When the lights go down, Mexico is just getting started. Meeting attendees will find plenty of ways to enhance their experience by taking part in unique outings and events after dark.
Mexico’s group-friendly coastal destinations are especially well-versed at providing fun and memorable experiences after the sun goes down. Here are a variety of top choices in some of Mexico’s water-fringed destinations.
Los Cabos
The dramatic geography and prime location at the tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula makes Los Cabos an intriguing place to enjoy nighttime views.
“Los Cabos is where the desert meets the sea, a destination that can easily be enjoyed both during the day and night,” said Rodrigo Esponda, managing director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. “The biggest group we’ve hosted was a private event this past February with over 5,000 people at the Wirikuta Botanical Garden, located within the Puerto Los Cabos Resort.
“Other unique nighttime events that we’ve executed in the past include the VIP Summit and the ATP World Tour in Los Cabos. The most recent VIP Summit hosted 350 attendees and industry executives. To celebrate the conclusion of the event, an elaborate farewell dinner and after-party event was held at Canyon San Carlos. It was full of music, singing and dancing under the stars.”
Among the newest evening options is a Night Sky program at the recently opened Grand Velas, which provides guided viewing of the stars, planets and constellations. Las Ventanas al Paraiso, meanwhile, hosts a four-course champagne dinner under the stars, accompanied by an astronomer. And active groups can head out for a nighttime zipline tour at Wild Canyon, or go for a camel ride to a secluded beach for a private sunset meal with Cabo Adventures, followed by star-watching.
For sunset or nighttime views, The Rooftop bar and lounge at The Cape, a Thompson Hotel, welcomes groups for handcrafted cocktails and local artisanal beers overlooking Cabo San Lucas and the famed El Arco rock formation.
Tequila fans will find Los Cabos’ largest tequila selection at the Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort, where the bar Azul offers a full assortment of tequila, mescal and signature cocktails with ocean views.
Cancun
The well-connected city of Cancun offers easy access to an especially vibrant array of after-dark experiences.
“Cancun is truly a phenomenal destination for groups, due to its extensive air connectivity and great value,” said Lizzie Cole, CEO of the Cancun CVB. “In addition to top-notch MICE infrastructure and unmatched hospitality, Cancun offers groups a great variety of after-hours activities to choose from, including teambuilding programs, adventure night tours, great restaurants, fabulous nightlife options and more.”
Among the options is the Xplor Fuego Nightime Adventure Tour, which takes visitors into the jungle of Xplor Fuego park for activities that include rafting, ziplining, spelunking and riding in amphibious vehicles. Another option is the Aquaworld Twilight Night Dive, which offers nighttime diving with lights for interesting views of marine life.
For water-based, after-dark fun that doesn’t get participants wet, consider a visit to Xoximilco Cancun, the new park that’s inspired by the ancient canals of Xochimilco in Mexico City. Here, colorful party barges navigate the waters as guests savor Mexican cuisine and enjoy live Mexican music. Also popular with groups is the Captain Hook Pirate Dinner Cruise, which takes place aboard a replica of an 18th century Spanish galleon, complete with a modern sound-and-light system and more than a couple “pirates” to keep the night exciting.
“Mexico-especially Cancun-is a fantastic place to incorporate after-dark activities in group programs because Cancun has so much to offer, from moonlight dinners and banquets to all of the activities outside of resorts,” said Alan Doyle, vice president of sales for MICE at Palace Resorts, which hosts outdoor events at Le Blanc Spa Resort as well as Beach Palace. “For example, at Beach Palace’s Palenque Terrace and Sky Terrace, the only resort in Cancun’s hotel zone with terraces overlooking the Caribbean and Nichupte Lagoon, we have clients who love to host beautiful themed dinners. In September, we hosted a group on our Sky Terrace that had a Frida Kahlo themed dinner with a virtual gallery of Frida Kahlo’s paintings and live Mexican music.”
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Riviera Maya
For after-dark activities, the undisputed capital of the Riviera Maya is the beachfront town of Playa del Carmen. And that’s a big selling point for properties like the Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen, according to that property’s director of sales and marketing, Veronica Sarmiento.
“Our hotel is located in the heart of Playa del Carmen, and for this reason several meeting planners and companies prefer our hotel to organize events at night,” she said. “The resort is also walking distance to hot spots like La Quinta Avenida, which has several shops, restaurants, nightclubs, bars, boutiques and coffee shops.”
The Grand Hyatt hosts a variety of after-dark theme parties on-site, including a festive Mexican party complete with custom-crafted margaritas and colorful decor.
Puerto Vallarta
Picturesque sunsets and exciting nightlife are among the most rewarding reasons to head outside when the day ends in Puerto Vallarta, according to Miguel Andres Hernandez, director of the Puerto Vallarta CVB.
“The magical, vibrant and unique sunsets that Puerto Vallarta offers on a daily basis are a natural start to any evening in the city, and a viewing is often included by many meeting planners,” he said, adding that “nightlife is something that you cannot miss when visiting.”
Among the top choices for a night on the town, according to Hernandez, are Viva Tequila, Bar Morelos Mezcaleria and the Rhythms of the Night dinner and show, which is available with Vallarta Adventures.
“We can also organize a casino night, as we have around 10 in town,” he added. “Or for some high-end activities we can also suggest having a private party on a yacht or in a private villa.”
Hilton Puerto Vallarta offers a variety of after-dark options for groups, including private dining and events on the beach, which allows participants to enjoy the property’s prime beachfront location.
Riviera Nayarit
“Mexican heritage is known around the world as vibrant and welcoming, making Mexico an ideal culture for entertaining group outings,” said Richard Zarkin, public relations manager for the Riviera Nayarit CVB. “This year Riviera Nayarit celebrates its 10th anniversary as a destination, and meeting planners should know that our destination exemplifies that same passion.”
Among the best evening options for groups, according to Zarkin, are the bars of Sayulita, a town where visitors can sip margaritas by the beach at Don Pedros, savor tapas at Aria Lounge & Tapas Bar and dance the night away at Palmar del Camaron. In nearby San Pancho, groups can enjoy reggae and jazz theme parties at a beach club called La Fresona.
Acapulco
Fine dining is a big draw in Acapulco-Mexico’s original jet-set vacation destination-and many restaurants offer group space. Becco al Mare, which offers postcard-perfect views of Acapulco Bay, has outdoor seating areas that are especially pleasant during and after sunset, when the buildings twinkle across the bay.
Tony’s Asian Bistro, which specializes in Asian/French fusion cuisine, also serves up lovely bay views with its 250-seat alfresco dining area, while Kookaburra offers elegant dining on its outdoor terrace at the upscale La Isla Shopping Village.
For drinks and dancing, Acapulco’s top choices include Palladium, which features 160-foot-wide glass windows and glorious bay views, Baby’O, a long-time favorite dance club, and Mojito Acapulco, which attracts vacationers, celebrities and meeting groups with its Cuban flavor and lively vibe.
