Funworld November 2011

by Jane Di Leo

In the world of theme parks in Mexico, gravitydefying roller coasters, topsy-turvy rides, and anything with speed are the frequently name of the game. What is often absent, however, is a trend that has risen in popularity in the United States and Europe: rides and games that focus on getting the participant active and moving. One park in Morelos, Mexico (in the central region of the country, near Mexico City), however, has changed the way the state—and the country—envisions adventure parks.

When it opened its doors in March 2009, Beraka Adventure Park became one of the first venues in Mexico to offer games for the whole family that focused on physical activity and athleticism. “The whole idea is to get people moving,” says Miguel Angel Rojas ahedo Ahedo of Beraka Adventure Park. “What we didn’t want to do was create a park like everyone else had. We wanted to build a unique space that catered to both adults and children of all ages.”

Though it was a risk to go against the grain of what had traditionally worked in Mexico, Beraka was an immediate success. “The concept was well accepted by visitors,” Rojas ahedo Ahedo says. “One of the things they liked most about it was that the games were physical in nature. Parents are able to bring their kids, who spend hours a day in front of the Xbox or PlayStation, and get moving—together as a family.”

All Levels of Thrill
The main activity portion of Beraka Adventure Park is broken into two categories: Attractions and Kids Zone. For older children and adults, the Attractions area of the park is packed with games broken into the categories of “extreme,” “bold,” “for everyone,” and “skill games.” The games in the “extreme” category typically send participants high into the sky, whether it is via bungee, on a skyhigh balance beam course, or strapped to a rope in a wind-tunnel simulator that makes participants feel as if they are flying. Taking the dare factor down a notch, the “bold” activities allow visitors to experience zip lining, wall climbing, and even riding a bike on a tight rope—five meters (16 feet) off the ground! For those seeking to enjoy a day without being too daring, the “for everyone” category gives people the option to try their hand—and sometimes upper body strength—at climbing a net course, singing in a recording-studio setup, and ice skating. Finally, Beraka Adventure Park offers a set of games, much like those you would see at a carnival (ball throws, Jacob’s ladder, etc.) for all to enjoy.

In the Kids Zone of the park, many of the same activities, such as the balance beam obstacle course and climbing zone, are offered, just at a level suitable for children. There is also a pint-sized zip line, which is manned by Beraka Adventure Park staff members, who help children across. Young ones who are tired of rides can even run off energy at the on-site playground or the almost-life-size pirate ship.

Along with the games area of the park, one of Beraka Adventure Park’s other calling cards is its large auditorium, where big-name concerts and theater shows are held. The outdoor, forum-style venue can host up to 3,500 people at a time, making it the largest in Morelos. It includes an entire VIP area and has hosted such notables as Alejandro Fernandez, a wildly popular Mexican singer, who inaugurated the auditorium in March 2009.

Growth Spurt
In its first two years of operation, Beraka quickly grew into one of the hottest attractions in the region. “Since we opened, we have seen approximately 350,000 visitors per year,” Rojas Ahedo ahedo says. “However, we wanted to continue to expand and offer new ways for people to enjoy their visit to the park.”

Coming up with the new concept for an addition was something that came pretty easily to the management group. “We wanted to build a space where all people of all abilities could participate,” Rojas Ahedo ahedo says. “Taking that into account, and looking at the region—how hot it can be and other attractions around—we decided to add a water ride portion to the park.”

The region of Morelos, where Beraka is located, indeed stays hot and sunny the majority of the year, and besides Beraka, the main attractions around the area are waterparks. Rojas Ahedo ahedo is quick to point out, however, that Beraka is not trying to directly compete with a full-fledged water-themed venue. Instead, it is trying to complement the offerings it already has, expanding its repertoire.

The park began slowly, adding a pool for kids in May 2011. “It is an area focused on kids, but the entire family can get in and enjoy,” Rojas Ahedo ahedo says. The pool features games and other activities to keep visitors moving, staying with the theme of the overall park, and can fit up to 400 kids at one time. There are a few waterslides, which are exciting yet still child friendly; an area to run through sprinklers; a huge bucket that dumps water over a tree houselike structure kids can climb to get to the slides; and a giant turtle play slide that is built for the smallest children.

Soon after the pool, a slide, one of the favorite attractions among visitors, opened. The slide allows riders to hop into a bathtub-like “car” and take a ride that starts with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside before they dip into a twisting, carefree run that ends in a braking ramp. “It is 26 meters (85 feet) high and 200 meters (656 feet) long, making it one of the largest in Latin America,” Rojas Ahedo ahedo explains.

In all, the new addition expands Beraka’s offerings even further to accommodate the vast number of visitors it receives on a daily basis. This is not, however, where Beraka plans to stop. True to its nature, the owners and managers of the park plan to keep moving and keep the adventure coming for all those who enter its gates. “The idea is to keep growing with water games and continue to innovate ourselves,” Rojas Ahedo ahedo says. “We want to keep staying one step ahead of the game and continue to create new attractions that do not exist anywhere else.”

New York City-based freelance writer Jane Di Leo writes for city, regional, and national magazines, including Women’s Health and Delta Sky Magazine. E-mail: janedileo@hotmail.com.