From continental dining, to fresh seafood, to traditional Mayan cuisine, Cancun offers a truly dazzling assortment of dining options. There are over 300 restaurants in the general area. Settings range from fast food to casual bistros, to elegant, themed surroundings.

Overall dining downtown (El Centro) tends to be less expensive than dining in the resort zone. Many hotels have excellent restaurants and offer cuisines of enormous variety. A recent wave of competition (hotel restaurants competing with non-hotel restaurants) has brought down dining prices. American fast food outlets are plentiful, although prices are higher than back home.

Don't miss trying some of the delicious local Mayan dishes, such as Cochinita Pibil (suckling pig baked in banana leaves with a rich annatto sauce), Papadzules (tortillas stuffed with boiled eggs in a pumplin seed sauce), or Panuchos (open tortillas topped with friend balck beans, chicken and pickled onions). The local beer is Montejo, a hearty brew made in Merida.

A fun way to start the evening is to "hotel hop" taking in several excellent happy hours, a variety of live music, and some incredibly beautiful resort settings. For those wanting a little adventure, try one of the popular sunset cocktail or dinner cruises. There area also dozens of Mexican-themed Fiesta Nights, and Las Vegas-style floor shows at several restaurants.

Nightlife
Nightlife in Cancun is abundant, more than in any other resort in Mexico. While several large discos seem to be the last and wildest stop (until the early morning hours) on the continuous party scene, you'll find many offerings in between. Remember, most discos don't open until 10 or 11pm, so many restaurant bars offer happy hours, and live music ranging from reggae to solo guitar in the late afternoon and early evening. You'll also find many bar/restaurant types that have their own idea of fun waiting for you from the early afternoon to late at night. Cancun is a haven for non-stop nightlife.

Caribbean Carnaval Cruise
Tel: (98) 84-3760

Coco Bongo
One of Cancun's Hottest Spots
DJ & Live Music Complete Entertainment
Located in the Heart of Cancun's Center
Forum By The Sea * Tel: (998) 883-0592

Cambalache
Argentinian Cuisine
Large Selection of Wine
Forum by the Sea Shopping Mall * Tel: (98) 83-0902

Cat's
Reggae & Hip-Hop Dance Club
DJs & Live Music * 9:30pm til ....
Next to the Convention Center * Tel: (998) 883-1900 * Fax: (998) 883-3883

Champions
Sports Bar * Grill * Dancing
40 Monitors * Pool Table * DJ
Inside Casa Magna Marriott * Tel: (98) 81-2000

Columbus Lobster Dinner Cruise
Cruise Nichupte Lagoon * Entertainment * Casual Attire
Royal Yacht Club * Tel: (98) 83-3268

Dady'O Disco
Laser Show Nightly * Five Bars * 10pm til .....
Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 9.5 * Tel: (998) 883-3333

Faro's
Large Seafood Menu
Plaza Lagunas * Tel: (98) 83-2080

Iguana Wana
Open Daily 7am-Midnight * Bar
Live Entertainment * Moderate Prices
Plaza Caracol * Tel: (998) 883-0829

La Boom
One of the Largest Discos in Cancun
Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 3.5 * Tel: (998) 883-0404

La Casa de Las Margaritas
Traditional & Contemporary Mexican Cuisine
Great Atmosphere * Live Music
Open: Daily 12pm-1am * Casual Dress Code
La Isla Shopping Village * Tel: (998) 883-3222 * Fax: (998) 883-2725

La Parrilla
Casual Mexican Eatery * Two Levels
Mariachi Music Nightly * Large Bar
Ave. Yaxchilan, Downtown * Tel: (998) 884-5398

Los Almendras
Authentic Yucatecan Cuisine
Ave. Bonampak & Sayil * Tel: (998) 887-1332

Los Pelicanos
Palapa-style * Beachfront * Popular Seafood Dishes
Playa del Norte * Only Open Days
Paseo Claussen & Uribe

OK Maguey Cantina & Cocina Grill
Authentic Mexican Fare * Seafood Dishes
Mariachi Music * Open 7am-Midnight
Plaza Kukulcan * Tel. (998) 885-0503

Mango Tango
Seafood Dishes * Tropical Ambience
Reggae Music * Open 1pm-Midnight
Blvd. Kukulcan, Km. 14.2 * Tel: (98) 85-0303

Mariscos Los Compadres
Popular with Mexican Nationals * Palapa-style Restaurant
Nightly Live Music
Paseo Claussen

Mr. Greek
Greek Cuisine & Seafood
Ave. Uxmal #40

Puerto Azul
Seafood Specialities * Sunset Views * Intimate
Ave. del Mar & Miramar * Tel: (69) 82-4031

Pat O'Brian's
World Famous "Hurricane" Cocktail * Outdoor Patio
Dancing * Dining * Entertainment
Flamingo Plaza * Tel: (98) 83-0418

Plantation House
Caribbean & French Influence * Fine Wines
Lagoon View * 5pm - 12pm Blvd. Kukulcan km. 10.5 * Tel: (98) 83-1455

Pirate's Night Adventure
Entertainment & Buffet Dinner * Casual Attire
Playa Langosta Dock * Tel: (98) 83-3283

Rolandi
Casual Italian Cuisine
Ave. Coba #12 * Tel: (98) 84-4047

Roots Jazz Club
Jazz & Blues * Serving Dinner
Local Art * Closed Sun. & Mon.
Calle Tulipanes #26 * Tel: (98) 84-2437 * Fax: (98) 84-5547

Rosa Mexicano
Great Variety of Traditional Dishes
Live Mexican Music * Open Daily
Claveles #4, Downtown

Senor Frogs
International & Seafood * Bar & Dance Floor
Home to the Only Slide in Town
Blvd. Kukulcan Km. 5.5 * Tel: (98) 83-1092

Splash
Realxing Ambiance * All-you-can-eat Buffets
Full Dinners * Appetizers
Plaza Kukulcan * Tel: (98) 85-3011

Stefano's
Italian & Swiss Cuisine * Open 1pm-1am
Bonampak #177 * Tel: (98) 87-9964

Zandunga Cantina Beach & Mexican Grill
Mexican & Seafood * Live Mariachi Music * Beachfront
Plaza Forum * Tel. (998) 883-4496