Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen Review

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Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen is a night you will never forget.

Lights, camera, confetti, balloons, dancing, drinks, and action!  

Surely you have heard about the explosive party that is Coco Bongo. Regardless if you have or haven’t, this article has all the information you need to know about Coco Bongo in Playa del Carmen.

From living in Playa del Carmen for two years, visiting the show, and now currently working as a bailarina in the show, I would have to nominate myself as the perfect person to write this review. 

Being behind the scenes I have heard many opinions and reviews about the experience, and of course, I have come up with my own as well. 

The show is really like no other show I have been to before, and having a career as a professional artist I can say that I have been to many shows of all calibers. 

The best way to completely understand Coco Bongo in Playa del Carmen is to go and enjoy the show and experience it for yourself. 

What is Coco Bongo?

Disco, dance party, and show. Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen is an all-inclusive nightclub experience elevated to a completely different level. 

It is literally a non-stop party. From the minute you step through the front doors, the mood is set that you are walking into a night of full entertainment. 

Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen is a 1500-person capacity dance club with three different levels in the room. There is a giant floating stage where the performances take place and two huge screens where a live camera catches in-the-moment action of partygoers. 

Coco Bongo is also a dance and acrobatics show featuring acts from famous pop culture movies and artists. 

Throughout the night you can expect to see impersonation acts such as Jennifer Lopez, Queen, Kiss, and Micheal Jackson. The show is designed so that people of all generations will have a good time. 

The shows happen throughout the night roughly every 15 – 20 minutes. 

But what happens while the shows are not playing? Will you still be entertained? Absolutely! 

The DJ turns up the music keeping the crowd dancing.  Live audience interaction is featured on the big screens, so don’t be surprised if that person is be you.  

You can expect balloons, streamers, confetti, more confetti, and more balloons to fall from the ceiling, covering the room all evening long. 

While all this is going on, you can expect that your drink never goes empty. The service staff is very attentive making sure you have exactly what you want at all times.

The cast features artists from all over the world all of whom are incredibly talented at what they do. They don’t skip out on production either, with beautiful costumes, amazing lighting, quality speakers, and smoke and laser machines. 

There really never is a dull moment at Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen.

Where is Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen?

Coco Bongo has three locations around Mexico, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, and Punta Cana. 

If you’re trying to decide between a trip to Cancun or Playa del Carmen, read our article which compares the two here.

The Coco Bongo in Playa del Carmen is located on the corner of 10th avenue and Calle 12. The building is big and displays giant photo posters of Christina Aguilera, Freddy Mercury, Madonna, and Michael Jackson on its outer walls. It is definitely hard to miss. 

Outside on the corner of the building, you will find the Famous Coco Bongo sign with the Cartoon Mask Mascot. Be sure to snap a photo for your memories. 

Its location is conveniently situated one block from 5th avenue, and further, down Calle 12th you will find the party corner of Playa del Carmen.  

How much does it cost to go to Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen? 

Coco Bongo has three different tiers of tickets ranging from $90 USD -$185 USD. 

Each of the packages includes your entrance to the show and all-inclusive drinks. Depending on if you would like an assigned seat, the prices increase accordingly. 

I was actually quite fortunate and was able to visit Coco Bongo for the first time for free. It was a quiet night in the summer in Playa del Carmen that coincidentally happened to be ladies’ night at Coco Bongo. 

I don’t think the club was very busy and they were looking to get more bodies inside. 

So, ladies, this trick might work for you. Take a casual stroll past Coco Bongo in low season and you just might get lucky with free entrance. Ladies’ night is on Wednesdays.

A Coco Bongo representative was outside on the streets and pulled my friend and me aside as we were walking by. He offered us free admission and free drinks inside the club. At first, we were quite skeptical about accepting the offer as we had no intentions of partying that night.  

The man kindly asked us again, we hummed and hawed a few moments more then decided to take him up on his offer. And this is where my Coco Bongo journey began. 

My friend and I loved the experience. We are both professional dancers and really only entered the club to check out the show. Now here I am a year later, as a nightly dancer in the show. 

Coco Bongo Experience Ticket Types and Packages

There are a few different options for ticket pricing at Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen.

Regular Ticket

A Regular Ticket to Coco Bongo costs $90 USD and includes: 

• Admission to the show 
• Open Bar 
• Water, soft drinks, juices
• Standing room 
• Small snack

For $26 USD more, you can upgrade your drinks to premium brand alcohol. 

