It’s hard to imagine a more fun way to cool off in the Kingdom than at Garden City Water Park, a mega complex of pools, slides, flumes and other water-based excitement a forty minutes or so car ride from Phnom Penh city center. But it’s true: Garden City Water Park is a wild, wet and a wonderful family day out.

The park spans seven hectares of land not far from the new Morodok Techo National Stadium and has activities to satisfy all age groups, as our multi-generational family group can happily testify. Nicely landscaped with a nod to Cambodian culture and with separate areas for different levels of activity, it’s an altogether impressive operation: clean; professional; well-equipped with changing and other facilities; and with ample friendly staff and lifeguards on hand to show visitors the ropes and ensure the safety of all concerned.

Kids Paradise has colorful slides and splash pads for the youngest visitors while the (curiously-named) Edwin Water Kingdom boasts an assortment of brightly-hued, snaking chutes of different heights, complexities and challenges — in fact the most challenging part was getting the kids off the slides when it was time to go home!

More serious thrill seekers will appreciate the larger flumes with names like Boomerango, Kamikaze and Rocket Freeflow (though, as we were less than tactfully advised on arrival, over 65s are not allowed on the tallest slides — tough luck adventurous seniors!) There’s an expansive wave pool, the Flowrider surf boarding experience and Lazy River where you meander on single or double inflatable tubes through fountains that guarantee a soaking.

The park has a bracelet system that activates the lockers and to pay for refreshments once inside as cash isn’t accepted, though we were able to pay for our food and drinks by KHQR. You have to load money onto the bracelets first, anticipating how much you’ll need, and claim back what’s left at the end of your visit.

On the subject of refreshments, visitors are not allowed to take their own food and drink into the park, but the spacious food court serves a decent assortment of reasonably priced western, Khmer and other Asian dishes and there are vending machines dotted around with child-luring drinks and snacks. There’s no shortage of seating and pool loungers but you can make your visit more comfortable by renting a poolside cabana.

The standard version has comfy seating and a fan and accommodates two to five people. The larger VIP option has the added luxury of air conditioning, a private terrace and dining area, bathroom and flat screen TV. There’s also a shop at the entrance which is handy for things you might have forgotten. We invested in waterproof covers for our phones, something we wouldn’t have thought of if we’d not spotted them there.

Oh, and Garden City even has its own, non-stop soundtrack of professionally-performed songs about the water park that you may well find buzzing in your ears long after your visit is over!

Garden City Water Park opening hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, and 1 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays. The park is closed on Mondays.

Prices are $15.50 for adults and $9.50 for children. Kids under 80cm tall enter free. Note that child status is based on height, i.e. under 120cm — we hadn’t checked the small print on the website and were surprised when our tall, but not unusually so ten year old was considered an adult. Be sure to check the website before you go for the regular special discounts like the two-for-one offer we took advantage of. The park also has a series of party packages that include bonuses like drinks, decorations and a mascot show. Secure lockers cost an additional $3 and you can hire towels for $3 each. Standard Cabanas cost $40 and a VIP Cabana will set you back $100. You can find more information on the Garden City Water Park Facebook page.