Experience the fragrant breeze, tropical flora and fauna, and delightful sceneries in this magical city. If you’re planning a Tulum wedding, you have chosen the perfect destination that combines the beauty of nature with the rich history of the Mayan people.
Once a quaint little beach town, Tulum is now a thriving tourist place. With luxury hotels and modern amenities, it has become one of the major wedding destinations in Mexico. And for the curious soul, there are many Mayan sites and spirits you can discover, all while exploring the white sandy beaches of this place.
About Destination Weddings in Tulum
Why Get Married in Tulum
If pristine beaches, amazing weather, and scrumptious foods entice you, a Tulum wedding would be perfect for you. And of course, there will be historical ruins, artistic landscapes, amazing resorts, and a whole lot of beachy vibe.
This coastline city on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico has a lot to offer. If you’re planning a quiet elopement where the two of you spend weeks together on a blissful honeymoon, you’ll be surprised by how serene yet adventurous Tulum is.
You can explore the Mayan city ruins, climb the rocky cliffs, explore the cenotes, go on food tours, and so much more.
Average Cost of a Destination Wedding in Tulum
If you want to plan a grand wedding at a luxury resort, it will cost about $5,000 for up to 30 guests. This is an all-inclusive price, which means it includes food and drinks.
Most packages are customizable. However, if you want, you can select your vendors. This will not just increase the hassle but also raise the costs. When you book the vendors through a resort, you get discounted prices since they have bulk arrangements with all vendors and suppliers.
A fully-customized wedding might cost around $15,000 for up to 30 guests.
The Best Tulum Wedding Venues & Tulum Wedding Packages
Sanará
If you’re looking for a dreamy Tulum wedding that gives way to Instagram-worthy photos, Sanará is the perfect luxury hotel for you.
This place has won several awards and has a peaceful beach residence overlooking the deep waters of the Caribbean. The resort has a special team that will help you plan the wedding. And after the ceremony, you can head to their spectacular rooftop terrace for snacks and drinks.
Celebrate your big day in style with swoon-worthy wedding décor and on-site spa and wellness options. According to your preferences, the place will be decorated so that you can have a dream wedding.
You can book the entire hotel for up to four days. This includes the boutique hotel, spa, and restaurant. The place has a private beach location and a studio where you can hold the ceremony. Their terrace is ideal for cocktails and reception and The Real Coconut restaurant can accommodate up to 80 guests for a rehearsal dinner.
There are beautiful rooms and villas for guest accommodation. The Sanará Beach Villa has three rooms, terraces, a living space, and a private deck.
There are also beach suites with gardens and front decks. You can also accommodate your guests in their jungle-side suites and rooms.
Habitas Tulum
This beautiful resort sits between the Caribbean Sea and green tropical jungles. Whether you want to experience beautiful sunrises or the mysteries of the lush green forests, this place carries enough sugar and spice for the perfect Tulum wedding.
Dream, celebrate, and connect with nature right here in one spot. Habitas is known for its delicious delicacies that are made using wood fire methods that add surprisingly rich flavors to locally-sourced fresh ingredients. Whether you want regional cuisines, continental foods, or Middle Eastern platters, you’ll find them all here.
When you stay at Habitas, your accommodation is in natural surroundings. Their rooms have no negative impact on nature. Built with canvas walls, palapa roofs, outdoor rain showers, and a spacious private area, this place has a heavenly aura. Staying here gives you the perfect place for rest and restoration.
If you’re looking for a unique place for your destination wedding, this is it. The oceanfront rooms offer private terraces facing the beautiful waves. Catch the golden sunrise from your bed and listen to the sounds of the sea as you relax.
Enjoy the perfect wedding while silencing all distractions. And after the ceremony, take a plunge into your private pool in the jungle.
Papaya Playa
Explore the authentic spiritual energy of Tulum at Papaya Playa. Made with traditional Mayan architecture, this place beautifully blends with the lush tropical forests.
The interiors of the place carry a unique charm with a minimalist style that’s characterized by stone walls and natural wood, complete with bright colors to add accent. With a focus on a natural retreat, this place offers green surroundings with all the modern amenities.
The lines separating nature and man blur out in the rustic spaces created by Papaya Playa. There are so many features that will unplug you from the rest of the world. One such feature is the private porch in most cabañas where guests can rest in hammocks in this laid-back beach paradise.
Here, you’ll feel cool even on hot summer days, thanks to Chukum, the ancient Mayan technique to keep building interiors cool.
Experience unfiltered love on your wedding day as you enjoy an exciting venue, delicious food, exciting music, and personalized decoration according to your preferences.
The exquisite location, the amazing architecture and décor, handcrafted cocktails and fresh food, the spectacular ceremonial décor, and a dedicated staff for your wedding – all these things make Papaya Playa just the perfect destination for your Tulum wedding.
Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya
This serene resort takes shelter among the mangroves of Riviera Maya. Conrad Tulum is close to ancient Mayan ruins as well as mesmerizing underground cenotes.
