Imagine kicking back for a leisurely afternoon on the beach or by the pool with a steady flow of food and drinks coming your way, all included in the rates. Meanwhile, the kids are having the time of their life with no time limits going down slides and splashing around. That’s what you get when you book at one of the all inclusive resorts with a waterpark in Mexico.
Under an all-inclusive plan, nearly everything is included in the rates you see up front, from free wi-fi to free-flowing drinks to watersports. For the resorts here, there’s a water park in the mix as well. This list starts with Cancun and the Riviera Maya, the most popular area of Mexico for family vacations, the region with the most choices when it comes to resorts that have their own water park. It then makes its way across the country to the other coast with resorts in Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos.
Sandos Caracol Eco Resort
The Sandos Caracol Eco Resort in Playa Del Carmen hosts the largest waterpark on this list, with nearly 30 water slides for a large age range included in the all-inclusive plan. While a lot of these spots are more known to accommodate younger children, this option has slides of all different shapes and sizes for kids and adults alike, with seven large slides big enough for adults. A splash pad, spraying fountain play area, and more are still present for little guests.
The room choices here are extensive and for families there are family rooms with bunk beds, an eco family penthouse with bunks in a separate living room, and suites with a balcony. Check rates online here.
All Ritmo Cancun Resort & Water Park
The treehouse-themed water park at All Ritmo Cancun is bursting with color, adorned with waterfalls, slides, water buckets, and even a smaller splash pool for smaller kids. This spot also has a swim-up bar for adults, and non-hotel guests can even access the waterpark for a small fee.
This is classified as an “aparthotel,” with rooms that are a bit larger than the norm: the smallest standard is 517 square feet. See more info and rates here.
Allegro Cozumel
This pirate-themed water park consists of a large splash pad with slides, water features, and a splash zone in a shallow pool. While the water park itself is smaller and more contained than some others on this list, Allegro Cozumel has other excursions available from snorkeling to kayaking.
Cozumel is also a top spot for diving and snorkeling, plus you can reach downtown Playa del Carmen on a ferry. Book direct with Barcelo and get a 5% discount through us.
Grand Bahia Principe Coba
The Grand Bahia Principe Coba between Tulum and Akumal Beach has a lagoon-style water park with animal statues, slides, fountains, and bridges, offering an elaborate area for younger kids to explore. This is a super kid-friendly resort with accommodations for parents as well as experiences for younger ones.
This is one of the original sprawling mega-resorts in the Riviera Maya, with 1,080 rooms to pick from across the massive complex. Assume you’ll be hopping in a golf cart a fair bit and be sure you’ve got everything you need before heading to the beach. As you can see from the shot above, it’s a long way from the pool complex to the ocean. See more info and make a booking here.
Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya
While some of the waterparks listed in this article are meant for the youngsters, the one at Hard Rock Riviera Maya is great for a family vacation with kids of different ages, with some serious slides that will make even the heartiest adventurer feel a pang of fear at the top. There are two giant towers where you climb up several floors before starting, with ample time to pick up some speed.
There is another area at a smaller scale for young children though, so all ages can find their right waterslide here. Then when night comes, there are plenty of stylish bar areas to enjoy and of course there’s going to be live entertainment. See more information here.
Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo
Iberostar Selection Paraiso Lindo in Playa Del Carmen is on the larger end of the options, with a wave pool, lazy river, waterslides, and even its very own pirate ship. You can also explore the sister properties’ water attractions at this spot, expanding upon the already action-packed water park.
Just north of the white-sand beaches of Playa Maroma north of Playa del Carmen, this resort has a beautiful stretch of Caribbean Sea in front of it and a nice beach. With five restaurants, six swimming pools, tennis courts, and access to a nearby golf course, there’s plenty to do at this all-inclusive resort in Mexico. Check rates online at Expedia.
Crown Paradise Club Cancun
The two separate water park areas at the Crown Paradise Club in Cancun offer slides, pools, and even rock climbing and ziplines, giving this location some variation from the others. The 2 sections are focused on older guests and families versus younger children, offering fun activities and attractions for any age. There’s also a basketball court and tennis court.