Gold Member

Gold Member Tickets cost $150 USD and include:

• Admission to the show 
• Open Bar with Premium Drinks
• Reserved Seating in the VIP area
• Water, soft drinks, juices
• Small Snack

Front Row VIP

Front Row VIP Tickets cost $185 USD and include:

• Admission to the show 
• Open bar with premium drinks
• Reserved front-row seating in the Vip Area
• Water, soft drinks, Juices 
• Small Snack

Ladies’ Night Open Bar

For Ladies only, and only on Wednesdays, ladies receive a regular ticket admission including all the benefits for $70 USD. Ladies, you can pre-purchase that ticket on GetYourGuide here. 

VIP Tables

Coco Bongo also offers bottle service table packages for 5 guests or more. Packages start at $1000 USD with the complete $1000 going towards bottle consumption. Tickets, exclusive door access, and a bottle service waiter are included in this pricing. 

What type of Coco Bongo Ticket is best for me?

Are you the person who likes to be right in the crowd dancing the night away? Or would you prefer a reserved seat with a place to securely keep your drink?

Is it important that you have the best seat in the house to view the show, or do you like moving around mingling and mixing with other partygoers?

Depending on how you answered these questions will define what ticket type is best for you.

The regular ticket allows you standing room only on the first floor of the venue. You are free to move about as you please and visit the bar as you wish. 

This is the best place to experience the full energy of the crowd and dance the night away.  There is a raised platform in the center of the venue that, when it is not being used for a performance, you are invited up to go and dance on it.  

You even get to vibe off the energy of the performers at eye level, as the platform in the middle of the venue is frequently used as a stage.

If you are looking to enjoy the show ensuring that you have a seat, the Gold Member and Front Row VIP tickets are the best options for you. 

The second and third levels of the club have bar-style seats with a ledge in front for you to put your drink, purse, phones, and snacks. 

All seats provide a great view of the stage, and you are also able to move through the club as you please visiting the bottom level. 

To secure a front-row seat to the show, the Front Row VIP ticket guarantees just that. 

If you don’t feel like standing the entire time I recommend a Gold Member or a VIP ticket.  Remember the event is four hours so having a reserved seat can be a huge perk. 

How to Buy Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen Tickets

There are several ways you can buy Coco Bongo tickets.

You can check ahead of time for deals on GetYourGuide.

You can book at the door in advance. This is one of the best ways to do it if you’re not sure what night of the week you want to check out a show. 

At the door of the club, there is a ticket office where you can purchase tickets a day or two in advance. You can pay in USD or Pesos and you can pay by cash or card.

If you are plotting to visit at the last minute, you can even buy a ticket at the door on the day of the show.

If you are staying at a resort or hotel that has a concierge service or the front desk offers tickets and tours, you can also book Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen tickets right at your hotel. This is an especially handy option if you aren’t staying right in downtown Playa del Carmen.

If you book through your hotel or resort, they can also help you organize transportation to and from the show.

How Long Does a Coco Bongo Show Last?

Doors open to Coco Bongo at 9:45 pm and guests begin to trickle in.   

The show begins at 11 pm and performances run all night long until 2:20 am. At this time the last call for drinks is made.

At 2:45 am the lights come on to conclude the evening. 

All in all, Coco Bongo is about a 4-hour event as there is a little bit of entertainment before 11 pm to set the mood of the night as the guests arrive. 

What kind of Music do they Play at Coco Bongo?

Music played at Coco Bongo is styled to suit all age generations and genres of music. 

You will hear everything from top 40 pop music to classic rock, electronic, reggaeton, hip hop, oldies, Mexican love songs, salsa, cumbia, and even Musica de Banda Original Mexicana. 

I find that they currently are playing a lot of reggaetón music because right now this seems to be the popular trend and keeps the crowd highly engaged. 

Who Owns Coco Bongo?

Some people think that Jim Carey owns Coco Bongo but this is not the case. 

Coco Bongo first opened its doors in Cancun in 1997, four years after the spark of the idea for the club based on the Movie “The Mask.”  

A Mexican family is the founder and owner of all three Coco Bongo locations. 

Who can go to Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen?

Anyone over the age of 18 is allowed to attend Coco Bongo as that is the legal minimum drinking age in Mexico.  

