Mexico Honeymoon Guide – Plan an Amazing Honeymoon in Mexico
Mexico is truly delightful – plain and simple. If you’ve been there before, you know the many reasons why this country is a vacationer’s paradiso.
Take a look at the following reasons why this vibrant country is one of the best places to honeymoon in the world:
- The people! With an incredibly friendly, hospitable culture, Mexicans are known for their genuine warmth and good-natured spirit. The locals are so nice!
- Over 450 phenomenal beaches, some of the best scuba diving in the world, excellent surfing and every other type of water sport you could hope for.
- Fantastic accommodations for any budget. From world-renowned luxury resorts, with nightly rates running into thousands of dollars, to $8 a night haciendas, there’s an ideal accommodation for every couple.
- Scrumptious food! Oh, the Mexicans sure know how to cook; their fresh guacamole and pico de gallo, spicy seafood, classic favorites like carnitas tacos and ice-cold beers never cease to please.
- Fiestas, Mexico is a lively and jubilant place to party. You can find live-music, dancing and festivities every night of the week.
- Eco parks and nature reserves, Mexico is making huge strides in conservation and has devoted thousands of acres to its nature parks. The flora and fauna, from orchids to parrots, are incredible!
- Awesome archeological ruins, From the Mayans to the Aztecs to the modern day, Mexico boasts a fascinating history and many well-preserved World Heritage sites.
- Hundreds of miles of coastline with one charming town following the next. Mexico’s coasts are packed with quaint fishing villages that make wonderful hideaways for the happy, exhausted newlywed.
Where should you go?
With so many fantastic beaches and gorgeous hotels to call home for a week… or two, it’s hard to know just where to book your exquisite escape.
Therefore, we’ve created a list of our very favorite locations where you can let loose and unwind… Mexicana style:
- Los Cabos
Los Cabos, meaning “The Cape”, is a municipality located at the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula – and it’s a superb honeymooner’s hideout.
Comprised of two towns with contrasting personalities, the rowdy Cabos San Lucas and the quiet San Jose del Cabo, Los Cabos is connected by a magnificent 18-mile stretch of coastline that was aptly named the “Tourist Corridor”.
Although there are lovely accommodations in both towns, the Tourist Corridor is where you will find Los Cabos’ many 5-star resorts, pristine beaches, luxury spas and championship-level golf courses.
This is the place to honeymoon in Baja California.
From the celebrity-frequented, ultra-stylish Las Ventanas to the sophisticated One&Only Palmilla, the Tourist Corridor offers a huge list of fabulous hotels to choose from.
Although it’s quite easy to hunker down for the whole week in your resort, enjoying a completely carefree and relaxing existence, visiting Cabo San Lucas is definitely worth venturing out of the hotel.
This delightful town boasts fantastic restaurants, super-fun bars and nightclubs and great shopping.
Plus, you’ll want to check out “El Arco”, Cabo’s world-famous geographic landmark.
- La Paz
Another favorite in Baja is the laidback town of La Paz.
A bit less touristy and less expensive than Los Cabos, La Paz is a favorite honeymoon destination for those looking for a laidback, authentically Mexican experience.
La Paz, located in a large bay on the Sea of Cortez, is known for its fantastic, impeccably clean beaches.
Beautiful islands like Espiritu and Cerralvo, which are great for scuba diving and fishing daytrips, sit just off the coast.
You can also find a plethora of other activities in La Paz such as visiting eco-parks like Sierra de La Laguna Biosphere Reserve or browsing the La Paz Natural History Museum; this town is rich in culture, nature and fun.
- Puerto Vallarta
If you’re looking for big resorts with swim-up bars, luxury amenities, a hopping bar scene every night of the week and lively beaches equipped with all of your favorite water toys, you’re looking for Puerto Vallarta.
Here, you can find every kind of accommodation: chic, boutique hotels, giant all-inclusive resorts, family owned haciendas and super cheap youth hostels. The same goes for Puerto Vallarta’s restaurants, bars and shops; the city offers something for every budget.
- The Costalegre
Just south of Puerto Vallarta’s busy cobblestone streets, bustling bars and packed beaches, sits a secret paradise called Costalegre.
