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 famous worldwide for its parties and bars, over time 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 trip with pirates at sunset in an adventure that combines entertainment with 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 pirate galleon as the sun sets on an adventure very similar to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

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

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 about 3 hours 30 minutes to complete, approximately.

• Schedule: Ships usually depart from 18:30 in the evening. Please note that you must be at the pier 15 to 20 minutes before boarding.

• Price: You will have to pay around 110€ per participant.

In Cancun's hotel zone 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 kids for the vacations, this is one of the best activities to do at night that is fun for all members of the family.

The Cancun Ferris wheel is located right in the middle of the Hotel Zone peninsula and is approximately 70 meters 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 feet several food stands, plus the beautiful walking area known as the Kukulcan Boulevard which you should enjoy.

Useful information: Duration: As long as you want

• Duration: As long as you want.

• Hours: The attraction is open to the public from Monday to Sunday, from 1 pm to 10 pm 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 of fun at some of its emblematic nightclubs.

As you can imagine, options abound in the city and here are my favorites. 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 that the wait is worth it. Arrive early, arm yourself with patience and get ready 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 intense colors and lush fabrics that add an air of exclusivity.

• Location: It is 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 is a casual open-air bar-style nightclub decorated in red colors and cow prints. It is a great option for professional drinkers, as the place sells "liters" of beer and other alcoholic beverages.

• Location: Located at kilometer 9 of Boulevard Kukulcan, 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 Chichén Itzá do so during the day, you should know that the mythical and ancient Mayan pyramids are available for night visits.

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

For those who have the time and budget, and whose vacation will take them to Cancun for 5 days or more, I recommend taking the combined excursion that includes a daytime visit inside the ruins and enjoying the show at night.

In 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 has a duration of only 30 minutes.

• Schedule: There are several performances in a row from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

• Price: The price to pay for the experience is approximately 30€ per traveler.

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 Cancun tours at any time of the day or time of the year.

If you are up for it, which I highly recommend, you will start by boarding La Trajinera, a typical open plank design boat, to travel through 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 visiting the Xochimilco area, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Useful information

• Duration: The canal tour takes about 3 hours to complete, but with transportation to and from Cancun you will need about 5 hours total.

• Schedule: May vary from one company to another, generally from 5 p.m. onwards.

• Price: Approximately 110€ per participant. The price usually includes transportation to and from Cancun.

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

Offers visitors a gigantic dance floor and live band complemented by the house DJ for you to enjoy all night. The show is accompanied with audio and lighting technology.

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

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

Useful Info

• Duration: As long as you want.

• Hours: Wednesday to Saturday from 10 pm at night.

• Price: The 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 m all in Cancun and is open at night.

It is worth going to the mall to buy 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 there are many high-end stores, 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 an excellent 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.

• Hours: Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 11 pm.

• Price: Free admission for all public.

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

To begin with, participants depart from their location in Cancun's tourist area to explore the Yucatan jungle under the starlight, which, together with the sounds of the wildlife, lends itself to create a unique atmosphere.

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

Useful information

• Duration: The experience takes at least 6 hours to complete.

• Hours: The park is open to the public from Monday to Saturday from 5:30 pm.

• Price: The entrance fee with round-trip transportation is approximately 150€ per traveler.

If you are a traveler with an adventurous spirit, perhaps you would like to reserve one of your nights in Cancun to experience the Temazcal Ceremony.

It is an ancient traditional ritual whose purpose is to establish a connection of the individual with his inner self and the nature that surrounds him, and which is carried out 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, burning incense and touches with leaves and herbs. Then you will experience a sauna bath and hot steam inside the temazcal

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

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 information

• Duration: You should reserve about 6 hours for this experience.

• Schedule: Starting at 5:00 p.m.

• Price: Approximately 115€ per participant, with transportation to and from the ecological reserve included.

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.

There are many options, which is why I will only tell you about some of my favorites.

Tato and Tequila

If you want to experience 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 and traditional atmosphere, and its margaritas.

• Location: On Kukulcan Boulevard.

• Hours: Open to the public daily from 9am to 11pm.

• Price range: Between 30€ and 60€.

Porfirio's Cancun

Mexican fusion food restaurant that includes in its menu 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.

• Hours: Open to the public daily from 12:00 noon to 2:00 am.

• Price range: Between 25€ and 45€ on average.