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six-flags-mexico top amusement parks latin america

The top 15 theme parks and water parks in Latin America

Take a closer look at the top attractions in South America and Central America

The attractions industry in Latin America is growing. The region is home to many theme parks, water parks and amusement parks, the most popular being Six Flags Mexico in Mexico City. Visitor numbers at the top 10 amusement parks in Latin America totalled more than 15 million in 2019. The top 10 water parks in Latin America attracted 10 million visitors.

The visitor numbers and ranking below come from the pre-pandemic TEA/AECOM Theme Index 2019, which can be downloaded here. The latest attendance figures from the TEA/AECOM Theme Index are for 2022, but the ranking remains the same as it was in 2019.

In our list of the top amusement parks and water parks in Latin America, we showcase the most popular attractions in the region. Narrowly missing out on a place in our top 15 are Hopi Hari in Brazil and Theme Park Xetulul in Guatemala, two parks that nonetheless enjoyed a successful season in 2019.

1 Six Flags Mexico, Mexico

six flags mexico top amusement parks latin america

Located in the Tlalpan forest and borough in Mexico City, the attraction is operated by Six Flags and is the top amusement park in Latin America by attendance. New additions include CraZanity, the world’s tallest pendulum ride. CraZanity features a record height of more than 50 metres and reaches speeds of more than 120 km/h.

Attractions at Six Flags Mexico also include Supergirl Sky Flight and X-Flight, as well as Wonder Woman Coaster. Supergirl Sky Flight is a swing tower ride, while X-Flight is a wing coaster. Both opened in 2015. Wonder Woman Coaster is a 4D free spin coaster. It opened in 2018.

Six Flags has reached a deal to merge with Cedar Fair. The combined company will look after 42 amusement parks and 9 resort properties across 17 US states, Canada and Mexico. This includes 27 amusement parks and 15 water parks.

Attendance 2019 – 2,803,000

Attendance 2022 – 1,727,000

2 Beto Carrero World, Brazil

beto carrero world

Beto Carrero World can be found in Penha, a municipality in Santa Catarina. It is the biggest amusement park in Latin America, with nine themed areas and more than 100 attractions, including thrill rides, coasters, family-friendly offerings and live shows.

Highlights include Castelo das Nações (Castle of Nations), a Disney-inspired castle. There’s also a zoo with more than 700 animals, a Ferris wheel, and character photo opportunities. In addition, Beto Carrero features a visitor train, cable railway, restaurants, cafés and shops.

In 2023, the first-ever Neft-themed land opened at Beto Carrero World. Nerf Mania is a 14,000-square-metre land offering family-friendly rides, a themed restaurant and a Nerf shop.

“This fully immersive experience really leans into the social, active play lifestyle that Nerf has been known for over its nearly 55-year history, all while encouraging friendly competition between family and friends,” said Matt Proulx, vice president of global experiences, partnerships and music at Hasbro.

“This marks the largest investment in Beto Carrero World’s history. It took us 31 years to reach this level of international entertainment standard,” said Alexandre Von Janke Murad, president of the theme park’s board.

Attendance 2019 – 2,241,000

Attendance 2022 – 2,327,000

3 Parque Xcaret, Mexico

xplor park grupo xcaret

Parque Xcaret continues to attract more visitors after the addition of another hotel in 2018. Owner Grupo Xcaret has a reputation for smart reinvestment. The company’s parks include Xplor, Xenotes, Xoximilco, Xenses, Xel-ha and Xavage. In 1984, Miguel Quintana Pali bought 12 acres in the Riviera Maya and transformed the land into Xcaret.

Xcaret, the original destination, boasts more than 40 attractions in the jungle, caves and underground rivers of Mexico. These include an aquarium and archaeological sites. Xel-ha, an eco-adventure water park, offers waterslides, snorkelling, and rope swings.

In addition to parks, the group has tours and activities to visit the ancient ruins of Chichén Itzá, Tulum and Cobá. Xcaret Parks and Tours, which combines archaeology, culture and ecology with entertainment, welcomed its 50 millionth visitor in 2019.

