10 Things to Do in Cancun at Night

When planning a trip to this part of the world there are some activities that cannot be left off the list. Among the many things to see, do and enjoy in Cancun, your daytime tours in the city should involve beaches and resorts, while nighttime tours should give way to other types of entertainment.

While it is true that Cancun, as a tourist destination, is world famous for its parties and bars, over the years the city has expanded its entertainment offerings in order to find fun for all tastes and all ages.

In Cancun it is possible to embark on a sunset pirate trip in an adventure that combines entertainment, gastronomy and fun.

This trip is often considered one of the best options for boat rides in Cancun, offering a fun and relaxed atmosphere with a friendly show for the whole family.

With this activity you will set sail aboard a sunset bound pirate galleon on an adventure very similar to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

On the ship you'll meet Captain Morgan 's colourful crew and have the opportunity to witness the live assault of the enemy side! Cannon fire, sword fights and acrobatics in the air are an inherent part of the spectacle.

All this while enjoying a delicious dinner, with several menu options (including a children's menu), served by elegant pirate waiters. The evening ends with an impressive fireworks display.

Useful information

• Duration: The pirate show usually takes around 3 hours 30 minutes to complete, approximately.
• Time: Ships usually set sail from 18:30 in the evening. Please note that you will need to be at the pier 15 to 20 minutes before boarding.
• Price: You will have to pay around 110€ per participant.

In the hotel zone of Cancun you will find a gigantic Ferris wheel (or Ferris wheel as they call it there) known as El Sol de Cancun.

If you are going to Cancun with children for the holidays, this is one of the best activities to do during the night and is fun for all members of the family.

The Cancun wheel is located right in the middle of the Hotel Zone peninsula and is approximately 70 metres high.

While you can go to El Sol de Cancun during the day, it is totally worth climbing to the top of the structure at night to enjoy the amazing panoramic views of the Nichupte Lagoon, the Hotel Zone illuminated by the night lights or, better yet, enjoy a magical sunset over the waters of the Caribbean.

When you descend from the heights you will find right at its foot several food stalls, as well as the beautiful promenade known as the Kukulcan Boulevard which you should enjoy.

Useful info

• Duration: As long as you like.
• Opening hours: The attraction is open to the public from Monday to Sunday, from 1pm to 10pm at night.
• Price: The price to pay per ride and per participant is approximately €8.

No trip to Cancun would be complete without a night out at one of its iconic nightclubs.

As you can imagine, there are plenty of options in the city and here are my favourites. Obviously, I invite you to do your own research and go where your spirit takes you.

Keep in mind that some of the options presented here may have long lines of people waiting to get in, but I assure you it's worth the wait. Arrive early, arm yourself with patience and be prepared to enjoy.

Mandala

A beautiful medium-sized establishment that, since its opening, has quickly become one of Cancun's most popular nightclubs. Mandala Club 's décor is inspired by Indian culture, with vivid colours and lush fabrics that add an air of exclusivity.

• Location: Located in Cancun's Hotel Zone, in the Party Zone area.
• Recommended if... You are looking for one of the most fashionable clubs in the city and enjoy an atmosphere different from the big closed stadium type clubs.

Coco Bongo

By far the most famous and emblematic nightclub in Cancun. As you can imagine, the parties at Coco Bongo are definitely an unforgettable experience.

Throughout the night a large number of artists perform on stage to present the most varied and entertaining shows.

• Location: in the Party Zone area, in Cancun's Hotel Zone, right next to Mandala.
• Recommended if... you want a night of fun in the purest Caribbean style; Coco Bongo has it all: drinks, confetti, live music, performances and more.

La Vaquita

Compared to the rest of the alternatives, La Vaquita is the newest option on the list.

It's a casual, open-air bar-style nightclub decorated in reds and cow prints. It is a great option for professional drinkers, as the place sells "litres" of beer and other alcoholic beverages.

• Location: Located at kilometre 9 of Kukulcan Boulevard, in Cancun's Hotel Zone
• Recommended if... You are looking for an option to share with tourists and locals.

While it is true that most people who plan an excursion to Chichen Itza do so during the day, you should know that the mythical and ancient Mayan pyramids are available for night visits.

The sound and light show at Chichen Itza takes place at night, with spectacular images projected directly onto the Pyramid of Kukulkan, the name by which the largest temple of the ancient ruined complex is known.

For those who have time and budget, and whose holidays will take them to Cancun for 5 days or more, I recommend taking the combined excursion that includes a daytime visit to the interior of the ruins and a nighttime show.

This way, you will take with you a more complete vision of the historical past of this region of Mexico.

Useful information

• Duration: The show lasts only 30 minutes.
• Schedule: There are several performances in a row from 6pm to 10pm.
• Price: The price to pay for the experience is approximately €30 per passenger.

This fantastic night tour will take you on a leisurely stroll through the culture, history and food of Mexico. It is considered by many to be one of the best tours in Cancun at any time of day or time of year.