Meaning the “Happy Coast”, the Costalegre is a 175-mile stretch of coastline that includes warm, deserted beaches, charming little beach towns and a peaceful serenity not often found in our hectic, modern world.
Of the many pueblos lining Costalegre, here’s where we’d recommend spending your honeymoon:
- The Careyes Hotel, this is Costa Careyes’ lovely resort.
- Manzanillo Bay, if you’re hoping for the perfect combination of luxury and leisure.
- Melaque, a charming beach town with over 50 accommodations.
- Las Alamandas, an utterly private and exquisite boutique hotel – as they say, it’s “Paradise Found”.
- Huatulco
Situated on the Pacific coast in the southern state of Oaxaca, Huatulco is comprised of nine unspoiled bays, thirty-four beautiful beaches and even boasts the first eco-resort in North America.
With green foothills, rushing waterfalls and lush jungle providing the backdrop for the bays of Huatulco, this is the perfect setting for a honeymoon in paradise.
Although there are many wonderful places to stay in Huatulca, including Casa Bichu and Qunita Real Huatulco, our favorite is Dreams Huatulco Resort & Spa.
Located on Tangolunda Bay, one of the largest of Huatulco’s bays, Dreams is an incredible honeymooning sanctuary for both leisure and active times.
- Cancun
Located on the Yucatan Peninsula and Caribbean Sea, Cancun is probably the most famous tourist destination in Mexico – world-renowned for its huge, all-inclusive, luxury resorts.
With hot, tropical weather year-round, hundreds of beautiful hotels, endless choices of restaurants and bars and situated only twelve miles from the airport on a long, white-sand beach, Cancun is an ideal choice for couple’s looking for no-fuss fun.
- The Riviera Maya and Playa Del Carmen
Just a short drive down the highway from Cancun sits the slightly less crowded and ultra-fabulous Riviera Maya.
Quite different from the French Riviera, Mexico’s Riviera is no less fabulous; it’s at the very top of our list for best honeymoon getaways in North America.
The azure skies, talcum-powder beaches, bright turquoise Caribbean waters, private and lavish resorts, lively nightlife, gorgeous eco-parks, fascinating ruins, zesty food and lovely people make this stretch of coast a very special place; ideal for your very special holiday.
Our favorite resort on the Riviera Maya is the stunning Hacienda Tres Rios, which translates to “Three Rivers Estate”.
In addition to its gorgeous guest-rooms, pools, beaches and restaurants, the resorts true distinguishing characteristic is its 150-acre eco-park and nature preserve.
Tres Rios has been recognized as Mexico’s leader and model for sustainable tourism development.
It was built using a clear set of environmental criteria that guided the design of this enormous eco-friendly complex.
The eco-park is spectacular!
While exploring the reserve, you can see ninety animal species, over 50,000 plants and ten cenotes, including one that is completely surrounded by orchids and one that you can float down all the way to the sea. It’s a phenomenal experience!
Another reason Riviera Maya is a wonderful choice for your honeymoon is that the charming and lively town of Playa Del Carmen is right down the road.
Many vacationers travel to this vibrant little town yearly; they just can’t help but come back – it’s too great!
Playa Del Carmen has one of the finest beaches in Mexico and a ton of tasty restaurants and bars lining the sand.
Plus, there’s great shopping and a festive nightlife!
So if you’re ever in the mood to venture out from your all-inclusive Riviera resort, you’ve got a cool beach town just minutes away.
- Cozumel
If you’re big scuba divers, don’t think twice – head straight to Cozumel.
Just a twelve-mile ferry ride from Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel is a lush jungle island with miles of white-sand beaches, quiet mangroves and lagoons, scrumptious restaurants, a big range of hotel prices, spas, golf courses and, of course, some of the best diving in the world.
Mexico is taking every precaution to protect its underwater world, and has designated huge areas as marine reserves, including Cozumel National Reef Marine Park and Chankanaab Nature Park. The coral, caves, shipwrecks and underwater statues are absolutely worth a look.
Getting There Getting Around
Another great aspect of honeymooning in Mexico is the ease of getting there… by plane. We do not recommend driving; it’s a tremendous hassle.
There are many direct or one-stop flights from most, major U.S. hubs to the major Mexican hubs:Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Cabo San Lucas among others.
