Destination Spotlight: Cancun and Riviera Maya, Mexico

Wedding, Riviera Maya, Mexico

December 7, 2009

Posted by Jamieson in Destination Spotlight, Wedding Planning.

Congratulations-you’ve decided to have a destination wedding! Now comes the fun part: picking your destination wedding location! Here’s the 411 on Cancun and the Riviera Maya, Mexico.

Location, location, location!

Surrounded by sunny skies, white-sand beaches and Tiffany-blue waters (sigh), Cancun and the Riviera Maya are beautiful vacation destinations and popular places to tie the knot.

Located on the eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun’s Hotel Zone is a hub of activity with giant nightclubs; resort options ranging from all-inclusive value hotels to high-end resorts; a variety of restaurants and bars; and, shops selling everything from touristy t-shirts and shot glasses to Louis Vuitton handbags.

South of the Hotel Zone, the Riviera Maya offers a slightly-more removed vacation experience (resorts are located anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour-plus drive from the airport), with cultural and ecological attractions like the Xcaret and Xel-Há ecological theme parks; superb snorkeling off-shore; sprawling resorts and intimate boutique hotels that seem totally disconnected from the rest of the world; and, a variety of shops, dining and nightlife on Fifth Avenue.

Whether your wedding party is made up of young couples, senior travelers, your entire extended family, or just you and your hubby-Cancun and Riviera Maya provide more than your average beach wedding.

Fun Things to Do When You’re not Saying “I Do”

1.Change things up with a day trip of snorkeling and shopping at Isla Mujeres.
2.Learn about ancient Mayan culture with a trip to the Chichen Itza pyramid.
3.Treat yourself to luxury handbags, jewelry, and gifts at Cancun’s Luxury Avenue Mall.
4.Work on your back swing on one of Cancun’s championship golf courses designed by golf legends like Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., and Greg Norman.
5.Swim with the dolphins during a visit to the amazing Xcaret Eco Park.
Know Before You Go

Getting married in Mexico does not have to be complicated – check below for tips and resources for a successful destination wedding in Cancun or the Riviera Maya.

Insider Tips:

1.For additional assistance, many resorts have a wedding planner on staff to help you navigate the details of your big day.
2.Arrive in Mexico 3-5 business days prior to your wedding ceremony to allow time for the processing of paperwork and medical testing results required to tie the knot in Mexico.
Resources for the Legal Stuff:

1.Mexico’s Tourism Board
2.Cancun’s Tourism Board
3.Riviera Maya’s Tourism Board