11 Best Things To Do in Tulum at Night
Are you planning a trip to Tulum or perhaps you’re currently in Tulum and looking for the best things to do in Tulum at night?
I’ve got you covered with this list of versatile things to do at night in Tulum! So whether you’re looking to party the night away or perhaps would prefer a laidback evening, I’ve listed something for everyone.
Famous for its ancient ruins, turquoise seas, chic restaurants, and world-renowned parties going into the early hours of the morning, Tulum offers exciting nightlife!
For those looking to experience Tulum’s nightlife best, January and February are when Tulum’s most popular parties in the year take place. With top international DJ talent flying in worldwide, festivals like Day Zero and Afterlife take place.
Party at Papaya Playa Project
One of the best places to party in Tulum is Papaya Playa Project. This amazing venue hosts the largest and best beach party every Saturday night.
The outdoor beach club often hosts famous international DJs performing on the beach till the early morning hours of 4:00 AM.
Beach bars located along the beach, music blasting, and the sounds of waves crashing in the background, it’s a vibe!
At the end of every last Saturday in every month, Papaya Project hosts a popular Full Moon Party as well. There are parties happening other nights sometimes during the week, but Saturday is the night to come.
Papaya Playa Project is also a hotel and during the day it operates as one of Tulum’s best beach clubs.
Bar Hopping in Tulum Town
Tulum Town, often referred to as Centro by locals is the main street road in town, there you’ll find several bars, restaurants, nightclubs, and shops selling local goods and souvenirs.
There’s plenty to do along this main road, go to a bar for some drinks, stop by a restaurant for appetizers, or spend the evening dancing the night away at a nightclub.
The possibilities are endless in Tulum Town, just make you try the street taco trucks at the end of the night!
Best of all, this area is safe to walk at night in Tulum, plenty of locals and tourists walk, dine, and party all night throughout the week along this main street.
Here are a few excellent bars I recommend checking out in Tulum Town.
- Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar
- Tu Mexican Cuisine
- Horus Hookah Bar
If you’re looking to go to a nightclub in Tulum Town, head over to either: Santino’s or Animal Tulum.
For those traveling solo in Tulum, make sure to visit the hostels in Tulum, they’ve got fun evening parties, and it’s a great way to meet other fellow travelers. Che Hostel and Straw Hat are two hostels that host some lively events. Another great hostel to consider visiting is Mayan Monkey.
Tulum Jungle Party
Not for everyone, but for those who enjoy a unique party, you must experience a mystical jungle party in Tulum.
The jungle parties in Tulum are legendary, they go into the early morning hours, more like the next day in the afternoon, are a must-do if you’re a techno music fan!
For the jungle parties in Tulum this is how they work, you’ll get picked up by white vans from Centro Tulum and taken deep into the jungles of Tulum.
As you arrive, you will hear music from a distance, and once you enter will see a stage, food vendors, and hundreds of party-goers!
With the beats pounding through the night, the lights, and the jungle scenery, it truly is a memorable and fun experience!
The jungle parties in Tulum tend to happen during the high season, from November to April — Check this Event Page for details and tickets.
Evening Drinks & Apps at GITANO
Gitano is one of the best restaurants in Tulum, they’ve got great drinks and appetizers. Their mezcal cocktails at Gitano’s are top-rated in Tulum, and the restaurant operates as a lively beach club during the day.
If you’re looking for an authentic Tulum nightlife experience, Gitano is the place to be on Friday nights. Situated on the jungle side of the beach road, they offer a late-night party atmosphere with DJs performing from 11:00 pm till the early morning hours.
Gitano is the perfect place to enjoy some Mexican cuisine for dinner and then follow the evening up with a party by the beach. Friday is the most lively night, but they also host smaller parties on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Walking Food Tour
Looking for a more chill activity to do at night instead of another night of parties? Book this walking food tour and experience the delicious authentic cuisine of Tulum.
On this walking food tour, in a small group, you’ll eat your way at six different locations and try local favorites. It’s a great way to try the local cuisine and meet fellow travelers.
From tacos de guisado, fresh fruit, tamales, and much more. This tour is perfect for any foodies out there looking to experience the best of Tulum’s food.
Salsa Lessons at La Zebra Hotel
Who’s up to learn some salsa lessons? La Zebra Hotel hosts salsa lessons on the beach every Sunday from 6:30 to 7:30 PM. This is an excellent idea for couples!
