With beautiful resorts, oceanside views, colorful culture, and attentive service, it is no wonder that Mexico has the reputation of being one of the most romantic getaways in the world for planning an amazing honeymoon.

Here are 6 reasons why I believe Mexico could be the perfect location for your honeymoon!
 
1: Easy to Get to from U. S. gateways

With several nonstop flight options, same-day arrivals, and departures, plus multiple flights per day, a romantic beach honeymoon is at your fingertips. And with multiple flights, it gives you plenty of backup options in case of delays or cancellations.
 
2. Romantic Resorts For Every Couple’s Style and Taste:

When it comes to the accommodations, you’ll have your pick of the best. From lavish mega resorts to hacienda-style boutique hotels and everything in between!  Plus, if you’re looking for an adult-only escape, there are multiple resort properties that offer the ideal atmosphere for couples who want a romantic honeymoon void of screaming children!
 
3. The Best Bang For your buck is in Mexico!

Honestly, the level of luxury provided for the price is quite remarkable. From world-class spas to beach butlers taking care of your every need while you relax on the beach, you can’t go wrong with a luxury resort in Mexico.

​5. Tons of Amazing Activities:

One of the best parts of planning a honeymoon to Mexico is the incredible amount of activities and sites you and your new spouse can experience  and make new memories together.

● If you are celebrating your honeymoon from December – April? Head to Cabo or Puerto Vallarta to do some whale watching!
● Interested in UNESCO World Heritage sites? Visit one of the 7 Wonders of the World – Chichen Itza while on your honeymoon in the Riviera Maya, Mexico.
●Want to have shopping and nightlife at your fingertips? Playa del Carmen’s 5th Avenue, the hotel zone of Cancun, the Malecon Blvd in Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas are sure to please!

Looking for adventure, golf, or fishing? Take your pick! There’s so much to experience when you visit Mexico!

6. Two Unique Areas of Mexico too choose from:

Mexico has two completely different, but equally romantic & beautiful areas to enjoy an amazing honeymoon!
(A) Caribbean Side
(B) Pacific Side
 
The Caribbean Side

The Caribbean side of Mexico is located on the Yucatan Peninsula along the Caribbean sea, and is the most popular area of Mexico for any type of travel. This is where Cancun, Riviera Maya, and many of the other popular destination wedding spots are located. Everything mentioned above will be available to you on the Caribbean side of Mexico, including white sand beaches and the ability to enjoy the Caribbean Sea if you love getting in the water.

The Pacific Side:

The Pacific Side of Mexico is of course located along the Pacific Ocean and was originally best known for travel spots such as Puerto Vallarta, and Acapulco, but now the hottest new spots to travel or honeymoon in Mexico is in either Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta!

Located at the end of the Baja Coast, Cabo is home to luxury resorts, amazing foodie experiences, championship golf, yoga retreats, movie star getaways, and authentic cultural experiences. The beaches are wide and beautiful here as well, but darker sand than the Caribbean side, and are not usually swimmable due to the ocean currents and rip tides.

Known for its charming towns and people, the stunning landscape of sea and mountain, plus colorful culture and marine life, it’s easy to see why Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular vacation destinations for honeymoons!

Which Part of Mexico is Best For Your Honeymoon?

The hardest decision you’ll have to make when planning a honeymoon to Mexico is which part of Mexico is best for your needs and which resort or hotel will give you the atmosphere you are looking for. That’s where having the assistance of a honeymoon designer can come in handy.
 
As you can see, Mexico is full of great options for your honeymoon. from beautiful beaches to historical cities and gorgeous eco-tourism adventures, there's something for every couple. If you’re looking for an idyllic beach escape, head for the Pacific Coast or the Riviera Maya. If you want a more active honeymoon, you can choose from hiking, cycling, swimming in a cenote, or scuba diving. And if you’re looking for more luxury, Mexico has world-class resorts that put your five-star dreams to shame.

Whatever you choose, your honeymoon will be one you’ll remember forever.
 
If you would like some help planning your honeymoon, or just need a little advice, schedule a free 1-hour  destination wedding strategy session
 with me today! Let’s get you unstuck and moving forward in your planning.

Planning a destination wedding can be an exciting and stressful experience. You want your guests to have an amazing time and for you to feel at ease knowing that everything for the big day is taken care of. Mexico is one of the best destinations for hosting an unforgettable wedding abroad. Here are the pros and cons of planning a destination wedding in Mexico.

