Punta Cancún is the liveliest part of the Zona Hotelera and the main hub of nightlife along the entire Riviera Maya.

Within a few hundred metres, you’ll find two different beaches, Cancún’s most famous clubs, restaurants and hotels, all within walking distance of one another.

The ideal plan is to head to Playa Gaviota Azul in the afternoon, have dinner before dark, and then carry on to your chosen club in the evening.

• 👉 My tips for the best places to stay

Did we like it here?

Honestly? No. But I suppose we’re just too old now, and we’re not really drawn to huge clubs and discos packed with hundreds of people. What’s more, the whole neighbourhood is terribly touristy.

It’s true, though, that Playa Gaviota Azul is one of the prettiest public beaches in the city centre. The main reason to visit, however, is the evening entertainment. If you want to experience Cancún’s nightlife, there’s no point looking anywhere else.

Beaches in Punta Cancún

On either side of the headland, you’ll find different conditions for swimming.

• Playa Gaviota Azul, also known as Playa Forum, has a wider strip of white sand, strikingly turquoise water and larger waves. Beach clubs operate here during the day and the atmosphere is usually lively.
• Playa Caracol is smaller and, thanks to its location facing Bahía de Mujeres, the water is considerably calmer. We recommend it for families with children and less confident swimmers.

Both beaches are public and admission is free. If we had to choose just one, we’d go for the more photogenic Playa Gaviota Azul.

Nightlife: which club to choose?

The clubs in Punta Cancún are not all the same. Coco Bongo is primarily a show venue, Mandala is a classic nightclub, and Congo Bar is a cheaper and more laid-back option.

Club	What to expect	Approximate price
Coco Bongo	Music show, confetti and club music	from 90 usd
Mandala	Classic open-plan club, hip hop, EDM and reggaeton	by 60 usd
Congo Bar	A smaller, less formal bar with a DJ, dancers and short shows	from 40 usd
La Vaquita	A wild, informal party with hip hop, R&B and reggaeton	from 40 usd
House of Fiesta	American-style student party, games, shots and loud music	by 35 usd
D’Cave	A more modern club, electronic music, pop and a stricter dress code	from 60 usd

Prices vary depending on the day, programme and type of drinks package.

Coco Bongo: the best show

Coco Bongo isn’t your typical nightclub. Throughout the evening, there’s a mix of acrobatic performances, dance routines, musical tributes to famous artists and club music.

We recommend it as the most versatile option for a first visit to Cancún.

However, be prepared for high prices, large crowds and limited space for dancing. Cheaper tickets usually do not include a designated seat.

• 👉 Buy tickets for Coco Bongo

Mandala: the best classic club

If dancing is your main priority, we’d recommend Mandala. The club has an open façade facing the street, striking oriental décor and plays a mix of hip hop, electronic music and reggaeton.

It’s more expensive and more formal than Congo Bar or La Vaquita. Swimsuits, flip-flops, vest tops and sportswear are not permitted.

• 👉Buy entry to Mandala

Congo Bar and La Vaquita: cheaper and less formal

Congo Bar is a smaller venue directly opposite Coco Bongo. It combines a bar, a dance floor and shorter live performances. We recommend it if you want to get a taste of Cancún’s nightlife without spending around 100 usd.

La Vaquita is even more laid-back and rowdy. It’s particularly suited to groups of friends who are more interested in a wild party than the atmosphere or the programme.

• 👉 Buy entry to Congo Bar

Is a pub crawl worth it?

If you’re struggling to choose or are travelling on your own, an organised pub crawl is an interesting alternative. The current programme includes four venues in one evening and unlimited local drinks.

The selection of venues varies depending on the day. Stops include Señor Frog’s, La Vaquita, House of Fiesta, Mandala, Rakata and D’Cave.

• 👉Book an evening pub crawl in Cancún

What would we choose?

