New Year's Eve in Cancun

UPDATED JUNE 2025
By Dom Bewley
New Year's Eve in Cancun

Are you heading to Cancun for NYE this year? Check out our picks of the best ways to spend New Year's Eve in the city and make it one to remember. From daytime splashes to nighttime parties, we've got you covered.

Including:

  • Is Cancun good for New Year's Eve?
  • Is Cancun busy during New Year's?
  • Can you swim in Cancun in December?
  • Things to do before New Year's Eve in Cancun
  • Things to do on New Year's Eve in Cancun

Is Cancun good for New Year's Eve?

New Year's Eve in Cancun

Cancun is a hugely popular spot - especially for tourists - over the New Year. Could they all be wrong? Perhaps. But would they keep coming back, year after year, to experience New Year's Eve in Cancun? Probably not. So, yes, you'll have a damn good time if you choose to go.

Is Cancun busy during New Year's?

However, due to Cancun's popularity on New Year's, you'll be sharing the sunny spotlight with many a traveler. This works both for and against spending New Year's Eve in Cancun. If you want to rub shoulders with like-minded, likely English-speaking individuals, you're in luck. However, if you were hoping to avoid massive crowds and queues, that's not going to happen. Due to Cancun's peak weather season landing from November - March, NYE just happens to be smack bang right in the middle of it.

 

Can you swim in Cancun in December?

New Year's Eve in Cancun

You sure can! The water over New Year's Eve is as warm as anything in Cancun. You'll be more than comfortable swimming, snorkeling, diving, or any other number of water-based activities. How warm? Well, the average sea temperature is 80°F. So, yeah, warm.

As with most New Year's Eve celebrations, festivities in Cancun don't tend to kick off until the later hours, so you'll have the whole day to make the most of your trip! With that in mind, check out our picks of the best things to do before New Year's Eve in Cancun!

 

Things to do before New Year's Eve in Cancun: Parasailing

New Year's Eve in Cancun

Speaking of warm weather, why not make the most of the day before the night and go parasailing? Whether you're brand new to it or a seasoned veteran, you'll be taken care of.

Your ride lasts over 10 minutes, and you'll be decked out in state-of-the-art safety equipment. And, with a walkie-talkie in hand, you'll be in constant contact with the captain of the boat if you need to speed up or slow down. After all that, and with your parachute pulled, you'll soar into the sky and experience some of the best views of Cancun around.

It's a great way to get your blood flowing before the evening's main event!

 

 

Things to do before New Year's Eve in Cancun: Ventura Park

New Year's Eve in Cancun

Sticking with the water theme, how about visiting a water-filled theme park before your New Year's Eve celebrations in Cancun? Ventura Park has got you more than covered.

With tons of waterslides, swimming pools, and other rides, you'll have a blast at arguably Cancun's best waterpark. For your white-knuckle spills, hit up Wet n' Wild World, where you'll find the park's best splashes. Wave pools, slides, rafting, and more relaxing poolside opportunities. Fancy drier entertainment? Aahventura World features a tree-load of zip lines, rollercoasters, and rope-swinging fun. For the little ones, Fun World focuses on things for them, but since you're spending New Year's Eve in Cancun, we'll assume you've left them at home!

Make a splash, or don't, at Ventura Park, and cool off before the party begins.

Right, that's enough pre-game - let's talk about the main event! Read on, and discover our picks of the very best New Year's Eve entertainment in Cancun!

 

Things to do on New Year's Eve in Cancun: Congo Bar

New Year's Eve in Cancun

There are a ton of NYE events in Cancun. Too many to mention. But will any of them offer you a free bar for the whole night? No, they won't. So, why not hit up Congo Bar and have a night of free drinks and entertainment on us? You are very welcome.

Pick from beers, wines, cocktails, and spirits, and ring in the new year without breaking the bank. And, with tons of entertainment on offer thanks to special DJs spinning anthems that'll make you jump, go-go dancers kicking up a storm, and plenty of conga lines flowing and elaborate dress-up gear to try on, you'll have a night to remember.

Just remember to drink plenty of water through the night so you don't feel awful the next morning.

