When couples think of destination weddings, many people automatically gravitate to beaches, sand and sunsets. Saying “I do” on golden Pacific sands during a sunset is dreamy, but celebrating in a town that has remade its tourism identity as one of the most inclusive LGBTQ+ travel destinations in the world is next level for your travel clients and their guests.
As destination weddings continue to gain popularity, the trends towards personal, stress-free touches go beyond the resort itself and include the total experience of everything from the arrival experience at the airport, the distances required to transfer to the resort, restaurants and nightlife, as well as community as a whole. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico pairs the natural beauty of a classic destination wedding with a community that has a real history of welcoming and celebrating diversity.
Destination weddings continue to grow in popularity with pared down guest lists and more meaningful celebrations. They combine the wedding with the honeymoon into one trip, while guests turn it into a vacation. This is why the destination itself is of paramount importance, especially for LGBTQ+ couples, as the total experience is what guests will remember, not just the wedding itself.
Why Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta’s reputation as a long-standing LGBTQ+ travel destination makes it a perfect location for destination weddings. Much of the LGBTQ+ activity is clustered in Zona Romántica, the walkable heart of the community, with Playa Los Muertos, its pier, restaurants and nightlife all within a compact neighborhood of the larger city.
The city is nestled on the shores of Bahía de Banderas (Banderas Bay), surrounded by lush jungles, mountains, rivers and waterfalls. The colonial-style streets give Puerto Vallarta a flavor and flair that has kept it a popular tourist destination for more than 60 years. The airport (PVR) has direct flights from many US and Canadian cities and is located a short 15–20-minute ride from Zona Romántica, making it convenient and easy for guests to navigate.
Legal vs. Symbolic Ceremonies
Mexico City legalized same-sex marriage in 2010; the Mexican Supreme Court set precedent in 2015, and all 32 states followed by 2022.
There are differences, like in many destinations, with legal vs. symbolic ceremonies. Many couples choose to handle the legal paperwork at home and hold symbolic celebrations in Puerto Vallarta, which helps keep things simple. (Note: requirements for legal ceremonies can vary for foreign citizens, so couples should utilize trustworthy wedding planners or verify directly with the local civil registry.)
Picture-Perfect Settings
The setting for the ceremony itself can range from beachside ceremonies at resorts to secluded coves accessible only by boat. For receptions, guests can choose boutique or adult-only oriented properties that offer intimate buyouts for small group celebrations or more traditional full resort offerings with banquet halls and on-site catering. For unique settings, Puerto Vallarta is home to numerous expansive villas that would make an excellent ceremony and reception backdrop, offering complete privacy and customizable everything.
Role of the Wedding Planner and Travel Advisor
Wedding planners go beyond the role of a travel advisor, especially with tasks such as on-site coordination and contract negotiations in languages and currencies different than one’s own; however, many resorts and local LGBTQ+ establishments can assist in coordinating the full event alongside the travel advisor that books the trip and gets the guests to the destination.
As a travel advisor, you can help screen and interview wedding planners and help navigate what resorts offer complimentary versus when an additional person may be needed to help coordinate. Sorting out guest counts and venue capacity before you build the quote helps position you as an essential part of the planning process. Taking it a step further, creating intake forms that include pronouns also helps demonstrate how working with you is inclusive to the LGBTQ+ community and ensure guests are greeted correctly in pre- and post-travel communications.
Weather, Safety and Other Considerations
Weather plays an important role on any wedding day, and destination weddings are no different. The best weather in Puerto Vallarta is generally November until May, considered the dry season.
Humpback whales typically fill the bay from December through March, offering guests yet another excursion to add to their memory-making vacation. Pride is held the last week of May and is the official end to “high season” before the heat, humidity and frequent rains take over during the summer months.
For planning purposes, event timing will drive both availability and rates. Booking a minimum of 9-12 months in advance is recommended, especially for larger groups with room blocks and deposits.
Keep in mind that hurricane season generally runs from mid-May through the end of November, with peak season August to mid-November. Travel insurance is always recommended, regardless of the time of year.
Other considerations include passport requirements for U.S. citizens and communicating arrival requirements for immigration upon arrival to Mexico. Always direct travelers to the State Department website for current requirements and any upcoming policy changes (travel.state.gov).
The U.S. State Department currently lists the larger state of Jalisco at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), while noting there are no restrictions on travel in Puerto Vallarta and neighboring Riviera Nayarit. Advisors should review the current advisory with clients before booking.
Nearby Activities and Offerings
Wedding ceremony aside, the reason Puerto Vallarta has become an internationally recognized LGBTQ+ travel destination is its nightlife. More than 30 bars and nightclubs are clustered in Zona Romántica and offer everything from cocktail lounges to karaoke bars to high-energy nightclubs and more. Any visit to Puerto Vallarta can be as active or as laid-back and relaxing as one wants.
The dining scene in this area is as wide and varied as the nightlife, offering everything from candle-lit tables in the sand along Playa de Los Muertos to open-air riverside bistros to hillside restaurants with show-stopping sunsets. All would make excellent choices for welcome parties, post-wedding brunches or farewell dinners.
Guests can fill their evenings with entertainment venues like Coco’s Cabaret, The Palm or Act2 PV, all of which are city institutions offering outstanding entertainment. A bit further outside of the city, Cirque du Soleil’s Ludo show and dinner experience is located in Nuevo Vallarta, about a 30-minute ride from Zona Romántica.
If the couple really wanted to go all-in on LGBTQ+ traditions, The Tryst Puerto Vallarta and Casa Cupúla Boutique LGBT Hotel offer Sunday drag brunches throughout much of the year.
Beyond Puerto Vallarta itself lie beautiful communities such as Punta Mita, Sayulita and Yelapa that offer similar beautiful settings for more secluded events but keep access to Puerto Vallarta and its offerings within reach for guests.
Logistics aside, the real selling point of Puerto Vallarta is the city’s friendly residents and stunning Pacific beachside location. It remains one of the world’s most welcoming LGBTQ+ destinations and the perfect backdrop for a destination wedding. Being welcomed rather than being tolerated is a huge concern for LBGTQ+ clients, and Puerto Vallarta has been inviting and actively promoting itself as an inclusive, LGBTQ+ friendly destination for decades.
Cole Sjoholm
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