Tulum Nightlife: 11 Best Bars and Clubs in Tulum

Tulum is a stunning city in Mexico. It’s part of the Quintana Roo region and is only one and a half hours drive from Cancún. One of the main reasons travelers visit this fantastic city is for its bustling nightlife. Tulum has lots to offer in terms of exciting bars and clubs, so, no matter what you’re looking for, you’re going to find great spots to enjoy your time in Mexico. So read on to discover the best things to do in Tulum at night.

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Dive Into Tulum Nightlife

Whenever you travel to a new place, you always have to be considerate of the local culture and customs. The same goes for Tulum and its nightlife. Locals and visitors mingle in the bars and clubs, so you’ll have a chance to meet new people and learn more about the city.

The nightlife in Tulum can be divided into the establishments in the center and those by the beaches. The central bars and clubs are mostly located close to the main road that passes through the city, linking it to Cancún. You can walk to most of these places if you’re staying in the center. Getting to the beach can take longer, but some of the best hotels in Tulum are located on the coast. So, whether you’re staying further inland or near the sea, you’ll have plenty of choices for places to soak up the nightlife.

Here are some important things to remember before going out in Tulum:

Bring cash: most bars in Tulum don’t accept cards, so make sure to always have cash with you. Mexican pesos are the best choice, as only some establishments take dollars. Also, if you’re leaving a tip (more on that in a moment), it’s better for the staff to receive pesos as they won’t need to exchange money in a bank. Here’s where you can exchanges for pesos: currency exchanges places in Tulum.
Prepare for tips: tipping is very common in Tulum, and the common rate is between 10 and 15%. Some places include a tip/service charge (called a propina) on your bill, so double check this before adding more. If you notice that the propina is less than 10%, you can put down more so it adds up to that rate.
Dress comfortably: the weather in Tulum tends to be hot all year round, so you don’t need to get too wrapped up before going out on the town, especially in the summer.
Respect the curfew: Tulum’s city council recently introduced new schedules for bars and clubs in certain areas in order to decrease the amount of late-night noise pollution. These spots will stop serving alcohol and food at midnight and close altogether at 1 a.m.

If you keep these things in mind, you’ll be sure to have a fantastic time in Tulum. You can admire the coastal areas, learn about the city’s rich history, and sample its local cuisine during the day before heading out to some amazing bars and clubs at night. Want ‘in-house’ activities during the day? Consider these fantastic all inclusive resorts in Tulum.

There are so many things to do in Tulum at night, so let’s take a look at some of the best bars and clubs in the city.

Bars in Tulum

I Scream Bar

One of the specialties of I Scream Bar is hinted at in the name. Although it’s a bar, it’s also a vegan ice cream (and taco) shop. This unlikely fusion led to a very special cocktail: ice cream and mezcal shots. So whether you’re looking for an aperitif, dinner, or dessert, this is definitely the place to be.

Located in the Middle Beach Zone, I Scream has a hippie vibe. It’s calm and relaxed, so you can enjoy both the sounds of music and the nearby sea. If you think it sounds like an eccentric place to be, wait until you see it. The bar is made up of old Volkswagen van and car parts, including headlights which illuminate the area around it.

Batey Mojito and Guarapo Bar

Much of Tulum’s nightlife revolves around five bars and clubs which host larger crowds on specific nights of the week. Batey Mojito and Guarapo is the number one downtown bar and it’s busiest on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You can catch live music on most nights of the week or enjoy the laid back atmosphere during the day.

Batey’s specialty are mojitos made from fresh, tropical ingredients. You can opt for a more traditional flavoring or get adventurous with prickly pear and mint. They’ll both taste fantastic and suit the vibe in this more traditional setting.

Kin Toh

Kin Toh is located in one of the best spots in Tulum. It’s not far from the sea and is close to the bike lane back into the city center. But the true highlight is that it’s surrounded by the jungle, giving you the feeling of seclusion despite being close to plenty of other bars, restaurants, and shops. You can sit in the treetop nests, giving you a stunning view of the jungle at sunset.

The bar is a part of a restaurant which serves experimental cuisine, but you can visit just for a drink or to visit the new art gallery. Booking ahead can be a good idea if you’re going as a group or if you want to enjoy the sunset. There is a minimum consumption fee, but it’s well worth it to discover one of Tulum’s best bars and restaurants.

Pasito Tun Tun

Tulum’s Pueblo district is a part of the city center and has many of the best bars in town. Pasito Tun Tun is one of these bars and it stands out for its dynamic vibes. It’s frequented by tourists and locals alike, all coming together for the friendly staff and the exotic drinks. When in Mexico, you need to try mezcal, whether as a shot or in a cocktail, and Pasito Tun Tun offers some of the best in town.

There’s a front patio with swings from which you can watch the hustle and bustle of the city. DJs and live bands set up inside to add to the atmosphere. They usually start at 10 p.m. If you want a quieter place to enjoy a slow drink and some conversation, the back patio is the place to be. No matter where you decide to sit, you’re going to have great service and tasty beverages.

