Tulum for a Bachelorette Party?
Tulum combines the party vibe of Las Vegas with the chic style of Bali, just a flight away with its new international airport. It has everything for a bachelorette party. From DJ parties, beautiful beaches, eco-chic luxury villas and hotels, stunning cenotes, and a rich and intriguing culture surrounded by the colorful Mayan jungle. Everything you want to do for a bachelorette party comes together here. It’s a short trip, ideal for escaping the routine before taking the big leap into commitment for a weekend.
If you’re thinking of having your bachelorette party in this paradisiacal destination, here we share what we think you should keep in mind when planning your bachelorette party in Tulum and give you our recommendation.
How to get to Tulum?
Getting to Tulum can be a bit elaborate; there are two nearby airports, Cancun and Tulum. The first is a 2-hour drive away, and to get to Tulum, if you don’t have private transportation, you can choose between dealing with all the taxi drivers who approach you upon exit to pay a dubious fare or taking a bus that makes a stop in Playa del Carmen and will leave you 30 minutes from your hotel. If you fly to the new Tulum airport, which is only 30 minutes away, you have the same options, only the distance is shorter, and there is no stop in between.
Transportation options from Tulum airport
Taxi: There are taxi drivers stationed outside the airport. Keep in mind that being a new airport, the price of taxis can be very high and varies according to the number of people. They do not have a fixed rate, but prices range between $2000 and $3000 pesos.
ADO Bus: Buses from the airport to Tulum leave every 30 minutes and cost approximately $20 USD per person.
Private transportation: These are companies with drivers and federal plates that transport tourists. Generally, these services are reserved with the transporter in advance.
Recommendation: For distance and convenience, we recommend flying directly to Tulum airport. Currently, American Airlines has flights from several cities such as Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Charlotte, Philadelphia, and Oklahoma City. Also, for convenience, if you are a group of several people, we recommend private transportation as you can split the cost among the group members.
What to do in Tulum?
When we say Tulum has everything for your bachelorette party, we are not exaggerating. We know that every group is different, from those who come to relax, those who come with a party or adventure attitude, and those who want to do everything and don’t have enough time. However, we have chosen the following 10 activities as essential for your bachelorette party.
10 Things to do in Tulum for your bachelorette party
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Swim in a cenote: Taking advantage of being in the only place in the world with cenotes, make sure to swim in these crystal-clear and refreshing waters of the Mayan underworld. In this article, you will find our recommendations for cenotes.
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Party at a beach club: Depending on your mood, later in this article, we recommend some options for party or relaxing beach clubs and provide our recommendations and information on consumption and reservations.
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Tulum Mayan ruins: The Yucatan Peninsula, where Tulum is located, was once a significant commercial port for the Mayan culture. If you are interested in learning more about this culture, this archaeological site is 30 minutes from downtown Tulum on the beach. There are many ruins around Tulum, including Chichen Itza, which is considered one of the 7 wonders of the world.
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Sail on a yacht or catamaran: Experience the Caribbean Sea from within with an open bar and snorkeling at one of the most beautiful reefs in the River maya.
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Yoga class: Start your days right by stretching and giving thanks. There are several hotels that offer morning yoga classes by the sea. There are also holistic centers in town where you can do yoga surrounded by the jungle, or if your villa has space, there are private instructors available.
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Dinner and cocktails in the hotel zone: Tulum has a very diverse gastronomic scene, with luxury chefs and internationally renowned bartenders at various restaurants. Depending on your mood and taste, there is plenty of variety. Remember that it is always necessary to book in advance. Later in this article, you will find our recommendations.
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Private chef: For that day when you feel like socializing in the privacy of your villa, there are several chefs who already have a pre-set menu and will cook at your villa. If you have any dietary preferences or restrictions, you can usually let them know, and they will offer you another option.
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Tequila and mezcal tasting: Start the party from your villa by tasting these two traditional Mexican spirits in all their presentations, served and prepared by an expert taster.
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A massage: Taking advantage of being on vacation, don’t forget to give yourself the time to relax and be pampered with a spa treatment. There are several spas in Tulum with wet areas and different treatments. If you just want a massage, there’s the possibility of having the therapist come to the comfort of your villa.
- Temazcal: This traditional pre-Hispanic sauna is an excellent purification and cycle-closing experience, guided by a Shaman. It consists of a ritual where steam is generated with volcanic rocks and aromatic herbs.