The regular pool is unimpressive compared to that of its neighbors, but thankfully this resort has the whole Cancun beach in front of it, with its gorgeous Caribbean water. There are more than 600 rooms to choose from, including family rooms and suites with bunkbeds for the kids. There are ample restaurant choices for enjoying this all-inclusive resort with a waterpark. See more details here.
Hotel Xcaret Mexico
This Playa del Carmen location is massive, and while there isn’t an exclusive on-site water park, the surrounding theme parks are free for hotel guests, and therefore a big draw for the resort. Xcaret Eco Park is a natural family park with opportunities to swim with fish and sharks, explore trails and caverns, and learn about the local wildlife. While this spot isn’t a traditional water park with manmade slides and splash pads, this famous spot offers something different, and the opportunity to explore the natural resources of the area.
Any stay at Xcaret includes entrance to their parks and the resort has its own buses to get you there so the family can splash around. See more about Hotel Xcaret and more adult-oriented sister property Xcaret Arte at Hotels.com.
Wyndham Alltra Cancun
This resort’s water park is noted as a kids club, fit with slides, a splash park, and other activities, both inside the resort and out in the sun. There’s a giant pirate ship with cannons and slides among its sails, a kids’ pool, and even bigger slides for the adults.
What is now Wyndham Alltra Cancun has changed names several times now. It used to be Panama Jack Resorts Cancun for a few years and before that it was Grand Caribe Resort, so don’t be surprised if your taxi driver seems confused. This popular beachside spot generally has reasonable rates and lots of entertainment, both on and off the sand.
There are 458 rooms to choose from here, including some family junior suites with a sofa bed, so you’ve got plenty of options for accommodations. This is a good choice if you have some Wyndham Rewards points to use up or you can take advantage of their frequent promotions where they offer extra point-earning opportunities for stays of more than three nights. Book direct with Wyndham here.
Dreams Natura Resort and Spa
Dreams Natura Resort and Spa located in Riviera Maya features a water park with various water slides, splash areas, and a lazy river, providing entertainment and fun for resort guests. There’s even a zipline here and the spa is in an artificial cave. You’ll also find a fitness center and water sports to enjoy
The parent company of Dreams, which also includes Beaches and others, got bought by Hyatt recently, so you can use or earn Hyatt points by staying at this family-friendly resort with a waterpark. This spacious resort in a shallow U shape looks new and contemporary and the facilities are top-notch, with attractive restaurants, bars, and a game room. See more info here.
Dreams Sapphire Resort and Spa
From 3 oversized, seasonally heated pools to a family water park, Dreams Sapphire Resort in Cancun is a lovely spot with loads of activities for kids and adults. As far as water attractions go, there are tube slides, an open drop slide, and a colorful little kids club splash pad.
There are plenty of restaurant options here with a variety of cuisines for the whole family and a few well-placed bars to pick from. As you’d guess by the name, there’s a full spa here too and that’s one of the few things not included on the all-inclusive plan. The resort is only 20 minutes away from the Cancun airport. Check rates and book a stay at Dreams Sapphire.
Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf and Spa Resort
Decked with 2 infinity pools, whirlpools, a lazy river, and a waterpark with giant slides, this Playa Mujeres resort known for its spa has loads of amenities. Some rooms have direct swim access to the pools, or even private pools, so this water oasis really goes above and beyond.
Be advised that Playa Mujeres is a purpose-built hotel zone well north of Cancun, with very little else around, so choose to be here if you just plan on flying in, spending your vacation at a resort, and flying out. There’s plenty to keep you entertained though, with a golf course and full spa, plus you don’t have to worry about running up a bill since this waterpark resort is all-inclusive. Most of the 502 guest rooms have family-friendly layouts. See the details here.
Paradisus Playa Del Carmen
This resort is ultra-kid-friendly, with an entire list on the website of activities and offerings available, from piñata crafts to treasure hunts and of course the hotel’s water park. There’s a large pirate rainforest-themed pad with various slides and sprinklers and multiple pools across the property.
