Puerto Vallarta destination weddings
Trusted by 2,500+ travellers
4.9/5
30+ years of travel
Ready to start planning your Puerto Vallarta destination wedding?
Tell us your guest count, budget, and ideal date and we will put together Puerto Vallarta resort and villa proposals with wedding packages that fit. Completely free.
Puerto Vallarta has a genuine colonial city at its core with cobblestone streets, a seafront malecon, independent restaurants, and a thriving arts scene. For couples who want their wedding week to feel like somewhere meaningful rather than a resort complex, this authentic local character is the main reason to choose PV over Cancun.
Humpback whales migrate through Banderas Bay from November through March. A whale watching boat tour during wedding week is the kind of excursion most guests will never have done before, and it is available right from the marina in town.
The Zona Romantica, Punta Mita villas, and boutique hillside properties give couples a genuine alternative to the large all-inclusive model. Groups of 20 to 40 guests often find that a villa rental or boutique hotel delivers a more memorable and personal experience than a mega-resort.
When is the best time to get married in Puerto Vallarta?
November through May is the dry season and the ideal window for destination weddings. December through March is peak season and also the heart of whale watching season in Banderas Bay, which makes it a particularly special time to be on the water.
June through October is rainy season, with afternoon and evening showers becoming common from June onwards. September is the highest-risk month. The PV climate is broadly similar to the Riviera Maya, warm and tropical with a distinct rainy season that makes the dry window the clear choice for an outdoor ceremony.
What makes Puerto Vallarta different from Cancun for a destination wedding?
The main difference is atmosphere. Cancun is a purpose-built hotel zone with limited life beyond the resort strip. Puerto Vallarta has a real city at its core: cobblestone streets, galleries, independent restaurants, and a malecón that guests can explore throughout the week. For couples who want their guests to feel like they have genuinely been somewhere, PV delivers that in a way Cancun does not.
On the resort side, Puerto Vallarta has strong all-inclusive options in Nuevo Vallarta and ultra-luxury options at Punta Mita, alongside a genuine boutique and villa market. The variety of property types here is greater than Cancun, though the total resort count is smaller.
Trusted by 2,500+ travellers
4.9/5
30+ years of travel
What a gorgeous resort! From the swings at the bar to the numerous pools… Many thanks to Zandra and Vacationeeze for planning such a dream vacation to El Dorado Maroma in Playa del Carmen last November! It was a beautiful location and the organized events were perfect! We had a delicious dinner on the beach that was beautifully decorated with flowers and lights… just magical! Thank you Zandra, for picking such an amazing resort - we loved the Mexican night, the tequila tasting, and the mariachis! We will be returning for more advice from you in the future!!
5/5
We quickly decided we didn't want to do a local wedding, so we started looking up YouTube videos of destination weddings. We found Jack and fell in love with him. We loved how he was a no nonsense type of guy that wasn't trying to sell anyone on anything, he was just stating facts and his knowledge. We quickly decided that we wanted Jack to be the one to help us figure out a destination wedding for us.
5/5
I cannot recommend Jared highly enough. The trip surpassed my expectations, and I am grateful for the meticulous planning and personalized attention provided by Jared. If you're looking for a travel planner who combines expertise with a genuine passion for creating memorable experiences, look no further! Thank you, Jared, for making my trip truly unforgettable. I look forward to planning my next adventure with your expertise!
5/5
Old Town and Malecon walk
Whale watching
Is Puerto Vallarta family-friendly?
Yes. The Nuevo Vallarta area north of the city has several large family-friendly all-inclusive resorts. The city itself is genuinely family-friendly with accessible activities, good restaurants, and a relaxed atmosphere. The Riviera Maya is a better choice if your main priority is a dedicated kids' club or a sprawling family resort complex, but Puerto Vallarta handles families well.
How far is Puerto Vallarta from the US?
Puerto Vallarta's Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport has direct flights from most major US cities. West Coast cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco are approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. Dallas and Houston are around 2 hours. New York is approximately 5 hours direct. Flight access is generally excellent from most US departure points.
What makes Puerto Vallarta different from Cancun?
The biggest difference is atmosphere. Cancun is a hotel strip built for tourism, efficient and well-resourced but without much beyond the resort zone. Puerto Vallarta has a real city at its core: cobblestone streets, a malecón, galleries, independent restaurants, and a genuine local community. For couples who want their wedding week to feel like somewhere meaningful rather than just a resort, Puerto Vallarta consistently wins.
Is Puerto Vallarta good for a destination wedding?
Puerto Vallarta is excellent for couples who want more than a standard resort experience. The combination of a genuine colonial city, whale watching season, boutique villa options, and strong all-inclusive properties in Nuevo Vallarta makes it one of the most versatile destination wedding locations in Mexico. It is particularly well-suited to couples whose guests appreciate a sense of local culture alongside beach access.
What is the best area in Puerto Vallarta for a wedding?
Nuevo Vallarta north of the city has the largest all-inclusive properties and is best for large groups. The Zona Romántica in the city itself has boutique hotels and villa rentals for intimate weddings. Punta Mita on the Riviera Nayarit, about 45 minutes north, has the most exclusive luxury options including the Four Seasons and St. Regis. The right area depends entirely on your guest count and desired atmosphere.
How far is Riviera Nayarit from Puerto Vallarta airport?
Nuevo Vallarta is approximately 20 minutes from Puerto Vallarta airport. Punta Mita is around 45 to 60 minutes. Sayulita is about 45 minutes. San Pancho is approximately 60 minutes. The airport in Puerto Vallarta serves the entire region and has strong direct connections from most US cities.
When is the best time for a Puerto Vallarta destination wedding?
November through May is the dry season and ideal for destination weddings. December through March is peak season and also when whale watching is active in Banderas Bay. June through October is rainy season with afternoon showers common, high humidity, and September being the highest-risk month.
4.9/5Tell us your ideal date, how many guests you're expecting, and whether you're thinking adults-only or family-friendly, and we'll come back to you with resort proposals that fit.
