An It-Girl Bride's Guide to the Perfect Tulum Bachelorette Itinerary
Whether your bride squad prefers to explore historic ruins, dance on tables with sparklers in hand until dawn, or sip tropical cocktails on a boat in the Caribbean – Tulum has all of this to offer and more.
Tulum is located on Mexico’s Caribbean coast and has definitely grown in popularity in recent years as an “it-girl bride” bachelorette party location. Think – Vegas nightclub x Mykonos boho beach club x healthy & Mediterranean eats (but of course, there are delicious local Mexican spots that are a must-try!). You really can’t go wrong.
HOW DO YOU GET TO TULUM?
To get to Tulum, your girl group will have a couple of options. Cancun International Airport (CUN) is a major (read: chaotic) international airport and receives direct flights from all across North America. If your bride squad is coming in from all over the country, Cancun airport will likely be your best bet if you all want to meet up and travel to Tulum together.
That said though – Tulum International Airport (officially known as Aeropuerto Internacional Felipe Carrillo Puerto) just recently opened in 2023, and could save you that ninety minute drive from Cancun. For the Toronto girlies - Air Canada is offering direct flights from Toronto’s Pearson Airport directly to Tulum on Fridays and Sundays starting May 3rd, 2024. Make sure you double check if your preferred airline will be flying direct to Tulum prior to booking!
WHERE TO STAY IN TULUM
If you’re looking for a stereotypical “all-inclusive” vibe – Tulum is NOT the destination for you. Tulum is full of gorgeous boutique hotels ranging from cute and affordable to stunningly luxurious, and there's no doubt you'll be able to find something perfect for your group (if you start looking early enough!).
If your budget is more mid-range and you want to be central to the action, check out Hotel Tiki Tiki, a boutique hotel with a happening pool scene that gives Miami vibes. Bonus: each of the 15 rooms has a hammock for you to take that afternoon cat nap post day party.
On the higher end, the hotel at Papaya Playa Project offers peak luxury in an idyllic setting. Not only is it situated right on the beach, the hotel boasts their emphasis on wellness and hospitality, and offers a wide range of wellness and spa services for you and your group to take advantage of on the off-party day. Papaya Playa Project is also the home of the Full Moon Party that happens every Saturday closest to the full moon, with big name DJ’s, art installations, the works – so you’ll be close and personal to all of the action.
If a hotel isn’t your vibe, Tulum has dozens (probably hundreds) of gorgeous Airbnb’s that your group can take advantage of. With an Airbnb, you have the advantage of all staying together, and being able to host activities within the Airbnb itself, such as a pool party day or a private chef.
WHAT TO DO IN TULUM
In addition to the obvious beach club and night club scene that Tulum proudly offers, there are so many activities that your group can engage in to round out a more “wholesome” weekend vibe:
Chichen Itza: Chichen Itza is the largest and most popular of the Mayan civilization ruins, and is about 1500 years old. Think: the pyramids, but Tulum version. You can arrange for a guide to take your group there and back, as it is about a two hour drive from Tulum.
Cenotes of Tulum: Truly, a must while you’re in Tulum. Cenotes are contained bodies of water that you can swim, snorkel, or even scuba dive in. They’re scattered all throughout the Yucatan Peninsula and are really quite beautiful. A number of companies offer full-day or half-day tours to various cenotes, where you can go for a swim, and then stop and have lunch at a local delicatessen.
Boat Day: Can you really go to Tulum for a bachelorette party without having a boat day? Depending on your groups vibe, Riviera Maya Yachts offers a number of outings, such as a cruise and swim, snorkelling trip, or even a visit to the ruins. Your group will be provided lunch and drinks, and of course, control of the aux cord. Alternatively, the Yacht Experiences offers catamaran trips with open bar, the open ocean and tons of delicious food.
Mexican Cooking Class: Airbnb Experiences has a number of cool activities to choose from, such as this cooking class, where you’ll learn to make an authentic Mexican meal completely from scratch. There’s also a mezcal tasting included in the experience, so the vibes are guaranteed to be high.
Spa and Wellness Day: If you want a day of rest and relaxation after a big day or night out, check out the Yaan Healing Sanctuary. For the ultimate glow-up, you can book a one-day bride-to-be package that includes a 60-minute massage, a herbal bath, a 60 minute facial, and copal auiric cleansing, or you can choose your services a-la carte.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN TULUM
There are dozens of delicious restaurants and fun bars in Tulum – we can’t even begin to try and cover them all. That said, here’s our list of the top places to go to eat good food, and dance all night.
Rosa Negra This party restaurant is on almost every Tulum bachelorette itinerary, and for a reason. If you want to dance on tables while waving sparklers in the air to your favourite house music playlist – add Rosa Negra to your bachelorette itinerary. Pro tip: if you just want dinner without the theatrics, make your reservation before 9PM - the party starts after 9.
Taqueria La Chiapaneca Known for its delicious tacos at a reasonable price. This spot is a local favorite and completely casual. They only accept Pesos, so you won’t be needing to pull out your Amex for this one.
Hartwood Tulum This farm-to-table restaurant uses only ingredients that have been sourced from local farms and markets within Yucatan. For that reason, you’re not going to see a menu in advance, since it varies from day to day depending on availability.
Gitano’s Beach Tulum If you want to feel transported into the middle of the jungle, go to Gitano’s ‘Friday Night Jungle Party’. Head here for dinner, but stay for the drinks & dancing.
Meze A Greek restaurant and bar in the heart of Tulum. The vibes are immaculate and the aesthetic is stunning, making it the perfect location for a girls night.
Pro tip: wherever your group ends up, be sure to pay close attention to your tab at the end of the night. We have heard horror stories of tips already being included and hidden in the bill, or groups being charged for items they didn’t order or even consume. Have someone in your group keep a watchful eye – it never hurts to be extra careful.
SAMPLE TULUM BACHELORETTE ITINERARY
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