Most tourists travel to Tulum to enjoy its powdery white sands and crystal blue seas. You may think that the fun stops as the sun goes down, but it is actually the opposite. If you want to make the most out of your vacation, Tulum has a vibrant nightlife scene with plenty of chic bars and restaurants to choose from.
Tulum has two principal areas: the town and the beach. Tulum Town, also referred to as Tulum Pueblo, sits along the highway leading to Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The establishments on this side of Tulum are more casual, laid-back, and budget-friendly. The bars on the beach are more upscale. Most of them have outdoor seating with views of the beach or the jungle.
From hot spots that play electronic dance music to chill bars that serve fresh mojitos, there is certainly a place to entertain you after sunset. In this article, we will show you the best bars in both Tulum Pueblo and Tulum Beach.
Tulum Pueblo’s Bar Scene
1. Naná Rooftop Bar
Currently leading Tripadvisor’s list of the best Tulum nightlife spots, Naná Rooftop Bar tops our list as well. Its sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere makes the bar a great place to unwind and have fun after a long day under the sun. Since it is a rooftop bar, it also offers a sweeping bird’s-eye view of Tulum Town at night. Naná is known for its underground electro house music and specialty cocktails. It offers a selection of mezcals that come from different regions of Mexico and freshly prepared cocktails with seasonal fruits and herbs.
Location: Tulum Centro, Tulum, Quintana Roo
2. Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar
Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar is a chill place that serves breakfast and lunch by day and a hip bar that serves the best mojitos at night. Considered by many as the center of Tulum pueblo’s nightlife, this bar plays live music most nights. The music can be anything from jazz to live mariachi bands. It usually gets packed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays — the bar’s designated nights to host their big parties. Batey’s main attraction is their converted VW Beetle, where fresh sugar cane is hand-cranked and pressed to make its famous fresh mojitos.
Location: Calle Centauro Sur entre Av. Tulum y Andromeda Oriente, Tulum, Quintana Roo
3. Ki’Bok Cafe Gourment
Ki’Bok Cafe Gourmet is a three-level coffee shop and bar beside Batey. This family-owned cafe offers some of the best drinks in town. And by drinks, we mean cocktails and coffee. They source their coffee blends from Veracruz and Chiapas. Beans grown from these places are believed to produce some of the best quality coffee. For the partygoers, Ki’Bok regulars recommend their signature cocktail — the Hemingway. It is a must-try!
Location: Calle Centauro Sur S/N 249, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
Tulum’s Top 5 Beach Bars
1. Casa Jaguar
Regular partygoers in Tulum know that Thursday nights are extra fun in Casa Jaguar. This hip restaurant has a bar, Todos Santos, that hosts jungle parties every Thursday on their back terrace. The open-air jungle setting makes the experience more entertaining as you dance to electro beats from local and international DJs. Although it is known to have fun parties on Thursdays, Todos Santos also hosts smaller parties on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Location: Carretera Boca Paila Km. 7.5, Tulum, Quintana Roo
2. Gitano
Gitano is a trendy Caribbean restaurant in front and a sultry mezcal bar at the back. If you plan to let loose on the dance floor on a Friday night, this is the place to be. Gitano is a stylish bar and restaurant in Tulum’s Middle Beach Zone that lets you dance the night away under a jungle canopy. Live bands also play every Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, but this trendy bar is best known to celebrate Friday nights with their Gypsy Disco.
Location: Tulum Beach Road Km 7.5, Tulum, Quintana Roo
3. Papaya Playa Project Beach Club
Tulum’s nightlife is pretty intimate, but Saturdays are big nights at Papaya Playa Project. If you are lucky to be in Tulum on a Saturday close to the full moon, you’ll get the chance to experience Papaya Playa Project’s epic Full Moon Party! Celebrities, trendy tourists, and the cool kids of Tulum flock to this beach club to dance to the beats of some of the world’s most famous DJs. The biggest parties usually happen in December and January. If you’re planning to visit during these months, you better buy your tickets in advance.
Location: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 4.5, Tulum Beach, Zona Costera, Tulum, Quintana Roo | Zone: Beach Town
4. La Popular Beach Bar, Nômade
Inspired by the nomadic life, Nômade is a luxury boutique hotel that celebrates the rich heritage of Tulum’s Mayan roots. Take note that this upscale spot isn’t exactly the place to down tequila shots. Nômade is all about wellness and healthy living, so its menu features organic, local, and seasonal food. Start the evening lounging at Nômade’s Macondo Restaurant and feast on their Morrocan-inspired menu and baba ghanoush dips. To wash down your meal, head to Nômade’s beach bar — La Popular, where you can enjoy your cocktails with a gorgeous view of the Caribbean Sea.
Location: Calle Centauro Sur, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico
5. La Zebra Hotel
If you’re looking for a more family-friendly night out, then you must try La Zebra’s Sunday Salsa Night. La Zebra Hotel’s beach bar, The Mulberry Project, hosts a free salsa dance party for everyone every Sunday. The evening begins with salsa lessons from 6:30 to 7:30 PM, which is then followed by 3 hours of dancing with a live band.
Address: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 8.2, Tulum Beach, Zona Costera, Tulum, Quintana Roo
Check out our guide on how to have a week-long full of Tulum entertainment. It’s a handy guide on how to enjoy the nightlife in Tulum for each evening of the week.