Mexico has long been a popular travel destination -- approximately 44.8 million visitors are expected to visit in 2019, a 5.6 percent increase from 2018. Yes, many of those travelers are couples seeking a romantic beach getaway, but thanks to affordable flights and all-inclusive resorts, families are drawn here, too. With that in mind, we thought it was wise to put together a list of top Mexico hotels with one of the most coveted amenity for families: water parks.
1. Sandos Caracol Eco Resort, Playa del Carmen
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Playa del Carmen takes the cake for having one of the most expansive water parks of all the hotels in Mexico. The water park started off small with just a splash area for kids, but has since grown to include 29 water slides. The water park has different areas for different age groups, such as a small water play area for toddlers and large looping slides for older children and adults. There are lots of spraying fountains and fun tree and fish statues. Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa is also known as a family-friendly eco getaway with kids’ and baby clubs, eco tours in the surrounding area, and a high-end spa for parents.
2. All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Waterpark
All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Waterpark has an impressive water park. It’s designed as a colorful tree house with four waterfalls, water umbrellas, large water buckets, and serpentine tube slides. There’s a smaller splash pool for toddlers and babies, plus a swim-up bar where parents can watch their kids have a blast at the water park while enjoying a cold drink in their hand. The water park is free to guests, though travelers from other resorts are allowed to enjoy the park for a fee. All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Waterpark is very attractive to families for more than just its water park. It’s northern Cancun location means it’s removed from the parties, and it’s pretty affordable.
3. Allegro Cozumel
Situated on one of Cozumel’s most beautiful beaches is Allegro Cozumel, a family-friendly resort with a fun pirate-themed water park. The water park sits in a shallow pool of water and has two slides and a playground with a pirate head. Though Allegro Cozumel has a water park and children’s play areas, it’s most well-known as a mid-range diver’s destination with a laid-back atmosphere and outdoor amenities like kayaking, snorkeling, and windsurfing.
4. Gran Festivall All Inclusive Resort, Manzanillo
This all-inclusive resort was designed with kids in mind. First, there’s the waterpark: You’ll find a pool with a pirate ship and small slides as well as a pool with four longer slides. Aside from the water activities, there are courts and fields for various sports, archery, paintball, and a zip-line. For teens and young adults, there’s a nightclub. Adults can partake in some of these more rambunctious activities, or they can lounge in the adult-only solarium or indulge at the spa.
5. The Grand Mayan at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta
The pool complex is the main draw to this resort (though the pristine beach, world-class golf course, and beautiful spa are great, too). There’s a large main pool for those looking for a traditional splash, but there’s also a kid-friendly water park, a Mayan-ruin-themed waterslide, a wave pool, and a lazy river. It’s plenty of fun for the entire family on the west coast of Mexico — an area not highly represented in this list.
6. Moon Palace Cancun
The Sunrise kids club at the Moon Palace Golf & Spa Resort in Cancun is a dream for many younger travelers — it’s one of the best we’ve ever seen. Inside, it has a mini racetrack, a beauty salon/runway room for fashion shows, an art room, and an arcade, among many other amenities just for the kids. Outside, there’s also a kids water park with large slides and a Flowrider machine (adults can indulge at the latter, too).
7. Grand Bahia Principe Coba
Kids will likely enjoy the water park at Grand Bahia Principe Coba, located between Akumal Beach and Tulum. This lagoon-like water park is made up of what looks like large boulders and funky houses. Multiple water slides cascade down the park into the shallow water toward colorful statues of sharks, elephants, and frogs. The water park is just one of many family perks at this resort. Others include family rooms, welcome baskets for kids, and a kids’ club. If parents need a night or day off to enjoy the resort’s casino, spa, or nightclub, there is a babysitter service.
8. Panama Jack Resorts Cancun
A Cancun hotel favorite with a water park is Panama Jack Resorts Cancun. Like Allegro Cozumel, it, too, has a pirate-themed water park, though it’s far more structurally similar to a real ship. Waterslides can also be found here. It’s perfect for younger children. This large, upscale resort draws a lot of families with the water park and kids’ clubs, though it’s also a hit with partiers for its decent price range, rooms with balconies, and entertainment on the beach and by the pool.
9. Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo
Like many other resorts in Mexico, the colonial-style Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo has a pirate ship-themed water park with waterslides and water buckets. There are a few extras to their water park, like a wave pool and a lazy river. Beyond the water park, the property has a private beach on Playa del Carmen, kids’ clubs, free shuttle to sister properties with free access to their amenities, water sport activities, and multiple dining options.
10. Crown Paradise Club Cancun
Crown Paradise Club Cancun has two water park sections in the hotel. For the older kids and young adults, there’s the water park adventure area which has two large serpentine water slides that land in a medium-sized pool. This area is also home to a rock climbing wall and zip-lines. The other water park is for younger children and has a pirate ship and medieval castle theme. If all that isn’t enough to entice a family to stay here, they have a teens’ club, a college-age bar, multiple pools, and family rooms with ocean views and bunk beds.
11. Barcelo Maya Colonial, Puerto Aventuras
Like at some other Mexico resorts, the pool is the star of the show at the Barcelo Maya Colonial. The main pool has two swim-up bars for the adults, but kids can enjoy the kiddy pool and water park with multiple slides. Just off the kiddy pool is an area with hammocks that are perfect for a mid-afternoon snooze. Guests at this hotel can visit the neighboring sister property, Barcelo Maya Palace, and use its amenities.
12. Royal Solaris Cancun
Families on a budget with young children should consider Royal Solaris Cancun. The water park is designed to represent Noah’s Ark. The shallow pool is filled with an ark, slides, and lots of large animal statues. The hotel has a kids’ club and a family-friendly meal plan (which includes a free meal at Señor Frogs). Sure, the rooms feel a bit tired and it’s often crowded, but the hotel caters exclusively to families and it comes without the party vibe that Cancun is known for.
13. Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort
Set along a white-sand beach, a half-hour drive from Cancun, Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort is a family-friendly all-inclusive with ample amenities to keep the kids happy. In addition to an elegant spa, modern gym, and live performances, and a golf course, the property houses multiple pools — two infinity pools, six whirlpools, and a water park. A lazy river is a nice addition. Rooms — some of which offer swim-out access or have private pools — are spacious, meaning there’s enough space for the family to spread out.
14. Hotel Xcaret Mexico, Playa del Carmen
Although this massive 900-room all-inclusive doesn’t have a water park on the grounds itself, guests can take a shuttle to the surrounding parks (free for hotel guests), including Xcaret eco-park, which is home to a fantastic water park. The upscale resort largely appeals to families and couples, thanks to its plethora of on-site features, including several pools, 10 restaurants, eight bars, a kids’ club, and swish spa. The beach with loungers is lovely, as are the rooms with furnished terraces equipped with hammocks.
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