What do you picture when you dream of your ideal vacation?
- A quiet cabin in the woods
- A relaxing spa retreat
- Hundreds of people drinking, dancing, and partying ’til sunrise
If you chose the last option, this article is for you. There’s no rule that says you have to take it easy on vacation, right?
Anywhere you go in the world, wild vacation parties and exotic festivals await you. From Uruguay’s 40-day Carnival festival to Thailand’s famous full moon parties, there’s a vacation spot with your name on it.
In this post, we’ll reveal the 10 best vacation parties location on Earth. So read on, get inspired…and let the good times roll!
Table of Contents
1. Thailand’s Beaches
Bangkok is the most visited city in the world, and it’s a party destination all on its own. But if you really want to cut loose and go wild, head south to Thailand’s beautiful islands.
On the eastern side (Gulf coast), you’ll find Koh Phangan, home to a monthly revelry known as a full moon party. Tens of thousands of people flock here every month to dance and drink the night away.
You could also head to the western side (Andaman Sea) and cut loose on the stunning island of Ko Phi Phi. With $5 rum buckets and the opportunity to fight your friends in a Muay Thai boxing bar, it’s a night you’ll remember (or forget) forever.
2. Ibiza, Spain
How does an island with 80 beaches—all of them for partying—sound to you?
If it sounds like paradise, book a ticket to Ibiza. Considered by some to be the beach party capital of the world, Ibiza is 365 days of clubbing, pool parties, and dancing on the beach.
Bonus for young partygoers: Ibiza is part of an autonomous region of Spain that does not have specific laws in place for selling alcohol to minors.
3. Siem Reap, Cambodia
Bouncing back to Southeast Asia, add the tiny backpacker town of Siem Reap to your vacation parties list. Similar to Ibiza, there is no official legal drinking age in Cambodia.
People flock here from all over the world to see the famed Temples of Angkor, but once the sun goes down, the town shifts into high gear. Pub Street fills with pumping music, street performers, and $1 beers and cocktails.
Siem Reap is undoubtedly one of the cheapest places in the world to party hard. And if you get your fill of Siem Reap, don’t worry—the capital of Phnom Penh is another great party spot too.
4. Bali, Indonesia
No list of party vacation spots would be complete without another famous backpacker hub—Bali.
Book a room on Kuta Beach and get ready to party ’til you drop. Surf and sunbathe during the day and then enjoy all-night dance parties, fire shows, and music festivals.
In the morning (or mid-afternoon), wake up, eat some delicious Balinese food, and repeat.
5. Montevideo, Uruguay
Uruguay is home to the longest Carnival celebration in the world, clocking in at an impressive 40 days during February and March. If you want to push your liver to the absolute limit, this could be a golden opportunity.
Even if you can’t visit during Carnival, Uruguay is still a permissive and progressive vacation spot. It was the first country in the world to legalize recreational marijuana.
And that came 40 years after Uruguay decriminalized all other drugs—including the hard stuff.
6. Cancun, Mexico
Popular with spring breakers, backpackers, and everyone in between, you can’t miss Cancun if you like to party.
Miles of white beaches provide the perfect backdrop for all-night revelries. Book a room anywhere along the oceanfront “Zona Hotelera” and you’ll never be more than a few steps from a good time.
The club scene is especially wild in Cancun, with confetti, balloon, and foam parties being the norm.
7. Bondi Beach, Australia
If you want to party somewhere wild (and warm) over the Christmas holidays, head to the Land Down Under.
Sydney’s Bondi Beach becomes a weeklong, nonstop party between Christmas and New Year’s. (Remember—that’s the middle of summer there!)
Music festivals, fireworks, and tourists in bikinis and Santa hats are just a few of the awesome things that await you at Bondi Beach.
8. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Speaking of the southern hemisphere, can it get any better than Rio?
Synonymous with beautiful beaches and barely-there swimwear, Rio de Janeiro is Brazil’s city that never sleeps. Copacabana Beach is especially fun on New Year’s Eve—second only to Carnival in terms of partying.
Walk two steps and you’re sure to be surrounded by beautiful people, countless bars, and free-flow booze. Don’t miss the delicious caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail.
9. Las Vegas, Nevada
Don’t have the budget to travel around the world partying? That’s okay—America has one of the world’s best party vacation spots too.
42 million people visit Las Vegas every year, and it’s not hard to understand why. “The Strip” is a 4-mile stretch of endless pleasures, from luxury hotels and casinos to some of the wildest nightclubs and entertainment you’ll find anywhere.
Just remember: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.
10. Miami, Florida
If your party vacation spot must include a beach, Miami is your destination.
South Beach is lined with fantastic bars and clubs and has some of the best nightlife in the US. Celebrity sightings and fascinating examples of plastic surgery are the norms here, as are people rollerblading in thongs.
But don’t worry. After a few mojitos in one of the best clubs in South Beach, you just might lace up a pair of rollerblades yourself.
Ready to Plan Some Vacation Parties of Your Own?
If taking it easy and waking up early on vacation isn’t your thing, don’t worry.
There are destinations all over the world where the vacation parties don’t truly start until the sun goes down. From the beaches of Southeast Asia to the islands of the Mediterranean, there are countless vacation parties and festivals to choose from.
And if you need to stay closer to home, there’s nothing wrong with Miami or Vegas either.
So what are you waiting for? Book a ticket and head to one of these party vacation spots—new friends are waiting for you!
Did you enjoy this article? Feeling inspired? Check out our other recent travel posts for the more great advice.