Pro: Easy access from the United States of America
​

In addition to these great resort options, if you want or need to get married in a chapel, you can find Catholic & protestant chapels with picturesque views of the ocean! You will also have an array of choices for private rooftops with unobstructed views where you not only can say “I Do!”, but also dance the night away under a canopy of stars. And don’t forget you can also find stunning beaches set amidst beautiful skies at sunset, infinity pools with overwater platforms, secret tropical gardens, and more.
 
Pro: Amazing value of luxury & service for the price!

If you are looking for incredible luxury & service for the money, Mexico will get you the most bang for your buck when it comes to the level of luxury and service you receive for the price.
Part of the reason is that Mexico is just miles ahead of other destinations when it comes to hospitality & tourism. A quote I once heard from a travel insider pretty much sums it up like this.“ In (the location I was at) if your drink spills, a waiter will come right away to clean it up.
In Mexico, the wait staff will see the glass on the edge of the table, and come to put it back in a safer spot.”
 
Pro: Wedding package value for the price

The same is true for wedding packages. Your destination wedding budget goes so much further in Mexico! You’ll be amazed at the celebration you can plan that will be a day you and your guests will never forget!
 
Pro: Endless excursions, activities & cultural experiences 

Regardless of what part of Mexico you head to, you’ll have your pick of awesome experiences at your fingertips! Historical ruins, underground caverns, artistic cities, waterfalls, mountains, whale watching, snorkeling, nightlife, shopping, golf, catamaran cruises, day trips to nearby islands, you name it! There is something for everyone to enjoy in Mexico!
 
Con: Legal wedding requirements if you don't choose to have a symbolic wedding 

Each State in Mexico has different requirements for your wedding in Mexico to be legal, but you can expect bloodwork, translation of documents, witnesses, and 3-4 days of residency.
 
If you don’t need to have a legal destination wedding, then I suggest you and your fiancee get married legally in the states (basically at the courthouse) and then you will do a symbolic wedding in Mexico for your Destination Wedding ceremony. 
No one will know but you, and it will save you from jumping through a lot of hoops.
 
Pro: Two unique areas of Mexico to choose from:

Mexico has two completely different, but equally romantic & beautiful areas to have an amazing destination wedding!
(A) Caribbean Side
(B) Pacific Side
 
The Caribbean Side:
 

​The Caribbean side of Mexico is located on the Yucatan Peninsula, along the Caribbean sea, and is the most popular area of Mexico for any type of travel. This is where Cancun, Riviera Maya, and many of the other popular travel spots are located. Everything mentioned above will be available to you on the Caribbean side of Mexico, including white sand beaches and the ability to enjoy the Caribbean Sea if you or your group love getting in the water.
 
The Pacific Side:

The Pacific Side of Mexico is of course located along the Pacific Ocean and was originally best known for travel spots such as Puerto Vallarta, and Acapulco, but now the hottest new spots to have a destination wedding in Mexico in either Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta!
 
Located at the end of the Baja Coast, Cabo is home to luxury resorts, amazing foodie experiences, championship golf, yoga retreats, movie star getaways, and authentic cultural experiences. The beaches are wide and beautiful here as well, but darker sand than the Caribbean side, and are not usually swimmable due to the ocean currents and rip tides.
 
One of the most popular vacation destinations, Puerto Vallarta is known for its stunning landscape, friendly people, beautiful marine life, and so much more!
 
Which Part of Mexico is Best For Your Destination Wedding?

The hardest decision you’ll have to make when planning a destination wedding in Mexico is which part of Mexico is best for your wedding vision and which resort or wedding venue will give you the wedding vision you are looking for. That’s where having the assistance of a destination wedding designer can come in handy.

Con: Cancun/ Riviera Maya seaweed issues
​

1. YOUR HONEYMOON DESTINATION

A romantic & luxurious honeymoon starts with a great location! Maybe you
choose locations that are closer to the continental U.S, such as Mexico & the Caribbean, or you may be looking for a more exotic honeymoon local, such as Hawaii, Fiji, Bora Bora, or even Europe. Usually, the more exotic and less populated a honeymoon destination is, the more expensive it can be.
 
Average Airfare Prices:

Obviously, airfare can take up a chunk of your honeymoon budget. Also
generally speaking if you are flying to a tropical island during “high season”
 
(Dec-April), Flights are going to be more expensive than low Season, (May-
Nov).
 
With that being said, here are some current averages based on May 2023
honeymoon travel:

● Depart From Midwest or East coast to the Caribbean or Mexico:
$450-$1000 per person, round trip, depending on flight itinerary &
destination.