 

Things to do on New Year's Eve in Cancun: Romantic Dinner Cruise

New Year's Eve in Cancun

Of course, New Year's Eve isn't all about partying. For some, it's a time to spend with our loved ones, away from the flashing lights and throbbing bass of the club scene. If you're planning on making your New Year's Eve in Cancun a romantic one, why not hit up this romantic dinner cruise and get a slap-up meal while you're at it?

This 2.5-hour Cancun cruise includes a multi-course dinner with appetizers, dinner, drinks, and plenty of tempting desserts. Meat eaters and veggie lovers are equally taken care of, with steak and vegetarian options depending on your preference. Then, when your meal is over, you can have a few more drinks at the open bar on board, enjoy the dulcet tones of the live saxophonists, and admire the serene skyline reflecting on the water as the clock strikes midnight.

As far as romantic nights go, it doesn't get much better than this.

 

Things to do on New Year's Eve in Cancun: Lucha Libre

New Year's Eve in Cancun

Or, if you're looking for something more quirky and unusual this New Year's Eve in Cancun, why not hit up a Lucha Libre show and discover the joys, laughs, and tears that make Mexican wrestling one of the most captivating sports on the planet?

Kick things off with a heaping of tacos filled with all your favorite ingredients, complimented by delicious, refreshing Mexican cerveza - that's beer to you and me. Then, when you've had your fill, skip the queue and witness the larger-than-life entertainment that can only be Lucha Libre. Extravagant masks, deep backstories, and brother backstabbing brother are just some of the many joys of this flamboyant fair.

 

And that's everything you need to know about celebrating New Year's Eve in Cancun! If you want vacation inspiration for the rest of your stay, check out Go City! With our All-Inclusive Pass and Explorer Pass, you can see all of Cancun's best bits for one low price. So grab a Cancun pass and make it a new year to rememeber!

Dom Bewley
Go City Travel Expert

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A couple enjoy the beach at Cancun
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Visiting Cancun in May