Fares are reasonably prices, with flights from the U.S. averaging about $400.
Airlines that fly to Mexico abound: AeroMexico, United, Continental, Virgin, Delta, US Airways and even Alaska Airlines. Shop around, and you’ll definitely find a fast, cheap flight.
Getting Around
Whether or not you want to rent a car depends on what your plans are and where you’re staying.
If you’re honeymooning at one of Mexico’s all-inclusive resorts and are not planning to do much exploration, you won’t need a car.
Many of the big resorts offer shuttle service from the airport. If they don’t have their own carrier, they can recommend or arrange a shuttle for you.
Most resorts also provide day-trip packages to many of the big archeological sites and eco-parks.
So if you don’t want to deal with renting your own car, the hotels are fully equipped to take you where you want to go.
Taxis
Taxis are an easy, relatively cheap form of transportation in Mexico. If you want to leave your hotel and pop into the nearest town for dinner and drinks, taxis are the ideal choice.
Car Rentals
However, if you’re staying in a remote, small town and want the freedom to explore your surroundings, definitely rent a car.
It’s simple, affordable and driving in Mexico is easy; you can find rentals at all major airports and in town with local companies.
Don’t hesitate to be bold and head out on your own, away from the crowds.
There are amazing things to see in the Mexican countryside. Finding an empty lagoon, where you can enjoy one another’s company in privacy, could turn out to be the best part of your honeymoon.
Buses
Mexico has a large national bus line that is super-cheap, super-crowded and super-hot.
But if you’re an adventurous couple on a budget, taking the bus around town is great option. Ask the hotel staff which routes you’ll need, head out to the street and wave down the right bus.
The buses won’t necessarily stop if you’re just standing there; you must get out there and really flag them down. But beware – they don’t really make a full stop; you have to jump on quickly when they slow down. Like we said, it’s an adventure!
Typical Weather
Throughout Mexico, the weather is generally sunny and hot – perfect for a beach honeymoon.
Although chances are very good that you’ll experience great weather in Mexico, there are two distinct seasons to be aware of -the dry and wet seasons.
The dry season runs from mid-October through April, which is also high season for tourism. The dry season is not only sunny, but temperatures can be a bit lower, with average highs in the mid-80s.
The wet season, spanning May through October, is a sweltering, steamy time of year. Logically you might think that rain would cool things off, but, in reality, it only tends to rain hard for about an hour in the late afternoon – just long enough to make everything terribly muggy.
Mexico also has two differing climate zones – the northern deserts and the southern jungles.
Northern Mexico is a vast expanse of parched desert.
The “rainy season” has little effect here; year-round this is a forbidding landscape. The summer months are especially searing – making Baja a destination for the winter months.
The southern jungles are lush, but also sweltering.
Regions like Oaxaca (where Huatulco is located) experience daily rain showers from June through October.
Although this creates a verdant, beautiful landscape, the temperatures during these months can climb to 95 degrees with extremely high humidity – which can be very uncomfortable.
Locals often retreat to the high-altitude towns, like Mexico City and San Cristobal de las Casas, where cool breezes cause the temperature drop.
What to Pack
With the heat of Mexico, packing is simple; bring lightweight, loose, cotton clothing to stay cool day and night.
Daywear
Coming from the U.S. during the winter months, it’s often hard to appreciate just how hot Mexico really is. So definitely leave your jeans and sweaters at home!
Even if you’re bringing a pair of slacks for golf, horseback riding or jungle hikes – which is a good idea – make sure to bring ultra-thin linen or cotton pants. There’s nothing worse than squeezing into tight, thick jeans in Mexico’s sizzling sun.
And speaking of the sun! Bring every kind of sun protection you can think of:
- Sunscreen with zinc
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Long-sleeved shirts to protect your skin
- Long-sleeved surfing rash-guards for water sports
- Bathing suit cover-ups
- Sarongs
Aside from beachwear, you’ll only need casual clothing to cruise around Mexico during the day.
Unless you’re staying at an ultra-expensive resort where the guests wear designer garb and stiletto heals to breakfast, you won’t see people in a much more than flip-flops, shorts and sundresses.
