If you’re planning a night out in Tulum, Gitano Tulum is probably high on your list – especially for its famous Friday Night Disco. It’s one of the most talked-about nightlife spots in Tulum, known for jungle vibes, disco balls, and stylish crowds. But while the aesthetic is everything you expect from a Tulum hot spot, my experience was far from smooth – and this is my honest review so you know exactly what to expect.
Overbooked and Chaotic Entry
Gitano’s Friday Disco is marketed as the place to be, especially if you love disco music. However, the entry process was extremely mismanaged. They had overbooked the restaurant and left us, and hundreds of others waiting outside to be let in for their tables. They were deciding based on looks or taking bribes, if you were able to get to the front of the gigantic stream of people in the street trying to get recognised. The main issue is, people could not just walk in and leave as they had paid quite a sizable deposit, which adds to why this is just unacceptable.
After almost an hour, we only got inside because friends we’d met earlier were already seated and spoke to the maître d’ on our behalf, pretending that we were reality TV stars in England with a large following…
When we were finally admitted, we were seated on the rooftop, far from the ground‑floor entertainment where the DJ and dancers were performing. For a disco event, this completely changed the experience.
There were no apologies, no acknowledgment of the delay, and no attempt to improve the situation. Overall, the service felt disorganised and indifferent.
What Actually Happened That Night
Here’s the part that was actually bad.
Towards the end of the night, there was a shooting incident. No one was harmed, but it was frightening for guests who were close to it. Tulum generally feels very safe for travellers, but like all nightlife destinations, certain venues have complexities behind the scenes.
A few important points to keep expectations realistic:
- Some nightlife areas in Tulum may have a cartel presence.
- You may encounter people selling in bathrooms, where a polite “no thank you” is generally enough.
- The incident at Gitano was rumoured to involve a territorial dispute between groups.
Ironically, being placed upstairs ended up being safer than being near the entrance.
Once the situation calmed, Gitano shut down immediately and all guests were rushed out.
Final Verdict: Is Gitano Tulum Worth It?
This is an honest review, and unfortunately my experience at Gitano was negative from start to finish. Long waits despite reservations; Chaotic, biased and unorganised entry and poor service.
The cherry on the cake really was the frightening incident that ended the night abruptly
While Gitano may still be enjoyable for some – the venue is beautiful, and the disco concept is appealing – but it’s important to have realistic expectations before you go.
If you’re looking for smoother, more reliable nightlife in Tulum, there are many other spots that deliver a better overall experience, which you can find on my Party Restaurant Guide.
You should also check out my Know Before You Go Guide which can help prepare you with realistic expectations when planning your trip.
This post is part of my Tulum series – explore the full itinerary in my Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide.