● Depart From Midwest or East coast to Hawaii: $600-$1600 per
person, round trip, depending on flight itinerary & destination.
● Depart From Midwest or East coast to the South Pacific:

$2000-$2500 per person, round trip, depending on flight itinerary &
destination.
 
● Departing From West Coast to the Caribbean or Mexico: $500-$1000
per person, round trip, depending on flight itinerary & destination.

● Depart From West Coast to Hawaii: $600-$1600 per person, round
trip, depending on flight itinerary & destination.

● Depart From West Coast to the South Pacific: $2000-$2500 per
person, round trip, depending on flight itinerary & destination.

PRO TIP: There will always be fluctuations in price based on the time of year and even the day of the week. If you find an unbelievable air deal,
double-check the type of seat it is and the air schedule. Many really cheap
tickets have incredibly harsh restrictions as well as horrible air itineraries that could get you to your resort so late at night that you miss all of your first day at your resort, therefore ultimately wasting money and delaying the start of your honeymoon bliss!

3. THE HONEYMOON ROOM YOU CHOOSE:
 
Remember that the room or suite you choose will impact the overall cost for your honeymoon stay. For example, you could love resort (A) with a base price of $3700 that includes a “standard room.” But you choose a swim-up suite for your room option. The price for your honeymoon package at the resort (A) will now be $5,550, because of the room you choose.

PRO TIP: Never go with a standard room for your honeymoon! Start Deluxe
and go up as you can afford it because it will make a difference in your
honeymoon experience. I know I say it a lot in my articles, but it is TRUE! This is your honeymoon, not just another trip or vacation! If you can bring some WOW to your honeymoon, do it!

Below is an average cost you can expect to pay for different luxury honeymoon resort stays for 7 nights based on current rates: Because I won’t send anyone to a resort that is average or below quality, you can assume that all of these prices are going to be 4 stars and higher in quality.
 
Luxury Resort: Adult Only AVERAGE RATES based on 7-night stay:
 
Deluxe Room: $4,500-$5,500
Suite: $6.000-$8,000
Butler: $8,000-$11,000
Highest Room Category:
Think over the water bungalows or Four Seasons
type quality & experience: $16,000-$25,000
​

4. THE HONEYMOON PACKAGE & AMENITIES YOU CHOOSE:
​
Most high-quality resorts will have some type of honeymoon package that will be included in your stay, such as a special honeymoon welcome package, candlelight dinner, breakfast in bed, couple’s massage, etc.

NOTE: Most of these honeymoon packages have requirements received  such as a minimum night stay, or that you indicate it is for your honeymoon when you book your resort, so make sure you read the fine print.

5. ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS:

Most of your honeymoon is going to be all about relaxing, romancing, and getting pampered at the resort you are staying at. But depending on you and your new spouse’s personality, you may want to get off the resort and explore a little. Maybe doing an ATV tour, visiting a waterfall, bathing in hot mud baths, shopping in a local village, zip lining, rum tasting, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming with the dolphins, etc. You get the idea!

NOTE: There are MANY tour companies out there, but only so many reputable companies.

Usually the lower the price the more sketch the company. Only go with companies that are licensed and insured, and have great testimonies. One of the best names in the industry is Island Routes. They have licensed and insured tours that you can trust. They aren’t the cheapest, but they are one of the best!
For a good quality tour, you can expect to pay around $120 per person and up, depending on the type of tour, and all the different activities that are included.

ULTIMATELY IT IS UP TO YOU!
 
There really isn’t a better way to celebrate your new life together than with a romantic and memory-filled honeymoon, where you can just unplug and unwind from all the stress of planning your wedding! Whether this is your first trip together or your fifth, your honeymoon needs to be as special as you can afford to make it, because this isn’t just any other trip... This is the START of your new life Together!

If you’ve been struggling or frustrated trying to get this honeymoon thing all figured out, and you’re ready for a little help, schedule a free honeymoon consultation with me today,  so that you can get unstuck and
get the “dreamy honeymoon” checked off your list!

Airfare Prices:
​
Obviously, airfare can take up a chunk of your guest's budget but only a small portion of your overall destination wedding budget. And if you’re flying during “high season” (Dec-April), flights are going to be more expensive than low Season, (May- Nov).

