Mexican Independence Day Parties in the Riviera Maya

While all my fellow Americans are fast asleep in bed tonight, everyone in Mexico will be partying it up Independence Day style. Here, we don’t just shoot off some fireworks, eat some apple pie and call it a night… oh no. In Mexico, it’s not September 15th if you’re not staying up until the wee hours singing banda music with friends, family, or maybe even several thousand of your closest friends. I mean come on, the party doesn’t even officially start until El Grito just before midnight.

Home to some of the best nightlife in the world, Cancun and the Riviera Maya are no exception.

A local Independence Day show in downtown Cancun

In the early evening most Mexicans spend time with the family, maybe having dinner, going to a bar, or enjoying a local Independence Day show. At midnight, everyone crowds around the radio or TV to hear the president give El Grito. Cheers are made, hugs and kisses are given, and then it’s every man for himself. The older crowd will usually spend the rest of the night chatting, drinking and laughing at a friend’s house, while Cancun’s younger crowd will head out to the clubs in the Hotel Zone (if they’re not there already).

September 15 is a great night to explore Cancun’s Party Center since it fills up with both tourists and locals, all looking to celebrate Independence Day the best way they know how. Music, cheers and the green and red of the Mexican flag all come together in a rush of energy. Nightclubs like Coco Bongo, Dady O and The City host excited locals and visitors, and the thrill in the air becomes contagious. This is the best way to experience Cancun nightlife.

Another great spot to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day is in the laid-back city of Playa del Carmen in the Riviera Maya, where you’ll find a much more casual vibe along with excited crowds. Fifth Avenue and the surrounding streets overflow with partiers. Here, you can grab a beer at a local store and party in the street with crowds of thousands, or duck into a chic yet laid-back tropical bar to celebrate with your closest friends.

No matter where you are in the Riviera Maya on Mexico’s Independence Day, you’ll find exciting parties lasting all night. This is a country that really knows how to celebrate!

**Note: This is a blog hop! Feel free to check out any of the following blogs for more Mexican Independence Day fun! (Listed manually because WordPress is a jerk and won’t let me post the linky… WordPress, I think we need to talk.)

Mexico's El Grito de la Independencia

Celebrating Independence Day Around Mexico

Dolores Hidalgo: Cradle of Mexican Independence

The Story of El Grito and Mexico's Independence Day

United Mexico: Their Independence Day Traditions

16 Tips for a Great Mexican Independence Day

16 Little Known Mexican Facts

The Mexican Tequila Bandera

Viva la Independencia!

Mexican Independence Day Parties in the Riviera Maya

Where to Eat for Fiestas Patrias

10 Ways to Celebrate Mexican Independence

Mexican Independence Day in Cancun

 

 

Chiles en Nogada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure:  I am being compensated for my work in creating and managing content as a Community Manager for the Mexico Today Program.  All stories, opinions and passion for all things Mexico shared here are completely my own.

Playa del Carmen on Mexican Independence Day

After the Mexican show on Wednesday, Jorge and I got together with some friends and we drove down to the city of Playa del Carmen for the night to continue celebrating Mexican Independence Day.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Playa del Carmen, it’s about 40 minutes down the coast from Cancun. It has this great pedestrian street that runs parallel to the beach, called Quinta Avenida. This charming avenue is filled with amazing bars, restaurants and shops. It’s possibly my favorite place in the world.

We missed the Grito at 11 pm because we were in the car, but as we were pulling into Playa del Carmen, we did get to see some fireworks from the car window:

We parked the car and began to walk around Quinta Avenida. It was packed.

There were many interesting characters all around:

We decided to go to one of our favorites, Guanatos.

Then we spent the rest of the evening just out on the street… because that’s where the party was anyway!

I think these people had the right idea…

After awhile, we decided to just grab our cooler from the car and find a street corner to party on.

We spent awhile hanging out and enjoying our drinks (except for me, because strawberry Caribbean Cooler is nasty, FYI), then decided to head home around 3 am. Fun night with amazing friends! I love Playa del Carmen 🙂

My friends in their Mexico soccer jerseys… and unpatriotic Jorge.

Hubs and me

Me with Viri, one of my best friends 🙂

Celebrating Mexico’s Bicentennial Part 1

Wednesday night was so much fun!

Jorge and I had a blast celebrating Mexico’s bicentennial independence day with family and friends!

First, we went to Jorge’s parents church around 9 pm, where they had a Mexican show and lots of food. We couldn’t stay for the whole thing, but it sure was a great family party.

The place was packed! (This outdoor patio was where Jorge and I first met, by the way! Right in front of where I'm standing)

There was lots of dancing

Some singing (by my friend Karina!)

Great traditional food

People decked out in their best traditional outfits

Overall, an amazing time!

Check back tomorrow to see what we did for the rest of the evening!! … a last-minute trip to Playa del Carmen 🙂

Viva Mexico, Cabrones!

Today, September 15, is a special day in Mexico.

Tonight at midnight, we start to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day, September 16.

In the Zocalo (Main Square) of Mexico City, the president will gather with masses of people to give “El Grito” (“The Cry”) at midnight. They’ll be joined by Mexicans all over the country and the world watching them on TV.

El Grito goes something like this (can be changed a bit):

Mexicanos!
¡Viva la Independencia Nacional!; (Long live Mexican Independence!)
¡Vivan los héroes que nos dieron Patria!; (Long live the heroes that gave us our Fatherland!)
¡Vivan los héroes que nos dieron libertad!; (Long live the heroes that gave us freedom!)
¡Viva Hidalgo!; (Long live Hidalgo!)
¡Viva Morelos!; (Long live Morelos!)
¡Viva Allende!; (Long live Allende!)
¡Viva la Corregidora!; (Long live the Corrector… famous woman of independence)
¡Viva Aldama! (Long live Aldama!)
¡Viva Guerrero! (Long live Guerrero!)
¡Viva Mexico!;
¡Viva Mexico!;
¡Viva Mexico!

So tonight, every Mexican will be at some bar, nightclub or house party with family and friends drinking some beer and screaming as loud as they can. Should be fun!

Google's Mexican Independence Day design! Love it!

This year is especially awesome because it’s Mexico’s bicentennial celebration! We’re all very excited.

I don’t work tomorrow, but I’ll get back to you guys on Friday to let you know how my Mexican Independence Day went.

I’ll also be back later today with some awesome bicentennial videos! (Seriously, they’re awesome.)

If you want to read up a little more on the history of El Grito, check out Wikipedia’s article.

**Update: Tropical Storm Karl is threatening to ruin tomorrow’s day off for Mexicans (and me!) throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.