Kid-friendly water parks have become fairly ubiquitous in the Caribbean, from resorts with "lazy-river" pool areas with water slides to full-blown, amusement-park style attractions with multiple slides, wave pools, and more. Jamaica may be the king of water parks in the Caribbean, boasting at least five major attractions guaranteed to keep you wet and happy.
Jamaica's newest water park, located in Negril, has 10 water slides -- some up to 40 feet high -- as well as a children's play area, lazy river with waterfalls, three restaurants, a juice bar and a sports bar. Unlike some others, which are open only to resort guests, the freestanding Kool Runnings can be enjoyed by anyone willing to pay the $28 adult/$19 children admission fee (there's also an after-4 p.m. weekday "Twilight Special" where all admissions are $14).
Opening in July at the Beaches Boscabel Resort & Golf Club in Ocho Rios, Pirate's Island represents a major expansion of the all-inclusive resort's water park, adding a kid's area with six slides and a tube slide, body slide, and speed slide in the teen/adult area. Park admission is included with a stay at the all-inclusive Beaches resort.
As the name implies, this waterpark centers on a 60-foot lighthouse that houses a pair of water slides. An enclosed slide ends in the park's swimming pool, while the open one deposits riders in the Caribbean Sea. The lighthouse is the latest addition to the water park at the Sunset Jamaica Grande, an all-inclusive resort on the beach in Ocho Rios. Other park features include five pools with waterfalls, outdoor jacuzzis, a rope bridge, and a video arcade.
Opened in 2006, the Pirate's Paradise Water Park is located at the Sunset Beach Resort & Spa in Montego Bay. Highlights include Blackbeard's Lazy River, the 40-foot-high Pirate's Plank Bridge, a pair of 40-foot-high water slides, and a splashy kid's Pirate Ship. Both the resort's kids' club and teen center are located adjacent to the water park.
The Rose Hall Resort & Country Club in Montego Bay boasts a 280-foot-long water slide, lazy river, a trio of pools with waterfalls, and "dive-in" movies -- all part of the Sugar Mill Falls water park. Resort guests also can enjoy live music daily, spa tubs, swim-up bars, and poolside concierge service.
