Playa del Carmen sits just south of Cancun, where it’s a little quieter than the craziness of Cancun. With white sand beaches and a ton of resort options to choose from, it’s a gorgeous spot for destination weddings. Grab your closest friends and hit the beach.
Tourist Hot Spot
Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza isn’t exactly around the corner from Playa del Carmen, but taking the 3 hour ride will be well worth it, as it might quite possibly be the most well-known Mayan city around. If you have never seen a picture of it before, Chichen Itza has a few pyramids, but you cannot miss El Castillo, or The Castle, as it is the biggest pyramid at Chichen Itza with steep stairs running up the middle of the sides. Try climbing the stairs to the top, but be sure to look at the crazy details on the side of the pyramid as you hike up. Bring water!
Local To Do
5th Avenue
If you’re looking for shopping and restaurants, head over to 5th Avenue in Playa del Carmen. It’s a great area to do a little shopping, find some local artifacts, and grab a drink. 5th Avenue is a pedestrian zone so you won’t have to battle cars and crossing the street.
Off the Beaten Path
Aventuras Mayas
When we were in Playa for a wedding two years ago, one of the coolest things we did was go to Aventuras Mayas. About an hour’s van ride from Playa del Carmen, Aventuras Mayas allows you to repel down into holes in the jungle, swim underground in the cenotes, or underground rivers which are crystal clear, and zip line through the jungle. It’s a ton of fun and would be great for a wedding party to do together.
Splurge Hotel
The Tides Riveria Maya
As part of the fabulously chic Viceroy Hotel Group, The Tides ranked as one of the top three resorts in Mexico by Conde Nast Traveler. The Tides boasts seven miles of white sand and sits in lush tropical forest. With such seclusion, The Tides is an all-villa, luxury resort with a full-service spa and spot-on restaurant.
Bang for your Buck
Fairmont Mayakoba
This Mayan-inspired super fab resort can be booked at amazingly low prices for a five-start resort. The Fairmont Mayakoba is a large resort just outside Playa del Carmen and was built with the Mayan culture and traditions in mind. Here guests can hit the beach, the spa, the golf course, or if you have children, the kid’s club. There’s a little something for everyone – from couples to families.
Local Food
Mayan Cuisine
One naturally thinks Mexican food since we’re talking about Mexico, but the Yucatan penisula has a huge root in Mayan heritage. If you get the opportunity to try some Mayan cuisine, be sure to try a dish called Pibil. It’s a combination of chicken with red sauce, onions and beans on a banana leaf. Delish!
Best Wedding Venue
Hacienda del Secreto
Every hotel and resort in Playa del Carmen offer different areas and venues for weddings, but what if you don’t want a hotel with loads of other guests? Our pick is the Hacienda del Secreto, a small compound of three gorgeous villas. The Hacienda is located in between Playa del Carmen and Cancun, so it’s easy to get to either town. The property can accommodate 42 overnight guests and up to 200 for a wedding. Rent the entire property and make it a true get-away for you, your fiancé and your wedding guests in complete privacy.
Cultural Considerations
In my experience with the Mexican culture, the number one thing I can advise on is timing. Things tend to take a little longer than originally estimated, so just build that into your timeline. If something is supposed to last 2 hours, it might last 3. Just relax, things will get done, but at a Mexican pace.
Marriage Requirements
Interestingly, only civil ceremonies are recognized as legal in Mexico. You can have a religious ceremony, but you must also have a civil one and only a Justice of the Peace can conduct a civil ceremony.
If you have been married before, you must be divorced for at least 300 days to marry in the state where Playa del Carmen sits, Quintana Roo. Your passport must also be valid for at least 6 months following your time in Mexico. You must have a copy of your tourist visa, including your witnesses of which you must have four. If you are widowed, you must have a copy of the death certificate. If you are a bride and are divorced and if your passport is not in your maiden name, you must have a certified copy of your birth certificate, along with a translation from an approved translator. A Marriage application can be obtained from the local Registry office. Mexico still requires blood tests, which must be done a minimum of 3 days prior to the wedding. It’s probably easiest to get this done in Mexico.