Rooms here are larger than the norm and most have some kind of sofa bed or additional bed for the kids. With five outdoor pools and more than a dozen restaurants, there’s plenty to keep you occupied on a full vacation. See more information and rates here.
Moon Palace The Grand
The Grand at Moon Palace Water Park is a family-friendly water park located within the large Moon Palace resort complex. The water park offers various water slides, splash areas, lazy rivers, and other exciting water attractions.
Parents won’t have to go far for a drink: there are full bottles of liquor in the rooms and bars scattered all over the area. There are 12 dining options, a gym, a golf course, and a staggering 1,304 rooms to pick from. See more info and check prices for Moon Palace The Grand Cancun.
Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya
Aqua Nick is a water park specifically designed with Nickelodeon-themed attractions and experiences within the Nickelodeon Resort in the Riviera Maya. The water park offers a variety of slides, splash pads, lazy rivers, and other interactive water features inspired by Nickelodeon characters and shows.
Guests can enjoy activities such as slime-themed slides, water cannons, and even character meet and greets. There are oceanfront and poolside suites here, plus “The Big Kahuna” if you really want to splash out. Check rates for your dates.
Azul Ixtapa Resort
Azul Ixtapa Resort’s tropical paradise is a colorful splash area with fountains, slides, and a giant octopus figure to top it off. It’s geared more to little tykes than older teens, but there are plenty of regular pool areas for all ages. The grotto style of this water park (with swim-up bar) is an interesting touch and encourages exploration and fun for kids and families alike.
Ocean views from the rooms are terrific here, especially at sunset, and since the resort gets far more domestic tourists than international ones, all-inclusive rates are usually a great value. See our full review of Azul Ixtapa from a few years ago and check prices here.
The Grand Mayan at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta
Known as the main draw to this popular resort, The Grand Mayan at Vidanta Nuevo Vallarta hosts a luscious greenery-surrounded Mayan-ruin themed slide, a wave pool and lazy river, and of course a classic pool for lounging. This is a great west-coast option since there’s plenty of great flight connectivity from the western states of the USA and western provinces of Canada.
There is also an expansion currently in development called VidantaWorld, a water theme park with elaborate attractions and environments in the works, plus a golf course. Vidanta is really a time-share company at heart, so you might be able to get in via membership in RCI or other organizations.
Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort and Spa
The Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort and Spa in Riviera Nayarit hosts several pools for guests to enjoy, from a large main pool where guests can relax or soak up the sun, to other smaller pools throughout the resort, providing options for guests to cool off and enjoy the water.
Within the artificial rock formations are slides, animal fountains, and places to swim. The water park area is geared more to small kids than older ones, but there is a good slide and this resort has plenty of other places to swim, including a closed-off section of the ocean area out front. See rates here.
Royal Solaris Los Cabos
This spot has a pretty large kids waterpark, complete with racing slides, multiple pool and splash areas, and even accompanying playgrounds on land. Whether kids are looking to tackle the bigger slides or just splash in the shallow waters, the world is their oyster.
This being Los Cabos, the beach out front is better for strolling than swimming, with big waves breaking on the shore, so keep the kids at the pool and waterpark so you don’t have to keep an eye on them. Rates here are often more reasonable than at other Los Cabos resorts geared to adults, plus many rooms have two beds for families. Check rates for your dates here.
Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos
This playground for all ages pictured at the top of this post has a massive swimming pool complex and one section of it has a large waterpark with long coiling slides that offer plenty of thrills. There’s also a kids’ club on site with supervised activities and the hotel has family rooms and multi-bedroom suites. Adults will be happy with the rocking bars, evening entertainment, and 24-hour room service. Book a stay here.
What did we miss? Have you stayed at any other all inclusive resorts with a waterpark in Mexico?
Resort waterparks round-up by editor Tim Leffel, who is based in Mexico. All photos courtesy of the respective resorts.
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Wow I didn’t realize there were so many of these! Making some winter plans for next year now.