With that being said, here are some current averages based on May 2023 travel:

● Depart From Midwest or East coast to Caribbean or Mexico: $450-$1000 per person, round trip, depending on flight itinerary & destination.
● Depart From Midwest or East coast to Hawaii: $600-$1600 per person, round trip, depending on flight itinerary & destination.
● Depart From Midwest or East coast to the South Pacific: $2000-$2500 per person, round trip, depending on flight itinerary & destination.
● Departing From West Coast to the Caribbean or Mexico: $500-$1000 per person, round trip, depending on flight itinerary & destination.
● Depart From West Coast to Hawaii: $600-$1600 per person, round trip, depending on flight itinerary & destination.
● Depart From West Coast to the South Pacific: $2000-$2500 per person, round trip, depending on flight itinerary & destination.


PRO TIP:
There will always be fluctuations in price based on the time of year and even the day of the week. If you find an unbelievable air deal, double check the type of seat it is and the air schedule. Many really cheap tickets have incredibly harsh restrictions as well as horrible air itineraries that could get you to your resort so late that you miss all of your first day at your resort, therefore ultimately wasting money and delaying the start of your “wedcation” bliss!

YOUR ROOM OR SUITE:

The room or suite you choose will impact the overall cost for you & your guest's destination wedding stay. For example, you could love resort (A) with a base price of $1500 for 4 nights that includes a “standard room.” But if you choose a swim-up suite for your room option. The price for your resort stay at resort (A) will now be $2,000 for 4 nights because of the upgraded room option.

Below is an average cost you & your guests can expect to pay for different types of room stays for 4 nights based on current rates:


NOTE: Most destination wedding guests will stay 3 to 7 nights for a destination wedding, with the average being 4 days. It will really depend on how much each guest wants to spend on their stay.

Because I won’t send anyone to a resort that is average or below quality, you can assume that all of these prices are going to be 4 stars and higher in quality.

Luxury Resort: Adult Only AVERAGE RATES based on 4-night stay:

Deluxe Room: $1,500-$3,500
Suite: $4.000-$8,000
Butler: $8,000-$11,000
Highest Room Category:

Think over the water bungalows or 4 Seasons
type quality & experience: $16,000-$25,000

GOOD NEWS FOR YOU:
The good news is, that many resort wedding venues will offer you free nights and room upgrades depending on the size of your wedding group! In many cases, you can get either part or ALL of your stay and even possibly parts of your wedding comped because you’ve earned so many free nights and extras from your wedding group.

Advantages of doing your Destination Wedding at The Fives Beach and Residences

•   The customer service number from your room is found by dialing 0 and they are prompt to respond. I have dialed that number to call to make restaurant reservations, request new towels and to schedule our pick up from our  room to take us to the Lobby on the day of check out. 

•   The food at the  Kho Thai restaurant is impressive. In general all their restaurants offer a great selection of dishes, there is something for everyone. My young son that is a picky eater loved the hamburgers at the beach, the grilled beef at Flavors buffet restaurant and the chicken nuggets at Oka Sushi restaurant for example. 

•   At each restaurant they make sure that they ask about food allergies or any dietary needs. This is super important if someone in your family needs a gluten free diet for example.

•   Wonderful service at the  beach and pool area. There is always someone there ready to take your meal and drink order from the several restaurants in the area. I have seen  pizza, burgers and hotdogs, and tacos. In that area you will Sea Olive and Arezzo Italian Restaurant. 

•   Rooms are very spacious and comfortable, we had a suite with a couple’s room with sliding door for privacy,  the other room had a sofa bed in the living area, a dining table and a full kitchen.

•They have a desk where you can book your excursions located in the plaza area and allowed outside vendors like Lomas Travel to offer their service as well, they are there in the mornings at Oka Sushi restaurant.
​
•   You can never be bored at this property, they have a themed night every night, we got to experience on our arrival a night at the beach with a live band playing there, a Kermese night were local artisans were offering their products, a Mexican night, a Rock and Roll night with a live band playing. There are plenty activities and experiences for you to explore, from Spanish lessons to learning to cook a Mexican dish.

•   Activities for kids of all ages including kids and teenagers club.

•   Small but swimmable beach for those that love that experience, we were lucky to have a day with turquoise waters in the middle of sargassum season. Their team cleans the beach everyday. If you love to walk along the shores of the beach you can do it here.

•   Phenomenal Wifi all around the hotel, no matter where you are, you will be always connected including the beach.

•They have residences that offers one, two or three bedrooms, accommodates large families with no problem.

•   Wonderful roof top terrace for weddings that gives you 100% privacy
​
•   Very responsive wedding department 
​

Travel advisor tips:
 
•   You need to make reservations for your specialty restaurants, we recommend to do it the day before early in the morning.

•   Villas 1 to 5 are located close to the beach.

