5 reviewed party hostels · from €6.73/night · Hostelworld rated
Cancun splits into two very different worlds, and for backpackers that split matters. Downtown, known locally as El Centro, is where you'll find cheap tacos, local bars, and the handful of hostels that actually have a social scene. The Zona Hotelera stretches for kilometres along a narrow strip of land between the lagoon and the Caribbean, lined with mega-clubs, all-inclusive resorts, and some of the loudest nightlife in Mexico. Places like Coco Bongo and Mandala on Kukulcan Boulevard pull in thousands of people a night. Señor Frog's is a rite of passage for most first-timers. The hostel scene is small but enthusiastic. Fiesta Party Hostel in El Centro runs its own bar from 8am to 3am daily and organises free beach trips. Mayan Monkey and Nomads cater to travellers who want a pool and a party in one place. Dorm beds start from under $10 a night, which leaves plenty in the budget for the Zona Hotelera.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Wild party hostel with a crew of party animals, wild parties and super social atmosphere. Right beside a 24/7 bar.
A party hostel with a touch of luxury. Offers an excellent on-site bar, swimming pool and BBQ. Weekly pool parties.
Considered an oasis for backpackers, digital nomads, and most of all; adventurers! The spaces, and the free-spirited atmosphere creates the perfect place to enjoy the simple things in life.
Epic party hostel in Cancun's buzzing heart on Avenida Tulum, surrounded by legendary nightlife and authentic Mexican culture. Stylish common areas buzz with travellers planning wild nights out in paradise. Your perfect base for experiencing Cancun's world-famous party scene, pristine beaches, and unforgettable adventures.
Nomads Hotel, Hostel & Rooftop Pool is the epicentre of social life in Cancun, featuring a rooftop pool and bar where travellers mingle under the sunset. Just steps from Cancun's vibrant nightlife and stunning beaches, it’s a perfect base for party enthusiasts.
Organised nights out with a local guide
The Madness Tour hits 3 to 4 of Cancun's best-known clubs in one night, starting at Señor Frog's for fast entry with no queuing. The crawl runs from 9pm to 3am with unlimited drinks included throughout, meaning you are not fishing for your wallet between venues.
NYCrawl runs a guided bar and club tour visiting 3 of the best venues in Cancun on any given night, adjusting the route depending on where the crowd is. The first venue includes an open bar, and the group gets priority entry with no waiting in line. The tour operates seven days a week and is hosted in English.
How Cancun's nightlife zones break down
The main downtown grid sits about 20 minutes by bus from the Zona Hotelera and is where most budget accommodation is found. Avenida Yaxchilan and Avenida Tulum are the main commercial streets, lined with local restaurants, pharmacies, and small bars. Life here is slower and considerably cheaper than on the strip.
A 23km barrier island connected to the mainland by two bridges, the Zona Hotelera is where the mega-clubs, resort hotels, and the Caribbean beach are concentrated. Boulevard Kukulcan is the single main road, and everything from Coco Bongo to public beach access sits along it. Some hostels have set up here to give guests direct access to the beach and nightlife.
A newer, quieter marina district north of the Zona Hotelera, developed around a yacht club and upscale restaurants. It is not a typical backpacker area, but the waterfront has some good mid-range bars and the marina itself is worth a walk. Most travellers pass through rather than base themselves here.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
The most famous club in Cancun and possibly in Mexico. It is a live show venue and nightclub combined, with acrobats, celebrity impersonators, and DJ sets running back-to-back until dawn. Entry typically includes an open bar and costs $65–85 USD; book ahead to avoid queues on Boulevard Kukulcan.
A massive open-air beach club that converts into one of the strip's loudest nightclubs after dark. The crowd skews young and international, and the music is predominantly commercial EDM and reggaeton. Gets going properly after midnight.
A Cancun institution that has been launching travellers into regrettable decisions since the 1970s. Expect yard-long drinks, a party-starter atmosphere, and a crowd that is almost entirely tourists having the time of their lives. It is the starting point for several pub crawls and bar tours.
One of the largest clubs in Latin America, with a capacity of around 5,000 and multiple rooms playing different genres. Visiting DJs are a regular fixture, and foam parties draw a huge crowd. Open bar packages make it a reasonable option for a big night.
A smaller and more affordable bar-club option on the strip, popular with budget travellers staying in the Zona Hotelera. The black-and-white cow branding is hard to miss. Cover charges are lower than the mega-clubs and drinks are slightly cheaper.
The bar attached to Fiesta Party Hostel in El Centro runs from 8am to 3am every single day, which tells you a lot about the clientele. It is the cheapest place to drink in the area and a natural meeting point for backpackers before heading to the Zona Hotelera.
A laid-back bar in El Centro known for fresh-pressed sugarcane mojitos and a crowd that mixes locals and travellers. The outdoor seating, rustic wood décor, and live music on weekends make it a good option if you want a slower-paced evening before hitting the Zona Hotelera.
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