Reserve gorgeous venues for your luxury elopement with our editor's recommendations for elopement-friendly ceremony sites, plus three tiers of options for California honeymoon venues.
MEXICO
The resort towns and cultural centers of Mexico are rich with history and beauty, offering dramatic desert vistas and exquisite ocean views. Let us introduce you to the safest, most luxurious areas of this amazing destination so you can consider it for your luxury elopement.
Photo: Geoffrey Whiteway
CABO SAN LUCAS
Best known for its safety, splendid weather, and excellent nightlife, the popular tourist destination of Cabo San Lucas is situated on the tip of the Baja California peninsula and features sport fishing and surfing as two of its top draws. Considered one of the poshest travel spots in Mexico, Cabo offers an array of water sports and fine restaurants in addition to the highlights below.
Major Airports: Los Cabos International Airport (SJD)
Cabo San Lucas International Airport (CSL)
Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN); U.S. Dollar is largely accepted
Language: Spanish
High Season: October to May
Low Season: July to Mid-September
Time Zone: Mountain Standard Time (MST)
Photo: Marilyn Oliveira
MOST POPULAR AREAS
MEDANO BEACH
Arguably the most popular beach in Cabo, Medano Beach is noted for its safe swimming and close proximity to the center of town. Available water activities include water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing, and boating, and an array of bars and restaurants cater to the tastes of tourists.
(Photo: A.Stephan)
EL ARCO
This natural rock formation is the landmark most associated with Cabo San Lucas and is viewable from almost anywhere in town. Also known as “Land’s End,” El Arco is reachable by water taxi or boat tour and offers sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling on the gentle Sea of Cortez-side of the formations. (Photo: Stan Shebs)
THE CORRIDOR
Positioned between Cabo San Lucas and nearby San Jose de Cabos, this 20-mile stretch of beaches, golf courses, villas, and upscale resorts attracts celebrities and those seeking a plush travel experience. The aforementioned lavish properties make prime locations for luxury honeymoons and many offer on-site wedding coordinators for your convenience. Blue skies, white sand, and gentle waters combine to create a heavenly backdrop for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
CABO SAN LUCAS REQUIREMENTS QUICK GUIDE
BLOOD TESTS: Required
LOCAL CITIZENSHIP: Not Required
PROOF OF AGE: Required
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: Not Recognized
WAITING PERIOD: Blood work must be done 2-3 business days before ceremony
CIVIL REGISTRY:
Municipio De Los Cabos
Blv Mijares 63, Centro
San Jose Del Cabo, C.P. 23400
Tel: +52.624.142.3929
Detailed marriage requirements for Cabo >
source: www.mexicolaw.com
Sources: All About Cabo; Mexico Tourism Board; VisitMexico.com
CANCUN
Home to one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, Cancun is a mecca of snorkeling and scuba diving. Located on the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, this land of white-sand beaches and turquoise waters is emerging as one of the top spa-destinations in the world and lies in close proximity to several world-famous Mayan ruins. Horseback riding, ziplining, and parasailing round out the available outdoor adventures, and the mainland is thick with a range of luxury hotels and resorts.
Major Airport: Cancun International Airport (CSL)
Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN)
Language: Spanish
High Season: Mid-December to March
Low Season: May to November
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
Fiesta Americana Villas in Cancun
MOST POPULAR AREAS
ISLA MUJERES
A lovely destination in its own right, Isla Mujeres (Island of Women) is a tiny tropical paradise just a quick water taxi away from the beaches of Cancun. A mere five miles long, the isle offers pristine beaches, a popular turtle farm, a scattering of restaurants, and above all, peace and quiet, making it a popular day-trip destination for honeymooners. (Photo: Ithamalfonso via Wikimedia Commons)
PLAYA TORTUGA
Lauded as a popular launch point to nearby attractions such as the Great Mayan reef and the aforementioned Isla Mujeres, Playa Tortuga is an excellent public beach that offers ideal swimming conditions in clean, calm waters. It’s located just a short drive from downtown Cancun in the "Hotel Zone" where many of the area’s poshest elopement-friendly resorts reside, and features seaside restaurants and shopping options.
CANCUN REQUIREMENTS QUICK GUIDE
BLOOD TESTS: Required
LOCAL CITIZENSHIP: Not Required
PROOF OF AGE: Required
LOCAL RESIDENCY: Not Required
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: Legally Recognized
WAITING PERIOD: Blood work must be done 3 business days before ceremony
CIVIL REGISTRY:
Plutarco Elias Calles 278, Esquina
Morelos, Centro
Chetumal, Quintana Roo
CP77000
Tel: +52.983.832.8521 | 832-1723
Detailed marriage requirements for Cancun >
source: www.mexicolaw.com
EL REY RUINS
This easy-to-access archaeological site located within the “Hotel Zone” of Cancun features 47 stone structures that comprise what’s left of an ancient Mayan civilization. The faded remains of murals are still visible on the walls of some of the ruins, but one of the biggest draws to the site is the amiable colony of iguanas that now calls El Fey home. (Photo: Jok2000 via Wikimedia Commons)
RIVIERA MAYA
The Mexican Riviera is a gorgeous corridor that meanders along the Caribbean coastline dazzling travelers with stunning beaches and glamorous all-inclusive resorts. In addition to being one of the easiest regions for Americans to marry in, the Riviera Maya is rife with remarkable diving and snorkeling possibilities (think sunken shipwrecks and celebrated caverns and reefs), upscale eateries, impressive spa facitilies, and high-end shopping – everything you need for an unforgettable luxury elopement.
Major Airport: Cancun International Airport (CSL)
Currency: Mexican Peso (MXN)
Language: Spanish
High Season: Mid-October to April
Low Season: May to Mid-October
Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
MOST POPULAR AREAS
PLAYA DEL CARMEN
This former fishing village is the place to be for world-class diving. Exploring the underwater caverns known as “cenotes” is extremely popular given the lack of current and warm water temperatures, and there are plenty of shallow dives available for beginners. Playa del Carmen is also the Riviera’s center for luxury all-inclusive resorts, fine dining, and nightlife.
TULUM
A tranquil town that features a range of accommodations from beautiful boutique hotels to posh all-inclusive resorts, Tulum may be best known for the beautifully preserved Maya architectural site with which it shares its name. Eco parks provide access to dolphin interaction, and the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve offers an array of wildlife for observation. (Photo: Geoffrey Whiteway)
CHICHEN ITZA
The 1,000-year-old ruins of Chichen Itza compose one of Mexico’s most-visited sites. Credited as one of the largest Maya municipalities, Chichen Itza’s main archeological site covers nearly two square miles and includes various complexes, temples, and columns. Numerous architectural styles are represented, but El Castillo (also known as the Temple of Kukulcan) is the site’s most recognizable structure.(Photo: Daniel Schwen via Wikimedia Commons)
RIVIERA MAYA REQUIREMENTS QUICK GUIDE
BLOOD TESTS: Required
LOCAL CITIZENSHIP: Not Required
PROOF OF AGE: Required
LOCAL RESIDENCY: Not Required
SAME-SEX MARRIAGE: Legally Recognized
WAITING PERIOD: Blood work must be done 3 business days before ceremony
CIVIL REGISTRY:
Av. Juárez, Esquina Calle
45 Interior Plaza
Papagayos (Planta Alta)
Tel: +52.984.877.3050 Ext. 13010
Detailed marriage requirements for Riviera Maya >
source: www.mexicolaw.com
Sources: Mexico Tourism Board; RivieraMaya.com; VisitMexico.com