The beach towns are kickback and relaxed – so take it easy and wear your comfy favorites!
Nightwear:
What to pack for the evenings really depends on where you’re heading.
If you’re planning to hideout in a remote beach pueblo, brides won’t need more than a sundress and grooms will be comfortable in shorts and a short-sleeved collared shirt for dinners out – it’s totally low-key.
But if you’re honeymooning at a five-star resort in luxury hotspots like the Riviera Maya and Los Cabos, definitely bring some dressy duds for the evenings.
Many hotels offer world-class cuisine in lavish restaurants with strict dress codes.
In these elegant establishments, men are required to wear dress shoes, slacks and sometimes even a coat and tie. Women are naturally asked to dress with sophistication: heels and dresses, not shorts and tanks.
If you’re worried about packing properly, it’s a good idea to double-check with your resort about what the “proper attire” is. The last thing you want on your honeymoon is to be turned away from a romantic, candlelight dinner because you forgot to pack the correct apparel.
Planning on hitting the clubs?
The Mexican club scene is hot … literally and figuratively. You can leave your refinement at the resort – this is the time for slinky, sexy numbers.
Don’t be afraid to show some skin and strut your stuff!
Pack those skimpy strapless minis you’ve been dying to showoff and impress you new spouse. Mexico’s certainly the right place to get wild!
Money Pointers
The Mexican currency is the Peso and the average exchange rate is 1 USD to 12 MXN.
The simplest way to get cash in Mexico is to use the ATMs, which tend to give a better exchange rate than banks and changing centers.
If you’d like to exchange money, you can also do so at airports, hotels and banks.
Hotels often give the worst rate, and Mexican banks typically only do money exchanges in the mornings between 8:30 and noon. You should, thus, use ATMs whenever possible.
Credit cards are also widely accepted at hotels, touristy restaurants and by large, tour operators.
Tipping Culture
As in the U.S., Mexicans appreciate a generous tip – which means 15% of your bill. Of course 20% will be happily accepted, but waiters and bar staff don’t expect it like they do in the States. 15% will do.
Who should you tip?
In addition to restaurant staff, tip bellhops, skycaps, room service, tour guides, taxi drivers, valets and housekeeping personnel.
To make tipping easy, make sure to get some smaller bills at the hotel’s front desk – unless of course you’re staying at an all-inclusive where everything is included!
Helpful Hints
- Passports and Visa Requirements
Although for many decades you could travel to Mexico with only a driver’s license and birth certificate, today’s increased security has dictated that you carry a valid passport.
Save yourself a lot of hassle, plan ahead and ensure you have a valid passport (which also means you passport must be valid for at least another six months following your trip).
However, you luckily don’t need a visa to visit Mexico for less than 90-days.
- Airport Departure Tax
Each passenger leaving Mexico on an international flight must pay an airport departure tax of $18, which they will accept in U.S. currency. So make sure to save some cash for this required fee.
- Systems of Measurement
- Distance: Metric
- Temperature: Celsius
- Voltage: 120vs (just like the U.S. – no convertor needed)
- Outlets: Same as the U.S. – A and B style plugs
Must See Sites
- Beaches!
Because it abuts four seas, Mexico boasts 450 beaches, that include some of the best and most diverse selections, in the world.
Whether you’re looking for a beach with big breaks for a great day of surfing or a beach with offshore winds perfect for sailing, a beach with pristine, calm waters ideal for snorkeling or raucous party beaches with live music, jet-skis and yard-size cocktails, Mexico has it all.
- Archeological Sites
Spanning two-millennia, Mexico’s history is rich with great civilizations: the Olmec, the Mayans, the Tlazcalteca and the Aztecs. Fortunately for us, these pre-colonial societies left a fascinating legacy of temples, pyramids and ancient cities that we can visit today.
Although there is a very long list of wonderful ruins to visit in Mexico, we believe these are the most awe-inspiring must-sees:
- Chichen-Itza and the ruins of the Mayan empire – located near Tulum on the Yucatan
- Uxmal, one of the Mayans finest temples – located on the Yucatan Peninsula
- Coba, one of the Mayan’s largest cities that includes a labyrinth of roads, structures and a four-tiered pyramid – also located on the Yucatan
- Monte Alban, the ancient capital city of Monte Alban – located outside the city of Oaxaca
- Teotihuacan, an impressive Aztec city – located in Estado de Mexico
- El Tajin, an ancient Totonac city with an amazing pyramid – located in Veracruz
- Festivals
Another great honeymoon activity is to take part in one of Mexico’s very many festivals! They’re lively, festive and so much fun!
