During the day you have the beach clubs and at night the bars and discos. So, now you know: the fiesta in Playa del Carmen –sometimes more informal and relaxed and other times more chic and cosmopolitan– never ends. Choose your perfect plan to enjoy the unparalleled nightlife in “the capital” of Rivera Maya. But don’t forget to save at least one night to discover one of its most famous discos.
Playa offers you a thousand and one options to enjoy the night to the fullest, but almost all the big discos are located on 12th Street, very close to the famous Fifth Avenue. Right in the heart of the city. It’s as if you enter a party district, with the best music and an incredible atmosphere, in which every night is an outstanding experience. You can easily walk around the area to find the place you like the most or just go directly to your favorite club. Who knows, you might end up visiting all of them!
Either way, take a look at this selection of some of the most famous nightclubs in Playa del Carmen and get ready to experience a high-voltage night!
Coco Bongo. Welcome to the show!
More than a disco, this famous club located on the corner of 12th street and 10th avenue, in the heart of Playa del Carmen, is quite a spectacle. Acrobats, dancers, tributes to the iconic figures of music and movies, a display of state-of-the-art light and sound, an incredible atmosphere… You’ll think you’re in Las Vegas instead of Riviera Maya!
Enjoy this startling show, with open bar and great music, until late hours and discover why Coco Bongo is one of the most iconic places in Playa del Carmen. In addition, as the show changes every few months, each time you visit Playa you can enjoy a different experience.
Palazzo. Let’s dance!
A neighbor of Coco Bongo on 12th street, this nightclub is one of the “big ones” in Playa. It’s the perfect place to dance until your body aches, to enjoy your favorite cocktail, and to vibrate with its excellent atmosphere. Both tourists and locals are regulars at Palazzo.
Palazzo is only open from Thursday to Saturday, but those three nights are way more than enough. Disco balls hanging from the ceiling, a super elegant decoration, crystal chandeliers, and an electrifying atmosphere are the hallmarks of this incredible disco in Playa del Carmen. Of course, the best music is on from the moment it opens its doors till they are closed again, so if you like to dance, this club is a perfect option.
Mandala. A trip to the Far East
Also on 12th Street, Mandala is synonymous with fiesta, seven days a week! Obviously, it’s one of the most popular and glamorous nightclubs in Playa del Carmen. The perfect place to dance and enjoy the night, to see and be seen. Its decoration will take you on a trip to the Far East, so let yourself be seduced by its exotic atmosphere and live a unique experience.
In addition, most of the club is open to the street, so you just have to walk by to see how things are going inside. Take a peek and feel the atmosphere; listen to the music, from Latin rhythms to the best electronic music, among many other styles. But be careful, you’ll surely end up inside this incredible disco in Playa del Carmen.
Rakata. Follow the rhythm
This is one of the newest clubs on 12th street; a place that plays hip-hop, reggaeton, and the best Latin dance rhythms in an urban-style environment. Nights of flow and twerk, of daring and sensual moments, just letting the go-go dancers set the tempo. Just to give you an idea: there’s a perreo (twerking and grinding) contest every Saturday!
Rakata is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and you can enjoy the open bar service, with unlimited national drinks until 3:30 am, or bottle service, with express entry, assigned table, and a bottle or beverage credit, depending on the type table that you acquire. In any case, this place offers you a night of high temperatures with all the Latin passion.
La Vaquita. 100% fun
If you’re looking for a crazy night and 100% fun, this is the perfect place. For many, it is the wildest club in Playa, so you can already imagine the party level of La Vaquita. If you want to check it out, just pass in front of the place –which is also on 12th St.– because it’s totally open to the street.
Hip-hop, Latin rhythms, pop, greatest hits, go-go dancers, MCs, open bar, wet t-shirt contest …, from Monday to Sunday, this hybrid between a bar and a disco, decorated with cows hanging from the ceiling, also organizes fun themed parties. La Vaquita is also famous for its “liters” (yes, you guessed it… they serve you 1 liter/34 oz drinks). Party, party and more party!
Abolengo. Bar-tina
A combination between a typical bar and an authentic Mexican cantina (bar-tina), this place has a great atmosphere that elevates its voltage as the night progresses. Abolengo is located next to La Vaquita, on the corner of 12th St. and 1st Av., “ground zero” of the fiesta in Playa del Carmen.
Abolengo can be the perfect place to start the night with some snacks and the best cocktails. But it’s also a great spot to take a “break” in the middle of the “night battle”. In any case, you’ll have lots of fun in this relaxed place which is, at the same time, filled with the incomparable energy of the night in Playa.
Clandestino. A full night
Nightlife in Playa del Carmen offers you all kinds of options, but one of the most typical choices is this type of hybrid, half restaurant, half disco. A bit like Abolengo, but on the corner of 5th and 10th street, Clandestino offers you different options to eat something delicious. And as the night develops, the place is transformed more and more into a disco –lights, DJ and great atmosphere included.
In addition, Clandestino is an incredible rooftop where you can feel the sea breeze while dancing to the best beats or just having a good time. A chic and flashy nightspot to enjoy a lovely evening and a great place to enjoy the night in Playa del Carmen.
One tip: Check out the different options that Vacaciones Barceló offers you to enjoy the night in Playa del Carmen, including transfers and special passes to several restaurants and clubs.
