New Year's Eve in Cancun

By Dom Bewley
Published: July 18, 2024
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 sea views in Cancun
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Things to do in Cancun in July

Take a quick turn around the web and you’ll soon discover that July falls within Cancun’s wet season. But although it’s low season, don’t give up your dreams of visiting Cancun in July just yet. The month’s wet season designation tricks many into believing July isn’t a good time to visit Cancun. However, the reality on the beaches of the Yucatan Peninsula is very different to what you might be imagining. Five days of rain is all you’ll experience on average, and even then, this generally consists of a nothing more than heavy afternoon downpour of as little as 15 minutes. They rarely last longer than two or three hours. And whilst there’s an outside chance of a hurricane making landfall at this time of year, the last time this happened was way back in 2005. Wet season? We hear you ask. What wet season? Here’s some of what you can get up to in Cancun in July. Seek out the sea breeze With temperatures on land maxing out at 34°C and humidity levels which can top 80%, sticking close to Cancun’s Caribbean shores is a good way to minimize the heat. Getting out onto the water is incredibly easy in Cancun, with catamaran cruises to Isla Mujeres, shipwreck snorkeling tours and even the galleries of an underwater museum to consider. Between them they offer an incredible array of ways to enjoy the region’s turquoise waters and teeming coral reefs. The Caribbean’s only seafront amusement and water park, Ventura Park provides a heady mix of high-octane rides and calmer ways to appreciate the water, such as its Lazy River and Wave Pool, making it a great shout for families. All ages are also welcome at the majority of Cancun’s cenotes. Natural sinkholes formed from collapsed limestone caves and flooded by a mix of underwater rivers and rain water, they are a stunning addition to the region’s geography. Ranging from simple holes in the ground to magnificent forms with diving platforms up to ten meters high, their cool waters will soon see you adopt the right frame of mine. Take a road trip With the Riviera Maya on your doorstep, Cancun is the perfect starting point for a coastal road trip in search of Mayan ruins and tiny coves. So why not rent a car for the day and head down Federal Highway 307? Whether you ramp up the air-con or wind down the windows is entirely up to you, as you head south from Puerto Morelos to the beaches, bars and boutique stores of Playa del Carmen and the archeology site of Tulum – where temples stand guard over the coast. Along the way, consider stopping for a couple of hours at the ecoparks of Xel-Ha or Xcaret. Xel-Ha counts jungle and river trails amongst its highlights, whilst Xcaret is best thought of as part water park, part cabaret show and part wildlife reserve. Meet Cancun’s most-loved creatures Animal lovers certainly won’t be short of things to do in Cancun in July. Since May at least three species of turtle have been dragging themselves up onto the beaches after dark in order to dig holes in which to lay their eggs. This continues through July, with the added bonus of the very first eggs to be laid starting to hatch, carpeting the sands of Isla Mujeres with newborns eager to reach the relative safety of the open ocean. Though the giants of the deep, the turtles don’t face any threat from the whale sharks which linger in Cancun’s warm tropical waters at this time of year, since they eat nothing larger than microscopic plankton. Swimming and snorkeling beside these magnificent creatures are unforgettable experiences, celebrated on the island at the annual Whale Shark Festival at the end of July. Discover the nightlife Another end of July celebration to mark in your diary is July 25’s El Día Fuera del Tiempo. Translating as ‘the day out of time’, it marks the Mayan year end, and is a traditional time to reflect on the past twelve months. There are festivities right along the Riviera Maya. Originally focusing on Tulum, they now include events in Cancun itself. But whatever day you turn up in July you can be sure of a good time. With a reputation as one of the best places to party south of the Rio Grande, Cancun’s hotel zone is awash with neon signs and dance floors just waiting to be filled. One of the top spots for many years has been Congo Bar, whose DJs spin the decks until close to sunrise. Take in some culture If the thought of those occasional afternoon downpours is still leaving you unsure of what to do in Cancun in July, remember that the city isn’t all about outdoor adventures. There’s also plenty to discover under cover, with a pick of great museums and galleries thanks to a thriving cultural scene. Museo Maya displays a wealth of important artefacts linked to the region’s historic inhabitants, including items discovered at Chichen Itza and Comalcalco. They reveal many of the secrets to the Mayans’ success and ultimate demise at the hands of the Spanish conquistadors. Forming part of Xcaret ecopark, the Mexican Folk Art Museum details the nation’s modern culture, including items such as ghoulish Day of the Dead dolls in a dazzling series of colorful galleries depicting everyday life. The 3D Museum of Wonders in Playa del Carmen lives up to its name and is a museum that will keep the kids entertained until the clouds clear. Filled with three-dimensional optical illusions, it is the work of artist Kurt Wenner, whose 60 creations literally leap from the walls in all manner of sizes and shapes. Save on Cancun July attraction admission Comparatively crowd-free by Cancun standards and budget-friendly to boot, July is a great month to visit despite being placed within the region’s wet season. Take it easy in the building humidity by sticking to the shoreline or heading to the range of water-based attractions and activities on offer. Take Go City with you and you’ll save big on admission costs at the same time!
Ian Packham
A woman floats in the shallows in Cancun
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Should I visit Cancun in June?

