5 incredible water parks in the tropics
Whether you’re a kid or a kid at heart, heading to a water park is a great way to enjoy a day of fun in the sun! From water slides that take you through a shark-filled tunnel to sprawling wave pools and kid-friendly splash pads, we rounded up some of the coolest water parks in paradise. Read on and get inspired for your next vacation.
Spanning over 141 acres, there’s plenty of fun to be had at the Aquaventure water park at the Atlantis Complex in Nassau with eight daring slides, a mile-long lazy river and 11 pools! Take a thrilling ride on the Leap of Faith, where you’ll drop 60 feet from the top of the park’s Mayan temple or Abyss, which starts with a 50-foot drop through complete darkness and ends in an underwater lagoon. The Serpent Slide is one of the park’s signature water slides, where you’ll wind through the inside of the Mayan temple before floating through a clear tunnel in the middle of a shark-filled lagoon!
At Royalton Splash Punta Cana Resort and Spa, one of the biggest resort water parks in the Caribbean is just steps from your front door! You can enjoy unlimited access to the water park throughout your stay at this luxury resort, located just a short walk from the shores of Bavaro Beach, one of Punta Cana’s most famous shores. Try out one of the seven monster slides, body surf in the wave pool or race your family and friends down the multi-lane slide. There’s even a splash pad for younger kids with mini slides!
Choose from over 29 thrilling water slides at Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Riviera Maya! The on-site Aqua Park is split into three different sections for all age groups, with attractions ranging from mini slides for the youngest members of the family to towering slides for the daredevils of the group. Try out Aquatubo, the park’s longest slide with multiple twists and turns or Tornado, perfect for those with a need for speed!
When you stay at one of the hotels within the Riu Punta Cana Complex in the Dominican Republic (including Riu Bambu, Riu Palace Punta Cana, Riu Palace Bavaro, Riu Naiboa and Riu Palace Macao), you can enjoy free unlimited access to Splash Water World water park! Test out exciting slides like the Body Vortex, which will shoot you towards the pool at lightning speed and the Aquaracer, a four-lane slide that you can race down.
Universal Orlando™ might be famous for its rollercoasters and character rides – but it also happens to be home to an amazing water park! Universal’s Volcano Bay™ Water Theme Park in Orlando features attractions for both kids and kids at heart across 25 acres. Head to the top of the Krakatau Volcano to ride down the Ko’okiri Body Plunge, which at over 125 feet is the tallest body slide in the United States! Make sure to also try out the Krakatau Aqua Coaster, a hybrid between a water slide and a roller coaster. Plus, you can virtually wait in line with the park’s waterproof wristbands.