One of the things that make Cancun a popular destination for many travelers is its upscale nightlife. You can enjoy hardcore parties, many bars, and endless drink options here. Now, while it’s not a concern for middle-aged travelers, you may wonder if you’re on the younger side. So, what is Cancun’s drinking age, you may wonder:
The legal drinking age in Cancun is 18, and it goes the same for the rest of Mexico. Thus, you cannot order drinks if you’re 17 and below. Also, it’s best always to carry identification if you want to avoid hassles entering bars and ordering drinks since some bartenders may ask for it.
Cancun is undoubtedly an attractive destination for you if you love to drink and party because of its nightlife. However, despite being a spot for nightlife, the city’s rules and regulations still apply, and you must abide by them to avoid any problems.
In this article, we’ll walk you through Cancun’s drinking age and other concerns related to this matter. This way, you can enjoy drinking in Cancun (if you’re 18 or above) and understand the regulations and rules regarding the drinking age in this city and this country.
Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Can 17-Year-Olds Drink in Cancun?
No, if you’re 17 years old and in Cancun, you cannot drink or buy alcohol in bars. Every bar in Cancun and the rest of Mexico requires young adults to show some identification that shows their age. It can be a passport, driver’s license, or any proof of age when buying or ordering alcohol.
As such, your best bet is to drink in your rooms and have someone 18 years old or older buy the drinks for you. Now, if you’re 17 and you want to party in Cancun, it’s best to save the vacation and wait til your 18 to enjoy the city’s nightlife legally.
If you’re drinking with your parents, you can always ask them to buy one. It’s safer this way since you have your parents even if you get drunk.
Do I Need My ID to Buy Alcohol in Cancún?
If you’re a young adult, it’s best to bring some identification whenever you buy alcohol in Cancun. In addition, every bar requires young adults to present some identification whenever they order drinks.
Depending on how old you look, some bartenders may not ask for identification. However, it’s always best to bring your U.S. identification if you’re an American citizen on vacation in Cancun.
Or, at least bring your passport with you, so you will be fine if the waiter or bartender asks for such. Bringing a copy of your U.S. passport with your other forms of identification is also a good idea.
Should You Drink In Cancún?
Many people dream of visiting Cancun to enjoy its nightlife. However, safety concerns remain, especially when you plan to drink and enjoy a lot.
In general, you should drink in Cancun to enjoy its nightlife, as it’s an experience you will never forget. However, moderation is always the key, especially since you’re drinking at a foreign place.
Another thing to note is only to drink when you have someone with you. Whether you’re with your family or friends, drinking is only ideal if you have someone to take care of you if you get drunk.
As always, when you’re on vacation, the last thing you’ll want is to risk your safety by going all out in drinking. It will only be an enjoyable vacation if you return home without any harm.
Remember that you are in a foreign nation where 99.9% of the population would never see you afterward. Therefore, folks with malicious intentions could think they can get away since they are in a foreign country at a popular tourist destination.
Safe Places to Drink in Cancun
Most people who visit Cancun go to enjoy the nightlife, which involves drinking alcoholic beverages. As such, if you’re also going to drink, you should always do so with caution. One of the ways to do so is to find a safe place to drink.
Here are the places we recommend if you want to drink in Cancun:
The resort where you’re staying
The safest location to drink is at the hotel or resort you’re staying in with your group. When it comes to resorts, the ones that are farthest from Cancun proper are the ultimate safest resorts.
For this reason, it’s best to choose a resort with a bar on its own if you plan to party and drink a lot. This way, you don’t have to drive or commute after partying and can walk back to your room.
We recommend booking a room at a hotel or resort around Puerto Morelos or Playa del Carmen, but booking one in Cancun Hotel Zone is also ideal.
The bars near streets and public transportation
We advise going to crowded pubs and nightclubs where you will find many people if you want to experience the nightlife.
One benefit of visiting a crowded area is that public transit will be nearby. In addition, taxis are widely available and relatively simple to find. If you want to know more, read Are Taxis Safe in Cancun?
Buses in Cancun also operate 24/7, so you can always go for busses if you’re not that drunk. To learn more, read our article about Taking a Bus in Cancun.
After drinking, delegate the task of obtaining transportation to your designated sober person. With this in mind, always ensure one or two of your group stays sober to lead your way back to your hotels.
Safety Tips When Drinking in Cancun
Below are some of the safety tips we recommend you do when you’re drinking in Cancun:
Drink moderately
While we recommend enjoying yourself with Cancun’s nightlife, we recommend you don’t overdo it with drinking. As always, the best way to stay safe is to stay sober to watch over yourself. Once you’re drunk, you’ll never be able to protect yourself, so stay sober unless you’re with someone you trust.
Never leave your group
It’s always best and safe to drink with your group, and we recommend staying with them until you return to your room safely. Don’t go with people you have only met, and always drink the beverages from the bartenders.
Always keep your phone fully charged
The last thing you’ll want is a dead phone whenever you need to contact someone. So whenever you leave your hotel for a night out, always do so with a fully charged phone. Otherwise, bring a power bank and let your phone charge in your bag while you drink.
Make sure someone in your group stays sober
Whenever you’re going out as a group, always have someone who will not drink a lot and stay sober to keep an eye out for you.
If you’re a large group, at least two or three persons should be sober to help one another. If you’re alone, it’s always best to enjoy a few sips and party rather than get drunk without company.
If you want to know more about safety concerns in Cancun, read Is Cancun Safe?
Conclusion
In a nutshell, Cancun has a legal drinking age which is 18, and it applies to the rest of Mexico. As such, you can only buy and drink alcoholic beverages if you’re 18 and above. As always, the legal drinking age doesn’t mean you can drink to your fill and get drunk without worrying about your safety,
As always, it’s best to drink and enjoy Cancun, but remember to take care of yourself since you’re in a foreign country.
