Articles with the theme cancun nightlife

Downtown Cancun Nightlife

Cancun is famous for its exciting nightlife. If you are staying in the Riviera Maya and would like to experience Cancun at night it is less than an hour away. However, maybe a huge disco in the Hotel Zone doesn’t suit your tastes. Why not spend an evening with the locals in a downtown bar or cantina? If you are staying in the Hotel Zone downtown is only 5-25 minutes from your hotel. Here are some downtown Cancun nightspots where you can mingle with the residents and experience the local culture.

1) Roots Jazz Club

Roots is located in the heart of downtown Cancun on Tulipanes Street (no. 22). Open since 1988, it is the only Jazz Club in Cancun and features live music, from traditional to contemporary jazz, blues and funk, and flamenco jazz fusion. They offer cold cuts and cheese platters, sandwiches and of course wine, beer and cocktails. The interior is inviting and relaxing. They are open Wednesday through Saturday, 6pm-1am. The atmosphere is casual and Roots prides itself on the positive vibrations that fill their establishment.

2) Yesterday

Relatively new on the Cancun nightlife scene, Yesterday features huge video screens and live bands that play music from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Twice a week they host Cancun’s most popular Salsa nights. Wednesdays it begins at 10:30pm with a D.J. and Sundays at 12am with a live Salsa band. They open at 8pm. The crowd is for the most part mature, early 30’s and up. The interior is modern, cheery and intimate. Yesterday is located in Plaza del Angel on La Luna Avenue. They are open Tuesday through Sunday. They serve food and have a full bar, including wine.

3) La Taberna

One of the most popular bars in Cancun, locals gather at La Taberna (The Tavern) to shoot pool, have dinner, play table games or watch a sporting event. They have an extensive menu, a full bar and 2×1 beer and cocktails every day. The establishment has grown over the years and is now a very large pub. They are located on Yaxchilan Avenue (no. 23A) and are open every day from 1pm-5am.

4) La Cantinita

This quirky, colorful bar and restaurant has only been open for about a year. Located in Plaza Solare on Bonampak Avenue right across the street from la Plaza de Toros, they have a huge terrace from which you can view all of the new high rise condominium buildings in downtown Cancun. Every Wednesday is “miercoles cumple” (birthday Wednesday). If you celebrate your birthday during the month of your visit you will receive a special gift. La Cantinita (The Little Cantina) has other special promotion days as well. They serve Mexican food, beer, wine and cocktails. They are open every day from 1pm until 2 or 3am. Every night but Sunday they have a live band that starts a 9:30pm.

5) Los 4 Elementos

This cozy space is located in the hotel Xbalamque on Yaxchilan Avenue. Los 4 Elementos (The 4 Elements) features live bohemian music. The atmosphere is intimate and interactive. They are open Monday through Saturday from 9pm-3am. You can order food which they will bring you to from the hotel restaurant and they offer a full bar including wine.

6) Las de Guanatos

With various locations in Cancun, Las de Guanatos is a favorite with locals. Their specialties are “tortas ahogadas” (baguette sandwiches drown in savory sauce) and “micheladas” (prepared beer cocktails). Try the mango michelada. The best location isn’t actually downtown but in the hotel zone on Playa Tortugas. There are also locations downtown in Plaza de Toros on Bonampak Avenue and Plaza de Angel on La Luna Avenue. All locations open in the early afternoon and close late. Tuesday is 2×1 michelada day at the Playa Tortugas location.

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About the Author

Kristin Busse is an American expat who has been living in Cancun, Mexico since 2001. A wife, mother, singer, salsa dancer and now writer, she has worked in many different industries but is currently enjoying exploring the Yucatan Peninsula and sharing her expertise and experience with readers around the world. Follow Kristin on Twitter.

A quick guide to Cancun | Yucatan Holidays

LOCATION: Cancun is located in the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo in Mexico. Its name means “Nest of Serpents” in Mayan. It is the entrance to Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

NUMBERS: There are about 150 hotels, 24,000 hotel rooms, 380 restaurants, 120 attractions, 14 miles of white sand beaches, and 600,000 inhabitants in Cancun.

ARRIVING: The Cancun International Airport is the busiest airport of the Caribbean with 12 million passengers per year. In high season, the airport receives up to 800,000 passengers per month from all mayor airlines in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. A valid passport is required to enter Mexico.

HOTEL ZONE: Most beachfront hotels in Cancun are located in the narrow 7-shaped island called Boulevard Kukulcan better known as the hotel zone. The trendiest, most popular discos, finest international restaurants, and largest entertainment venues are located along the 21 kilometers of hotel zone strip.

DOWNTOWN: Downtown Cancun, or “El Centro,” is connected to the hotel zone by two major bridges. The city’s main streets and avenues are named after Mayan cities. Additional restaurants, hotels and hostels, shopping centers, and supermarkets are located in downtown Cancun.

TRANSPORATION: There are four buses that connect the hotel zone and downtown Cancun. R1 will travel down Tulum Ave. R2 and R15 will go to Wal-Mart and Market 28, a mayor flea market in downtown. R27 will go to Plaza Las Americas, one of the major shopping centers in downtown Cancun. Cancun buses are frequent, safe, and clean. The rate per person is $7.50 Mexican pesos. Taxis are also available in the hotel zone and downtown Cancun. For day trips to Chichen Itza, Tulum, and surrounding cities, charter buses depart from the ADO bus station in downtown Cancun, but many tour packages will provide everything you need for your trip, including transportation. Take a look at our How to move around Cancun post.

ATTRACTIONS: Mayan ruins, Caribbean beaches, and Cancun nightlife are just a few of the things to do in Cancun. Chichen Itza, Tulum, and Coba are the most visited and famous Mayan ruins nearby. Other activities to enjoy are swimming with dolphins and whale sharks, exploring luscious Yucatan jungles, horseback riding, and snorkeling among other attractions.

CRIME: Tourist areas are generally safe all day and late at night. General precautions should be taken. For emergencies, 060 is the equivalent to  the 911 emergency services in the United States.

LANGUAGE: The official language in Mexico is Spanish, although the majority of people who work in tourism speak English.

MONEY: The official currency is the Mexican Peso. Exchange houses or “casas de cambio” are located all throughout Cancun. Most banks, located on Tulum Ave. in downtown Cancun, will exchange dollars into pesos.

CLIMATE: The climate is tropical, hot and humid all year round. The annual average temperature is 26 C (79 F). There are over 3,000 sunshine hours a year, making it one of the sunniest places in the Caribbean. The hurricane season is from June to November. The state of Quintana Roo is recognized worldwide for its leadership in hurricane emergency assistance.