After salsa lessons, the party picks up with a live band performance and many guests and locals dancing the night away on the beach.
Singles, couples, families, everyone is here. It’s an excellent environment for anyone looking to have a fun evening on the beach!
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to Pizza Pazz Tulumunchies, a restaurant nearby serving oven pizzas, classic tacos, and sushi poke bowls.
Le Zebra Tulum is also a hotel you can choose to stay at, so keep that in mind also!
Dinner at ARCA / #1 Restaurant in Tulum
Regarding the best restaurant in Tulum, there’s no debate. ARCA is #1. The restaurant was awarded 29th best Latin restaurant in the world for 2022.
ARCA focuses on serving classic Yucatan food but with a modern twist, making for a unique dining experience.
Their menu includes unique dishes such as roasted bone marrow with sourdough bread, soft shell crab tacos, sweet potato empanadas, suckling pig, and many other delicious options. The cuisine at ARCA is diverse and offers a contemporary take on Mexican cuisine.
Make sure you try a cocktail or two here. I recommend the Har Mar Superstar and the CheChen, both featuring Mezcal liquor.
Situated along the Hotel Zone of Tulum, ARCA is the restaurant to check out if you’re looking to try some delicious food and experience a unique culinary experience in the jungles of Tulum. ARCA Menu, make sure you Book a Reservation!
Go to a Lively Dinner
Another way to get your party on in Tulum is to dine at a restaurant offering a lively atmosphere as the evening goes into the night!
There are plenty of restaurants like this in Tulum, and most will include various types of performances.
From a DJ playing live music to belly dancers, singers, and fire performers. These restaurants are excellent places for those looking to go out for dinner and follow their dinner with a party, but only until midnight.
Bak Prime Steakhouse & Raw Bar is an excellent steakhouse located in the Hotel Zone, and after 10 PM, they host live music with a traditional Mayan fire dance.
Casa Jugar is a delicious Caribbean restaurant serving a fusion of flavors with exceptional cocktails; after 11 PM, the restaurant becomes one big dance party.
Ilios is a Greek restaurant serving a mix of Mediterranean flavors. Similar to others, after 10 PM, you can partake in the Greek rituals of smashing plates, there’s a fire performance, and sometimes a belly dancer or two!
Check Out a Cenote
Visiting Cenotes in the daytime and swimming in the incredible natural spring water are the best ways to beat the heat in Tulum.
But at nighttime, some cenotes transform into a late-night adventure. Some Cenotes host tours, and others host parties!
If you aren’t familiar with Cenotes, they are sinkholes resulting from natural collapse and are filled with natural spring water.
Cenotes hold significance to the heritage of the Mayan people, who once occupied this land. These very cenotes once played a critical role with the indigenous Mayan people. Cenotes were the main source of their drinking water.
Casa Tortuga has a restaurant inside one of their cenotes, and at night, they’ve got a DJ performing, with the lights hitting the limestone within the cenote and the water. It’s quite spectacular!
When you book a Cenote tour at night, you can expect to participate in a group swim, listen to knowledgeable information from your local guide regarding cenotes in Tulum, and enjoy a candlelit Mexican dinner. Tours can range from $65 to $160 USD per person.
Chill Night with Street Tacos
If there’s one meal you must have in Tulum when visiting, it’s the street tacos from this street in the Centro area. The best part? Not only are they delicious, but the tacos are very cheap here!
Located right by the OXXO convenience store, there are about six taco carts here, possibly serving the best tacos in Tulum. It’s a fun environment with all the taco stalls and a mix of tourists/locals dining, chatting with some late-night tacos. Taco stalls are open till 2:00 AM.
They’re also selling gringas, tortas, and all the Mexican classics! Taco/Gringa/Tortas types you’ll find here are the classic Al Pastor, chicken, chorizo, steak, lamb, and much more. Some stalls have stools for you to sit quickly and eat.
If you’ve never tried a Tortas Sandwich before, I highly recommend you do so. A Tortas is a soft sandwich bun stuffed with your choice of meat, avocado spread, tomato, and Oaxaca cheese, and you can add hot sauce to it. I know it sounds basic, but once you try it, you’ll want more!
Whenever I return to Tulum, I first come to this small street full of taco stalls and get some tacos or tortas from a few different stalls.
Watch Sports at Draft Sport & Food
Are you visiting Tulum but don’t want to miss out on a UFC fight night, boxing match, NBA game, or any other sports? Draft Spot & Food is your answer!