Whether you want to begin your day by discovering the mysteries of the underwater world or exploring ancient lands, there is so much to do here. The place has five pools that will help you relax and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
You can have the dream ceremony here right in front of turquoise waters, lush mangroves, and blue skies. Enjoy the golden glow of sunset during your Tulum wedding as you start a fresh chapter of your life.
Raise a sparkling toast to honor the celebration and leave everything to the hotel’s staff. The team of chefs will help you create a personalized wedding menu with unique culinary experiences and eclectic flavors.
Their onsite wedding experts will assist you from beginning to end, creating the perfect memories that will stay with you throughout your lifetime. There are 11 dining spots where you can find fresh classics as well as an assortment of flavors.
There are oceanfront rooms that allow you to witness sunsets from balcony relaxation tubs. With 349 suites and rooms, there is enough space to accommodate all your guests.
Nest Tulum
Nest is one of the oldest properties on the coastline of Tulum. Known for its high standards, Nest also comes with a premium price tag. It’s a private boutique residence that contains every bit of Mexican destination magic in it.
From breathtaking landscapes to a sublime oasis, it has everything you’d want for your dream wedding. The hotel creates the perfect romantic moments for you and your special one to say your vows.
Enjoy a midnight wedding as you read your vows as the sun sets. Celebrate all night until the sun shows up again. With its villa (accommodating 10 guests) and 12 rooms, it’s the perfect place for an intimate setting.
The entire venue is built with one theme – nest. From cabana thatches to woven fittings and from custom-made wooden pieces to Mexican antiques, you get the feeling of staying in the rustic nest of nature.
Staying in Nest opens up exciting opportunities. Take a swim with the turtles in the cenote and go cycling through the jungles. Discover ancient ruins and enjoy local delicacies, and return to your room in the evening for a relaxed and rejuvenating slumber.
Tulum Destination Wedding Legal Requirements
Legal Weddings vs. Symbolic Weddings
If you’re already married in your country, you can renew your vows with a symbolic wedding in Tulum. However, if you want to get legally married in Tulum, you can sign the marriage documents here. This wedding is called a legal or civil wedding.
There are no paperwork requirements in a symbolic wedding, which makes it cheaper than a civil wedding. For a legal wedding, you might have to stay a few days extra in Tulum to get the documents completed.
Required Legal Documents & Cost
Here are the documents you need to get married in Cabo:
- Passports of the bride and groom
- Birth certificates of the bride and groom
- The details of the parents of the bride and groom
- Four witnesses (most hotels and resorts will help you with that)
- Health certificates from a certified practitioner in Mexico.
- Divorce/death certificates of previous partners if applicable
Once you’re married, you’ll get a certificate. However, the legal act (Acta de Matrimonio) will be prepared within 3 months. Once the certificate is made, it will be sent to you via post.
Legal Marriage Timeline
Collect all the documents while you’re in your home country. Get them verified by the Mexican consulate.
Once you get the paperwork ready, you can visit Tulum. Keep in mind that it will take at least 4-5 days to get the paperwork done, so plan your arrival accordingly. Your hotel or resort can help you with these formalities and get things done sooner.
The waiting period might get delayed due to public holidays. Discuss things with your resort and they can guide you accordingly. When you get married in Mexico, your marriage will have a legal holding in your home country.
Tulum Destination Wedding Planning Tips
How to Get There
There is no airport in Tulum but you can arrive at Cancun and then reach Tulum in just a couple of hours.
You can take a private shuttle that can pick you up from the airport and drop you at your hotel or resort in Tulum. This works if you come with a group of people. There are also group shuttles that visit several hotels and they might take longer to reach your accommodation.
You’ll also find rental car services here. They are available right at the Cancun airport. Some other options are buses and taxis. Several buses run every hour from Cancun to Tulum.
Tulum Weather
Tulum has a tropical climate that stays warm to hot throughout the year. The rainy season lasts from May to October and it gets muggy then. The months from November to April are cooler and drier. There might be some rainfall in December and January but it’s largely sunny during these months.
Winters are warm but you might experience windy days between December and March. The temperature can go down to 10oC in winter and up to 33oC in summer.
October is the month with the heaviest rainfall and March is the driest. The weather remains largely pleasant throughout the year.
Budgeting Tips
Here are some budgeting tips for your Tulum wedding.
- When you arrive at Cancun, a bus will be the cheapest way to reach Tulum
- Instead of eating at the resort, you can eat at the local joints that will charge less
- Rather than availing of paid entertainment options by your resort, you can explore the island on your own.
- Downtown locations are cheaper than those on the beach
- You can also rent a bike to explore Tulum instead of renting a car.
Best Time of Year to Get Married in Tulum
Tulum has a pretty predictable climate. The temperature stays the same throughout the year, however, the rainy season can be muggy and it’s best to avoid it.
November to March is the perfect season here but it’s also highly touristy. It’s best to book accommodation well in advance so you can have the perfect Tulum wedding without running out of hotel and resort options.
Interested in other wedding destinations? Check out our guides for Maui wedding, Cancun wedding, and Tuscany wedding options.