“We are proud to be considered the first and most important ecologically and socially sustainable tourism company in Mexico,” said Pali. He added that Xcaret “connects travellers to the spectacular and unique nature of our surroundings, and that will ultimately result in a better understanding of our heritage and culture”.

Grupo Xcaret is investing $400m over the next eight years. The tourism company has plans to build five hotels and two new theme parks. Xibalbáis a new attraction offering a tour of eight cenotes. The $50 million nature park is located in Valladolid, Yucatán.

“This is the biggest project that Grupo Xcaret has developed until now. It’s the most lavish, grandiose, the most beautiful,” said Pali.

Attendance 2019 – 1,960,000

Attendance 2022 – 1,399,000

4 Thermas dos Laranjais, Brazil

thermas dos laranjais top amusement parks latin america

Thermas dos Laranjais in Olímpia is the top water park in Latin America and houses more than 55 attractions, including waterslides, wave pools, thermal spring pools, and saunas. Thermas dos Laranjais is the most visited water park in Brazil and Latin America, as well as the fourth most-visited water park globally.

The park covers an area of 300,000 square metres and gets its water supplies from the Guarani Aquifer. Thermas dos Laranjais has the capacity for 20,000 visitors daily, and also includes an impressive 32 cafés, bars and restaurants.

Attendance 2019 – 1,845,000

Attendance 2022 – 1,729,000

5 Aquaventure, Bahamas

aquaventure bahamas

Aquaventure, located at Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas, is one of the largest water parks in the Eastern Hemisphere. Aquaventure opened in 1994.

One of the top water parks in Latin America, Aquaventure is an aquatic attraction covering 141 acres. It boasts more than 20 million gallons of water. In addition, there are waterslides, a river ride with rapids and wave surges, 20 swimming areas and 11 swimming pools.

Attendance 2019 – 1,813,000

Attendance 2022 – 1,751,000

6 Hot Park (Rio Quente), Brazil

hot park rio quente world's top water parks top amusement parks latin america

Hot Park, at the Rio Quente Resort in Caldas Novas, bills itself as the most entertaining water park in Cerrado, a vast tropical savanna ecoregion of Brazil. It includes various water park experiences, including the surf school, kayak tours, a lazy river, beaches, slides and zip wires.

The water park is supplied with the region’s naturally warm waters and is located on 55,000 square metres. It also features an aviary with more than 200 birds of different species, while the resort offers other amenities, including F&B.

Attendance 2019 – 1,469,000

Attendance 2022 – 1,430,000

7 Parque Mundo Petapa, Guatemala

mundo petapa

Located in Guatemala City, Mundo Petapa is a top amusement park in Latin America when it comes to attendance. The park enjoyed a particularly successful season in 2019, thanks to positive market conditions and a new coaster called Relámpago.

Mundo Petapa was inaugurated back in 1976. The theme park has a capacity for 12,500 daily visitors. Attractions include the theme park, a swimming pool, a zoo called ‘La Jungla’ and a theatre. The central square features a castle, restaurants, kiosks, shops, and arcade games. Areas include Stars Plaza, Rainbow Plaza, and Fun Plaza.

Attendance 2019 – 1,330,000

Attendance 2022 – 800,000

8 La Feria Chapultepec, Mexico

la feria chapultepec top amusement parks latin america

La Feria Chapultepec was on track for a good year in 2019. However, the attraction in Mexico City was forced to close following a fatal accident.

In 2021, La Prensa reported that work would begin on Aztlán, an amusement park to replace La Feria de Chapultepec. “Right now the company is preparing the different spaces, the studies and the financial analysis to be able to start the work in the last quarter of this year,” said environment secretary Marina Robles García.

Aztlán will receive an investment of $172m. The project is being developed by Mota-Engil México. Aztlán will boast extreme, moderate and children’s rides, as well as interactive attractions. There will also be exhibitions, entertainment and culture.

Attendance 2019 – 1,306,000

Attendance 2022 –

9 Parque Plaza Sésamo, Mexico

parque plaza sesamo

Parque Plaza Sésamo can be found in Fundidora Park, an urban park in the Mexican city of Monterrey. The Sesame Street-themed park is similar to Sesame Place in San Diego and Pennsylvania.

