New Year's Eve in Cancun

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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10+ Things to Do in Cancun with Kids for a Fun Trip to Mexico

Planning a trip to Cancún? This southeastern Mexican city has both natural landscapes ideal for outdoor adventures and exciting and innovative indoor attractions, making it perfect for families who want to do it all while on vacation. While Cancun may be known for its nightlife and spring-breakers, there are tons of kid-friendly attractions that the whole family will enjoy. With so many things to do and see, your Cancún vacation is sure to be educational, entertaining and of course, fun. If you’re looking for things to do in Cancún with kids, check out this list of our favorite kid-friendly activities, including... ATV, Ziplines and Cenote Combo Tour at Extreme Adventure Park – All Day Experience Swim Adventure by Dolphin Discovery Xcaret Park with Transportation from Cancun Snorkeling Adventures Cancun Wax Museum Parasailing Adventure in Cancun and more... Save on Admission to Kid-Friendly Attractions Many of these great kid-friendly attractions are available on the Go Cancun® Card. Choose as you go from more than 20 top Cancun attractions and save up to 45% off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Or, build your own pass and save up to 20% off. See all available passes, attractions & prices. Snorkeling Adventures Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancún has miles upon miles of shoreline along the Caribbean Sea, making it the ideal destination for snorkeling. There are tons of snorkeling tours to choose from, so you can pick the one that interests you and your family most.   Free Kid-Friendly Activities in Cancun Parque de las Palapas - Experience local culture in Cancún’s city square, or the Parque de las Palapas. Admission to the newly-renovated park is free, and there’s plenty of space to both play and relax. There’s space to play soccer and lots of seating in the open-air food court. Try Mexican snacks like marquesitas and fried plantains. There’s live music on the weekends and street performances most days. The Parque de las Palapas is the great spot to relax and enjoy Cancún as Mexicans do. Urbano Kabah Park - Located downtown, Kabah Park brings the jungle to the metropolitan area of Cancún. Kabah Park has running trails, a kid’s playground, ponds and a small museum. The grounds are well maintained and safe, so it’s great for families. Keep an eye out for local animals—coatis, or raccoon-like animals that roam the park, while alligators and turtles can be found in the ponds. This urban oasis is a great way to spend a couple of hours outside of the city, without having to travel far.   Let’s Recap There you have it – some of our favorite things to do in Cancún with kids. Plan to add a few Cancun attractions to your vacation itinerary for a fun-filled trip! Remember, you can save on combined admission vs. paying at the gate to many of these popular family-friendly attractions and more with a Cancun Pass.
Shannon Balser
Cancun Rain
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Things to Do in Cancun When it Rains

Cancun is known as a beach paradise with endless sunshine and warmth, but every so often you may catch a rainy day. Just in case you are in Cancun when it rains, you might want to have a backup plan. Here are our favorite indoor activities and rainy day trip ideas for Cancun. Interactive Aquarium Cancun Shopping Tours Taco and Beer Tasting Tour Bars and Restaurants Museo Maya de Cancun Interactive Aquarium Cancun Located right in the Isla Vista Shopping Mall, Interactive Aquarium Cancun is the perfect place to take the whole family if the weather isn't all sunshine and beaches. Instead, bring beach life inside and discover Cancun's exciting marine life. You can easily spend the day here, with plenty of touch tanks, fish tanks, and volunteer-led presentations. Watch as dolphins splash around their habitat or get to know the feeling of a sting ray's slimy back as they zip around the tanks. You'll forget you're indoors and not at the beach. Shopping tours While these shopping tours aren't completely out of the rain, you might find it worthwhile to endure a drop or two as you pop in and out of the shops. Shop the streets of Playa del Carmen or peruse the booths at Mercado 28 in Cancun (or do both!) on a guided tour of these two city's shopping districts. What better excuse to spend a couple of hours shopping than rain? Playa del Carmen Hop aboard the bus and head down to Playa del Carmen, another popular resort destination just outside of Cancun. Your tour guide will lead you down Fifth Avenue, the longest stretch of shops and goods in the area. You can shop anything from local-owned boutiques to popular international brands like H&M. Cancun On this guided tour, you'll find other places to shop besides La Isla. Your guide will take you to Mercado 28 and Plaza Las Americas - a shopper's paradise. Mercado 28 is set up just like a flea market, with locally made goods and gifts perfect for friends back home. Plaza Las Americas offers well-known stores like Victoria's Secret, Sears, and Adidas Take your tastebuds on a food tour Immerse yourself in the local cuisine on a Colors of Mexico Taco Tour and Local Beer Tasting. This fantastic foodie tour will keep you out of the rain for an evening whilst you indulge in the best taquerias in town. You'll stop at four local restaurants, all chosen to take you on a journey through Mexico. Feast on tacos de cochinita, tacos coapeñito, tacos de surtido, and tacos al pastor as you explore the best food Cancun has to offer. With a perfectly paired beer (or soft drink) at every stop, you'll never want this tour to end! Your knowledgeable guide will make this unique experience all the better, on-hand to give you a complete history of Mexico's culture, food traditions, and little-known facts about their most delectable secret ingredients. Hit the bars and restaurants  There are plenty of local bars and restaurants in Cancun to explore if your trip to the beach is canceled at the last minute. Find somewhere to settle down for the afternoon to enjoy some delicious seafood and perfectly refreshing drinks. Fred's House is just the place for a bite and a drink. This American-style seafood restaurant offers beautiful views and private cabana seating that keeps you out of the weather's way. Being inside doesn't have to mean missing out on Cancun's views! If you're just stopping in for a quick drink, grab a seat at the bar and use your pass for $20 towards drinks. Will you sip on a piña colada or a beer? Museo Maya de Cancun Check out one of Cancun's best art and anthropological museums: Museo Maya de Cancun. This museum holds one of the most important collections of Mayan artifacts, from jewelry to ceramics and sculptures. There are nearly 400 pieces on display, all showcasing Mayan culture. This museum is definitely worth a visit. You'll head home with a wealth of knowledge – not just a tan! Rainy day savings galore See? You can stay dry all while having plenty of fun indoors in Cancun when it rains. We hope these ideas helped inspire you to create a fun-filled indoorsy itinerary for your trip! It's always good to have a backup plan, just in case. Save up to 50% on Cancun attractions   Discover our full line-up of Cancun attractions, from Xcaret Park to parasailing adventures. 🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.     😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 
Nicole Muto

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