Siam Park

Siam Park is a large water park on the south coast of Tenerife, in Costa Adeje, and it is often named among the best water parks in the world. It opened at the end of 2008 and was built by the same company that runs Loro Parque, the zoological park on the northern coast, with the aim of creating something more imaginative than a standard collection of slides. The theme is the Kingdom of Siam, the old name of Thailand, and the buildings, gardens and décor have been designed in the style of Thai temples and villages, with carved wood, golden roofs, stone statues and tropical plants. The park covers many hectares, and its layout lets you move between zones as you would between the parts of a small town.

The attractions are on a large scale. The Tower of Power is a steep slide that drops riders from the top of a tall tower through a clear tube that passes through a lagoon filled with sharks and rays, so you slide past the fish as you fall. The Wave Palace is a huge wave pool that produces some of the biggest artificial waves in any park, and it is lined with a sandy beach and a Thai-style palace, where visitors can swim, float or bodyboard. Other highlights include a series of fast slides and rapids, where riders race down winding channels, and a lazy river called the Mai Thai, which takes you on a slow float through landscaped jungle with bridges and waterfalls. For younger children, there are shallow pools and gentler slides in a separate area.

Besides the thrills, the park has space for relaxation. Siam Beach is a sandy stretch beside a lagoon where visitors can lie on loungers or rent a cabana in the shade, and waiters bring drinks. Restaurants and food stalls offer a mix of international dishes and Thai specialities, and the floating market-style setting adds to the atmosphere. Landscaped gardens with palms and orchids give the park a lush look, and in the evening the lighting and architecture create a pleasing effect.

The park is busy in high season, and queues for the main slides can be long at midday, so arriving early is a good plan. Height and age limits apply to some rides, and lifeguards patrol the pools. Hats, sun protection, water shoes and a waterproof bag are advisable, and lockers are available. Prices and hours change by season, so check the official site, where tickets can usually be bought in advance, often at a discount.

Siam Park suits families and groups of friends, and it is a good alternative to the beach on a hot day. Nearby are the beaches of Costa Adeje and other attractions such as Aqualand and Jungle Park.