Mexico’s Aqua Nick Riviera Maya Gains Autism-Friendly Certification With New Accessibility Standards For Families

Aqua Nick™ Riviera Maya, the largest Nickelodeon-themed water park in Latin America, has achieved the Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) designation from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), strengthening its commitment to accessible and inclusive tourism experiences.

Located within Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya, the water park earned the certification after more than 80% of its guest-facing team members completed specialised autism awareness and sensory support training. The programme equips employees with the knowledge and skills needed to better assist autistic visitors and guests with sensory sensitivities, helping create a more comfortable and welcoming environment for families.

As part of the certification process, IBCCES also carried out an on-site evaluation of Aqua Nick™ Riviera Maya. The assessment helped identify opportunities to improve accessibility and supported the development of sensory guides and additional recommendations designed to enhance the overall visitor experience.

The new certification highlights Aqua Nick™ Riviera Maya’s ongoing efforts to ensure that guests of all abilities can enjoy memorable, supportive and inclusive experiences at the water park.

“Achieving this recognition represents a significant milestone that reflects our organization’s unwavering commitment to service excellence and the dedication of our team members in delivering exceptional guest experiences,” says Miguel Diaz, Aqua Nick™ Park Manager. “Every member of our staff plays a vital role in anticipating and responding to the diverse needs of our visitors with professionalism, empathy, and care.”

Diaz continues, “At Aqua Nick™ Riviera Maya, our mission is to create extraordinary and memorable experiences by combining world-class attractions with outstanding guest service. While our innovative facilities provide the setting for unforgettable family entertainment, it is the passion, expertise, and continuous training of our team that truly distinguish the guest experience. This recognition celebrates a culture of excellence in which every interaction contributes to creating safe, welcoming, and joyful moments that exceed guest expectations and reinforce our commitment to the highest standards of the attractions industry.”

IBCCES autism and accessibility training enables water parks and resorts to design more inclusive and comfortable experiences for all visitors. Through specialised training, staff members gain the skills, awareness and confidence needed to better assist autistic guests and individuals with sensory sensitivities. This approach helps attractions create a more supportive environment, enhance visitor experiences, improve team readiness, minimise access challenges and develop stronger connections with families looking for welcoming and accessible leisure destinations.

“Aqua Nick™ Riviera Maya has already built an extraordinary destination where families can create lasting memories together, and this certification ensures even more families can confidently enjoy those experiences,” says Myron Pincomb, IBCCES CEO & board chairman. “By becoming a Certified Autism Center™, Aqua Nick™ Riviera Maya is demonstrating that accessibility can be seamlessly integrated into world-class entertainment, helping more autistic and sensory-sensitive guests experience the excitement, creativity, and fun that make this destination truly unique.”

To enhance the experience for autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors, Aqua Nick™ Riviera Maya has introduced a range of accessibility features designed to create a more welcoming and comfortable environment for every guest. The destination provides specialised support, including sensory tools, a dedicated quiet area for relaxation, priority attraction access and assistance from trained team members who understand the needs of neurodiverse travellers.

For the past 25 years, IBCCES has played a leading role in advancing accessibility through autism, sensory and neurodiversity training and certification programmes for professionals across multiple industries worldwide. Recognised as the only credentialing board offering these specialised programmes, IBCCES works with experts in the field and autistic self-advocates to deliver comprehensive training, ongoing education, on-site assessments and renewal processes that help organisations maintain high standards of accessibility and inclusion.

As part of its commitment to improving travel experiences for guests with disabilities, Aqua Nick™ Riviera Maya is also included on the IBCCES Accessibility App™, a free digital resource designed to help travellers find certified destinations and sensory-inclusive spaces. The application provides users with real-time information, accessibility details and personalised recommendations, allowing individuals and families to confidently plan visits and discover inclusive experiences around the world.

IBCCES further supports families and travellers through free online platforms, including AccessibilityCertified.com and AutismTravel.com. These resources provide access to directories of certified destinations, organisations and professionals that have successfully completed IBCCES accessibility requirements. By connecting travellers with verified inclusive locations, these platforms help make travel planning easier, more transparent and more accessible for people with diverse needs.