Sometimes all you need are your girlfriends. Am I right? But sometimes the hardest part about planning a girl’s getaway is deciding on a destination.
We all have our own opinions of how we like to relax, so first of all you need to identify what you want to get out of the vacation. Do you want a beach or city? Warm weather or cold? Do you want to want to relax or have an adventure? Once you identify those things you’re on your way to planning an epic girls vacay!
Here are my top recommendations for best places for a girls trip!
Table of Contents
BEST GIRLS TRIP DESTINATIONS FOR RELAXING
If you are dreaming of a girls weekend getaway to a beach or a girls trip to a place where you can relax and get away from it all, this is the list for you.
Tulum
BEACH – WARM – RELAX
Tulum is hands down my number one recommendation for a girl’s trip and a very popular destination for bachelorette parties. I celebrated my 31st birthday there with some of my girlfriends, and it was the best trip ever! Tulum is full of Instagrammable places so make sure not to forget your camera!
Curious to know what gear I travel with? Check out my blog post all about my favourite gear!
Tulum has no shortage of incredible hotels, but for a girl’s trip, I’d recommend renting a villa. Nest and Zorba Beach Homes are always some of my favourites and have great villas for larger groups. We were able to comfortably stay 5 of us together.
Be sure to indulge in the best vegan tacos at Charlie’s, get drinks at Posada Marguerita, and try the tasty smoothies at Raw Tulum!
Bahamas
BEACH – WARM – RELAX
Baha Mar is the perfect location for your girl’s trip! It has everything you could want/need, and you can spend your time bouncing between the three Baha Mar’s properties without worrying about transport.
Depending on how big your budget is, the Rosewood is a bougie 5-star experience, the SLS is great for party-goers, and the Grand Hyatt is more low-key.
But even though the properties are all different, you’ll have access to all the bars, casinos and restaurants. You’re options are endless. We didn’t even have time to try everything before we left.
I highly recommend the Lebanese and Japanese restaurants for dinner. Make sure to check out the cute food trucks for lunch.
Baha Mar is another property designed for Instagram. It’s the perfect place to grab some Instagrammable group shots!
Bermuda
BEACH – WARM – RELAX
Speaking from experience, Bermuda is the perfect spot for a girl’s weekend getaway! Colorful buildings, pink sand beaches, infectious energy from the locals – Bermuda is amazing!
You can get around the island pretty quickly, but you’ll want to make time to visit beaches like The Loren at Pink Beach, Warwick Long Bay, Coral Beach & Tenis Club. We stayed at the Hamilton Princess which had incredible sunset views!
You also need to eat at at Devi’s Isle Cafe. It is a little cafe in the middle of town serving up delicious brunch!
BEST PLACES TO GO FOR A GIRLS TRIP FOR ADVENTURE
Have a group of girlfriends with a sense of adventure? If you want to explore and experience the trip of a lifetime with your girlfriends, here are my best suggestions for you.
Bali
BEACH/ JUNGLE – WARM – RELAX/ADVENTURE
Bali is always a good idea and is great for a girls trip, solo trip or couples trip alike. But my first trip to Bali was actually a girls trip back in 2015! Bali is a perfect blend of beach and jungle as well as relaxation and adventure. It’s whatever you make of it.
There is so much to see and do in Bali, my recommendation would be to stay and visit for at least 2 weeks (especially if you’re traveling from North America.) My favorite places on the island start with Canggu for the beach, parties, and endless food hotspots. Canggu is the food mecca of the island. Don’t miss out on my favorite taro latte at Cafe Organic or the jackfruit tacos at Peleton Supershop.
Next head to Ubud for relaxation, lush jungle, and the Monkey Forest. Whether you are looking for a hotel with a flower bath in Bali or for a floating breakfast in Bali, Ubud has them both.
And definitely carve out some time to visit the Gili Islands and/or Nusa Penida for adventure!
If you’re planning you’re trip you’ll want to reference my Best Hotels in Bali as well as my Best Cafes in Bali blog posts. Don’t forget to save them for reference later.
Hawaii
BEACH – WARM – ADVENTURE
Whichever island you choose will make a perfect destination for a girl’s getaway!
