7 Best Nightclubs in Playa del Carmen to Visit in 2024
Looking for the best nightclubs in Playa del Carmen? You’ve come to the right guide!
One of the best ways to experience the nightlife in Playa del Carmen is by hitting up a club or two!
I’m a travel blogger that lives in Playa del Carmen, and I’ve spent quite a few fun nights out dancing at the many fabulous open-air clubs in Playa del Carmen.
There’s just so much energy on the dance floor that you can’t help but want to join the crowd.
If you’re visiting Playa del Carmen and want to experience the nightlife, read on to discover all the best nightclubs in Playa del Carmen you won’t want to miss.
Best Nightclubs in Playa del Carmen
Nightclubs in Playa del Carmen, Mexico are at the heart of the town’s nightlife, along with the more casual Playa del Carmen bars.
The best clubs in Playa del Carmen are all conveniently clustered along 12th Street, making it easy to hop from one venue to another depending on your mood.
Here are the best clubs Playa del Carmen has to offer:
1. Clandestino
📍 Location: Google Maps
My personal favorite, Clandestino is a classy and lively rooftop club in Playa del Carmen. The mix of tourists and locals makes it a great opportunity to meet new people.
I’m in love with the beautiful design of the space! It is split level with various lounging areas, small tables lining balconies that look down into the center. The bar is right by the central pit for easy access.
You can start your night early here as it opens at 7PM. Bottle service, live music, and featured dancers make it one of the best Playa nightclubs.
2. Santino
📍 Location: Google Maps
Another unforgettable nightclub in Playa del Carmen is the Santino rooftop bar. Considered the best “Latin Bar” in town, the sultry and fast-paced music keeps the crowds dancing for days.
It’s split into a few floors, the first and middle hosting the craziest of dancers. Smoke guns and strobe lights are commonly featured.
To avoid them, climb up to the top floor where you’ll reach the open-air rooftop usually featuring house and EDM music.
And to commemorate your night out, don’t forget to snap a photo in front of the building’s gigantic mural!
3. Mandala
📍 Location: Google Maps
The Mandala nightclub at Playa del Carmen is one of the busiest–all thanks to its expansive size. Smack dab on the corner of 1st and 12th Street, its open-walled design means you can’t miss it.
Reds and pinks light up the distinctly Asian-themed venue, which fits up to 700 people!
Expect long lines at the bar even as house and pop blasts overhead. Mandala is known to be the trendiest of Playa del Carmen dance clubs.
If you like to party early, Mandala is a great choice. Opening daily at 9:30PM, it offers bottle service as well as an entry and open bar combo deal.
I highly recommend this club if you’re looking for a typical clubbing experience!
4. Coco Bongo
📍 Location: Google Maps
The funky Coco Bongo sign above the entrance marks this legendary Playa del Carmen nightclub.
Conveniently located one block away from famous 5th Avenue, the Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen nightclub is a carnival-like experience no clubber wants to miss.
A whopping 1,800 spectators can fit into the massive hall, which features giant screens, acrobats, confetti explosions, celebrity impersonators, and tribute singers.
Coco Bongo tickets do cost more than your regular Playa del Carmen club, but tickets do include both transportation from your hotel and unlimited open bar access.
You’ll be surprised at how much fun you’ll have singing and dancing the night away to both classics and modern pop culture numbers–all while sipping on unlimited drinks!
You can read my full Coco Bongo review for all the details!
5. La Vaquita
📍 Location: Google Maps
You can hear it before you see it, the loudest nightclub in Playa del Carmen.
Sitting at the bottom of 12th Street, La Vaquita is the perfect place to end your club-hopping adventures. Just look for its large plastic cows and walk right in.
Like Mandala, La Vaquita is open-air to keep the dance floor breezy. While the music selection is a little random, it caters to dancers who love variety.
Whether you park yourself at one of the small round tables or join the 20s crowd on the dance floor, you’ll feel the energy that denotes Playa del Carmen’s nightlife.
6. Santito Tun Tun
📍 Location: Google Maps
For a more relaxed night out, I recommend grabbing a round of drinks at Santito Tun Tun.
The relaxed bar has an upscale tropical ambiance, slowly transforming into the bar scene when the street gets rowdy.
Soon, people filter in to enjoy their “exotic mixology” along with live DJ’s rotation through funk, house, and disco music.
Of all the clubs and bars listed in this guide, it’s probably the best place to start your night.
