The Ultimate Tulum Bachelor Party & Guys Trip Guide to Tulum, Mexico
Heading to Tulum for a bachelor party or boys trip and wondering where the best places to stay, eat, drink and party are? I’ve got you covered. I enlisted my guy friend Spencer – who is pretty much Tulum royalty at this point – to help write this guide with all of you guys in mind. So here are all his best recommendations and things to know for any great boys trip to the Mexico-meets-Miami destination that is Tulum.
Table of Contents
THE LAY OF THE LAND: UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENT AREAS OF TULUM
The first thing you need to do when you’re planning a trip to Tulum is to get a lay of the land since all the major places you are likely to be partying and/or hanging out in the evenings. The “Tulum Beach area” is highlighted with black pen below, and the area with red star is downtown, where you’d likely stay if you got an epic group Airbnb in Tulum. Transportation is easy throughout the area and if you are in downtown, your Airbnb will likely offer bikes to ride around on or you can take a quick taxi to the beach:
WHERE TO STAY IN TULUM WITH A GROUP
Depending on the experience you are looking for and who you are going with, you’ll want to seriously consider both Airbnbs and hotels in Tulum. – Azulik Resort, Habitas Tulum, Papaya Playa Project (“PPP”) and Casa Malca are the “most Instagrammable” hotels on the trip, and are two of the most popular, but both come with a hefty price tag. Azulik can run from $300 – 900 per night for a room, and PPP is $250 – 600 per night for a room. While all these places are great places to hang out, you can visit them all during the day or in the evening for various social events (or just for fun) without staying at them, too.
Azulik: Designed by a world-renowned architect, this eco-chic resort is one of the most well known hotels in Tulum on Instagram. While you’re at Azulik, food is “gastronomy”, spa treatments are “ceremonies”, and everything is an experience designed to make you feel like a jungle god. Villas start at $400/night. Check rates for your dates here.
Papaya Playa Project: Ocean view casitas with rooftop pools – need I say more? Papaya Playa Project (or PPP) is also known for its nightlife scene, on the weekend there are typically guest DJ’s. Rooms/Casitas start around $400/night, for the larger casitas with rooftop plunge pools it can get up to $800/night in high season. Check rates for your dates here.
Papaya Playa Project Casita with Plunge Pool
Casa Malca: This hotel is located on what was previously Pablo Escobar’s compound, it has since been transformed into an eclectic 42-suit boutique hotel by a New York art collector. It is beach front and rooms start around $450 in low season, $650 in high. Check rates for your dates here.
By the way – for all those visiting Tulum and looking to mingle, it is important to note that ALL the hotels will charge you to bring a female or male counterpart back to your room, generally $100 – 200 per night through a wristband checking system that security watches at night. During the day, you generally should be able to bring people in and out of the properties without question.
The reason above is why I’d recommend looking at an Airbnb as a viable alternative to the hotels, especially if traveling with a group of single guys. All of the best airbnbs are in this post here, and a few of Jetset’s favorites are below.
Villa Coccoloba
Any golfers in your group? You’ll love Villa Coccoloba! Not only does Villa Coccoloba have a beautifully designed interior, but it also has a stunning outdoor space complete with a putting green overlooking the ocean! With three bedrooms (each with its own ensuite bathrooms), this villa sleeps up to six adults. Villa Coccoloba comes with a housekeeper, groundskeeper, and a private chef (just pay the cost of groceries).
Check rates for your dates here
Hacienda Paraiso
16 guests6 bedrooms8 beds7 baths
If you’re looking for a luxury house for a group in Tulum, Hacienda Paraiso is gorgeous. A plunge pool separates the beach from the main house where bungalow thatch ceilings soar above expertly chosen interior sofas, hand carved furniture, and a family of wooden tortoises along the living room wall. Fully staffed and safe, Hacienda Paraiso can arrange all kinds of activities for your group – from fishing boat charters, water sport adventures, or snorkeling on the nearby reef.
Check rates for your dates here
Casa Escocesa
If you are looking for a beautiful beachfront property just steps away from Soliman Bay, Casa Escocesa is for you! This property features four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, two living spaces, and a gorgeous pool. Casa Escocesa can accommodate up to 10 people, so it’s perfect for a group trip or family vacation!
Check rates for your dates here
Villa Vidorra
Villa Vidorra has been called “the jewel of Soliman Bay,” which seems to be on point! This is one of the most beautiful, luxurious villas I have ever seen in Tulum. The design of the villa feels incredibly regal and elegant, which is a change from the typical boho vibe in Tulum. This property can host up to 15 people with five bedrooms and six bathrooms.
Check rates for your dates here
Villa Moloch
Polished concrete walls and wooden furnishings give Villa Moloch an effortlessly sophisticated look. Each of the cozy bedrooms has access to the common balcony, the perfect spot to spend lazy afternoons and catch amazing sunsets. And outside, the pool, jacuzzi, and wooden deck give way to a private beach stretch adorned with coco palms, itself the prelude to the astounding beauty of the bay.
