Yucatan is a romantic destination by nature, nestled in the midst of an atmosphere of mysticism, magic, colour, history and locales pulled right from the screening of a romantic film.
And now that laws to allow same-sex weddings have come into effect, this millennia-old Mexican destination has become an alternative setting for this most important occasion.
Here we publish just some of the locations ready to help design a romantic getaway, be it a destination wedding or just a secluded moment with your beloved.
Zazil Tunich, top of page, is a 65-ft-deep cavern/cenote located in Valladolid and features more than 500,000 years of stone formations. Named one of the most spectacular cenotes in the region and, with thousands of stalagmites and stalactites, it is the biggest one in Yucatan. For those not looking to do a traditional Western wedding ceremony, the location offers the opportunity to have a Maya commitment ceremony or to have a purification ceremony in the sacred water of Xibalba inside Zazil Tunich. The cenote is surrounded by Hacienda Selva Maya, which can accommodate large wedding celebrations.
In Izamal is a 100% Yucatecan family business that runs the exclusive hotels of Rinconada del Convento, San Antonio de Padua and Tuul Hotel, offering authentic backdrops for expressive weddings and spectacular events, leveraging the magical and colonial atmosphere that Izamal transmits to its visitors. The strategic location of its facilities – 38 guest rooms in three hotels – allows guests to easily convene.
Villa Mercedes Merida, Curio Collection by Hilton, above, offers elegant rooms and colonial architecture, along with three restaurant spaces, seven meeting rooms, a pool and a garden for weddings. Centrally located in capital city Merida, it can also serve as the location for rehearsal dinners and, with 127 guest rooms, a place for the wedding party to stay at an economical rate.
Hacienda San Antonio Hool dates back to the 17th century and has great historical and cultural value. The exotic gardens, which can host events for up to 700 people, create the perfect setting for this monumental building, since special interest was put in designing them using exuberant local endangered species such as the guayacán, machiche and palo de tinte trees, as well as many original fruit trees and flower shrubs from the region.
A Luxury Collection Hotel, Hacienda Temozon, above, has 28 rooms and event space that guests often use for weddings. The property boosts extensive gardens surrounded by storybook coral walls, white moldings and Mayan architecture. Couples can relax in the on-site spa, uniquely located in a cenote.
Hacienda Xcanatun by Angsana is surrounded by four acres of private gardens, filled with lush vegetation and bright tropical flowers that highlight the beauty that made it one of the most important haciendas in the Yucatan. Just 15 minutes away from downtown Merida, Hacienda Xcanatun by Angsana is located in an enclave where history and tradition come together. Restored to its 18th century grandeur as one of the most iconic henequen (sisal) haciendas in the Yucatan, the resort features 18 historic suites that fuse contemporary details with local touches and 36 brand new, exquisitely designed suites, offering the effortless harmony between nature and modern spaces.
Chable Resort & Spa, above, is a magical backdrop for destination weddings. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, the luxury complex radiates romance and sophistication. Tropical gardens boast a marvellous view of the original 19th-century walls of the former hacienda, while the exquisite cenote deck is situated in the heart of the wellness-spa. The property can accommodate weddings of up to 100 people.
For those looking for a beach wedding, the Yucatan Riviera in Puerto Progreso offers soft white sands and beautiful emerald green waters, all surrounded by a great variety of flora and fauna. Kokomo Beach Club (Kokomo.mx) offers the retreat-like atmosphere of a private venue with almost 200ft of private beach-front space. It’s also a six-room boutique hotel.
For those looking to take advantage of the destination wedding and follow it up with a honeymoon, the historic but luxurious one-room properties of Casa Azul by Private Haciendas and Hotel Oriundo Luxury Nature will fit the bill.
Yucatan is home to a plethora of professional wedding planners, who can coordinate all details of a same-sex couple’s special day.
The international airport of capital city Merida offers nonstop flights from Miami, Houston, Dallas, San Diego and Oakland/San Francisco.
