Here’s a handy guide on how to enjoy the nightlife in Tulum for each evening of the week.
Tulum has a vibrant party scene with plenty of chic bars and restaurants. The nightlife here is more laid-back compared to its neighbors up north in Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Tulum can be roughly divided into two areas: Tulum Pueblo (or Tulum Town) and Tulum Beach. The latter is further divided into four key areas: South Beach, Middle Beach, Beach Town, and North Beach. More of that, but most of the bars on this side are located in Beach Town and Middle Beach.
Both the beach and the pueblo have great bars where you can hang out after soaking in the sun all day. The town’s bars, just like its hotels and restaurants, are more casual compared to the ones on the beach. The more upscale bars are mostly near or by the beach with chic outdoor seating.
To help you navigate your way through Tulum’s entertainment scene, I made a guide on where and how to spend each night of the week in this boho-chic town.
A Few Things To Remember
- Bring Cash, Pesos Preferably. Most bars, even the fancy ones, only accept cash. If they accept credit cards, expect a 3% surcharge. So it’s best to always bring cash with you, preferably Mexican pesos. Although most bars in Tulum accept US dollars, you’ll most likely overpay if you use it. Additionally, try to avoid having your cash exchanged at the airport. The exchange rates there are usually less favorable than in town.
- Tip Your Servers. Tipping is customary here. Check the bill first to see if a propina (tip/gratuity) has already been added. If not, leave a tip. The standard tipping rate is 10 to 15%.
- Know What Time the Bar Closes. Bars and clubs in Tulum normally closed at around 4:00 or 5:00 before the pandemic. Now, except for private parties, they usually close at around midnight. Check with the staff what time the bar closes.
- Dress Casual. As mentioned earlier, the party scene in Tulum is more casual and laid-back. So dress casual but nice. Think bohemian chic. Ditch the heels, be comfortable, and have fun!
- Bring a Bug Repellant. Spray some bug repellant if you have sensitive skin, especially if you’re heading to a bar on the jungle side of the beach. Better if you bring the bug repellant with you in case you need to reapply.
Nightlife in Tulum, Mexico
1. Monday: Tulum Pueblo’s Bar Scene
Since Mondays are quiet in Tulum, tourists usually start the week by chilling in Pasito Tun Tun in Tulum Town. Unfortunately, though, the bar is temporarily closed. It’s not certain when they’re going to resume operation or if they’re going to open again at all. Don’t worry, though. There are still other bars nearby. One of them is Ki’Bok Cafe Gourmet.
Ki’Bok is a three-level, family-owned cafe and bar just within walking distance of Pasito Tun Tun. Some say they offer the best drinks in town! This affordable and laid-back bar is known for its signature drink, the Hemingway. Ki’Bok also serves great coffee sourced from Veracruz and Chiapas.
Address: Calle Centauro Sur S/N 249, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico | Zone: Tulum Pueblo
2. Tuesday: Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar
The party in Tulum officially starts on Tuesday. Continue your good times in Tulum Pueblo at Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar. This chill, relaxed place in the morning gradually turns into a party scene as the sun goes down. They serve filling breakfast and yummy lunch menus during the day and the best mojitos in town at night.
Batey is the center of Tulum Town’s nightlife with most other bars built around it. A lot of tourists and locals consider this bar as the best in the pueblo. The main attraction here is their converted VW Beetle where fresh sugar cane is hand-cranked and pressed to make Batey’s famous fresh fruit mojitos.
There is live music playing most nights, but the bar usually gets packed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays — Batey’s designated nights to host their big parties. The music can be anything from jazz to live mariachi bands.
Address: Calle Centauro Sur entre Av. Tulum y Andromeda Oriente, Tulum, Quintana Roo | Zone: Tulum Pueblo
3. Wednesday: Kin Toh
If you enjoyed the events that transpired the previous night, why not do it all again? Batey’s biggest parties are held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
But if you want a change of scenery, perhaps you might fancy going to the beach. If you feel like splurging on food and drinks somewhere fancy, Kin Toh is the place to be. Located in AZULIK Hotel, Kin Toh’s dining area is designed like nests with sunset views overlooking the jungle.
Begin the evening with a menu of experimental gourmet Mayan-Mexican cuisine. Then wash it down with the bar’s meticulously crafted signature drinks. Kin Toh may not have a wide variety of tequila and other cocktails, but it has a superb wine list with over 200 labels and 600 bottles. Ask your server which one matches best with your meal.
Address: Carretera Tulum-Punta Allen Kn. 5, Zona Hotelera, Tulum, Quintana Roo | Zone: Beach Town
4. Thursday: Middle Beach Zone | Casa Jaguar’s Todos Santos Bar
Whether you stayed in the pueblo at Batey or dined by the beach at Kin Toh the previous night, you must already head on to the beach by Thursday. The bars on the beach start to get livelier towards the end of the week.
Thursday nights are especially fun in Casa Jaguar. This trendy restaurant and bar hosts a jungle party every Thursday on their back terrace. The open-air jungle setting makes the experience more entertaining as you dance to house music and electro beats from local and international DJs. Although it’s known to have fun parties on Thursdays, Casa Jaguar’s Todos Santos Bar also hosts smaller parties on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Casa Jaguar serves fresh ceviches and delicious Mexican tacos, too!
Address: Carretera Boca Paila Km. 7.5, Tulum, Quintana Roo | Zone: Middle Beach
5. Friday: Gitano
Gitano is another stylish bar and restaurant in Tulum’s Middle Beach Zone. It’s a hip Mexican restaurant in front and a sultry mezcal bar at the back. Live bands play every Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. But the actual party at Gitano, Gypsy Disco, happens every Friday. Let loose and dance the night away under a jungle canopy.
Address: Tulum Beach Road Km 7.5, Tulum, Quintana Roo | Zone: Middle Beach Zone
6. Saturday: Papaya Playa Project Beach Club
Tulum’s nightlife is pretty intimate, but Saturdays are big nights at Papaya Playa Project. The biggest party of the week is held here every Saturday. If you’re lucky to be in Tulum on a Saturday closest to the full moon, you’ll 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.
Address: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 4.5, Tulum Beach, Zona Costera, Tulum, Quintana Roo | Zone: Beach Town
7. Sunday: La Zebra Hotel Beach Bar
End your week strong with Sunday Salsa Night at La Zebra on South Beach. La Zebra Hotel’s beach bar, The Mulberry Project, hosts a family-friendly salsa dance party 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. The best thing about it? It’s free!
Address: Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila Km. 8.2, Tulum Beach, Zona Costera, Tulum, Quintana Roo | Zone: South Beach
So there you have it, a week-long full of Tulum entertainment! If you want to go bar hopping in a single night, you may check out Tulum pub crawl. It’ll take you to 4-5 different bars in one night.