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Brooke Taelor
Weddings
From Tulum to Playa del Carmen: The Riviera Maya’s Best Wedding Spots
From the trendy hotspot of Tulum to the calm waters of Mayakoba, the Riviera Maya is one of Mexico's hottest wedding destinations. Rich in history, and full of swimming holes galore, this beautiful region is home to ancient ruins...
From the trendy hotspot of Tulum to the calm waters of Mayakoba, the Riviera Maya is one of Mexico's hottest wedding destinations. Rich in history, and full of swimming holes galore, this beautiful region is home to ancient ruins and some of the best beaches of the Caribbean. From moody jungle restaurants to exclusive white sand beach resorts; private villas to all-inclusive hotels, this gorgeous wedding destination is packed to the brim with awesome wedding backdrops of all styles and sizes. Surrounded by beaches, lagoons, caves, cenotes, waterfalls, jungles, and wildlife, we bring you some of the best hotels in the Riviera Maya region where you can elope or host a fiesta-worthy wedding.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
Reporter: Alyssa Brown
A haven for the celebrity jet setters, Hotel Esencia is tucked away in its own strip of beach that’s just close enough to Tulum to check out the scene, but removed enough to feel exclusive. Arriving at night here is pure magic, as you’re taken via golf cart through the jungle to arrive at your all-white stone room just to wake up in the morning to rainforest birds and little fruit-loving monkeys outside your windows. Lest we forget to mention, you can take over the whole place for a wedding that’s out-of-control chic.
This rustic beachfront venue has a sandy white beach that’s perfect for ceremony and cocktails along with a spacious palapa that works well for receptions. Or, if you’d prefer to stay out on the beach all night, that’ll be doable too. The team at Ak’iin does both catering and event planning in-house, and there’s a late end time of 1am.
Part of the exclusive gated community of eco-destination Mayakoba, Andaz sits in a paradise of freshwater canals, mangroves, lagoons and its extensive white sand beach. The property is one of the largest in the Riviera Maya area, with 214 spacious guest rooms, extensive gardens, a golf course, a ballroom that seats up to 360 guests, and a pool area that can accommodate up to 400 guests.
Located just fifteen minutes from Cancun, NIZUC offers the wow-factor of a major resort with the secluded feeling of being in your own little pocket of the Mayan region. Weddings here are all about the options. You can get married right on the sand at sunset or opt for a terrace ceremony between the beach and a reflecting pond. You can serve dinner at the oceanfront grill and lounge area beside the pool deck or choose to celebrate in the big-windowed ballroom. There’s also a cool Italian style beach club in the mangroves that makes for a rad late-night party spot.
A luxury eco-friendly boutique hotel in Tulum, this dreamy little villa would be the perfect launchpad for a wedding weekend. Styled to the nines, weddings here make use of the gorgeous restaurant and rooftop terrace.
Big color, splashy pop art and a history that includes Pablo Escobar as an owner set this getaway apart from the pack. Set on the beach in Tulum, there are 71 suites here, including those in the original Escobar mansion. Weddings and events at Casa Malca can take place right on the beach, in the pop art centric restaurant or on the rooftop terrace.
The comfortable, luxurious suites at Unico include use of the spa, beauty salon, golf course, scuba diving experiences, all your food and drinks, and so much more. This all-inclusive resort makes wedding planning about as easy as it gets. Simply choose from one of three wedding packages and work with the in-house wedding planner to customize whatever works best for you and your guests.
Arrive on boat to your traditional Mayan shaman-led ceremony or venture out to a historic archaeological site to exchange vows at XCaret. This large Playa del Carmen resort proves that the sky’s the limit when it comes to planning your deam Mexico wedding.
Known as one of Tulum’s hottest party spots, Papaya Playa Project is made for celebrating. Whether you’re booking a welcome party, late night after party, or wedding itself, there are plenty of hangout zones at this beachy venue.
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For those wanting the comforts of home while they travel to Tulum, this is the only spot on the main strip of Tulum where you’ll find rooms with Air Conditioning and TVs. The location is right in the middle of the beach, so easy walking to restaurants and the service level is top-notch.
If traditional Tulum bungalows are more your speed for a getaway, Casa Violeta has a collection of thatched-roof rooms that are cozy and casual. One of the most popular wedding venues in Tulum, this hotel is an easy party destination.
