Nightlife in Playa del Carmen

Dubai Club (Ex Bali)

Dubai night club is a fairly new place to party in Playa. However, in little time it has become one of the best places to enjoy music, dance, and party.
All in all a great club, with Indonesian inspired decor and a good sound system. The music did tend to vary rather drastically from deep house, vocal trance, to local pop. The decoration evokes the mysticism of Indonesia's Islands, perfectly mixed with the modernity of the night club.
Dubai's concept provides a multi-level, eclectic DJ, and indoor air-conditioned, inside you have a great view to the dance floor, as its capacity is for 1,200 persons. It's located in a great location opposite La Santanera club on 12th between 5th and 10th.
Dubai is popular among celebrities as is very common to see live concerts here. It also has live performances by outstanding International acrobats on week days (Thursday, Friday, and Saturdays).

Blue Parrot

The Blue Parrot is a lively outdoor club/bar with BBQ and lots of action. This club goes after hours and has theme nights as well.
Blue Parrot was named by Newsweek in 1998 as one of the best ten bars around the world. This place is a must-see to party for locals, and has become famous for its big wooden swing chairs around the bar. You can enjoy the music while resting in the white sand beach and the waves are literally touching the dance floor. Inside the Palapa lounge yo will enjoy chill out music and a mix of progressive popular music.
This is a day and night club, so if you are not interested in partying by night, you can relax throughout the day will listening to de DJ put soft and sensual music. You can also eat and drink from 7:30 in the morning to 6 in the afternoon.

 
Alux

El Alux is most definitely amazing - it's a real, alive cave that has been turned into an incredible bar, restaurant and series of winding passageways that lead to various VIP bars and hang-outs complete with growing stalagmites and stalactites and the coolest of uber-cool decor.
Walking down into the cave you're first greeted by hosts at the entrance and shown into either the bar or restaurant. Each of the cocktails are stamped with the bars signature take on the drink, many even created purely by the bar itself and utilizing traditional Mexican ingredients. The service here is top notch.
For the use as a restaurant, the cave was developed similar to a show cave. There are concrete paths, electric light and handrails. Numerous chambers were transformed into different kinds of pubs. There is a restaurant which seats 150 persons, a Bar Lounge for 110 persons which allows live concerts, a side branch of the cave is coverted into a VIP space, Bar Tortuga is a private bar for up to 50 persons, which may be booked for receptions, and finally Salón Califa is another VIP area.

Gay Vacations in the Riviera Maya

Riviera Maya is the coastline from Cancún down to Tulúm. It is fast becoming the vacation destination of choice for the international gay community. They are all the same reasons that heterosexual families flock to the Méxican Caribbean - the paradise setting; the tropical weather; the beautiful beaches; the Mayan archaeological sites; the party atmosphere; the food, drink and fun. However, there is the added benefit that, unlike many other countries, México welcomes them. The gay vacationer can enjoy the same civil rights as at home or, in some cases, even exceed them.




Homosexuality was never banned in México. This legal status was strengthened in 2001, when the Federal Constitution, article 1, was amended to prohibit discrimination based on 'preferences'. This was clarified further in 2003, when a Federal Anti-Discrimination Law was passed. The wording made it absolutely clear that no-one could be persecuted for their homosexuality. A whole department was set up to enforce the law throughout the country.

Finally, in 2009, federal law legalized same-sex marriage, though it was up to the individual states whether they wished to allow this under state law. So far, México City and the state of Coahuila have signed up, but Quintana Roo can't be far behind. It is also legal in México for transgender people to officially change their name and gender; and for homosexuals to adopt children. There are openly gay and transgender elected politicians. (For details about the age of consent, please see a previous blog entry, 'Is It Legal?')

The Riviera Maya isn't awash with exclusively gay resorts and clubs, though they do exist. This is mainly because it's not seen as that big a deal. Gay men and women just merge with their heterosexual counterparts, simply eyeing up a different gender in the clubs. However, Cancún traditionally hosts an International Gay Festival in May and a smaller festival in the fall. There was a Pride Parade in the city during June.

There are three main exclusively gay clubs in the Riviera Maya:

* Picante Bar, in Cancún, has been going strong since the 1980s. The clientele are mixed gay men and lesbians. There are theme nights, including drag queens, strippers, Go-Go Boys and drink promotions. Thursday is always tequila night, complete with free shots to start the party rolling. It's quite a small venue that can get very crowded after midnight, when all of the locals turn up. It is located in downtown Cancún, at El Centro, in the Plaza Gallerias, on Av. Tulum 20.

* Karamba Bar, in Cancún, is the largest club/disco catering mostly to gay men. The party only really starts after midnight, when the locals finish work and rush to the club. Entertainment includes drag queens, strippers and karaoke, but the club is mainly known for its disco and great atmosphere. There will be a Mr Gay Mexico Competition held there on October 26th, 2010, though there's plenty of eye candy for the rest of the year too. It is located in downtown Cancún, at El Centro, on Av. Tulum 11. More details on their website

* Playa 69, in Playa del Carmen, is the only exclusively gay hangout there. The clue to the tone of the place is in its title, so expect a lot of explicit cruising inside. The crowd are generally 20-30s; the decor is largely mirrored; and the music a mix of hot beats and trance. Again the party really kicks off after midnight with the arrival of the locals. It is located in 5th Ave, between Calle 4 and Calle 6, next door to the 7-11 store.

