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Cancun has some definitive go-to activities. By day, they mostly involve the beaches and resorts of the Hotel Zone. By night, Cancun is famous for its energetic partying and bar crawls.
But what if you want to experience something a bit different? Here are some fresh evening entertainment ideas to try when you’re next visiting Cancun.
1. Take a ride on the Ferris wheel
The Ferris wheel, or El Sol de Cancun, is one of the big attractions in the Zona Hotelera – and the third biggest Ferris wheel in the whole of Latin America. Located around halfway down the Hotel Zone peninsula, this 229-foot tall wheel will take you on a gentle ascent up into the sky from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Nichupte Lagoon and the Caribbean ocean.
While most people ride the wheel during the day, it’s open until 11 pm, so it’s the perfect place to take in a beautiful sunset over the sea. If you’re looking for a romantic activity, this could be just the thing to wow your other half.
2. Nichupte Lagoon sunset boat trip
There’s little to beat watching the sunset over the water, so a boat trip on the Nichupte Lagoon is a great way to spend an evening of your vacation.
This tour will take you on a 4-hour cruise, exploring the wildlife that calls the Nichupte Lagoon home. You’ll travel through mangrove channels, watching flocks of seabirds, and you may even spot a crocodile or two. Your guide will teach you all about the animals and plant life you’re seeing. Enjoy the splendor of the Cancun sunset, before being whisked back to your hotel to continue your evening.
3. Late night shopping at La Isla Shopping Village
La Isla Shopping Village is found in the same location as El Sol de Cancun, and is open until 10 pm every night – so maybe you could combine the two activities and make a night of it.
La Isla is the most visited shopping mall in Cancun’s Zona Hotelera. It brings together a fantastic range of high-end stores, including Tiffany and Co, Prada, and Gucci, as well as affordable favorites H&M, American Eagle, and Zara.
But it’s not all about shopping. At La Isla, you’ll also find some great entertainment options. There’s a luxury cinema, with leather recliners and bar food to eat while you watch. You can also experience the Tequila Museum, try your luck in the casino, or visit Cancun’s only aquarium.
4. Walk the plank at the Jolly Roger Pirate Show
All aboard the Jolly Roger for a night of pirate-themed entertainment! An impressive replica of Columbus’s galleon, the Santa Maria, will transport you out to sea for an evening of dramatic reenactments and gourmet dining. Dance and sing along, all the while enjoying the balmy Caribbean breeze – and the open bar!
This cruise is family-friendly and is currently running twice a day each Wednesday and Saturday. We recommend the evening sailing when you can really get into the swing of things – and there are fireworks too, perfect for creating that evening party atmosphere.
5. Experience Temazcal
Temazcal is an ancient Mayan purification ritual practiced by a Shaman, a kind of healer. People who have taken part describe the process as moving, and unlike anything else they’ve experienced.
On this tour, you’ll be transported to a community’s eco-reserve in the forest, where you’ll meet the Shaman, before taking part in a ceremonial circle and entering the enclosed steam bath, which is the temazcal itself. After the ceremony, you’ll swim in the crystal clear waters of a cenote, before joining a local family for dinner and traditional Mayan hot chocolate.
6. Light and Sound Show at Chichen Itza
Most people who visit Chichen Itza do so during the day. But there’s another time to visit when you’ll see these ancient Mayan ruins in a completely different light – literally. The ‘Light and Sound Show’ takes place every evening, with spectacular visuals projected onto the mighty El Castillo, Chichen Itza’s biggest temple.
Try this VIP tour where you’ll experience a daytime visit to Chichen Itza, allowing you to fully appreciate the intricate details of the well-preserved ruins. Then, you’ll be whisked off to an upscale resort nearby where you can watch the sun setting over the ruins while enjoying a cocktail or two. You’ll also be able to visit the Be Maya Planetarium, before rounding off the night back at the park watching the stunning light and sound show.
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