It was founded in 1995 and is split into three areas – Isla Aventura, Aquamundo and Villasésamo (via Fundidora Park). It includes water attractions, rides and shows, as well as characters such as Elmo and the Cookie Monster. Guests can also explore the castle of Count von Count.

Attendance 2019 – 1,173,000

Attendance 2022 –

10 Parque Mundo Aventura, Colombia

parque mundo aventura top amusement parks latin america

Parque Mundo Aventura is number 10 on the list of top amusement parks in Latin America. Located in the city of Bogotá, Parque Mundo Aventura opened in 1998.

Thrill rides at the destination include Sky Coaster, Xtreme, Tropicana, Quantum, Crazy Jump, Ranger and Air Race. Family-friendly offerings include a carousel, arcades, an aquarium and bumper cars, and there are playgrounds and soft play for children.

Attendance 2019 – 1,151,000

Attendance 2022 – 752,000

11 Fantasilandia, Chile

fantasilandia

Fantasilandia has grown over the past few years, from humble beginnings. It opened with just eight attractions in 1978 in the O’Higgins Park in Santiago, Chile and is now number 11 on the list of the most popular parks in Latin America.

Roller coasters include Mining Train, Boomerang and Raptor, and family rides include Bumper Boats and Wild Mouse. The park’s attractions for children include Dragon Mountain, Circus Train and Buggy Jump. Fantasilandia aims to be the leading entertainment company in Latin America.

Attendance 2019 – 1,100,000

Attendance 2022 – 850,000

12 Parque Nacional del Café, Colombia

Parque Nacional del Café, Quindio, Colombia top amusement parks latin america

Parque Nacional del Café can be found in Colombia’s Quindío. This popular park was founded by the National Federation of Coffee Growers of Colombia (La Federación Nacional de Cafeteros de Colombia) and the Departmental Committee of Coffee Growers of Quindío (El Comité Departamental de Cafeteros del Quindío).

Another top amusement park in Latin America, this attraction is part museum, part theme park. Exhibitions explore the history and process of growing coffee in Colombia, while a theme park area offers rides and shows. There is also an ecological trail, as well as animatronics shows, a coffee garden, and food stalls.

Attendance 2019 – 1,043,000

Attendance 2022 – 626,000

13 Parque de la Costa, Argentina

parque de la costa

Parque de la Costa enjoyed a successful 2019 season, due to good weather and a rise in domestic visitors.

The theme park is located on 14 hectares in Tigre, adjacent to the Paraná River Delta. It was developed by Santiago Soldati and Walter Álvarez. It was inaugurated in 1997 following an investment of $400 million.

One of Argentina’s leading theme parks, Parque de la Costa is home to over 50 rides and attractions, from thrill rides and coasters to carousels and family-friendly offerings. It can be found less than one hour from Buenos Aires.

Attendance 2019 – 968,000

Attendance 2022 – 514,000

14 Parque Acuático Xocomil, Retalhuleu, Guatemala

xocomil water park

Parque Acuatico Xocomil is the largest and most-visited water park in Guatemala, making it one of Latin America’s top amusement parks.

Xocomil Water Park’s attractions and slide towers are inspired by Mayan heritage. The park boasts four swimming pools and two waves pools, as well as 14 waterslides. These include El Caracol, El Regreson, El Samala, and the Xocomil Rapids, the largest slide in Central America.

Attendance 2019 – 894,000

Attendance 2022 – 833,000

15 Beach Park, Aquiraz, Brazil

beach park brazil

The last entry on our list of the top amusement parks in Latin America is Beach Park, a popular water park and tourist resort located on the beach of Porto das Dunas in Aquiraz, Brazil.

The resort, which is set across 170,000 square metres, offers restaurants, hotels, aquatic attractions and an artificial river that transports visitors from the resort to the water park. Beach Park is comprised of the beach, water park and resort.

Attendance 2019 – 890,000

Attendance 2022 – 782,000

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Bea Mitchell

Bea is a journalist specialising in entertainment, attractions and tech with 10 years' experience. She has written and edited for publications including CNET, BuzzFeed, Digital Spy, Evening Standard and BBC. Bea graduated from King's College London and has an MA in journalism.

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