7. Abolengo
📍 Location: Google Maps
Sitting at the intersection of all the major Playa del Carmen nightclubs, Abolengo is the perfect club to start the night–or end it.
The green and red decor lends a rather retro vibe, and the wooden tables make it a good place to share some drinks.
Starting off the night with a lounge vibe rather than your typical club, Abolengo’s softer music choices make it easier to chat over drinks.
Playa del Carmen Nightclub Safety Tips
Like in any other city, going out to clubs in Playa del Carmen requires a certain level of alertness.
I personally haven’t had any negative experiences while clubbing in Playa del Carmen, but it’s always good to exercise care when you’re out at night.
I’ve heard stories of belongings being stolen or people getting drugged, so it’s important to be aware of potential risks.
To keep your Playa clubbing experience a happy memory, follow these Playa del Carmen safety tips:
- Don’t accept drinks that you haven’t seen prepared: As a woman, I’m always wary of accepting drinks from strangers. If you do, make sure you see it being prepared by the server or staff.
- Always keep an eye on your drinks: Don’t leave your drink unattended either, as any passerby can easily slip something into it.
- Use the buddy system: Whether you’re going to the bathroom or snagging drinks at the bar, do it with a buddy. An extra pair of eyes (and hands) can go a long way in keeping you safe.
- Keep your belongings on you at all times: Ladies, you’ll definitely want to bring a compact crossbody purse and keep it on you at all times. Crowded nightclubs and drinking make it very easy for belongings to get stolen.
- Don’t take a taxi home alone: When you’re in a foreign place where you don’t speak the language or aren’t familiar with the geography, avoid situations where you’re cut off from the public. Taking a taxi by yourself at night can be a lot more risky.
Playa del Carmen Nightclubs: FAQs
Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Playa del Carmen nightclubs:
From laidback to chaotic, the vibe in Playa del Carmen night clubs varies between locations.
For the most part, you’ll find Playa del Carmen clubs to be extremely loud, energetic, and lively.
Because Playa del Carmen is such a popular spot for young adults to vacation, it often features drunken revelry.
The dress code at clubs in Playa del Carmen is relaxed vacation attire.
Typically casual, tourists either dress chic in a fitted dress or romper to visit a trendier club, or club hop in nicer shorts and blouses. Locals do dress up a bit, but tourists can get usually away with comfort over style.
For shoes, girls normally wear nice sandals, flats, or heels. If you’re wearing heels, I would recommend wedge or platform sandals for more comfort and when walking on the uneven streets in Playa del Carmen.
The dress code tends to be more strict for guys so I would avoid wearing casual shorts and flip flops as some clubs may not let you in.
Playa del Carmen nightclubs typically open their doors around 10PM and you could expect to party until 3 or 4AM.
Bigger clubs like Mandala and La Vaquita trend towards typical clubbing music: techno, EDM, pop, and live numbers.
Other venues hire bands that cover pop and rock sensations while house and disco songs are regular features in dance clubs too.
Of course, expect some Latin music like reggaeton, salsa, and bachata as well.
No, Uber in Playa del Carmen is not available or safe to use. If you’re staying in the downtown area (Centro), you’ll likely be able to walk to the clubs.
But if you’re staying at a resort in Riviera Maya, you’ll need to take a taxi to get there. Just be cautious when taking taxis at night and avoid taking a taxi alone.
The entry fee varies from club to club in Playa del Carmen, but cover charges typically start at around $100 pesos (~$6 USD).
Cover tends to increase during peak seasons or special events. However, groups of girls are usually always let in for free.
Some of the more exclusive clubs may offer admission with open bar (all you can drink) for a premium price.
Travelista Tip: Many clubs let you in for free before midnight, so go in early if you’re trying to budget.
Conclusion: Playa del Carmen Nightclub Guide
I hope this Playa del Carmen nightlife guide was helpful in planning some fun nights out in Playa del Carmen!
Unwinding at Playa del Carmen nightclubs is one of the best ways to experience the nightlife in Playa del Carmen.
If I had to choose the best club in Playa del Carmen, it would probably be Clandestino–a trendy nightclub with a beautiful rooftop terrace.
And if you’re looking for an all-you-can-drink experience, consider dancing the night away at the legendary Coco Bongo–a pop-culture production that is a ton of fun!
Just remember to be careful by taking proper safety precautions and you’ll be sure to have a fun time dancing the night away at the best Playa del Carmen clubs!
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