No matter when you visit, there’s a good chance you’ll find some type of festival or fiesta in your area – parties abound in Mexico!
The following are the biggest and best festivals Mexico has to offer:
- Cinco de Mayo – The fifth of May
- Carnival – Typically falls in February
- Mexican Independence Day – September 16th
- Day of the Dead – November 2nd
- Festival Internacional Musica del Mar – February 22-27
- Semana Santa – Begins on Palm Sunday and lasts a week
- Día de los Reyes Magos – January 6th
- Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe – December 2nd
If you’re honeymooning in Mexico during any of these festivals, you definitely won’t regret participating in the joyous merriment!
- Ecological Parks
Mexico’s been making great strides in conservation and is now home to many beautiful nature preserves. The parks contain unique flora and fauna, including orchids, turtles and parrots.
A few of Mexico’s exquisite outdoor sensations include:
- Xcaret Eco-Park
- Tres Rios Eco-Park
- Sumidero Canyon
- Sian Kann Nature Preserve
- Deer Island Nature Preserve
- Historic, colonial towns
If you’d like to take a day trip away from the beaches and into the heart of Mexico to explore its culture and history, definitely consider visiting one of the many enchanting colonial towns.
These charming towns typically offer wonderfully romantic inns and haciendas, perfect for couples looking to get off the beaten path and into the real Mexico.
Our favorite colorful, colonial towns include:
Great Honeymoon Activities
- Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
As previously mentioned, the second biggest coral reef in the world is located off of the Yucatan Peninsula near Cozumel. Naturally, this means there’s fantastic marine life to see.
Not only are the colorful fish plentiful and the water warm, the visibility on Mexico’s Caribbean coast is exceptional – often reaching as far as 250 feet.
So if you’re a scuba diver, don’t pass up the opportunity to dive some of the best sites in the world.
Of course, this makes for great snorkeling, too! You can easily rent equipment at any resort, sign up for a snorkeling tour or walk straight-out from the beach to get a glimpse of Mexico’s magnificent underwater Eden.
- Sailing
Whether you’d like to take a little Hobie-Cat out for a spin or charter a 100-foot yacht, Mexico is a sailor’s paradise.
There’s no better way to explore the empty coves and deserted beaches of Mexico’s four seas, than by sailboat.
You can book an excursion ahead of time, but it’s also simple once you’re in Mexico to have your hotel arrange a sailing adventure for you.
- Fishing
And while you’re sailing, how about doing some fishing!?
Well, you don’t necessarily need to charter a boat to fish – you just need to sign up with one of the very many tour operators and head out into the deep.
With over 800 types of fish to catch, fishing is a huge sport in Mexico that the locals would be happy to let you in on.
Again, just ask your hotel staff to arrange a great day for you out on the high seas.
- Surfing
Many surfers have made a pilgrimage to the warm, rolling waters of Mexico. Known around the world as a surfing mecca, you can find phenomenal breaks up and down the Pacific coast.
There’s so much great surf in Mexico that you could easily build your whole honeymoon around the sport.
Yet, if you’d care to just dabble a little here and there, it’s also easy to rent a board, take a lesson and ride some nice little waves.
- Spas
Just about every resort has a grand spa where you can enjoy a whole range of delightful services.
If your hotel doesn’t offer massages, facials and the like, just ask the front desk to set up an appointment for you.
No matter where you are, there are wellness professionals willing to come to you for this extra-special honeymoon treat.
Don’t hesitate to ask for a beach massage! Most spas have a beautiful outdoor pavilion.
- Golf
Although it might seem a bit strange that Mexico’s northern deserts offer some of the best golfing in North America, it is, in fact, a reality.
Los Cabos boasts eight championship-level courses that draw a large international community of golfers.
Along with Cabo, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and the Mayan Riviera have stunning courses as well. So if you’d also love to play a round on your honeymoon, don’t forget your clubs! (Unless of course you want to rent clubs, which is certainly possible, too.)
