Fun and entertainment Mexico

Timetable

Mexicans live late and love to party. On weekends, in some cases as early as Wednesday, bars and cantinas are packed to the rafters and stay open until closing time. However, bars in the cities rarely close after 2 a.m. and nightclubs are not open until the early hours of the morning: with a few exceptions, customers are kindly turned away as 4 a.m. approaches. Nightclubs are rarely open from Sunday to Tuesday, and some only open on weekends.

Shows generally take place in the evening, starting between 6 and 8pm, with occasional extra performances in the early afternoon on Saturday and Sunday.

Cancún and Playa del Carmen, for example, have been attracting party-goers from all over the world for many years for their wild parties and world-famous DJs. It's here that the nightlife is at its wildest, and the party goes on until first light.

Budget & Tips

Discotheques sometimes have an entrance fee, but this is rarely applied to women. The most popular clubs for tourists, especially in the Yucatán Peninsula, charge a high price: from US$ 10 to US$ 30 per entry, which usually includes one or more drinks. Drinks are relatively cheap in bars and nightclubs (except, once again, for the tourist establishments that adapt to the standard of living of their clientele and charge exorbitant prices). If you attend a show (play, concert, art performance...), it should not cost you more than a few hundred pesos, unless it is an international event.

To be booked

Unless you're planning to attend a performance by an international Mexican star during your stay, or a show at a prestigious venue like Mexico City's Palacio de Bellas Artes, you won't need to book your outings in advance.

Night transport

In Mexico City, the metro doesn't run between midnight and 5am. If you're going out at night, it's best to take a cab or VTC anyway. You don't risk much on public transport, apart from having your wallet stolen, but taking a cab is cheap, comfortable and much faster than riding the metro. The best way to get back to your hotel after a night of partying is undoubtedly to take an Uber. In the capital, they circulate at all hours of the day and night, and you'll never have to wait more than 10 minutes for your driver. It's very practical, and safety-wise, it doesn't get any better than this. Elsewhere in Mexico, in places where Uber, Didi or Cabify are not established, cabs remain your best option if you're coming home late. In neighborhoods where people go out to bars or nightclubs, you'll have no trouble finding a cab. Remember to negotiate the fare before you leave.

Age restrictions

The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18. When entering bars and nightclubs or serving alcohol, you will rarely be asked for your ID. But be sure to bring a photocopy of your passport, just in case.

What's very local

Mexicans like to be elegant and enjoy dressing up when they go out. The dress code will obviously not be the same in a bar as in a nightclub, but it's a good idea to make a little effort and leave your flip-flops in the closet for the evening!

Smokers

Smoking is prohibited in bars, cafés and nightclubs.