Cancun and June go together so well they even rhyme. After the busy months of the first half of the year, Cancun in June is quieter, with some great flight and hotel deals to be had. However, this doesn’t mean that the city shuts up shop until December. Far from it. There’s still a wealth of attractions to delight and entertain, including the arrival of turtles and whale sharks along Cancun’s frankly wondrous Caribbean shores. To prove it, here’s our guide to what to do in Cancun in June! Beach hopping Cancun’s 22 kilometers of white sand beaches – extending along the hotel zone – are a major draw at any time of year. In June, there’s even more reason to soak up the sun from the likes of Playa Delfines or Playa Langosta. Mounting humidity levels can be kept at bay by sticking to the hotel zone’s thin band of land, separated from the higher temperatures of the mainland by Nichupte Lagoon. Looking refreshed with the arrival of the new season rains, you can see the jungle and many of its species, from birds to monkeys, at its most glorious. And from the controls of your very own speedboat too! But don’t worry – although June is one of the wettest months in the Cancun calendar, just a quarter of days experience the month’s afternoon showers. They won’t force you to cancel any plans. That’s particularly good news when both turtles and whale sharks are potential attractions during the month. Head across to Isla Mujeres by catamaran and you can encounter turtles both in the coral-laden shallows immediately offshore and on the beaches of Punta Sur as they return to the sands they hatched from to continue the circle of life. Whale sharks meanwhile arrive in Cancun’s waters from May, and stay until September, filling their days feasting on the plankton-rich waters. Swimming close to these animals – which at up to 18 meters long are the world’s largest fish – is one of the highlights of the year, yet alone the month. Staying fresh With sea temperatures matching those on land – 29°C – it’s no wonder such a plethora of life chooses to spend their time here beneath the waves. Just a short journey south of Cancun, the town of Puerto Morelos is the gateway to the Mesoamerican Reef. Also known as the Grand Mayan Reef, the ‘grand’ is well placed, it being second in size only to the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Australia. One way to ensure you see it at its best is by booking a dedicated snorkeling tour, where turtles are just one of 500 different species of fish and sea creatures you have the chance to lay your eyes on. No less impressive are the Yucatan Peninsula’s unique collection of natural limestone water-filled sinkholes, or cenotes. Fed by underwater rivers, these open and semi-open cave-like structures are some of the most dramatic places to cool off in the region, with the crystal-clear waters accompanying stunning jungle locations. Held sacred by the Maya, many are located close to other sites of interest, allowing visitors to combine a tour of the pyramid of Coba with time at a cenote for instance. Don’t stop at sundown Come sunset at around 7:30PM, temperatures only drop by 5 – 8°C, meaning your adventures don’t need to stop with the fall of night. In fact, crowd pleasers including Xcaret ecopark offer special night time admission, allowing visitors to see the evening spectacular as well as 50 other park attractions. If you’re keen to take the evening down the romantic route with a significant other, you can both delight in the sunsets or moonlight and stars on a boat cruise and multi-course dinner across Nichupte lagoon. But if it’s Cancun’s nightlife that attracted you to the destination in the first place, there’s little need to go any further than Congo Bar at the northern end of the hotel zone. It is almost unrivalled when it comes to the club scene, although The City Nightclub and Coco Bongo also have long lines forming for those without the luxury of VIP access. Enjoy June’s special events Irrespective of the heavy beats and live DJs, the busy schedule of events means both day and night feel like party time in Cancun in June. Dia de la Marina, or Navy Day, is celebrated on June 1. Look out for events including military parades, historic battle reenactments and fireworks taking place either in Cancun or in nearby coastal towns. Having started in May and stretching through to mid-June, the Festival de los Océanos (Ocean Festival) showcases all the seas around Cancun have to offer through a range of talks, concerts, children’s activities and culinary events. Movie screenings take the lead at the International FILMA festival, which features Spanish language and international movies and art house shorts. Keep a particular eye out for the atmospheric classic screenings that take place on the beach after nightfall. June is also Pride month around the world, celebrating the globe’s LGBTQ+ communities. Although there’s no Pride parade in Cancun, its Riviera Maya neighbors host a series of events. The gay clubs in the downtown area also make the most of the month. How to save in Cancun in June Ticking off the top things to do in Cancun is as easy in June as it is in March, April or May. Whilst the weather will be cloudier than during these months, and the rain a little heavier, there’s no reason to worry yourself about being trapped in a hotel room for days on end or having to hide beneath an umbrella for your entire stay. Instead, it’s still very possible to enjoy the huge range of outdoor attractions available in Cancun in June, and with lower visitor numbers too, reserving your museum visits for those occasional downpours. Whatever you’re planning for when you’re in this Mexican paradise, be sure to include Go City. Simply by having our app you can make incredible savings on a whole raft of Cancun attractions!
Ian Packham
Crafts at a Winter Market
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Cancun’s Winter Markets: Sun-Kissed Shopping and Festive Finds

Planning a trip to Cancun? Here’s where to find the city’s best winter markets for eats, crafts, and gifts.

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