Recommendation: There are many options for things to do, so I recommend planning ahead to make the most of your experience. Talk to someone in Tulum to confirm that your plans and the places you want to visit are viable options, and make an itinerary to organize your plans and do all your activities. During the high season, which is usually from January to March, we suggest booking at least 6 months in advance because there is usually high demand.
Best Beach Clubs
It all depends on the mood of your group. Here are my recommendations based on what you’re looking for:
For partying:
Vagalume: The beach club with the biggest scene in Tulum. Every day they have someone different from the local and international scene. Saturdays are the busiest day. They usually have a cover fee depending on the day and event, half of which is returned to you in consumption. The other option to avoid paying the cover is to reserve a table, which usually requires a minimum consumption depending on the area and size.
Taboo: The wildest beach club in Tulum. If you’re looking for twerking and champagne by the pool, this is your place. Very good food and cocktails. If you want a good daytime beach party, this is the place. Generally, depending on the day of the week, there is a cover fee, half of which can be used for consumption. There is also the option to reserve a table, with a minimum consumption depending on the area and size.
Bagatelle: A European beach club in the Mexican Caribbean. It combines Mediterranean vibes with good music. It has a pool, and you can choose between sunbeds or cabanas. Generally, there is a cover fee, half of which can be used for consumption, or you can reserve sunbeds or cabanas with a minimum consumption.
For spending the day:
Panamera Hotel: Beautiful Mexican hotel with a colorful pool, delicious food, and a rooftop with a DJ to watch the sunset. Highly recommended for a relaxing day in the sun. There is no minimum consumption, but if you are a large group, I recommend making a reservation to ensure availability.
Amansala: Relaxation hotel with a beautiful pool by the beach, excellent restaurant, and drinks. They offer yoga classes on the beach every morning. The minimum consumption can vary depending on the season, generally $50 USD per person.
Ma’xanab: Beautiful boutique hotel with a super aesthetic beachfront pool, a very good restaurant, and excellent cocktails. Recommended for spending the day and sunbathing. Generally, there is a minimum consumption of 1000 pesos per person (approximately $50 USD).
Casa Malca: This hotel was once the home of the famous Colombian drug trafficker Pablo Escobar. It is now a very beautiful hotel with many works of art, as the current owner is an artist. The hotel features an art gallery with works by many renowned artists. Its beach club is very nice and also has several sculptures, highly recommended for taking photos and spending the day. The minimum consumption is $100 USD per person.
Recommendation: Some dates get very crowded, so we always recommend arriving with a reservation to ensure availability. If you are a large group, it is always better to pay for a table or cabana to avoid the cover fee, and everything goes directly to consumption.
Best Restaurants and Cocktails in Tulum
Arca: This restaurant is one of the most famous in Tulum, not only for its delicious gourmet food but also for the international caliber of its bartenders and cocktails. They constantly change both their food and drink menus to stay fresh, and they also collaborate with chefs and bars from the international scene.
Hartwood: This restaurant has been considered the number one for several years because all its food is wood-fired, and its flavor is unique. Its size is limited, so we recommend booking at least a month in advance.
Treehouse: This restaurant offers privacy in the hotel zone. It is literally a beautiful three-bedroom villa where you can watch the sunset. They have a great small restaurant and cocktail bar.
Recommendation: We always recommend making a reservation to ensure availability and scheduling round-trip transportation in advance to avoid taking taxis on the street.
Best Parties in Tulum
Rosa Negra: Mexican cuisine restaurant-club, it has a great show, good music, and delicious food. Perfect for that day when you want to go out for a fancy dinner and then do some bar hopping around, as it is close to everything.
Gitano: This is one of the oldest and most iconic restaurant-clubs in Tulum, with another branch in NY. It has been in Tulum for so long that it has taken over Fridays, and for more than 10 years, it has been the day of the week when people gather to dance. You have the option to reserve a table for dinner or for a bottle, or you can go just for drinks after dining elsewhere and pay only a cover fee.
Bombonnier: This is the only club that stays open late at night in the hotel zone. It is a party brand that is also in Mykonos, and it is just a party starting at 11:00 pm, with a different international DJ every time. You can pay a cover fee or pay for bottle service.
