Bachelorette Parties: What used to be a night of dinner and drinks has evolved into multi-night stays and international destinations. And for the maid of honor, that means a lot of stressful planning. But who doesn’t want to give their best friend the bachelorette trip of a lifetime? As travel agents that specialize in wedding-related events, we at The Travel Mechanic know a thing or two about bachelorette parties. And one of our absolute favorite destinations? Tulum, Mexico! Whether you’re planning an upcoming bachelorette trip or just a few days away with your favorite girls, you won’t want to miss all of our tips for making the most of your time in this incredible tropical oasis. 

Things to Know Before Visiting Tulum

If you’ve ever been to a resort destination in Mexico like Cancun, Tulum is very different. You won’t see a lot of tall buildings or all-inclusive resorts here – there are a lot of restrictions on the development in this area. Instead, Tulum is made up of mostly smaller boutique hotels and restaurants. But don’t get us wrong, you can still find an incredible party here in the evenings! 

Tulum is made up of two main areas: Tulum Central, which is located in the jungle, about a 20-minute drive from the beach, and The Beach Road, which is the main strip along the coast. Regardless of which area you stay in, you’ll want to visit both areas to get a real idea of Tulum’s culture. Since Tulum is in the jungle, the weather is very humid and buggy year-round. You’ll want to pack bug spray! 

Another important tidbit that I like to let my clients know, is that Tulum is more expensive than most other parts of Mexico. A cocktail can easily run you $20 USD and a taxi from Tulum Central to the beach is $40 USD each way. I have always found the experience to be worth the price, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind when planning a group trip such as a bachelorette weekend.

Where to Stay in Tulum

There is only one all-inclusive resort in Tulum, so if that’s your preferred accommodation, it’s an easy choice. Secrets Tulum is located in Tulum Central, but they have a beach club where you can enjoy the same all-inclusive amenities on the beach. We love Secrets Resorts, and we always have a great time there. In addition to food and drinks, your stay includes a complimentary shuttle back and forth to the beach club, yoga, bikes, and other activities. The downside to this option is that staying in the jungle can be incredibly hot with little to no breeze, so you’ll probably end up spending most of your time at the beach club. 

If you prefer a smaller hotel with an authentic feel, we highly recommend Be Tulum. This resort was built in 2007 and has an incredible atmosphere. It’s right in the heart of The Beach Road which means you can walk or bike to the beach! However, since food and drink aren’t included in your stay, this can end up being a more expensive option in the long run.

Tulum Transportation

Although there are a few different ways to get to Tulum, we recommend flying into Tulum airport. This will save you a lot of time and expense on ground transportation. We also recommend prebooking a shuttle service from the Tulum airport to your resort. There are taxis readily available at the airport, but they tend to be quite expensive. Prebooking will save you money and the hassle of navigating the taxi line. 

Once you arrive at your resort, transportation around Tulum is fairly easy. Some resorts in Tulum Central will provide shuttles to the beach, but if not, you will need to take a taxi. While most resorts offer bikes for you to borrow, they are only recommended for visiting nearby restaurants. If you’re staying on The Beach Road, the beach and most restaurants in the area can be easily accessed by bike or on foot.

Restaurants in Tulum

Tulum has some absolutely incredible restaurants, which is one of the reasons we tend to opt for a standard resort rather than all-inclusive. If you are looking for a restaurant with delicious food and equally incredible ambiance, we love both Ocumare and ARCA. Both are located in The Beach Road district and have incredible cocktails. Ocumare also does an amazing job at catering to food allergies, so if someone in your party needs special dietary accommodations this is one you’ll want to check out! 

For anyone looking for more of a party vibe, you have to visit La Popular and Macondo. La Popular is right on the beach with fresh guac, seafood, and an incredible DJ. Macondo, on the other hand, specializes in Mediterranean cuisine. They throw an incredible party on Thursday nights and have live music every other night of the week! 

If you really want an elevated dining experience, Kuu is the perfect spot. They serve Japanese cuisine in the Omakase style and only have two seatings per day, at 6 pm and 8 pm. You’ll definitely need a reservation to get in, but it’s worth it. 

And finally, our #1 favorite spot in Tulum is Taqueria Hondorio. In fact, we were hesitant to even include it in the blog because it’s such a special hidden gem! But everyone needs to taste their conchito pork taco. They cook their meat underground for over 16 hours, and you can truly taste how much time and love goes into their food. Even if you’re staying at an all-inclusive, you have to visit this spot.

4 Night Tulum Bachelorette Itinerary

Day 1: Depart early in the morning for an afternoon arrival. Make sure to have your transportation from the airport scheduled ahead of time! Check in to your resort and enjoy a little bit of downtime before getting ready for a nice welcome dinner. We highly recommend setting up a reservation before you arrive. 

Day 2: Enjoy a day on the beach! Visit a beach club with a DJ for some fun vibes and enjoy the waterfront dining. 

Day 3: Spend the day on a local tour. You’ll definitely want to book this ahead of time, as there are so many options, and they do book up. We recommend booking a private tour for the best experience. Some of our favorite tours include activities like a Mayan cleansing ritual, swimming at a Cenote, the Sian’kan Biosphere boat ride, or zip lines! 

Day 4: Spend your morning getting a spa treatment to recover from yesterday’s activity! Then, spend some time relaxing at the resort before you head out for a nice goodbye dinner. We recommend skipping the touristy beach-front spots and opting for something elevated. 

Day 5: Schedule your departure flight for early in the morning, so you can get home and rest!

Destination Bachelorettes with The Travel Mechanic

Planning a bachelorette trip is no easy feat. Coordinating multiple people’s schedules and budgets can feel overwhelming—and that’s just to choose when and where to visit! At The Travel Mechanic, we can help make planning your trip less stressful by recommending our favorite places and activities and helping everyone book their travel. If you’re planning a bachelorette party and need a helping hand, reach out! We’d love to work with you.