Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably seen the phrase ‘#YOLO’ floating around the internet a lot lately. Slang for ‘you only live once’, #YOLO is a rallying cry to live your best, most adventurous, most fun life.
Sounds good, right? But where to start?
The answer: Ibiza. Truly the island that needs no introduction (but we’ll give you one anyway), Ibiza has a well-earned reputation for lively nightlife, beach parties, and a whole lot of tanned skin. Nowhere is this way of life more on display than in San Antonio, a port town on the island’s northwest coast. Buzzing and thumping all day and all night, San Antonio is the #YOLO lifestyle in the flesh.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab the lads, toss your swim trunks and a toothbrush in a backpack (okay, maybe some sun cream and paracetamol too), and get on the next plane to Ibiza. Because you only live once.
What to Do
Once you’ve arrived in San Antonio, don’t waste a single second getting started. Here are our top picks for an action-packed, lads-only getaway in Ibiza.
Ibiza Boat Cruises
You’d be crazy to go to San Antonio without getting out on the bay for a little cruising. Join fellow Ibiza marauders for swimming and snorkelling off the deck of the boat, or relax with a glass of sangria in the sun, the whole time soaking in the thumping beats provided by the on-board sound system. You’ve probably seen loads of photos of swimsuit-clad partiers aboard party boats in Ibiza – this is the real deal!
Carrer del Mar, 9, 07820 San Antonio, Ibiza, 07820 Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, Spain
Tel: +34 669 365 086
Jet Skiing
Got a need for speed? Jet skiing will be right up your alley. Out on the turquoise bay you can rip up the waves, send up rooster tails, and run circles around your mates. With their powerful engines, jet skis can break 65mph – are you brave enough to test it out? (Tip: save a few quid by buddying up two guys per jet ski).
Ibiza Jet Ski Beach, Playa Cala Bassa, Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, Spain
Tel: +34 645 871 590
Parasailing
Want to take #YOLO to the extreme? Try parasailing, flying high above the bay behind a speedboat. If you’ve never been parasailing, you’ve got to try it before you leave Ibiza – with the Mediterranean breeze and warm water temperatures, this is the perfect place to take the leap. Feeling a touch nervous? Tandem rides are available… if you can swallow the ribbing you’ll get over happy hour bevvies.
Jimmy’s Mambo Parasailing, 07820 Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, Spain
Tel: +34 606 82 25 02
Recommended read: Bronze your Bod on Ibiza’s Big, Beautiful Beaches
Where to Party
Tropi Trance Dance Bar
After a full day out on the waves, join in as Ibiza nightlife kicks into high gear. You’ll definitely want to hit up the Tropi Trance Dance Bar, a San Antonio institution. Always bumping with awesome trance beats and even better vibes, Tropi Trance and its friendly staff make you feel right at home. Make sure to check out the drinks specials – there’s always something on. This might be your first stop of the night, or you may stay here until the wee hours – either way, you’re sure to have a good time.
Address: Santa Ines 9, Eivissa Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, Spain
Tel: +34 971 34 00 00
Hours: Mon-Sun 9:00pm-4:00am
Ocean Beach Ibiza
It’s a round-the-clock pool party at this hotel and club, where you can easily spend the entire day. The fun starts at noon, so don’t wait until nightfall to grab a sunbed and sit poolside with a drink from the bar. The perfect mix of chill and lively, Ocean Beach Ibiza is the place you’ll never want to leave.
12-14 Carrer des Moli, 07820 Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, Spain
Tel: +34 971 80 32 60
Hours: 12:00pm-10:00pm
Mermaid Bar
For a chummier experience in a slightly smaller bar, you can’t do better than the Mermaid Bar in San Antonio’s West End. Perennially popular with Brits and Danes especially, the Mermaid is as comfortable as your favourite pub back home. Excellent friendly service, relaxed atmosphere, great drinks at great prices – everything you want is right here.
Calle Colon 8, 07820 Sant Antoni de Portmany, Ibiza, Spain
Hours: Sun-Sat 9:30pm-4:00am
How to Get to San Antonio
Thinking now’s the time to get your #YOLO on in San Antonio? Round up your mates and book yourselves on a plane to Ibiza, just a two-hour flight from London airports. Airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Monarch all offer reasonably priced nonstop flights, so you can get the fun started without breaking the bank.
Don’t forget to look into San Antonio transfers to take you from Ibiza Airport straight to your accommodation – or the poolside bar, whatever suits!
Where to Stay:
Aparthotel del Mar – Literally seconds from the marina, Aparthotel del Mar is located right in the thick of the action. These bright studio apartments are the ideal no-frills launch pad for your Ibiza adventure with the boys. You can even hire a scooter at reception to explore the area – awesome!
Hotel Apartamentos Central City – True to its name, this two-star aparthotel is located right in the centre of town near all the best cafes, bars, restaurants, and clubs. Each studio apartment in this adults-only complex has two single beds, a television, and kitchenette, so buddy up and prepare for boys’ night every night!
Invisa Hotel Es Pla – Willing to shell out just a bit more? Try the three-star Invisa Hotel Es Pla, an adults-only hotel overlooking the bay of San Antonio. You and your buddies will probably be spending a lot of time on your spacious private balcony overlooking the pool, or out enjoying the hotel’s sport facilities, which include a soccer field and tennis court.
About Shuttle Direct:
Life is short, so make the most of every minute with a speedy transfer from Shuttle Direct, the top provider of airport transfers in Europe and North Africa. Not only can your driver get you to San Antonio in good time, he can probably also recommend the best bars along the way! After all, you only live once.
