Destination Weddings in Puerto Vallarta: The Complete Guide
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Planning a destination wedding in Puerto Vallarta? This guide will provide you with everything you need to know, so you can decide if Puerto Vallarta is the right fit for your celebration.
Why Choose Puerto Vallarta for a Destination Wedding
Located on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta offers a different atmosphere from the Caribbean destinations of Cancun, Riviera Maya, and Tulum. It combines beachfront venues with traditional Mexican architecture, mountain views, and some of the best sunset ceremony locations in the country. Puerto Vallarta is ideal for couples who want a destination wedding that blends beach scenery with culture and character.
Couples often choose Puerto Vallarta for:
Sunset wedding ceremonies over the Pacific Ocean
Private villas in the hills above the coastline
Walkable historic Old Town venues
Strong LGBTQ+-friendly wedding scene
More authentic Mexican atmosphere than resort zones
Excellent activities for wedding guests
Best Wedding Venues in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta offers more venue variety than many resort-based destinations.
Beachfront Resorts - Resort weddings remain a popular choice for convenience and guest accommodation. They typically include ceremony setup, reception spaces, planning support, and group booking options. Best for medium to large wedding groups.
Private Villas - One of Puerto Vallarta’s biggest advantages. Many villas sit above the coastline and offer panoramic ocean views, private multi-day celebrations, exclusive-use venues, and sunset ceremony terraces. Ideal for couples planning a wedding weekend experience.
Old Town (Zona Romántica) Venues - Puerto Vallarta’s historic center offers a more traditional setting than most Mexican beach destinations. Expect cobblestone streets, rooftop terraces, boutique hotels, and cathedral views. Perfect for couples wanting a wedding with local character.
Luxury Oceanfront Venues - Several properties along the coast specialize in high-end destination weddings with private beach clubs and cliffside ceremony spaces. Great for elevated, design-focused celebrations.
Average Cost of a Puerto Vallarta Destination Wedding
Puerto Vallarta offers options across a wide range of budgets.
Typical price ranges:
Small weddings: $3,000–$8,000
Mid-size weddings: $8,000–$18,000
Luxury weddings: $18,000+
Villa weddings may increase costs but allow more flexibility and privacy than resort packages. Guest travel costs are often comparable to those in Cancun, depending on flight routes. Most resorts and venues offer customizable wedding packages.
Common inclusions:
ceremony setup
officiant
bouquet and boutonnière
wedding cake
reception dinner reservation
on-site coordinator
Villa weddings often require external vendors but allow more personalization. To ensure you are aware of all the possible costs, check out this full destination wedding cost breakdown!
Legal Requirements to Get Married in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is located in the state of Jalisco, where legal wedding requirements differ slightly from those in Quintana Roo.
Most couples need valid passports, FMM tourist permits, apostilled birth certificates (with Spanish translation), divorce documents if applicable, and 4 witnesses.
Blood tests are often required in Jalisco and must be completed locally before the ceremony.
Because of these additional steps, many couples choose a symbolic ceremony instead.
Best Time of Year to Get Married in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta has a tropical Pacific climate with warm temperatures year-round.
Best Months: November to May. Expect sunny weather, low rainfall, and comfortable humidity levels. This is peak wedding season.
Shoulder Season: June and October. These months can offer lower accommodation rates, fewer tourists, and more venue availability. Short rain showers are possible.
Rainy Season: July to September. This period overlaps with hurricane season on the Pacific coast, but weddings still take place regularly. Couples choosing this season often benefit from reduced travel prices, quieter venues, and promotional wedding packages. Indoor backup locations are typically available.
Puerto Vallarta vs Cancun: Which Is Better?
Both destinations are popular but offer different wedding experiences.
Puerto Vallarta is best if you want:
sunset ceremonies
villa venues
authentic local atmosphere and traditional Mexican charm
excellent guest activities nearby and a walkable town atmosphere
Puerto Vallarta is often chosen for its character and scenery rather than resort convenience. Beaches are less turquoise than those in the Caribbean, and travel logistics can be slightly more complex for some guests.
Cancun is better if you prefer:
Caribbean beaches
large resort options
simpler logistics
easier legal process