Although it’s the official start of the wet season, you shouldn’t be put off from visiting Cancun in May. The prevailing climate is still very much geared towards enjoying the city’s spectacular coastal attractions, from its ancient Mayan sites to over 22 kilometers of beaches on the Caribbean Sea. So why not let us guide you through the very best things to do in Cancun in May? First though, we describe one of the most important aspects of heading to Cancun at this time of year – what to expect from the weather. Cancun weather in May Yes, May 1 is the date marked in Cancun diaries as the first day of the rainy season. No, this doesn’t mean you’ll be faced with 12 hours of wall-to-wall rain if you decide to visit Cancun in May – the sun still makes its presence felt most days. Thunderstorms are most common towards the end of the month, and even then tend to be short, heavy showers. They affect life on the streets for just a couple of hours in the late afternoon. Evenings are generally balmy with clear skies once more. Although May is one of the most humid times of year in Cancun, if you’re sticking to the coast you’ll hardly even notice. Temperatures here are 1 – 2°C lower than inland areas – where temperatures range from 23 – 33°C – since the sea breeze helps whip away the muggy air. Say hi to the local wildlife Plan your vacation to Cancun in May and you won’t be the only new arrivals in town. The turquoise waters immediately out to sea also welcome whale sharks from May through September. The world’s largest fish, these gentle giants feed on nothing but plankton. Measuring up to 18 meters in length, swimming or snorkeling close to them is a magical experience whatever your age, and easy to organize too. Other arrivals include endangered green, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles. Snorkelers can find them relaxing amidst the shallows of the Grand Mayan (Mesoamerican) Reef, sweeping down from Cancun to the central Americas. But even if you keep your feet firmly dry, it’s possible to witness them after dark as they bury their eggs on the beaches of Isla Contoy and Isla Mujeres, where you can also encounter manatees. Roughly 30 minutes from mainland Cancun by ferry, the journey is even more memorable on your own crewed catamaran. Experience the strip For a slice of local life, head away from the high-rise towers of the beachside hotel zone for downtown Cancun. It’s home to Cancun’s best shopping – the famous Mercado 28 market and the giant Plaza Las Americas shopping mall. But the downtown area is not just a shopper’s delight. It also has a charming lagoon-side promenade, the Malecon Tajamar, where you’ll find many families enjoying the coastal breezes long into the night. The center of Cancun’s legendary nightlife remains firmly within the main strip that forms the hotel zone. For many it focusses on Coco Bongo and the similar sounding Bar Congo, who both have a legion of fans taking to their dance floors for live DJ sets on a nightly basis. If your clubbing days are behind you, there’s still plenty to entertain you within the hotel zone. For instance, beside the stores of La Isla sits the La Gran Rueda Cancun Ferris wheel. Open from the early afternoon until late evening each day, its gondolas bring you high above the hubbub of street level to spectacular views across the coast. Discover Cancun’s Mayan history Cancun’s Caribbean shores aren’t the only way to experience sparkling waters. This region of coast is also home to a miraculous series of natural sinkholes formed by freshwater dissolving the limestone rock over thousands of years. Known as cenotes (say-no-tays), there are around 30,000 in total, and every one offers something slightly different. Filled with crystal clear waters, they are the perfect place to cool off. Ranging in size from a couple of meters wide to the size of a football field, some of their pools are large enough to have become populated by fish, whilst others provide dramatic stalactite and stalagmite formations beyond the dense foliage and vines of the surrounding jungle. Amongst the best – Aktun Ha and Oxman cenotes. Considered sacred by the Maya, cenotes are not the only part of Mayan culture to slip into the life of modern-day Cancun. Another is the temazcal ceremony, which lurks somewhere between revered rite, spa treatment and sweat lodge. Most comparable to the sauna experience, steam scented with herbs such as copal and sage is produced by pouring water over hot stones. Often accompanied by shamanic chants, sessions last around two hour and relax you in body and mind, as well as drawing toxins out of your body. To dodge the afternoon showers that can affect Cancun in May, head to the city’s Maya Museum (Museo Maya). Filled with natural light, its contemporary design ensures its many treasures are displayed at their very best. A path also leads from the museum through the jungle to San Miguelito, a ruined settlement containing temples, pyramids and the remains of homely dwellings. Festival fever If the point of your vacation in Cancun is to let your hair down and forget your worries, you’ve certainly come to the right place. One of the top things to do during the evening hours is to join the Xoximilco party boat. Taking its lead from the cultural traditions of the country, step aboard and you’ll discover a brightly-colored world of live music, tasty foods, singing and dancing. The region’s cuisine is also centerstage during May’s Food and Wine Festival, attracting many of the top chefs in the area. The most important date in the calendar when it comes to music has to be the US Memorial Day Weekend, preceding the last Monday of the month. The long weekend sees the arrival of Cancun Jumpoff, one of the world’s largest urban electronic music festivals. Save on attraction admission in Cancun in May! Although your mind might have already turned to all things beachwear, don’t forget the one very easy way to make the most of your vacation – and make significant savings to – Go City! Explore with Go City and you’ll have access to many of Cancun’s top attractions without losing the flexibility you’re sure to crave!
Ian Packham
A couple on a white sand beach in Cancun
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Cancun in January