•   This is a large property and requires a lot of walking, you can always wait for the golf cars to move you around the hotel or you can call customer service and request them to pick you up from your room to take you to the beach, a restaurant, etc.

•   Highly recommend to try Kho Thai restaurant, to us that was the best one!

•   Choose your spot on the beach early in the morning, it will be crowded and you won't find a place if you come in the middle of the day.
​
•   Bring water shoes, the beach is nice but has some rocky areas

​As we look to the future of weddings with the reality of safety protocols and restrictions still hovering over us, brides and grooms can’t help but be concerned about what their wedding day will really be like. 
 
With all the details to think about in order to make the guests feel comfortable in addition to the normal busyness of planning a wedding, stress levels are high and wedding professionals are working harder than ever before to help couples implement required restrictions to ensure a healthy and safe celebration.   
 
While weddings today may look and feel a little different than what you originally envisioned, never fear because you can still have an amazing and memorable Caribbean wedding day in the midst of a pandemic! 
 
Here are a few tips on how to safely host a COVID wedding:  ​

​Congratulations! As you embark on planning your Destination Wedding, oftentimes stress and overwhelm can creep in. 
 
It can be a challenge to juggle everything that is on your plate, especially without a plan or hiring a Destination Wedding Specialist to keep you on track. 
 
You’ve done everything you know to do; you downloaded a starter kit, you joined a Facebook Group, you’re following the wedding planning websites, but alas, you find yourself still awake at 2 am searching for answers and ideas. 
 
Soon, you’re making a chiropractor appointment because you’re always looking down at your phone and you’re purchasing a wrist brace to provide support for your overworked scrolling thumb!
 
Well, that’s not going to get you the solution you’re looking for!  So, here are four tips to simplify planning your wedding and even enjoy the process! 
 
1.-Get clear on your vision
 
If you’ve been looking online for wedding inspiration, then you know that the choices are endless. Your Pinterest board may be a hodge-podge of different looks, colors, and themes, making it difficult to decide what you really want. Without having clarity on your vision for your wedding day, you will never have a direction to head in and could find yourself endlessly researching and never actually putting things in place. 
 
Some people are clear on the vibe they are going for, but if you’re like me, everything looks pretty and everything is nice, so your Pin board looks like you’re throwing paint at a canvas! I like it all! Now what? Well, start by looking to see if you at least have a color or hue, like pastels, that is showing up the most in your saved inspirations, and get rid of everything that doesn’t match that. Then, look to see if you have a style or look that tends to have more saves like a whimsical theme and get rid of pins and images that aren’t whimsical. As you do this, you’ll narrow down your vision. 
 
This will then allow you to be clearer on what you are searching for. So, instead of googling something generic like “wedding décor ideas” you’ll search for “whimsical wedding décor ideas” and thus avoid being overwhelmed. 
 

2.-Quiet the voices
 
Let’s be real. Ladies love planning weddings and giving their opinions. One reason why it is difficult to make a decision is because of too many opinions on the options you’ve narrowed down. Decide who will be a voice in your destination wedding planning and stick with only those voices. I recommend keeping it at one or two “outside” voices of people you trust. 

​3.-Decide on your non-negotiables
 
The challenge in planning a dream destination wedding is also weighing every option against the “will this fit in the budget?” question. At this point in life, like me, you’ve realized that money does not grow on trees. Darn it. 
 
As you scroll on Pinterest and Instagram, getting inundated with images of perfection and then falling to your knees when you find out the cost to pull that off, you once again feel like you’re running into a brick wall. The easiest way to avoid spiraling into depression is to sit down and write a list of everything you want. Then, take the items from that list that are “non-negotiables” and put them in a separate column and the items that are “wants, but you could live without” in another column. You and your fiancé should have your list and then collaborate to create a new list.

​Let’s say that you both decide that photography was where you are willing to splurge more. This would be a non-negotiable item that you would then allot more of the budget to, and essentially you are saying that you are willing to let go of other things in order to have the best photographer. Make sense? This simple strategy will help you get clarity on what matters most to you and stay on budget and avoid disappointment. 
 
4.- Hire a Destination Wedding Specialist 
 
Hiring a professional a Destination Wedding Specialist will save you tons of time and money!
You don’t need to tire yourself of planning your wedding after your work hours, there are professionals in the market that will be your right hand and will do all the heavy lifting for you. They have great connections and are knowledgeable, they will guide you through all the processes and will make it easy and enjoyable for you!
 
Speaking of a Destination Wedding Specialist, that happens to be my specialty!