7 Essentials to Survive a Week in Ibiza

©istockphoto/NeonJellyfish

Ibiza, Spain’s idyllic beach party island, welcomes an eclectic mix of hippies, Euro backpackers, and high-end ballers. Thanks to the flower-power hippies of the 1960’s, and their love for music, Ibiza has transformed into an iconic music-lovers destination. Although there’s more to the island than epic parties, young 20 and 30 year olds flood the shores in search of the island’s biggest party. Electronic music lovers “eat, sleep, rave, repeat” throughout the towns of San Antonio and Playa D’en Bossa.

After experiencing a week of opening parties at some of the best clubs—Space, Ushuaia, Amnesia, Destino, and Bora Bora—I learned several valuable survival tips.

Question Your Party Style
Do you like to party until midnight, go to sleep, and wake up being able to function the next morning? Or, do you prefer to party until sunrise? Since most American bars and clubs close at 2:00 am, Americans are normally less trained than their European counterparts’ 24-hour open-air parties. Luckily, Ibiza offers parties at all hours of the day. Many daytime venues spin DJ’s from noon to midnight where other clubs open their doors at midnight, and push through the following afternoon. It sounds easy to hit several parties in one night, but depending on your stamina, lifestyle, and Redbull consumption, it’s more realistic to choose one or the other.

Stay Hydrated
The Balearic sun beams as hard as the music beats. Sunny days, hot temperatures, dance parties, and sweat-drenched bodies packed in a nightclub are a surefire way to become dehydrated. Dehydration is often a problem with clubbers which causes headaches and muscle cramps, and makes those hangovers even worse. The supermarkets sell coconut water, also known as nature’s Gatorade, which is essential along with fruit smoothies and plenty of water.

Catch a Beach Nap
After one day of partying you get tried. After two days your feet are thrashed. By day three you’re energized and addicted to the Ibizan spirit circle of electronic and techno raves. But in reality the body cannot push on without sleep. Once you’ve hit that wall, passing out on the beach underneath the burning hot sun will be the best idea you’ve ever had. Sleep until four or five o’clock and head to Bora Bora for a daytime dance before nighttime parties.

Wear Comfortable Shoes
If you want your feet to survive, wear a pair of comfortable shoes. Skip the stilettos and get some danceable shoes. Your feet, knees, and back will thank you by day three. Every club has a different dress code, but unless you are wearing a Borat man-kini with flip flops, most clubs will not deny you.

Smart Party Planning
The downfall of Ibiza is that all that clubbing is expensive and can be a nightmare with poor planning. It sounds simple and easy to stay in Playa D’en Bossa and catch a cab or the party bus to San Antonio. Most of the time it’s easy, but during peak hours and season, clubbers can wait up to two hours for a cab. Even when you’re exhausted at 4:00 a.m. it can take up to an hour to get a cab because hundreds of other partiers are exhausted too. Illegal cabs roam the street, but use your judgment before hopping in one. Also, some pre-sale tickets have entry before 9:00 p.m. so plan according to the crowds. If you plan on mainly partying in one town, book a hotel in that area.

Expect to Spend Money
Are you on a budget? Do your research and get acquainted with the Ibiza price list. Ibiza is not cheap and spending money is inevitable. Upscale clubs charge up to 80 Euro entrance fees; cafes serve 10 Euro smoothies and illegal cabs charge double post parties, up to 40 Euro to drive five kilometers. While clubbing, water can cost eight Euro per bottle, one mixed drink can cost up to 25 Euro and VIP tables cost up to 10 thousand Euro for the night. If you are on a budget, look at one of several online Ibiza party calendars and select the clubs and parties that you really want to experience. Most everyone spends more than they want to during their time in Ibiza. What’s the survival lesson? Bring your ATM card and plenty of cash.

Be Stress-Free
Depending on how your body reacts to stress, and the amount of booze in your stomach, your gut will either want to eat a smorgasbord or nothing at all. Keep up your strength and make sure you eat. A lighter fare with plenty of fruit and vegetables balances stress and energizes the body. Also, Ibiza clubs do not allow re-entry, which means you are locked inside a club for six to eight hours. Many clubs serve overpriced pizza or sandwiches, so grab some grub before you club.