Recommendation: We always recommend making a reservation to ensure availability, and if you are a large group, it is always better to reserve a table or bottle service. We also recommend scheduling your transportation in advance to avoid taking taxis on the street.
How to Get Around in Tulum?
It depends on your plans and the location of your villa or hotel. Remember that Tulum is a town developed 3 miles from the coastal area. The beach is where many hotels and restaurants are located, and often Airbnbs are in Tulum Pueblo on unpaved jungle streets where biking or walking is not an option.
Here are the options: To go from the Pueblo to the beach:
Taxi: Always an option. Request it through a concierge to ensure it is trustworthy and charges the correct fare. Some accept card payments.
Private transportation: Vehicles with federal plates that have permission to operate without being taxis. You can schedule round trips and pay by card.
Public transportation: There are vans that leave from downtown Tulum (Parque rotario)) and charge approximately $2 USD per person.
Bike, scooter, and ATV rentals: As an alternative, if you plan to go out and make several stops at different places, we recommend renting an ATV if the street of your Airbnb is not paved.
Recommendation: Keep in mind that taxis and private transportation charge per service. Generally, rental companies deliver and pick up ATVs at your location and cost approximately $75 USD for 24 hours. Not all roads in Tulum are paved.
Is there Uber in Tulum?
There is no Uber service in Tulum to date. Taxi drivers have not allowed this company or others offering the same service to operate in the area as it would take away their jobs.
Best Cenotes near Tulum?
Cenotes are interconnected bodies of water found throughout the Riviera Maya. It is estimated that there are approximately 3,000 cenotes, ranging from lagoons to deep caves depending on their distance from the coast. We recommend the following cenotes for their proximity to Tulum:
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Laguna Kan Luum: Located 25 minutes from downtown Tulum, it is technically a lagoon but has a cenote over 70 meters deep in the center. It is a beautiful place to spend the day and has a large dock for sunbathing. You can reach it by ATV or private transportation from Tulum.
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Cenote Encantado: Due to its proximity to the sea, this cenote is very similar to a lagoon as it is surrounded by mangroves. It is approximately 27 feet deep and you can rent kayaks or paddleboards to explore it. You can reach it by ATV or private transportation from Tulum.
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Gran Cenote: This is one of the most famous cenotes in Tulum due to its proximity, approximately 15 minutes from downtown Tulum. It has turquoise water and a beautiful cave for snorkeling, where you can find turtles and bats. You can reach it by ATV or private transportation.
- Cenote Carwash: Despite its name, this cenote is not a carwash, although it once was and decided to keep the name. It is located approximately 30 minutes from Tulum and is a very beautiful cenote for snorkeling with caves. You can reach it by private transportation.
Recommendation: For convenience, we recommend Puerto Aventuras, but since it is a smaller marina, it has less availability, so we suggest booking in advance.
Places for locals
There are two types of tourists in Tulum: those who come for the festivals, beach clubs, and restaurants with sparklers, and those who come to drink beer, mezcal, and eat ceviche. If you are one of the latter, we recommend the following places in Tulum Pueblo that you must visit:
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La Negra Tomasa: A seafood restaurant that sells tostadas, ceviches, and micheladas. The food is super delicious, reasonably priced, and there are street performers. The atmosphere is great, but they don’t take reservations, so sometimes you have to wait a bit, but it’s worth it.
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La Guarida: This bar is located on an upper floor and has a very unique vintage decor. It has different rooms and types of music, where you can have a very pleasant dinner with Mediterranean food or enjoy an event with a DJ and live music at the same time.
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Holistika: Located in the jungle of Tulum, it has a very nice vegan restaurant, several shalas, yoga classes, and a path with sculptures and artworks in the jungle. It’s an excellent option to take a yoga class and stay for breakfast or a smoothie.
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Taqueria Don Honorio: This place is always the best option for breakfast after a night of partying. Traditional tacos of cochinita pibil and poc chuc are delicious and highly recommended. We suggest arriving early because there can be a long wait.
Organizing a bachelorette party in Tulum can be stressful. From finding reliable vendors who won’t scam you to coordinating every detail of transportation, beach club reservations, restaurants, etc., Tulum has everything you need for an unforgettable bachelorette party. You just need to plan and organize the group. We support you with the first part and ensure it is tailored to what you are looking for. We guarantee that the vendors we work with are trustworthy and will help ensure everything goes as planned.