If you’re planning a visit to Cancun in January you’ve hit the jackpot. Sure, Mexico’s top beach resort is probably at its most crowded, but with so much to see and do you’ll hardly even notice. Coming early on in the Yucatan region’s dry season, which starts in December, Cancun’s weather in January sees temperatures of 21 – 28°C matched by clear sunny skies. Warm evenings mean you can stay out in short sleeves long into the night, whilst sea temperatures aren’t all that different to what you can expect on the long ribbons of white sand. Humidity is also at its lowest levels of the year, especially towards the end of January. This makes the month an excellent time to explore the jungle, hit the waters of the Caribbean Sea in any number of ways or soak up the sun on beaches famed the world over. Is January a good time to visit Cancun? There’s no denying it is! Jungle adventures Take a snapshot of the Yucatan Peninsula from the vantage point of a quetzal bird or hornbill and you’ll soon realize just how much of it is thick subtropical jungle. So whilst it’s right to focus much of your attention on Cancun’s shoreline, be sure not to miss the delights of this other natural habitat within very easy reach. From Cancun’s hotel zone beaches the jungle is just one exhilarating speedboat tour across Nichupté Lagoon, whose opposite banks form an unbroken chain of trees providing important nesting spots for crocodiles as well as birds. Alternatively, you can experience the jungle by tearing through the canopy securely attached to a zip line at Jungle Maya Native Park before going on to take part in a traditional Mayan purification ceremony, abseil or snorkel. However, when it comes to zip-lining experiences, few can match that at Selvatica Park’s Extreme Canopy Tour. Here you’ll have the chance to tackle no fewer than ten zip-line circuits, a zip-line roller coaster and half-aquatic zip-line route. Prepare to get wet! Take to the waves If getting wet gets you smiling, your cheeks are going to get sore pretty quickly in Cancun in January. Water sports gear isn’t hard to find in the hotel zone, whether that’s a jet ski, stand-up paddleboard or banana boat. It’s even possible to hang above the turquoise waters by parasailing. Meanwhile, below the waves water visibility is excellent, making January an ideal month for scuba diving and snorkeling at one of the most important reef systems in the world – the Grand Mayan Reef. There’s an almost unlimited number of options when it comes to uncovering the underwater world, from Royal Garrafon Natural Reef Park on Isla Mujeres to checking out the life that has adopted shipwrecks as their habitat of choice. But the unique diving and snorkeling opportunities don’t end there. Cancun’s warm waters are also home to one of the world’s few underwater museums. More correctly a gallery to display the specially-made sculptures of Mexican and international artists, MUSA consists of several galleries which have become home to around 500 different species of sea life. Beach life With over 20 kilometers of beachfront to choose from, Cancun is also a great destination for soaking up a little winter sun. Playa Delfines (Dolphin Beach) is Cancun’s largest stretch of public sand, and is perhaps also the most beautiful even if the eponymous wild dolphins don’t make an appearance. For somewhere a little quieter to wile away the day check out Playa Chacmool, which rubs shoulders with the livelier Playa Forum. Elsewhere, Playa Tortugas is primarily used as a hangout for locals, but this takes nothing away from its stunning sands. A short ferry or catamaran sailing away you’ll also find the beaches of Isla Mujeres. Playa Norte (North Beach) is its best-known, and from here it’s possible to rent a golf-style buggy to explore the island further, peruse the souvenir stalls or sit down to a sumptuous meal all within earshot of the waves. If you’re already missing the hotel zone’s epic night spots, swap the catamaran sailing for a trip to Isla Mujeres by dancer cruise. A double-story water slide, open domestic bar, onboard entertainment and steady supply of foods might even rival the seascapes! Don’t forget about the Maya Cancun is probably unique in beach resorts because of the presence of internationally-important historic sites as well as celebrated beaches. The Yucatan Peninsula is the location of many of the Mayan civilization’s most important sites. Absolutely not to be missed is Chichen Itza, whose well-preserved step pyramid is one of the most impressive landmarks in the entire region and definitely worth exploring even if it requires giving up on the beaches for a couple of hours. Although Coba may be harder to visualize as a functioning city, since it has been partially reabsorbed into the jungle, it boasts the Maya’s tallest ever construction – a pyramid which it is still possible to climb. Nor should Tulum be ignored. Made even more special by its coastal rather than jungle location, this Mayan city’s outer walls still stand. Within them visitors are able to explore everything from laborers' homes to those of the nobility. Avoid missing out on the festivities Cancun in January is relatively quiet when it comes to special events, however no one is able to miss the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Cancun on December 31. Not only do fireworks erupt over the hotel zone on the stroke of midnight and into the first minutes of January, but many of the strip’s bars and clubs host special events to mark the coming of the new year. Also at the beginning of January is King’s Day on the sixth of the month. The Mexican equivalent of Epiphany, this largely religious festival commemorates the Biblical story of the Wise Men. During the first week of January keep an eye out for rosca de reyes – a special type of sweet bread in the shape of a ring or wreath. Decorated with candied fruits, it contains a small figurine of a baby hidden somewhere inside. The person who finds the figure is expected to host a Candlemas party on February 2. Save when visiting Cancun in January Because it lies within the high season, January is one of the more expensive times of year to travel to Cancun. However, there are still ways to keep your budget in check, not least by traveling with Go City! We provide you with massive savings on entry to many of Cancun’s top attractions and activities so you can see and do what you want without worry. Vacations are about having fun rather than keeping an eye on the finances after all!
Ian Packham
Part of Cancun's hotel zone
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The complete guide to where to stay in Cancun

With over 20 kilometers of white sand beaches on the Caribbean Sea lined by hotels, plus the downtown area to consider, first time visitors can struggle with knowing where to stay in Cancun.
Ian Packham

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