Coco Bongo, Cancun, Mexico

..."Vegas showtime meets the party", Coco Bongos is entertainment extraordinaire, based in a fabulous location in the hotel zone in Cancun, Mexico, it appears that all the locals, hoteliers, holiday reps and anyone who has ever been loves it and given we were on holiday in Cancun for our friends wedding we just had to try it. Given we were there for a wedding and due to lack of babysitters there was no way everyone could go at the same time ...
...Mask, will be familiar with Coco Bongos as it appeared in the film (as itself so to speak). It certainly knows how to publicise and market this fact and I am sure even the Beckhams could learn some PR tips from Coco Bongos.

Entry is circa $50 and we had bought tickets from our holiday rep in advance and got there early. The rep had waxed lyrical about it but we thought that was hardly a good testimonial on account of him getting a ... more

Address: Plaza Forum by the Sea, Blvd Kukulcan Km 9 - Hotel Zone, Cancun. www.cocobongo.com.mx

I've been to plenty of nightclubs, lots of concerts, the circus and one or two shows but this is the first time I have been to all four at the same time!! There was that much going on it was like viewing the items on the Generation game conveyor belt - there was even a cuddly toy. It's an all out assault on all your senses at the same time, does not come up for breath in nearly three hours of show time and provides you with as much free alcohol that you can drink in the time you are there. And it's over in a flash.

Self styled as "Vegas showtime meets the party", Coco Bongos is entertainment extraordinaire, based in a fabulous location in the hotel zone in Cancun, Mexico, it appears that all the locals, hoteliers, holiday reps and anyone who has ever been loves it and given we were on holiday in Cancun for our friends wedding we just had to try it. Given we were there for a wedding and due to lack of babysitters there was no way everyone could go at the same time we decided to have a lads then a girls night there and billed it as the "Stag" & Hen" dos.

Described as the most popular club in Latin America and praised by the likes of ABC News, Discovery Channel, MTV, Playboy, Rolling Stone Magazine and Billboard Magazine (courtesy http://www.cancuntravel.com/coco-bongo-cancun.asp)

***What is it?***

A unique entertainment experience fitting 1800 hearty souls into a specially designed auditorium with, believe it or not, no dance floor!! You just dance wherever you are, including right on top of the bar (ladies do not wear high heels or short skirts as air jets coming out of the bar will have you doing a Marilyn Monroe). It is shaped like an ampi-theatre with fabulous acoustics and views. We had our own table on the floor looking up but you can be sat/stood on the tiered sides looking down but trust me you will not be sat down for long. Our rep recommended we get there and queue up early (opens 10:30pm) so we could get in quickly and get a floor space with tables, near the bar and a dedicated waiter. He also said to tip the waiter $20 up front and he will look after you all night. This was the best advice we had as the waiter was bringing us fresh drinks without us asking and before we had finished the present ones.

Anyone who has seen the film, The Mask, will be familiar with Coco Bongos as it appeared in the film (as itself so to speak). It certainly knows how to publicise and market this fact and I am sure even the Beckhams could learn some PR tips from Coco Bongos.

Entry is circa $50 and we had bought tickets from our holiday rep in advance and got there early. The rep had waxed lyrical about it but we thought that was hardly a good testimonial on account of him getting a cut of the entry fee and he is hardly going to say it was poor was he? We therefore went with low expectations on the basis it can only get better.

We were one of the first groups in and the atmosphere is superb from entering. It really gets everyone in the party mood and whilst it is initially very dark there is strategic lighting, huge video screens and the disco is blaring with a countdown to the start of the show. The drinks also start flowing immediately. The only problem is at this stage is that you still have absolutely no idea what to expect. Everyone we asked about it beforehand said it was a fantastic experience but all had trouble describing exactly what it was!

Coco Bongo's concept mixes tribute artists, Cirque de Soleil type acrobatics and booze. It crams this all into a three hour, in your face show with superb lighting, laser shows and acoustics. You cannot fail to enjoy yourself.

In all there are around 40 acts and the show is typically built around a tribute or perhaps best described as impersonators of a famous artist/group. These include Elvis, Michael Jackson, Madonna etc etc The act will be dressed as the artist, have the backing singers, dancers and band so its an almost exact replica of the original artist. Videos will then be projected onto the big screen and the singer will mime the song. In reality, it is cheesier than a cheese factory but it's up front, in your face and not meant to be anything but cheesy. But it is certainly different. Between each act and whilst they are changing the stage set up you are then assaulted by acrobats dropping out of the rafters to just above your head, gymnasts and comic strip heroes such as Batman & Robin in confrontation with The Joker, The Mask and Superman flying through the air. You just don't know where to look or what to expect next and it's this anticipation that keeps the show alive. These parts of the show just scratch the surface - it is like this non-stop for three hours.

The show itself walks a very fine line between being complete garbage and having you enthralled but it pulls it off. I was never at any stage bored and a lot of this is down to the quality of the artists who are very professional and have no doubt honed their performances over many years.

What is offered is very unique, not what you expect and great entertainment. I defy anyone to leave here and say that they did not enjoy it at all. It will appeal to all ages and they even do an alcohol free kids show on Wednesday afternoons.

There are some clips available on You Tube which are worth watching to give you a feel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8zCL51XFw0&mode=related&search=

At around £25 for this spectacular entertainment and free drinks all night then it is great value for money. You could easily spend £25 in various Cancun bars on drinks alone in one night so you are effectively getting the entertainment thrown in for free.

Even when the show finishes there is then a disco for a further two hours.

The experience is surreal. You leave the club and get out in the open air and you wonder if what you had just seen actually happened. The peace and quiet outside is then deafening.

If anyone is planning a trip to Cancun then you will undoubtedly hear or be asked about Coco Bongos. You will then become intrigued about what it is. I would say go and see it. If you love it or hate it there is one thing that will be a common feature and that is you will definitely not forget it. 

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