If you're up for it, which I highly recommend you do, you'll start by boarding La Trajinera, a typical open-plan boat made of planks, to cruise the waters of the Xochimilco canal.

There you will have the opportunity to dance to the traditional sounds of the mariachis, taste local delicacies and sample tequila and Mexican beers.

To all my friends visiting Cancun for the first time, I recommend touring the Xochimilco area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Useful info

• Duration: The canal tour takes about 3 hours to complete, but with transportation to and from Cancun you will need about 5 hours in total.
• Schedule: May vary from company to company, usually from 5pm onwards.
• Price: Approximately 110€ per participant. The price usually includes transport to and from Cancun.

If you have the energy to spend and the desire to improve your salsa moves, Mambo Café is one of Mexico's best-established Latin music chains.

It offers visitors a gigantic dance floor and live band of musicians complemented by the in-house DJ to keep you entertained all night long. The show is accompanied by audio and lighting technology.

The party starts at 10pm, so you can easily combine this activity with others available during the night.

If you're in Cancun for 7 days (or more), consider spending more than one night at the Mambo Café and you'll return home an expert dancer.

Useful info

• Duration: As long as you want.
• Hours: Wednesday to Saturday from 10pm at night.
• Price: Entrance to the Mambo Café costs around €15 per participant.

Located on Kukulcan Boulevard in Cancun's Hotel Zone, La Isla Shopping Village is the most visited shopping centre in Cancun and is open at night.

The mall is worth a visit for gifts and travel souvenirs. In addition, you will find several interesting entertainment options, such as the Tequila Museum or the Cancun Aquarium.

But if you are a shopaholic, you should know that you will find many high-end shops, including Tiffany and Co and Gucci, but also much more affordable fashion brands, such as H&M or Zara.

Near La Isla Shopping Village is the city's ferris wheel, called El Sol de Cancun, so you can plan a night of entertainment, fun and shopping for the whole family.

Finally, if you go to Cancun for Christmas, La Isla Shopping Village is a great place not only to stroll around at night, but also to find original Christmas gifts for your family and friends.

Useful Information

• Duration: As long as you want.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10am to 11pm.
• Price: Free admission for everyone.

Undoubtedly, one of the best experiences in Cancun at night is to visit the XPlor Multiadventure Park. The premise of the place is to take the group of travellers through a night-time adventure in the wild jungle of the Caribbean.

To begin with, participants depart from their location in the tourist area of Cancun and head to the facilities to explore the Yucatan jungle under the light of the stars which, together with the sounds of the wildlife, lend themselves to creating a unique atmosphere.

Once at the facility you will take part in all sorts of exciting adventures, ranging from paddling a raft through underground caves to driving an amphibious vehicle, observing glowing stalagmites and stalactites, swimming in the night waters and experiencing zip line jumping.

Useful info

• Duration: The experience takes at least 6 hours to complete.
• Opening hours: The park is open to the public Monday to Saturday from 17:30h.
• Price: Admission with return transport costs approximately €150 per traveller.

If you are an adventurous traveller, you might like to book one of your nights in Cancun to experience the Temazcal Ceremony.

It is an ancient traditional ritual that aims to establish a connection between the individual and their inner self and the nature that surrounds them, and takes place in the middle of an ecological reserve to take you away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The connection with the self is achieved through a detoxification of the body and soul, which is why it begins with meditations, incense burning and touching with leaves and herbs. Then you will experience a sauna and hot steam bath in the temazcal

If you are on honeymoon in Cancun, this activity is ideal for couples to relax and unwind.

I recommend doing it at the end of a day full of demanding adventures, such as an excursion to Isla Mujeres or a trip to the Tulum Ruins.

Useful info

• Duration: You will need to set aside about 6 hours for this experience.
• Time: From 5pm onwards.
• Price: Approximately 115€ per participant, including transport to and from the ecological reserve.

Although it is almost impossible to resist adventure in a destination like Cancun, I recommend taking a break to try the delicious Mexican cuisine at some of the best restaurants in the Hotel Zone.

The options are endless, which is why I will only tell you about some of my favourites.

Tato and Tequila

If you want to try the most impressive taco menu ever conceived, you must visit Taco y Tequila. In addition to the delicious tacos, I recommend you visit for its relaxed, traditional atmosphere and margaritas.

• Location: On Kukulcan Boulevard.
• Opening hours: Open to the public every day from 9am to 11pm.
• Price range: Between 30€ and 60€.

Porfirio's Cancun

Mexican fusion food restaurant whose menu includes highly creative dishes for demanding palates, but always very attached to the traditional gastronomy of the Yucatan area and the rest of Mexico.

Porfirio 's Cancun is a great option for dining with friends and as a couple.

• Location: On Kukulcan Boulevard.
• Opening hours: Open to the public every day from 12 noon to 2am.
• Price range: Between €25 and €45 on average.