The ultimate guide to Cancun’s nightlife

Cancun’s best bars

Nights out in Cancun start at the Hotel Zone, where you’ll find swanky cocktail lounges, lively open-air bars and drinks deals aplenty to get the party started. Head to the seaside strip after sunset and you’ll hear the sounds of pop, dance and R’n’B music luring you in. Most of the bars run special offers on ladies’ nights, happy hours and all-you-can-drink deals with your entrance price – just remember to pace yourself so you’ll last the night. If you’re after a loud and lively atmosphere, don’t miss Señor Frogs, the Beer Box and Surfin’ Burrito – which combines fun and Mexican food in one venue. Or, if you’re after something a bit more sophisticated, try the ultra-trendy Rose Bar, Chuchito Pérez for fabulous views over a lagoon, and El Rincón del Vino – Cancun’s only wine bar.

Cancun’s best clubs

Cancun’s most famous superclub is the OTT and ultra-eccentric Coco Bongo, where you’ll have a party like no other. Here, alongside world-class DJs, you’ve got acrobatic performers, entertainers, confetti showers and crazy conga lines to keep things lively. You can’t miss out on this bonkers clubbing experience, so grab an exclusive ticket before you head on holiday, which includes fast-track entry to the club, premium seats above the crowds and waiter-served free drinks all night.

After you’ve tried Cocos, set your sights on Dady’O which puts on regular 80s and 90s nights, and Grand Mambo Café where you can experience something a bit more traditional with Salsa and Merengue music and dance.

Cancun’s best festivals

If the infamous bar and club scene isn’t enough, Cancun lines up almost back-to-back festivals throughout the year to keep you entertained, with something for music lovers, foodies and culture vultures, too. Spring Break is the most well-known event, which falls around March or April every year, and involves the entire resort turning into a week-long party with top DJs and performers flying in to kick off the show. You’ve also got Día de los Muertos – commonly known as Day of the Dead – which falls in November, and lines up street parties, scary make up and a festival that takes place at the Xcaret eco-archaeological park. Plus, foodies will love the Cancun-Riviera wine and food festival, which attracts the best chefs and sommeliers from all over Mexico, and takes place in March.

Best party hotel in Cancun

If having the best clubbing experience is number one on your Cancun agenda, look no further than the Hard Rock Hotel Cancun from our Scene collection. This sprawling, legendary resort takes all the best bits of the Hard Rock Hotel franchise and ramps it up to the max. First, you’ve the massive beachfront infinity pool which takes up almost the entire length of the hotel – you can spend days here sipping cocktails and looking out onto the sea. Secondly, there’s the lively atmosphere and party spirit that permeates the whole place, with live music, foam parties and events on, pretty much all the time. Thirdly, you’ve got two bars onsite – Diego and Smash – for pre-drinks and you’re just a ten-minute taxi ride away from Cancun’s clubs. Plus, if you want to have a go at DJ-ing or starring in your own music video, you can. 

The beachside Riu Cancun is another great party base for keen clubbers. This resort has its own Pacha nightclub onsite and is just 15 minutes’ away from Coco Bongo, too.

Browse our holidays to Cancun and our late deals pages here. Or, read seven reasons why Cancun deserves your attention and what’s the food like in Mexico?

 Author: Selina Akhtar