Every night I see people of all ages dancing the night away and enjoying the show. 

My dad, who is 70 years old, came to enjoy the show last week. I was a bit worried about how he would like the show, just because it is a loud venue and really a big party. I had many doubts that this wouldn’t be the right party for him. 

After the show, he said it was one of the best shows that he had ever seen and that he had an absolute blast. My mom even had pictures of him wearing a balloon hat fully indulging in the fun.

Coco Bongo is also a great place to celebrate a special occasion. Whether it be a birthday, a bachelorette party, or your parent’s wedding anniversary, the staff at Coco Bongo will make your night unforgettable. 

Almost on a nightly basis, I see groups of girls celebrating bachelorette parties. It’s a particularly great option for bachelorette parties because on ladies’ nights, you get such a great deal on tickets. It’s always really cute to see the different outfits and accessories they arrive in. 

What should I wear to Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen?

There is no official dress code at Coco Bongo. I like to recommend that people dress to impress but also to be comfortable. Especially if you plan to be dancing for most of the time you’re there.

Because the experience is four hours, you will want to make sure that you will be comfortable throughout the night. 

For footwear, it is essential to feel comfortable especially if you have purchased a ticket with standing room only. The last thing you want is to have tired feet one hour into your 4-hour event. 

I have seen girls walking around with no shoes but I wouldn’t recommend it because drinks and other objects (such as confetti) frequently hit the ground. It’s possible you may step on a broken glass or other sharp debris.

For women, a cute pair of sneakers is perfect, but if you are confident and secure in those 5-inch stilettos, amen sister! 

For men, the same goes for you. Wear whatever you are comfortable dancing in for several hours.

Sometimes at the beginning of the night, the air conditioning can be quite powerful leaving you feeling cold, but as the room starts to fill and people begin to dance, you will likely be sweating rather than feeling cold. 

I have seen a wide variety of clothing styles being fashioned each night. You’ll spot people wearing fancy dresses, rompers, mini skirts, crop tops, sheer dresses, suits and ties, denim, tee shirts, hoodies, Hawaiian shirts, groups in all white, girls in wigs, men in wigs, light-up sunglasses, cowboy hats, and the list goes on. 

Comfort and confidence are key!

Check out our guides for what to wear for Cancun here and Tulum here to get a better idea of what to pack for this type of trip.

How to get to and from Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen

Because Coco Bongo has a fantastic central location in Playa del Carmen, it is very easily accessible from almost anywhere you are staying. 

If you are staying in the center you can easily walk if you feel up for the exercise.  

Coco Bongo does offer transportation from some of the hotels and resorts surrounding Playa del Carmen. 

The transportation provided by the company will only take you to Coco Bongo and you will need to arrange your own transportation back to your desired destination. 

Not to worry as an abundance of taxis will be waiting right outside the main doors to offer you a ride home. Before you begin your journey, communicate with your driver where you would like to go and agree on a price. 

What are the snacks included with my ticket?

With your entrance ticket, a small selection of snacks is offered. 

You can choose from hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, french fries, nachos with queso, and boneless chicken wings. 

The boneless wings and hamburgers are both really tasty. However, if you want to have a nice meal before you arrive, check out our guide to the best restaurants in Playa del Carmen here.

What types of Alcohol are included in my ticket?

All ticket types include an open bar.

If I am being completely honest, the quality of alcohol being served with a general ticket is not the best. I am not entirely sure what brands they serve but I hear from friends that it doesn’t provide you with the friendliest hangovers the next day. 

Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the night to avoid this. The open bar also includes sodas and bottles of water, so you don’t have to pay to stay hydrated throughout the night.

With the premium ticket, you are served labels such as Captain Morgan’s, Smirnoff, Bacardi, Jose Cuervo, Jack Daniel’s, and Bombay.

With bottle service, you have choices from many high ends liquors such as Don Julio, Grey Goose, Belvedere, and Moet and Chandon. 

Is it worth it to visit Coco Bongo Playa del Carmen?

If you are a party or entertainment enthusiast, I would answer this question with a yes! Yes, the tickets are a bit pricey but for a full night of nonstop entertainment and an open bar, it is worth it.

If you compare the ticket price to a live concert or sports game the pricing is on par, and with this ticket, drinks, and snacks are included.

Not to mention, the fun you will have and the memories you will create are all priceless.