- Kayaking
One of the best ways to explore Mexico’s silent, unspoiled mangroves is by kayak.
Because there’s no motor, you get to really commune with nature and absorb your surroundings in the most natural way possible.
Along with the many tourist beaches that offer a full watersports menu, most resorts offer kayak rentals. Just ask!
Cultural Dos and Don’ts
DO: Go to Mexico!
Although the question, “Is Mexico safe for tourists?” is a legitimate one, we’re happy to report that the answer is yes – it is.
The violence is concentrated in specific areas – namely, the border towns – and doesn’t affect the entire 761,000 square mile nation. Tourists are not being targeted and the vacation areas are some of the safest in the country.
DON’T: Go to the boarder towns.
The areas most affected by the drug cartel conflicts are border towns. We recommend flying directly to your holiday destinations, which are said to be safer than many American cities.
Cabo San Lucas is reported to have a homicide rate 18 times lower than Miami’s and 26 times lower than Orlando’s. Read more about Mexico’s safety.
DO: Indulge in the food!
Even though you can find many Western items on most menus – cheeseburgers, club sandwiches, chicken wings and pizza – you won’t regret trying a variety of Mexico’s traditional dishes.
Even if you’re not a big fan of Mexican food at home (Tex Mex really doesn’t compare), you must try this county’s amazing cuisine – it’s full of flavor!
DON’T: Book your stay in big party towns during “spring break”.
Having a spring wedding? Great! But unless you enjoy huge crowds of loud 19-year olds, it’s best to book your honeymoon in one of Mexico’s smaller, quiet towns during this season: Merida, Akumal, Costalegre, Huatulco or Tulum.
The biggest spring break destinations include, Cabo, Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Acapulco.
DO: Sip the tequila!
Mexican’s treat their tequilas like Californians treat fine wines. So don’t merely shoot it down thinking it will taste like a warm shot of Jose Cuervo – it won’t. Ask for the good stuff; you’ll love it!
It’s not expensive like in the States, and it’s very smooth.
Bartenders and servers will be more than happy to introduce you to their local “devil’s water”.
Each region has its own brand, and you’ll find that there are many delicious variations to sip and taste. You may even want to consider a real tequila tasting!
DON’T: Drink the water.
You’ve heard of Montezuma’s Revenge, right? Well, it’s a no urban legend; it’s a reality that you don’t want to face.
Even if the staff at a hotel or restaurant tells you that the water is safe to drink, don’t do it! Stick to bottled water. That includes brushing your teeth with bottled water, and ensuring that the ice in your cocktail is made with bottled water. Better safe than sorry!
Must See Honeymoon Highlight
Mexico is home to some incredible natural wonders called “cenotes” and, if possible, you must visit one – it’s a phenomenal experience!
Therefore, our “don’t miss this honeymoon highlight” for Mexico was a simple choice: swim, snorkel or scuba dive in a cenote!
What exactly is a cenote you ask?
To put it simply, a cenote is a freshwater sinkhole or well; but it’s certainly no ordinary well!
Under the Yucatan Peninsula lies a massive underground system of rivers, caves, caverns and passageways, fully adorned with fantastic stalactites, stalagmites, columns and fossils.
Over time, in some areas, the earth covering this freshwater network collapsed, exposing stunning underground pools now referred to as cenotes.
Today, you can visit the cenotes to take one of the most refreshing swims of your life.
The freshwater is cool, crystal clear and typically surrounded by profuse mangroves, giving these natural wonders an even greater aura of mystery and magic.
The Yucatan’s most notable cenotes include:
- Dzibilchaltun, Yucatán
- Dos Ojos, Tulum
- Grand Cenote, Tulum
- Tres Rios Eco-Park, Riviera Maya
- Sacred Cenote, Chichen Itza
- Xtacunbilxunan, Bolonchen
- Zacaton, Tamaulipas
Don’t miss out! Set up a cenote tour with your hotel and take a dip in Mexico’s extraordinary underworld!
From HoneymoonDestinations.Org we wish you a hot and spicy Mexican honeymoon. And as the Mexican’s say for goodbye: Adios, Amigos!