Check rates for your dates here
Villa Mariola
Villa Mariola is everything you dreamed of when you pictured the perfect Caribbean vacation. Nestled in the tranquil Soliman Bay, this five-bedroom beachfront villa is a spectacular retreat where you will spend blissful days in one of the most secluded places in the Riviera Maya. After a day of exploring the bay, get some rest in one of its five bedrooms, all equipped with ensuite bathrooms, or spend a peaceful late afternoon chilling on the upper terrace. And after a stunning sunset, switch on the outdoor sound system and gather everyone around the BBQ or the woodfired oven for a delicious alfresco dinner with the soothing Caribbean breeze.
Check rates for your dates here
Casa Caribeña
Casa Caribeña has won “Top Vacation Rental” several years in a row, and I can see why! This beautiful six-bedroom, eight-bathroom property sleeps up to 14 guests and features a beachfront infinity pool, rooftop pool, daily housekeeping, snorkeling, kayaking, and tons of other amenities. They can even arrange to have a masseuse come onsite to help you relax and really get the most out of your vacation! And if you don’t want to worry about cooking for 14 people, you’re in luck – they have a gourmet chef on staff ready and waiting to serve you.
Check rates for your dates here
Casa Kevali
Another great choice in Soliman Bay! Casa Kevali is a six-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom villa that sleeps up to 12 comfortably. Nature lovers will love the scenic backdrop of Casa Kevali’s location, and luxury lovers will love the interior design. The rooftop lounge is perfect for watching the sunset with a mojito in hand, and the pool terrace will be your go-to during the hot Mexican days.
Check rates for your dates here
Villa Blanca
Villa Blanca’s main goal is to help you unwind and fall into the rhythm of the sea. With a beautiful, private beach, a plunge pool, a palm-thatched terrace, and plenty of sunbeds, that shouldn’t be too difficult! The interior design of Villa Blanca is neutral, warm, and luxurious. If you are looking to get out of the villa, there is a nearby cenote that you can walk to, or you can call the concierge to have a driver bring you to the Tulum Hotel Zone to experience the nightlife!
Check rates for your dates here
Villa LaGu
Entire home 10 guests · 5 bedrooms · 5 beds · 5 baths
Enjoy luxury inspired by nature at Villa LaGu. This newly built Tulum vacation rental looks out over the jungle from a setting in the exclusive Holistika community, just steps from a spa, yoga center and more. The perfect luxe villa option with a group of up to ten friends or family members.
Check rates for your dates here
WHERE TO EAT IN TULUM WITH A GROUP
The first rule of Tulum is that nice restaurants are in HIGH DEMAND, so you should make reservations wherever you are planning to go before you hit the ground in Mexico because places will fill up, especially during COVID and/or during busy times. Many of the restaurants turn into bars / nightclubs / hangout places after dinner, so during COVID you should make a dinner reservation and then, assuming you want to go out at night, also make a night reservation:
Gitano
Start with a signature cocktail and a ceviche. Then grab some tacos or their slow roasted pork belly, and wait for the “Dinner and Dancing” to start every Friday and Saturday night.
Arca
Get the bone marrow. This place was definitely had the best food we ate on the trip.
Casa Jaguar
Rosa Negra
Super fun spot and a great dinner spot for a group in Tulum.
Hartwood
Get the king prawns. Reservations are hard to get at this locally-sourced seafood restaurant that specializes in open fire grilling, but it’s worth it if you can get one.
Photo by Javier Servent for AFAR
WHERE TO PARTY IN TULUM?
Where to Go for the Best Day Parties in Tulum
Where Are the Best Night Parties in Tulum
Papaya Playa Project (PPP) holds a wild party every Saturday night, so check if they are doing one on your trip.
They were closed by the time we got there, but I’ve heard great things about the I Scream Bar
There are also random parties in the jungle that you may just get invited to as you get around, which are super memorable.
WHAT TO DO IN TULUM WITH A GROUP OF GUYS DURING THE DAY
During the day, hanging out at the beach is a great way to kill the time with your boys. Tulum also has a fantastic outdoor gym called the “Tulum Jungle Gym” that is $30 US to use, but worth seeing since it has a very unique vibe.
The Cenotes – underground Mayan caves where they would perform burials and sacrifices, also super cool and definitely worth checking out too if you can arrange a private tour. Lots of history, culture, and some epic instagram shots.
See the Mayan ruins. If your group is into Mayan history, you’re definitely going to want to check out the ruins for a quick half-day trip.
CURRENT TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS FOR TULUM, MEXICO (or Lack Thereof)
Tulum is actually one of the few destinations that you CAN travel to as a US resident, even without taking a COVID test. There are no travel restrictions in place and you do not need to show proof of a negative test upon arrival. Masks are mandatory in public and thankfully most bars and restaurants in Tulum are open air.
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