• If you want to experience a typical tourist night out in Cancún: Coco Bongo.
• Ifyou mainly want to dance: Mandala.
• Ifyou want to spend less: Congo Bar.
• If you’re after a wild student party: House of Fiesta or La Vaquita.
• If you’re after a more stylish club and electronic music: D’Cave.
• Are you travelling alone or want to visit several venues in one go? Join an organised pub crawl.

Accommodation in Punta Cancún

Punta Cancún is one of the best places to stay if you want to walk to the beach, restaurants and nightlife. The downsides are higher prices, a busy neighbourhood and a predominantly touristy atmosphere.

We would recommend these hotels:

• Hyatt Ziva Cancún is a luxury all-inclusive resort right at the tip of the headland. Thanks to its location, it is surrounded by the sea on three sides and has access to both a quieter and a more open beach.
• Riu Palace Las Americas is an adults-only all-inclusive resort on the quieter northern part of the coast, yet just a few minutes’ walk from the nightclubs.
• Aloft by Marriott Cancún is one of the more affordable, traditional hotels right in the heart of the action. It doesn’t have its own beach, but both Playa Caracol and Playa Gaviota Azul are about a 5-minute walk away.

View all hotels in Punta Cancún

Shops and souvenirs

Punta Cancún is also a shopping hub, particularly if you’re looking for souvenirs or clothes.

On the other side of the main street, before you reach the hotels and clubs, you’ll find extensive markets with tourist shops.

Personally, though, I’d give them a wide berth, to be honest.

This was the first time in Mexico that we felt quite uncomfortable. The stallholders are often very pushy and try at all costs to foist all sorts of things on you at a ‘discounted’ price.

Punta Cancún Lighthouse

The red-and-white Faro de Punta Cancún lighthouse stands on the rocky tip of the headland behind the Hyatt Ziva resort.

We were unable to find the public path to the lighthouse, as we were looking for it from the direction of Playa Caracol. This route is difficult to navigate due to the jetties, breakwaters and hotel complexes.

How to actually get to the lighthouse

A more accessible route leads from the opposite side of Punta Cancún:

1. Use the public access path at Playa Gaviota Azul between Coco Bongo and Mandala Beach Club.
2. Once you’ve reached the beach, face the sea and turn left.
3. Continue along the water’s edge across Playa Gaviota Azul towards the Hyatt Ziva resort.
4. At the end of the sandy beach, enter the Hyatt Ziva hotel grounds; you should be officially allowed through if you say you’re just going to the lighthouse.
5. The final stretch leads over uneven and, in places, sharp rocks to the lighthouse.

From the public entrance, allow for approximately 900 metres and a 20- to 25-minute walk one way.

• Punta Cancún Lighthouse on Google Maps

Please note that the route suggested by Google Maps is for guidance only. The coastal path is not signposted, and the map may incorrectly direct you through the hotel grounds.

Set off only during daylight hours, wearing sturdy footwear and when the sea is calm. If the waves are breaking over the rocks, it’s best to turn back. This is neither an official promenade nor a comfortable tourist trail.

The lighthouse itself is not accessible from the inside. The purpose of the visit is the view, the rocky coastline and taking photographs.

How to get to Punta Cancún

Punta Cancún is situated around the 9-kilometre mark on Boulevard Kukulcán and can be easily reached from all parts of the Zona Hotelera by buses R1 and R2.

Get off at the Forum By The Sea or Playa Caracol stop.

The journey from the centre of Cancún takes approximately 25 minutes, depending on traffic.

You can also use Uber or a taxi. I’d particularly recommend Uber, as you don’t have to haggle over the price. When travelling from the city centre (ADO bus station), you’ll pay around 120 mxn during the day. At night, however, it can be as much as 300 mxn.

• 👉 How transport works in Cancún

Where to park?

We travelled to Cancún in a hire car.

There isn’t a large public car park in the Punta Cancún area, so we parked for free in the side streets leading towards the Hyatt Ziva hotel. We found a space relatively easily during the day in the off-season, but during the peak season I’d really recommend using Uber or the buses instead.

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