As for hotels, you will not find one turning away your custom based on your sexuality. If you do prefer that extra security though, it's worth noting that Cancún's Hyatt Hotel has listed itself in the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association; while the six room, boutique hotel, Casa Sirena, on Isla Mujeres, is not only owned by a gay couple, but was named TripAdvisor's number one B&B on the island.

There is no 'official' beach catering solely for gay men and women. Unofficially tourists and locals alike tend to congregate in a section of Playa Delfines beach (just south of the Hilton Hotel), in Cancún. This is often the starting point for festival and Pride activities too.

In addition to these venues, the gay community get to visit all the same attractions, clubs, bars, restaurants and beaches as every other tourist. Therefore, it's not hard to see why Rivera Maya is being recommended on gay travel sites and is increasingly awash in the pink currency.

Party Night in Cancún

Cancún is synonymous with parties. From impromptu beach gatherings to organized festivals, this is the Caribbean destination of choice for the party-goer. The buzz, so in evidence all year round, heightens to fever pitch with the arrival of the Spring Breakers. Even now, the American high school seniors and college students are looking forward to next March, booking their rooms to get the best ones secured. Meanwhile, Cancún has moved onto the next great happening. International clubbers dancing through the night, staggering on a high through the dawn back to their hotel rooms.

The lure is easy to see. The sun, sea, sand, bikini-clad beauties and bronzed, topless men; the free-flowing alcohol (all hail the legal drinking age being 3 years earlier than in the USA), the atmosphere, the entertainment and the music. It is taken as read that Mexicans know how to party; and people from all over the world come here to show us that they know too. So where to go, what to do and what do you need to know?



Cancún is home to several superclubs. The film above introduces just one of them, Coco Bongo. With the capacity to hold 1800 people, Coco Bongo is in a class of its own. All senses are filled at once, with non-stop shows, music and amazing acrobatics. This club is internationally famous, recognizable even if you've never heard of its name. It is forever being shown on shows like MTV or E!Entertainment, while some blockbuster Hollywood movies, like 'The Mask', have used it for their club scenes. There is more than a little stardust sprinkled over the place. Celebrity impersonators strut their stuff on the stage and dancefloors alike; while real celebrities are certainly spotted there from time to time.

If celebrity spotting is your thing, then Bulldog Cafe Cancún is worth a visit. Bands like U2, Guns and Roses, Radiohead and AC/DC have played on that stage; while the club also showcases rising talent. There is a 2000 people capacity here, including VIP special areas and an exotic jacuzzi for sophisticated visitors. Most of its nights are dedicated to sheer, unadulterated partying. There are theme nights, including an indoors beach party, complete with Bikini Contest.

For theme nights per se, then you would be hard pushed to beat Basic Discotheque Cancún, especially if your partying tends to leave you feeling overheated. This 1800 people capacity venue is half open to the elements, affording tremendous views across the lagoon. Periodically, water rains down onto the dancefloor from the framework above. Everyone soon dries off in the warmth of a Caribbean night, refreshed and re-energised for more dancing. Every night is a theme night there, from Wet T-shirt through to Foam Parties (where, yes, the dancefloor is covered in foam).

These are just three of the 100s of clubs that Cancún has to offer.



As with any new place, there might be little tips and local culture that isn't immediately obvious to a visitor from abroad. Here are some of them:

* Many entrance packages, including those offered by ourselves, include an open bar. This does mean that you can drink the bar dry should you wish without paying a penny. However, most clubs have a waiter service. If you use that service, then you will be expected to tip the waiter. In some clubs, you will not be served if you don't use the waiter.

* Depending upon the club, and the level of entrance package purchased, not every drink behind the bar will be included in your open bar deal. Some clubs operate tier systems (basic = domestic bar; premium = imported brandnames etc.). However, if you do fancy something not included with your wristband, you can still purchase it by paying by the glass.

* If you have bought an all-inclusive drink package, then be aware that this will not cover those drinks being offered by random people wandering around. What usually happens is that a gorgeous man or woman appears at your side with a huge bottle of something wonderful. Often it's top brand tequila. You will be invited to have a shot. If you accepted, then you will be charged extra for this.

* Most clubs display the notice: 'Gracias, por no fumar'. Sorry smokers, this means that it's a non-smoking club. Either stock up on nicotine replacement lozenges/patches and make do as best you can with them; or else you'll have to step outside to smoke. This can sometimes involve waiting in a long queue to get back in again.

* The longest queues are outside the most popular clubs. If you just turn up, then you will be in it. If you pay a package beforehand, from hotels or tour operators, then most clubs will just wave you to the front and let you go straight in.

* The restrooms often have a member of staff inside them, handing out useful items like brushes, hair-spray, paper towels, deodorant and all of those other little things to make you beautifully refreshed and gorgeous again. If you use this service, that member of staff will expect to be tipped.