Here’s a quick rundown I got from a local about the major islands:
Oahu has the most white sand beaches and is home to a few of the world’s top beaches like Lanikai. Waimanalo beach is Hawaii’s longest stretch of white sand. The North Shore of Oahu has the best surf in the world, hosting major surf competitions at Banzi Pipeline and Waimea Bay.
Maui offers a very relaxed atmosphere attracting many honeymooners. It’s also known for having the best hikes and waterfalls as well as the famous Road to Hana. If you’re looking for a different kind of beach, Maui has red and black sand beaches due to the volcanic ash. Maui also has some of the best snorkeling and sunsets.
Kauai is best known for it’s amazing hikes and beaches. Kauai is for the most part still pretty untouched compared to the other islands. Nothing is overcrowded, and there are no tall buildings. It’s a great place for camping and stargazing.
Big Island is most famous for it’s active volcanos. It’s the best place to swim with giant manta rays, has some good fishing spots, and has some amazing waterfall hikes. Big Island also has some very unique beaches including a black sand beach and a green sand beach!
I’ve only visited Oahu so far, but I would love to discover all the islands. For a girls trip, definitely book your stay at the Royal Hawaiian (also known as The Pink Palace of the Pacific). It’s so iconic! Known for its pink touches, parasols, pancakes, bathrobes – everything is pink! Aesthetically, it’s designed for Instagram!
For my full guide to discovering the island, check out my Ultimate Guide to Oahu blog post!
Costa Rica
BEACH/ JUNGLE – WARM – ADVENTURE
Costa Rica is an adventurer’s paradise, the country has so much to offer! Ziplining, surfing, volcano hiking, waterfall trekking, this country has it all.
You’ll want to rent a car or hire a driver if you plan on exploring a large part of the country. My personal favourite spots are Arenal National Park for the hanging bridges, La Fortuna waterfall located in the North. Then head to the West Coast to Santa Teresa, located on the Nicoya Peninsula.
Santa Teresa is my favourite place, and it’s where I first learnt how to surf! It’s all about that laid back lifestyle, where people walk barefoot and dogs run loose on the beach waiting for their owners to come back from their morning surf.
Make sure to grab some tacos at Eat Street and head to the beach to watch sunset. Or check out Olam, Earth Cafe, Drift Bar and Cafe Social!
Read all about my Ultimate Guide to Costa Rica and a breakdown of our full on itinerary or watch my travel vlog!
BEST PLACES FOR A GIRLS TRIP TO PARTY
This list is for all of you who love a good party. From nightlife to a non-stop atmosphere, these are the perfect places to go for a girls weekend getaway to party.
Miami
CITY – WARM – PARTY
It’s been a minute since I’ve visited Miami, but it’s the kind of city that the vacation is really what you make of it. Whether you’re looking to soak up the Miami sunshine, shop, and indulge in great dinners or you’re there to let loose and experience its nightlife in South Beach, Miami will take care of you. The Betsy Hotel was in a perfect location. Plus it has such a cute atmosphere, and they even have the sweetest hotel dog.
For a daytime activity beyond the beach, check out the Wynwood Walls. It’s an art district where muralists from around the world showcase their larger-than-life masterpieces on the walls. It’s an endless opportunity for Instagram photos so make sure to pack your camera and an outfit or two!
New Orleans
CITY – WARM/COLD – PARTY
If Vegas isn’t your thing, you might want to try New Orleans. It’s the perfect spot for a bachelor/bachelorette. You can soak up the southern culture by day and let loose with it’s unique nightlife on Bourbon Street by night.
I actually visited with my best friend last year, and even though we didn’t drink, we still had a blast! Pat O’Brien’s dueling pianos is something NOT TO MISS! Walk around the French Quarter or if you’re into some haunted history, take a ghost tour!
You’ll also want to save room for the iconic beignets at Cafe du Monde! You’ll be covered in powdered sugar by the time you leave, but it’s worth it!
Nashville
CITY – WARM/COLD – PARTY
Dust off your boots, and grab your cowgirl hat! As a country music lover, Nashville has been on my radar for years!
