Fun and entertainment Yucatán Peninsula
14 Going out
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Practical information : Going out Yucatán Peninsula
Timetable
Mexico is a country that likes to celebrate life with music and parties. In the Yucatán peninsula, the seaside resorts of Cancún and Playa del Carmen are famous for this and some people come here just to dance until dawn to the sets of international DJs. Cancún in particular is a dream for American students who are waiting for one thing: to come and forget everything during the spring break period in early spring. The idea is to relieve the pressure of studying, far from their parents, in the tropics. A week of unlimited parties in a see, sex and sun concept, with unlimited alcohol! If you like big party gatherings, this is the time to come to Cancún, but book your accommodation several weeks in advance. Outside of this period, which extends from the end of February to mid-April, Cancún remains a very festive city, especially in the Zona Hotelera, as well as Playa del Carmen (on the beaches and the Quinta Avenida), with a great atmosphere in the beach clubs from early afternoon. Tulum is not bad either, but in a much more chic or/and bohemian style. Elsewhere in the peninsula, in the big cities like Merida or Campeche, the nightlife is much more authentic and Mexican, and much cheaper too, with picturesque bars and cantinas where you can meet Mexicans and attend concerts by local bands, over tequila shots or craft beers. In Mexico, people usually go out late, starting on Wednesday or Thursday night. On Fridays and Saturdays, the bars are full.
Budget & Tips
Entrance to dance bars and discotheques is usually paid for by men, free or at a reduced rate for women, often with girl nights where girls can drink as much as they want, or almost. Drinks are much cheaper than in France (between 1.5 and 5 US$ for a local beer in a discotheque), except in the elitist clubs and the tourist clubs of Cancún or Playa, which make the gringos pay full price. In these places, it is often an all-you-can-drink formula(barra libre), with dance or circus shows, and bikini or wet T-shirt contests... For those who want to get their head around it, count between 60 and 80 US$ for an entrance with unlimited drinks and an American-style show. The entries bought by Internet, via agencies or its hotel, are often a little less expensive than directly at the entry. Unlike restaurants, waiters and bartenders are rarely tipped more than 5%, or even just a few pesos in bars. Happy hours in the beach bars are frequent, the hours vary greatly, usually in the middle of the afternoon.
To be booked
In Playa del Carmen, it is important to book well in advance to attend the dinner show called "JOYÀ" by the famous Cirque du Soleil. But as a rule, reservations are not necessary, except for concerts by international stars.
Night transport
In Cancún, a network of buses runs all night long to reach Downtown. When you come back from the evening, it is advisable to take an Uber or a taxi (by phone or via an app, avoid hailing it on the street). Going home with several people is a guarantee of safety, especially for single girls.
Age restrictions
The consumption of alcohol is possible from 18 years old. If you are under 30 years old, don't forget a photocopy of your passport to prove that you are of age in order to enter the bars and clubs.
What's very local
It is customary to make an effort to dress up when going out in Mexico: pants, closed shoes, shirt (or guayabera), for men; jeans or skirts and makeup for girls. It depends on the type of place you are going to; you will not dress the same for a night out in a bohemian café as you would in a discotheque. Tourists often think that they can enter a club in shorts and flip-flops, this may be true for bars in resorts, but not for Merida or the rest of Mexico.
Smokers
It is possible to buy single cigarettes from street vendors, who hang out in front of bars or clubs at night. On the other hand, smoking is not allowed inside cafés, bars or discos, unless there is a space for it, which is not very common.
Tourist traps
Don't be careless about buying drugs. Dealers are sometimes in cahoots with the police, which can only get you into trouble...