Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds | Moon Palace Cancun | Riviera Maya, Mexico

Moon Palace Cancun Concerts

Are you a fan of Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds? If you are a concertgoer, this performance at the Moon Palace Cancun in Riviera Maya, Mexico, could be the irresistible combination of live entertainment and pristine Caribbean beaches. I’ve been to Riviera Maya dozens of times, but I recently learned from my friend Sonya about this amazing three-night performance at one of the most sought-after resorts in Cancun. In addition to Dave and Tim, support artists perform during the day around the pool. All photos are courtesy of Sonya Fletcher.

How did you hear about the Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds concert at the Moon Palace, and what made you decide to book it?

I heard about this concert through Daveandtimrivieramaya.com. This is the 6th year Dave and Tim have done this concert on the beach in Mexico. My friend Megan, who is a Dave Matthews Warehouse (fan club) member, mentioned it to me the year before. It’s always been something I’ve seen on my radar as a fan of his, but something we started to discuss seriously the summer before.

Who did you travel with, and how long were you there?

So I traveled with my best friend Megan and my twin sister Tanya. We were there for a total of 4 days. We traveled to Mexico on a Thursday and flew home Tuesday morning. The concert was Fri-Sunday. And we had an extra day to relax on Monday.

Sonya poses on the beach where the concert took place.

What was it like to be at this amazing concert?

Well, if was like nothing I had ever experienced before. It’s like they dropped your favorite music/band in your favorite beach destination, and you get to be there with your favorite people. I’ve never experienced that before. Everyone is there to enjoy the same music and have a great vacation in a beautiful place. It was so much fun.

Tell my readers about the Moon Palace’s accommodations, pools, and beach.

So Moon Palace Moon Palace has four sections: Sunrise, Nizuc, Golf Course & The Grand. Each area of the resort is really nice. Gorgeous pools, bottomless drinks, different restaurants, complimentary WiFi, and 24-hour room service free of charge. Guests can enjoy a tranquil oasis while indulging in bottomless drinks, restaurants, and entertainment. A variety of guest rooms, suite options, and villas are available. The concert venue was at the Sunrise. And the live music pool parties were at Nizuc. So we stayed at the Sunrise and could walk or take a quick golf cart ride to the Nizuc pool party during the day. Even though the venue was at Sunrise, the rooms themselves were very quiet. We were parallel to the stage and could hear sound check and the opening acts play from our balcony, but with our doors closed, we couldn’t. So it wasn’t a party atmosphere around the rooms. It was relaxing and quiet. The pools at both were beautiful. We opted to get chairs on the beach and hang in the pool when things got crowded. There were always beach chairs, but most of the activities were around the pools. We didn’t spend a lot of time on the beach. But you could if you wanted to. The water wasn’t blue, more like Myrtle Beach, a little darker. And they worked hard to clean the seaweed off the beaches. We spent most of our time at the pools. The Grand and golf course we’re not areas we could see/get to. I wouldn’t recommend staying there if you wanted to be close to the venue.

What restaurants did you enjoy? Any special drinks served that weekend?

We enjoyed breakfast at Sunrise almost every day and lunch or quick bites around the pools. We did lunch at Nizuc one day, which was also fantastic. Most of our dinners were at the concert venue, which was done special for concert guests. They were food stations that had everything. We enjoyed the churros, chicken and burger sliders, traditional Mexican dishes, and juices. Cheese nachos and fries. They also have Indian, Asian, and vegetarian options. We also enjoyed food at Sunrise late at night after the concert. Lots of fruit desserts, quesadillas, and sandwiches. I don’t remember the specific names of the restaurants, but they were all located in the lobbies, and the lunch buffet bars were located around the pools. We did eat at any of the restaurants you had to make reservations at. Drinks at the pool bars and concert venue were great. Our drinks of choice were Palomas, Mojitos, and Daiquiris.

Would you recommend this experience? What are your tips for the best ways to enjoy the experience?

I would absolutely recommend this experience! My tips are to understand you are there for a 3-day concert. Try to relax during the day, because you’re up late and a one-day concert is tiring…and you’re doing this for three days! Give yourself an extra day to relax after the concert. Maybe don’t do an early morning excursion. We thought we’d do all these activities when in reality, we did the pool party, lunch, and the concert. Purchase the merchandise you want ahead of time so it doesn’t sell out, and you don’t have to wait in line in the sun. Stay at the venue! We walked to the concert from our room. And after the concert, we were close to our room. Follow and read the Welcome packet they give you. The Dave and Tim welcome packet was amazing and answered all the questions, and had great information.

Is there anything else that made this trip special for you?

The special part of this trip was being there with my sister and best friend. Who you travel with is important, and they are easy to travel with and made it even more special. One thing special about this event was all the “swag” you came home with. We had 100 rubber bracelets made to pass out to other concert guests, with Dave and Tim Cancun 2023 on one side and a lyric from a song on the other. A lot of people do this. And there is a “Swag Swap” event at the Nizuc Pool. People pass out stickers and bracelets. I got a car air freshener, etc. It’s so cool and builds comradery with the fans. Being a smaller venue, I had a chance to get very close to the stage. So that was very special. Dave and Tim also bring along some special guests, so there are always some surprises. Dave also takes time to tell stories and interact with the audience. You can tell he knows there’s pressure to deliver an amazing experience, and he does. Over three days, he played 75 songs from 8:30-11 pm non-stop.

About: Moon Palace Cancun in Riviera Maya

Moon Palace Cancun is a luxurious all-inclusive resort situated on the coast of the Caribbean Sea in Cancun, Mexico. This expansive property spans over 123 acres and offers guests a range of amenities and activities to enjoy during their stay.

Accommodations at Moon Palace Cancun range from deluxe resort rooms to spacious suites and even private villas. All rooms come equipped with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, mini-bars, and 24-hour room service. The resort also offers a variety of dining options, including several restaurants serving international cuisine, as well as cafes and bars scattered throughout the property.

One of the main draws of Moon Palace Cancun is its impressive array of activities and entertainment options. The resort features several swimming pools, including a massive free-form pool with swim-up bars, a wave simulator, and a lazy river. There are also plenty of water sports to enjoy, such as kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling. Bring your friends and make a big splash. Those looking for a more relaxing experience can visit the resort’s spa, which offers a range of treatments and services.

Beware Cancun Airport Sharks and Transportation Recommendations

Before you travel to Cancun, watch this video so that you avoid “The Shark Tank.” Make sure your transportation to the resort is included or that you book it ahead of time. Companies that I or other travelers have recommended are in the description.