Picking a destination for a group trip is like trying to order a pizza for 12 people. One person is gluten-free, one hates pepperoni, one only wants "the artisanal stuff," and someone else just wants Domino's because it's cheap.
It’s the Goldilocks problem of travel planning. You need a place that isn't too expensive for the budget friend, isn't too boring for the party friend, and has enough activities to keep the "Type A" planner from having a meltdown.
If you pick wrong, you end up in a cramped Airbnb in a city with nothing to do after 9 PM, watching the resentment build in real-time.
I’ve dragged my friends across several continents, and I’ve learned that some places are just built differently when it comes to group dynamics. They have the big villas, the shareable food culture, and the right mix of "chill" vs. "chaos."
Here are my top 10 picks for destinations that actually work for a crowd.
1. Lisbon, Portugal
The Vibe: San Francisco had a baby with Rome, and that baby is obsessed with very cheap wine and seafood.
Why It Works for Groups: Lisbon is currently the undisputed champion of "Affordable Europe." You can get an incredible Airbnb with a rooftop view in the Alfama district for a fraction of the cost of Paris or London. The food culture is built on petiscos (small plates), which makes group dining easy, and the nightlife in Bairro Alto is essentially hundreds of people drinking in the street because the bars are too small. It’s messy, fun, and gorgeous.
The Caveat: The hills. Your calves will look amazing when you get home, but do not let the "high maintenance" friend wear heels to dinner.
2. Cartagena, Colombia
The Vibe: Hot, humid, Caribbean colonial magic. It feels like you’re walking inside a Gabriel García Márquez novel that also has really loud reggaeton clubs.
Why It Works for Groups: The "baller on a budget" factor here is off the charts. You can rent massive, multi-story colonial mansions in the Walled City that come with rooftop pools and sometimes even a cook. The itinerary is simple: spend the day on a rented boat island-hopping in the Rosario Islands, come back to the villa to nap, and then head out for an incredible dinner and dancing.
The Caveat: It is aggressively hot. Ensure the Airbnb has powerful AC in every bedroom, or there will be a mutiny.
3. Nashville, Tennessee, USA
The Vibe: Cowboy boots, neon signs, and 400 bachelorette parties converging on one street. It’s cheesy, loud, and incredibly efficient fun.
Why It Works for Groups: Sometimes, you don't want culture. Sometimes, you just want to drink a vodka soda out of a plastic cup while listening to a live band cover Fleetwood Mac. Nashville is built for groups. The infrastructure—from the massive Airbnbs to the pedal taverns—is designed to process large squads of people looking for a good time. It requires almost zero planning. Just show up on Broadway and let the chaos take you.
The Caveat: You will get tired of country music by Day 3. Even if you love country music.
4. Bali (Canggu or Uluwatu), Indonesia
The Vibe: Green juice in the morning, Bintang beer in the afternoon, massive beach club party at night.
Why It Works for Groups: Bali solves the "split personality" group problem. The wellness friends can do their 7 AM yoga and get an açai bowl, while the party friends sleep in until noon. You reunite in the afternoon at a beach club like Finns or Potato Head, where you rent a giant daybed for 10 people. The private villa rentals here are insane value; we’re talking private pools and chefs for the price of a mediocre hotel room in Miami.
The Caveat: The traffic is soul-crushing. Pick one area (Canggu for busy vibes, Uluwatu for surf/chill) and stay there. Do not try to cross the island every day.
5. Barcelona, Spain
The Vibe: Late dinners, stunning architecture, and a city that refuses to go to sleep before sunrise.
Why It Works for Groups: It has a beach and a world-class city attached to it. That’s a rare combo. You can spend the day recovering on the sand at Barceloneta and the evening getting lost in the Gothic Quarter. But the real winner here is Tapas. It is the ultimate group dining experience. No arguing over entrees; just order 30 plates of patatas bravas and jamón and keep the sangria pitchers flowing.
The Caveat: Dinner starts at 10 PM. If you have a friend who gets "hangry" at 6:30 PM, feed them a snack or they will ruin the night.
6. Tulum, Mexico
The Vibe: BoHo-chic, very expensive cocktails, burning sage, and everyone looks like an Instagram influencer.
Why It Works for Groups: It’s a cliché for a reason. If your group is into aesthetics, beach clubs with great DJs, and cenote swimming, Tulum delivers. The main hotel zone allows you to bounce from beach club to beach club easily. It’s designed for groups who want to look good, eat well, and party in a jungle setting.
The Caveat: It is no longer a cheap hippie hideaway. It is expensive. Prepare the budget friends accordingly.
7. Phuket, Thailand
The Vibe: Chaos in Patong, pure luxury on the cliffs, and the gateway to the most beautiful islands in the world.
Why It Works for Groups: Similar to Bali, the villa culture is strong here. You can get an 8-bedroom mansion overlooking the Andaman Sea and hire staff to cook every meal for a surprisingly low cost. It’s the perfect home base for chartering a private longtail boat to take your crew to Phi Phi Islands or James Bond Island.
The Caveat: Patong Bangla Road is an experience. Go once for the shock value, then retreat to your nice villa.
8. Costa Rica (Tamarindo or Nosara)
The Vibe: Pura Vida (pure life). Surf boards, howler monkeys waking you up, and very chill sunsets.
Why It Works for Groups: This is for the active group that can’t sit still. If your friends get bored just laying on a beach, send them here. You can organize group surf lessons, zip-lining tours through the canopy, ATV jungle rides, and catamaran sunset cruises. It forces everyone outside and off their phones.
The Caveat: The roads can be intense. If you rent cars, get 4x4s.
9. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
The Vibe: Jazz, history, incredible indulgence, and a city that doesn't judge you for having a hurricane drink at 11 AM.
Why It Works for Groups: NOLA is hospitable to its core. It knows how to handle big tables at restaurants. The food is heavy, shareable, and soul-warming (gumbo, crawfish boils, beignets). The French Quarter is walkable chaos, and Frenchman Street offers incredible live music where you can easily squeeze a group into a club. It’s a city that encourages you to let loose together.
The Caveat: You will gain 5 pounds in one weekend. Accept it.
10. Split & Hvar, Croatia
The Vibe: Game of Thrones architecture, crystal clear water, and yachts everywhere.
Why It Works for Groups: This is the ultimate "boat day" destination. Base yourselves in Split to explore the ancient city, then take the ferry over to Hvar for the island vibes. Hvar town is famous for its apres-beach parties that start around 5 PM. The dining scene is fantastic for groups, specializing in huge platters of fresh grilled fish and pasta meant to be shared outdoors.
The Caveat: Hvar in peak July/August is incredibly crowded and expensive. Shoulder season (June or September) is the sweet spot.