This sports bar is located in Tulum Town, so it’s easy to get to. They have plenty of TVs for you to watch the sport you choose.
They serve everything one craves when visiting a sports bar, wings, burgers, fries, chili cheese fries, and lots of beer. They’ve also got all the Mexican classics like pico de Gallo, guacamole, and more. Best of all, you can even smoke hookah here too!
How to Get Around Tulum at Night
The best way to get around at night in Tulum is by taxi, and there’s no other way around town.
Unless you’ve rented a car and someone in your group will be driving. In the daytime, there are more ways to get around Tulum. Here are a few things you should know when getting around Tulum at night.
TAXI TIP: Taxi drivers in Tulum can be challenging at times. By complex, I mean they are looking to take advantage of tourists. When you agree on a price with the taxi driver, reconfirm the agreed-upon price before entering the taxi.
By the way, UBER isn’t available in Tulum. It was recently legalized within the region, and the app works. Still, taxi drivers and cartels have made Uber unsafe to use because of targeted attacks against Uber drivers. Don’t use UBER in Tulum.
Besides Tulum Town, which is full of tourists visiting many bars and restaurants at night, it’s best not to walk around in Tulum at night. Always take a taxi back to your hotel or house rental.
Best Areas in Tulum to Stay In
Tulum has three different areas, and all three areas are next to one another, with Tulum Town being first, Aldea Zama being in the middle, and the Hotel Zone being along the beach.
Choosing which area you’d prefer to stay in is essential so you’re closer to what you want to do at night!
Tulum Hotel Zone: For those who want to be close to the beach, the downside is other than beach clubs, fancy chic restaurants, and the beach, staying here means you’re the furthest from Tulum Town. Also, it’s the most costly area to stay in Tulum.
Aldea Zama: This is the most popular area in Tulum because it’s between Tulum Town and the beach. Staying in Aldea Zama means you’re conveniently between the beach and Tulum Town.
Tulum Town: Staying in Centro means you’re close to all the restaurants, bars, shops, hostels, and more. It’s very convenient, but you will be furthest from the beach among these three areas.
Best Things to Do in Tulum at Night – Final Thoughts
Tulum offers a wide variety of things to do at night, and sometimes it will be hard to choose, especially if you’re visiting for a limited time!
However, there are a few tips you should know as you explore the vibrant nightlife of Tulum. Here’s a list of tips to know:
- Take a Taxi – Always take a taxi at night unless you’re walking around Tulum Town from one place to another and your hostel/hotel is in Tulum Town. And stick to well-lit streets.
- Make a Reservation – Tulum is popular, especially in high season, and restaurants get crowded. Avoid the hassle and make a reservation.
- Take advantage of Happy Hour – Many restaurants and bars in Tulum promote happy hour specials. Take advantage of this and enjoy an afternoon of cheaper cocktails/food.
- Dining Tip Scam – This is one of the known scams in Tulum, watch out. Some restaurants or nightclubs will add a very high tip amount if they notice you’ve had a few drinks and you’ve chosen to pay by card.
- Corrupt Cops – Nothing to fear, but they exist in Tulum. You’re likelier to run into them while walking on random streets at night, so don’t. Also, make sure to never be too too intoxicated in Tulum, this will make you a target for a police bribe.
Does Tulum have a nightlife?
Tulum has excellent nightlife, offering various things to do at night, from nightclubs to several bars to lively restaurants, jungle parties, and much more!
Can you walk around Tulum at night?
Yes you can in Tulum Town, areas like Aldea Zama and the Hotel Zone are safe to walk at night also but not for long distance. Also, stick to well-lit roads in Tulum.
More often than not, it’s best if you take a taxi at night if you aren’t staying in Tulum Town.
Where can I go out at night in Tulum?
Visit Tulum Town for a wide variety of bars and nightclubs playing a variety of music, or also consider checking out one of the many lively restaurants along the Hotel Zone in Tulum.
Is Cancun or Tulum better for party?
While Cancun and Tulum offer excellent nightlife scenes, it depends on which atmosphere you prefer!
Cancun offers more of a mainstream atmosphere with many American-style bars. The nightclubs usually play mainstream or generic music.
Tulum’s nightlife is more diverse with unique lively restaurants hosting evening parties, the town’s known for its authentic techno parties and Tulum Town offers an exciting road full of bars/nightclubs to visit.
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