Nightlife · Playa del Carmen · Mexico
Playa del Carmen nightlife
Where the evenings happen in Playa del Carmen, from early drinks to late nights.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sharon Hahn Darlin, CC BY 2.0
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Quick answer
Playa del Carmen has the Riviera Maya's busiest nightlife outside Cancún, concentrated around Calle 12 and Quinta Avenida, with beach clubs by day and bars and clubs open until the early hours. The main areas are Calle 12, Quinta Avenida and Mamitas Beach.
Key facts
- Nightlife areas
- 3
- Stay near the action
- Centro and Quinta Avenida
- Local drink
- Michelada
Where to go out
Calle 12
The main club street near Quinta Avenida, with large dance clubs and bars open late.
Quinta Avenida
Bars, live music and rooftop lounges along the pedestrian street.
Mamitas Beach
Beach-club parties during the day and sunset sessions with DJs.
Nightlife tips
- Keep an eye on drinks and belongings in crowded clubs, and check bar tabs carefully.
- Use registered taxis or walk in groups late at night; the Calle 12 area is busy until very late.
- Avoid buying from street sellers near the clubs.
Evening sights
Street · Centro and Quinta Avenida
Quinta Avenida
Walk north from Parque Fundadores in the early evening when the street is at its liveliest, and ignore timeshare and tour sellers.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- After dark
Theme park · South of Playa del Carmen
Xcaret
Bring a change of clothes for the evening show and buy tickets online in advance for a better price.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Iconic
- Nature
- After dark
What to drink
- Michelada — Beer mixed with lime, salt and spicy sauces in a chilli-rimmed glass, sometimes with tomato juice; the classic beach drink.
Evenings through the year
Sunset and the overnight low decide how long the outdoor part of a night lasts. July has the warmest evenings, with lows around 24°C (75°F).
| Month | Sunset (15th) | Overnight low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | About 18:28 | 19°C (66°F) | 7 |
| April | About 19:07 | 22°C (72°F) | 3 |
| July | About 19:32 | 24°C (75°F) | 9 |
| October | About 18:24 | 23°C (73°F) | 13 |
Getting home late
- Walking — Most visitors walk everywhere in the centre; Quinta Avenida and the beach run side by side for several kilometres.
- Bus — Tell the colectivo driver your stop; pay in pesos when you get off.
- Ferry — Passenger ferries cross from the pier near Parque Fundadores to Cozumel several times a day in about 45 minutes; seas can be choppy on windy days.
- Taxi — Confirm the fare before getting in.
Late-night bites
- Tacos al pastor — Taquerías on Avenida 10, Avenida 30 and in Colosio, where prices are lower than on Quinta Avenida.
- Fish and shrimp tacos — Marisquerías and taco stands a few blocks back from the beach.
- Panuchos — Evening antojito stands and Yucatecan restaurants.
Staying safe at night
Petty theft, overcharging and timeshare touts are the most common problems for visitors; keep valuables in a hotel safe and check bills. The Calle 12 nightlife area calls for extra care late at night, and swimmers should watch beach flags on windy days.
- Emergency number
- 911
Where to stay for nightlife
$$$ · Best for first-timers, nightlife, shopping and solo travellers
Centro and Quinta Avenida
The streets between Avenida Juárez and Calle 40, either side of Quinta Avenida, hold most hotels, restaurants and bars in town. The ferry pier, Parque Fundadores and the main ADO bus terminal are at the southern end, and the beach is a block or two east. It is the most convenient base without a car.
- Good
- Walk to the beach and restaurants; Bus station and ferry close by; Wide choice of hotels
- Watch out
- Noisy at night, especially near Calle 12; Touts and timeshare sellers on Quinta Avenida
- Nearby
- Quinta Avenida, Parque Fundadores, Cozumel ferry pier, Mamitas Beach
Questions travellers ask
+Where is the best nightlife in Playa del Carmen?
Calle 12, Quinta Avenida and Mamitas Beach. The main club street near Quinta Avenida, with large dance clubs and bars open late.
+Which area of Playa del Carmen is best for nightlife?
Centro and Quinta Avenida: The pedestrian heart of town, two blocks from the beach.