One of the Riviera Maya’s most luxurious hotels, Rosewood Mayakoba is known for its modern rooms that float on the lagoon surrounds. This is an epic spot for a honeymoon or a seriously swanky special occasion (read: gorgeous wedding).
Set on Holbox Island, this five-suite villa would be a rad spot for an elopement or a small wedding of up to 50 guests. Following your beachfront ceremony at Casa Cat Ba, you’ll dine right on the deck overlooking the Caribbean.
Nestled in the tropical jungles between Tulum’s city center and beachfront, 16Tulum is a modern minimalist’s dream villa with lush gardens and a beautiful swimming pool. The eco-chic home sleeps up to 18 guests in 8 luxurious suites, and there’s about enough space for an elopement or micro-wedding of up to 20 guests.
You’ll have eight venues, indoors and out, to choose from at the JW Marriott in Cancun, making rain plans no big deal (a major bonus in this tropical climate!). With so many options, it’d be easy to host your entire wedding weekend here from the very first cocktail event when guests arrive to your rehearsal dinner, wedding and day-after brunch. Plus, the suites are gorgeous and look right out to the ocean.
Most known for it's world-class dining and modern accommodations, Banyan Tree is the ultimate getaway for relaxation and rejuvenation. Set up wedding shop in the courtyard, under the grouping of whitewashed beachy palapas.
With its earthy, bohemian style and beautiful stretch of beach, NEST Tulum is a perfect getaway for an intimate destination wedding. On the property, you’ll find a four-bedroom villa and another nine beautifully decorated guest rooms. You’ll want to do a full buyout of the property to host a wedding or anniversary party here, and then you’ll have full use of the beach and restaurant space.
For those planning a gorgeous wedding in the Playa del Carmen area, be sure to check out the Viceroy. This enclave of bungalows on the beach are high-end and the spa options will have you wishing you could pop by every day of the week.
As the backdrop for The Bachelor in Paradise, you can bet the grounds of this Riviera Maya resort are stunning. Head here for a wedding that wows with beautiful Caribbean views and impeccable service.
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Probably the most notable bragging right around this stretch of the Riviera Maya is the powdery white sand beach. Belmond Maroma is a luxury hotel with cozy palapas and swimming pools tucked away in lush tropical gardens. Exchange vows in the courtyard, on the beach, in the gardens, or by the pool.
Hidden in the jungles of Tulum, this 13-room Mediterranean-style boutique hotel sits right on the beach. There’s a beautiful small restaurant space and the gardens, pool terrace and rooftop allow plenty of wedding celebration opportunities for a group of up to 60 guests.
This vintage-haven bed and breakfast in the heart of Playa del Carmen is one of the cutest hotels in the Riviera Maya. Check it out if you’re looking for a quaint soiree space or a place to rest your head for a few peaceful nights.
One of Tulum’s best restaurants snuggled in on the jungle side, Casa Jaguar has a moody sense of magic in the air. If you find yourself cozied up to this bar, be sure to try the ceviche and the spicy tamarindo cocktail. Check it out for a small rehearsal dinner or post-wedding fiesta.
Mediterranean, Aegean and Turkish fare are dished out in a casual, beachfront setting at Loyal Order. This spot would be most excellent for a rehearsal dinner of up to 50 guests or a cocktail-style wedding of up to 200 guests.
Home to the Riviera Maya’s top hotels, the Mayakoba area is about as luxe as it gets in these parts. As Fairmont is known for luxury, this resort does not disappoint. With event lawns and formal ballrooms, weddings here are simply the cream of the crop.
This safari-style eco-resort in Xpu-Ha is a great fit for a Bohemian couple looking to host a wedding experience that’s earthy and unforgettable. Serenity Camp has 30 tents, an outdoor pool, a beach club, and a restaurant with a bar and lounge area, that combined allow for weddings of up to 90 guests.
Is there anything more romantic than dinner in a cave? One of Playa del Carmen’s coolest restaurants, Alux is a great place to throw a welcome party or rehearsal dinner your guests won’t soon forget.
A fave of the stylish set, Be Tulum is one of the most gorgeous hotels in Tulum and their big roof deck is the perfect place to throw an incredible wedding reception. See you at the smoothie shack on the beach for cocktail hour after you swap vows with your toes in the sand!
