Clubbing Cancun Style

If you’re looking for an unforgettable Cancun nightlife experience, this part variety show, part nightclub is the place for you. Anything goes in this escapist paradise, where you’ll be entertained by Vegas style variety acts until the early hours, before the tables are swept aside and you’re free to dance.

There’s no need to put on the glad rags, either: unlike a lot of other Cancun nightlife venues there’s no dress code here. Tickets have to be bought in advance, but usually can be purchased on the day of the show.

They cost MXN 1,700 (GBP 60), but this includes a bar tab of that amount, a reserved table, and nachos. There are occasionally online discounts too, so you can get in for even cheaper. The show is only on Thursdays to Saturdays, so if you’re keen to get involved make sure to plan accordingly.

Fun times and good vibes aplenty are on offer at this epicentre of the Cancun nightlife scene. One of the newer kids on the block, Palazzo has launched straight into the consciousness of every clubber in the Mexican city, delivering a classy experience without taking away any of the messy fun you’d expect from a big night out.

The music is mostly electronic and house, and ticket prices for the night vary, although it’s usually around MXN 1,700 (GBP 60), including an open bar. Like most other clubs on this list, bottle and table service is available for an additional cost, and if you don’t want to wait for your drinks this is a worthy upgrade.

Again, like most Cancun nightlife, the dress code here is smart, unless it’s one of the numerous theme nights. One of the best nightclubs in Cancun, Palazzo also benefits from being open during the week when other venues are closed.

A Cancun nightlife institution, Dady’O is right in the heart of the Hotel zone. Another club with an open bar (after you’ve paid the MXP 1,200 entry fee (GBP 40)) once you’re in, all there is to do is dance. With a focus on mostly hip hop and chart music, the club is usually only open on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Dady’O follows a strict dress to impress code for entry, although on the weekend women are allowed in with bikinis to take part in the famous Bikini Bash, where they can win prizes for dancing on stage. There are also other “competition” nights where dress code isn’t important, including the “Best Male Body” night.

In terms of Cancun Spring Break nightlife, Dady’O opens on Monday during the festivities, so you can have even more fun. Seen as one of the best nightclubs in Cancun for a reason, anybody coming to the Mexican coastal city to party has to see it for themselves.

One of the most famous Cancun nightlife venues, The City shows its worth with the massive line that forms outside every night, despite holding five thousand people inside its infamous walls. The club has been home to a number of high-profile performances from international superstars and has a more casual dress code than other Cancun Nightlife venues.

As is the standard, it’s an open bar after you’ve paid the MXP 1,600 (GBP 55) entry fee, but it does get very packed so you may need to wait for drinks, or you can go for bottle service. The best night to go is Friday, but try to get there a bit earlier to make sure you don’t have to hang around in a queue.

Hip hop heads and weekday partiers can find their Cancun mecca in La Vaquinta. One of the smaller clubs on the list and sometimes seen as more of a pre drinking stop before a visit to the super clubs that dot the Party zone, La Vaquinta is definitely worthy of a night out on its own. The cover charge here is a measly MXP 800 (GBP 27) and, as you’d expect, includes an open bar.

The dress code is smart casual, but as long as you’re not turning up in flip flops or sportswear the bouncers are quite easy going. They call themselves the craziest club in Cancun, which is a moniker that takes some living up to, but they aren’t that far off achieving it.

If you’re looking for a day party at one of the most famous clubs in Mexico, then the Mandala Beach Club is for you. A massive pool party that lasts until the wee hours, entry with drinks is MXN 1,700 (GBP 60). As the sun begins to set, or if you want to transition into a night with more of an electronic vibe than top 40, then you can head to the main Mandala night club just over the road, which is decorated in an Indian theme, although you will have to pay another entry fee of the same cost. These are two of the most popular Cancun club parties and for a good reason: they mix an electric atmosphere with great DJs and free flowing drinks.

A restaurant during the day, this legendary Cancun venue turns into a bar/nightclub from 9pm, but don’t let the dual use fool you: it’s without a doubt one of the best nightclubs in Cancun. The club nights here go hard, with everything from foam parties to explosions of confetti making sure you have an unforgettable experience.

If you’re in before dinner there’s no cover charge but that also means you have to pay for drinks. If you come in after 9pm, it’s MXP 800 (GBP 27), which as usual, includes drinks.

If you still can’t decide where to go, or just want your Cancun nightlife experience to be as easy as possible, Cuncrawl is your best bet. Not your average pub crawl, they take you to the best bars and clubs around the city using local guides who live and breathe the nightlife scene here, so they can offer the best Cancun nightlife tips.

The crawls vary depending on the night, and overall going on one will probably save you money thanks to the deals they have with clubs, but you will have to give up the freedom to pick and choose where you want to dance the night away.