Nômade

If you want to spend time on the beachfront, head to Nômade for a fantastic Tulum experience. It’s a hotel, restaurant, and bar located on the southern end of the beach, so you wouldn’t even need to leave for the whole trip. It’s a truly picturesque area, with palm trees lining the sand and hammocks strung between them.

Low tables are set around the trees so that you can feel even closer to nature. It’s a perfect area to share some local cuisine while relishing a cool Ba Alche Taak. This signature cocktail is made of gin, prosecco, berries, and basil, with hints of citrus fruit and black pepper. It’s the perfect drink to pair with a plate of fresh clams or shrimp tacos.

Ki’bok

If you want to get a more authentic view of Tulum at night, head to Ki’bok. During the day, it’s a vibrant coffee shop, but at night, its upstairs terrace opens as a bar. You can admire the stars above or the bustling street below as people stroll to other bars, restaurants and shops. Ki’bok doesn’t stay open until late, so it’s the best choice for an aperitif before moving on to somewhere else.

Don’t expect too many frilly cocktails or overpriced delicacies. This is the place for anyone who wants a simple beverage at a low price. It has a local feel, as do lots of the bars in the Pueblo area, making it one of the best places in town to enjoy the vibrancy of Tulum. So, whether you’re looking for coffee or a cool beer, Ki’bok is the place.

Clubs in Tulum

Casa Jaguar

If Tuesdays and Wednesdays belong to Batey, Thursday nights are meant to be spent in Casa Jaguar. Mexican and international DJs are invited to share their music at parties that shake the jungle. If big events aren’t your thing, you can also visit on Tuesdays and Saturdays for smaller gatherings.

At Casa Jaguar, you’ll be just outside of town in the Middle Beach area. You can stroll along the coast before heading into the jungle for a meal at the fantastic restaurant which serves modern takes on Caribbean cuisine. The nightlife tends to start after the dinner rush at around 11 p.m.

Papaya Playa Project

Saturday nights see the main clubbing events hosted at Papaya Playa Project. World-renowned DJs come to play well into the night all year round. The biggest night of the year is New Year’s Eve when around 3000 party-goers arrive for the best Tulum has to offer. If you’re not around in December, check if you’re staying in the area during a full moon. The Saturdays closest to this lunar event are dedicated to even more exciting get-togethers.

This club is located in the Beach Town area, the closest part of the coast to the city center. If you’re looking to enjoy Tulum’s nightlife and want to be near the excitement, why not stay in the Papaya Playa Project hotel? You can party all night, then wake up to the sound of the Caribbean breeze and the waves lapping on to the sand outside.

Bagatelle

The Bagatelle brand has spread throughout the globe, and Tulum has one of the best establishments they offer. The world-class kitchen can be enjoyed throughout the day, as well as the beach club that offers sun loungers, a swimming pool, and delicious cocktails. What makes it stand out from other places of this kind in Tulum is the nightclub.

Visitors are invited to adopt a smart-casual style to fit in with the French chic vibe. It makes for a fantastic mix of luxurious European spirit with the exotic vibes of the Riviera Maya. Special club nights can change what you’ll hear at Bagatelle, as DJs are flown in from all over the world to play techno, house, EDM, and more.

Mía

Mía is a beach club that gives you everything you’ll need during your stay in Tulum. There’s a restaurant, bar, beach concession, and club where some of the city’s hottest parties take place. You can get to it by traveling to the Middle Beach area. You’ll be astounded by the amazing views all around.

The club at Mía focuses mostly on techno and house music. The sensory experience is a big part of this place, so be ready for incredible visuals as well as booming sounds. You can enjoy video mapping and body painting while listening to international DJs and experimental artists. Mía is really in a class of its own in Tulum.

Confessions

The jungle around Tulum has plenty of bars and clubs, and Confessions ranks with the best of them. You can feel the exotic vibe as you enter this bar, lounge, and club. You can arrive early to sample some exquisite local seafood and tapas before moving onto the dance floor as clubbers start to appear.

It’s located close to the beach, but make sure to bring smart-casual clothing. You’ll be stuck at the door if you arrive in flip-flops. Once inside, you can enjoy the sounds of renowned DJs that will be playing electronic music into the night. It’s open from Thursday to Sunday, so you’ll have plenty of time to relish in Confessions’ vibe.

Summary

While visiting Tulum, you can immerse yourself in so many worlds. You can have a cool, relaxing drink in the city center, enjoy the sunset from a treetop nest, or see some of the world’s best DJs in clubs on the beach. This city has all of this on top of being a place full of Mayan history and fascinating local traditions. Tulum is truly a stunning place to see, hear, and feel. So don’t miss out. Book a stay in this great city now and discover all things Tulum.

Dive Into Tulum Nightlife