The Hotel Zone is lined with discos and nightclubs to rival any tropical destination.  Most clubs collect a cover charge of US$5-$12, and don’t get jumping until after 10:30pm.  Some, like Azucar in the Camino Real Hotel (about US $9 cover; tel. 83-0100; 11:30pm-4:00am, closed Sunday), only begin to heat up at around 1 a.m.  This club, one of the classiest on Cancun, is the place to go for live Cuban bands, which means couples can twirl the night away to spicy salsa music. Many hotels have lobby bars that are lovely spots for jazz and other music, in a relaxed, easy environment.

For singles and young-at-hearts: Dady’O (opens 9 p.m.; Blvd. Kukulkan, Km. 9.5, near the Convention Center, tel. 83-3134) is always a wild party, with a psychedelic light show and dry ice pumped throughout to create a smoky, dream-like effect.   This club attracts a young crowd.   Dance till dawn amid large video screens and very elaborate lighting at La Boom (no cover charge Monday, Blvd. Kukulkan, Km. 3.5, tel. 83-0404), also a younger crowd.  At Christine (from 10 p.m. on, Krystal Cancun Hotel, Blvd. Kukulkan, tel. 83-1133), there is a different theme every night.   Tuesdays are wet T-shirt nights;  Thursdays are for ‘70s and ‘80s music, and Fridays feature male beauty contests.   No short-shorts or jeans allowed.  Caribbean music lovers should hit Cat’s Reggae Bar, downtown (Av. Yaxchilan, no phone).

The Hard Rock Café (Plaza Lagunas, Blvd. Kukulkan, tel. 81-8120), has a huge dance floor and serves up rock music beginning at around 11 p.m.   Planet Hollywood (Plaza Flamingo, Blvd. Kukulkan, Km. 11.5, tel. 83-0527) attracts a nighttime crowd, with cinematic hits from Hollywood’s Golden Age shown on several screens.  All Star Café (Playa Gaviota Azul, tel. 81-8110), owned by sports legends such as Tiger Woods and Andre Agassi, is a great night spot for all kinds of sports aficionados - and it’s kid friendly!