “But what about the waterpark?” I hear you cry. Well, get this: Rose Hall Resort owns and operates the Sugar Mill Falls Water Park, the second-largest water complex in the Caribbean — and it’s all included for guests. With artificial lagoons, three terraced pools, cascading waterfalls, a 280-foot slide, and a lazy river, this waterpark is perfect for all the family — even teens who claim to hate family vacations will be tempted by this all-inclusive.
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa, Saint Lucia
The Check PricesCoconut Bay Resort & Spa is home to CocoLand, the largest waterpark in Saint Lucia. CocoLand has been designed with both kids and adults in mind, so the whole family can enjoy the water park together. You can gently float down the 1,500-foot lazy river, or propel yourself down the super-fast and fully-enclosed Coconut Canon waterslide. For twists and turns, head to the Coconut Coaster for a splash-down in a plunge pool. For your littluns, there’s a zero-depth aquatic playground with spraying fountains, misting jets, water cannons, and geysers.
Royalton Splash, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
If sipping a piña colada at a swim-up bar while watching your kids have fun on the waterslides sounds like a good holiday, you’ll enjoy the affordable and family-friendly Check PricesRoyalton Splash Punta Cana (formerly the Grand Memories Splash). Here you and your older kids (10 years and up) can bomb down seven large waterslides with names like Black Hole, Space Bowl and Kamikaze, the latter featuring a 15.2-meter vertical drop. Smaller children have seven of their own slides to choose from, including introductory slides for slightly fearful first-timers. Guests can also take part in some in-pool introductory scuba lessons, all included.
Wyndham Alltra, Cancun, Mexico
Thanks to Jack Sparrow and crew, pirates haven’t been this popular since Treasure Island was first published back in the early 1880s. And if your kids are pirate fans, they’ll love the Check PricesWyndham Alltra Cancun (formerly Panama Jack Resorts Cancun Resort), home to Camp Jack and the Pirate Splash Park. This family-friendly waterpark has a pirate ship and medieval castle and a playful pirate atmosphere throughout. Pirate Splash Park has 7 waterslides, 2 splash zones and a family pool. All good fun in the Mexican sun….arrrrggh.
Riu Ocho Rios, Jamaica
Check PricesRiu Ocho Rios made some extensive renovations and opened the first water park in Jamaica called Splash Water World. And that’s good news for kids (and parents). This addition, which is in the new area of the resort, makes RIU Ocho Rios better than ever for families (and good news for local tourism, too). You don’t have to be a little kiddo to enjoy the slides and splash around – they have an area for older kids and adults, too. However, if a water park isn’t your thing, you’ll be happy to know they’ve redesigned their pools and now have a total of five (two of these have swim-up bars).
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Located in the midst of lush mangrove jungle, this all-ages eco-friendly park is built into the landscape in a way that doesn’t impact the natural environment. It’s also one of (if not the) biggest water parks in Playa del Carmen. Open to guests of Check PricesSandos Caracol Eco Resort, as well as guests of sister Sandos properties in the area, and visitors who purchase day passes. With 29 slides suitable for a whole range of ages, an impressive 17 are appropriate for those under 3’7″. For those at or above that height, there are 12 more, seven of which can be enjoyed by those 4’7″ and up.
Any of these all-inclusive resorts are sure to please even the most discerning water park lovers, no matter your age.