While I have yet to go, I can tell you the city is alive and share some friendly recommendations I’ve received.
If you’re going to Nashville, it’s safe to say you are a country music fan as well. A lot if the places in Nashville are small, so plan ahead or make a reservation.
One of the places you don’t want to miss is The Blue Bird Cafe (where so many legends sang before they made it big). You never know who is going to drop in and perform there either. Big names in Nashville regularly drop in for surprise performances along with undiscovered or newly discovered talent.
Get there EARLY though. The line gets super long and the space is super small. You can continue waiting once it fills up if you don’t make it in at first to take someone’s spot if they leave. Sometimes the security guards even let you step inside for a minute to see and experience it if the line gets short enough.
Take a tour of the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium to experience these two iconic country music auditoriums. And make sure you check out a place called The Listening Room, where you get to hear the story behind the song!
If you walk along Broadway, you can’t go wrong for bars and restaurants with live music. Just walk down the street until you hear a song you love. There is music during the day too, so you don’t have to wait until nighttime to start your party.
I don’t have photos from a girls trip in Nashville yet, so here are a few other favorites instead 🙂
New York
CITY – WARM/COLD – PARTY
The concrete jungle needs no introduction. It’s obvious it’s a perfect place for a weekend getaway with the girls. I mean we’ve all seen SATC!
New York is one of those places I’ve visited close to a dozen times and yet every time it seems like you unlock a new part of the city. Between the shopping, the food, the entertainment, and the people-watching, your options are endless.
If you’ve got the cash to spend, I’d recommend staying at the Gansevoort Meatpacking. If you’re working with a tighter budget, book the Arlo Nomad.
While there is no shortage of food in NYC, some of my recommendations would be to get brunch at the Butcher’s Daughter and Jack’s Wife Freida (order the green shakshouka). ABCV is a must for dinner, and if you’ve saved room for dessert, head to Levin Bakery for their award-winning cookies!
Mykonos
CITY – WARM – PARTY
No matter what you want to experience on the island, there are tons of things to do in Mykonos. If you’re going with a group of girls, consider renting a villa so you can all stay together. It was so nice to have our own kitchen and pool for days we wanted to just chill. But if you’re looking to have an incredible hotel experience you need to book a stay at Cavo Tagoo!
Greece is arguably one of the most Instagrammable places so make sure to take a day or two to wander the narrow alleyways of Mykonos town snapping photos.
At night get dressed up and grab a few drinks. Head to Scorpios for a fun beach club vibe.
And if you’re looking for some adventure, rent a scooter or 4×4 and drive around the island!
Montreal
CITY – WARM/COLD – PARTY
Labeled “the most European city in North America” for its cute cafés, cobblestone streets, and french flare, I couldn’t complete this roundup without mentioning my hometown.
Montreal is often known as the Canadian Las Vegas (don’t worry it’s not that intense) but mainly because our city hosts a large number of bachelor/ bachelorette parties in the summer and our legal drinking age is 18. It’s no secret that our winters are long and harsh, but our summers totally make up for it. It’s actually one of my favorite places to be in the summer.
From the distinctive neighborhoods to gastronomical food and the incredible nightlife, Montreal is so full of culture, charm, and entertainment. As soon as summer rolls around, it seems like there is a new festival every week. Just for Laughs, Jazz Festival, Oysterfest, Osheaga, Ile Soniq, Formula 1…and that’s just the beginning!
If you’re coming for a weekend or spending a week, my favorite place to stay is the William Gray hotel in the Old Port. This is where you’ll find all that French charm I mentioned. It might even surprise you how much it will remind you of Paris!
The food scene in Montreal is arguably the best in Canada. Some of my fav brunch spots include LOV, Livia, Maman, and Tommy Cafe. For dinner head to my favourite restaurant in the city Bremner or check out Fiorellino, Ryu or Jellyfish.
And if you’re in my city shoot me a message! I’d be happy to meet you if I’m around!
So where are you planning your next girls trip? And where should I plan mine? Anywhere I missed that I need to add to my bucket list?
xx Lisa
Like this post? Pin it to save it for later and share it with others!
