Desert adventure beckons in Los Cabos; whales grace the Bay of Banderas in the Riviera Nayarit; nightlife and city lights sparkle in Puerto Vallarta. All throughout Mexico’s Pacific Coast, gorgeous beaches and colorful culture enhance any destination wedding or honeymoon. We’ve found our favorite all-inclusive resorts in the area for romantic getaways.
Dreams Los Cabos Suites Golf Resort & Spa
Desert meets beach at this AAA Four Diamond resort with 213 suites, all with ocean views and private balconies. Onsite amenities include a spa, three pools (two with swim-up bars), 24-hour room service and six restaurants. Eight championship golf courses are also nearby.
Weddings
It rains approximately five days a year in Los Cabos, so couples don’t need a plan B for their big day. Dreams Los Cabos has an hacienda vibe — a great fit for those who want to incorporate Mexican culture into their event.
Honeymoons
For couples staying seven nights, the complimentary honeymoon package includes a private beachfront dinner, a couples massage, an additional spa treatment and breakfast in bed with mimosas, plus other perks.
Grand Solmar Land’s End Resort & Spa
Granite cliffs grant seclusion — and a gorgeous background. Opened May 2011, the Solmar brand’s newest and most luxurious property is a 10-minute walk from town, so you and yours can also enjoy the local culture and nightlife.
Weddings
Tie the knot at the Land’s End Terrace, a gazebo overlooking the Baja Peninsula’s southernmost point, where the Pacific Ocean meets the Gulf of California. Couples choose one of two wedding packages, which cater to up to 50 people. Bonus: Post-ceremony, the Share the Love charity donates your flowers to a hospice and, if you wish, your dress to a bride in need.
Honeymoons
Grand Solmar is an all-suite property, and each room comes with a kitchen and an ocean view. Schedule a massage class at the spa so you can begin your newlywed life by learning a new, loving act.
Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
Young and modern, this hot spot opened in April 2012. Spice up your stay with nightly live entertainment, in-room dispensers of brand-name liquors, 24-hour room service and a Fender-guitar room-service menu. Refuel at four fine-dining restaurants, including the Asian eatery Zen, praised for its sushi and teppanyaki.
Weddings
The free wedding package delivers the necessary basics — including a white arbor and a 12-rose bouquet — for an event with 30 of your loved ones. Or go designer with one of nine stylized wedding packages from Colin Cowie, including the black-and-hot-pink Rocker Chic collection. The resort offers eight venues, including two beach areas.
Honeymoons
Most bookings come with resort credits redeemable for spa treatments, gift-shop souvenirs, golf, day trips and romantic dinners.
Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos
The Hyatt brand recently introduced its first all-inclusive resorts: adults-only Hyatt Zilara Cancun and family-friendly Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos, recently granted a AAA Four Diamond Award. When you emerge from one of the 619 suites (including 34 specialty swim-up suites), you’ll face six a la carte dining options, including French, Japanese, Spanish and Italian cuisine.
Weddings
Book and hold your wedding or commitment ceremony at a participating Hyatt hotel, and you’ll earn Hyatt Gold Passport bonus points redeemable for free nights at any Hyatt location in 45 countries around the globe.
Honeymoons
Make memories together with local excursions. See what happens with a whale-watching tour (available December through April), golf on four main courses, a jazz and wine sail, or a kayak tour to visit the sea lions at Land’s End.
Melia Cabo Real All Inclusive Beach & Golf Resort
Much of Los Cabos’ oceanfront is eye candy only — not safe for swimming. Not so at Melia’s massive beach, protected by a cove. Families favor this all-ages property; the Kids Club can tend to young ones during your event.
Weddings
Half of the couples marrying here choose the beach; however, the hotel’s wedding staff recommends the high-heel-friendly central garden, offering pool and ocean views. Learn more at romancebymelia.com.
Honeymoons
Two honeymoon packages bring the romance to you: Dine on the beach, and retire to a room made up to inspire (no spoilers here).
Now Amber Puerto Vallarta
Opened April 2012, this 327-suite property targets a young — or just young at heart — demographic. You can almost see the movie montage: You, your wedding party and your guests bouncing on the ocean trampoline, exploring downtown, striking dolphin pose at resort yoga sessions, and cozying up during “swim-up” films being projected at the golden-sand beach.
Weddings
The standout wedding venue is the Pool Deck, a raised terrace with lush landscaping and only one entrance point, so your event stays private. Now Resorts offers childcare and a dedicated space for teens, so if you want an adult-only soiree, worry not.
Honeymoons
The resort is steps from the boardwalk leading to downtown Puerto Vallarta, where you’ll find nightlife, art galleries and souvenir shopping. Afterward, retreat to an upgraded Preferred Club room, with top-shelf liquor in the mini-bar, plus a private Jacuzzi on the patio.
Occidental Grand Nuevo Vallarta Resort
The resort’s stretch of beach sets it apart: Unlike at some other area hotels, the sand occurs naturally (it wasn’t imported). The Occidental Grand is a 20-minute drive from downtown, lending more of a secluded-retreat vibe.
Weddings
Take your pick from beach, garden and ballroom venues. The Simple Love package is yours free if you stay seven nights in a Royal Club Master Suite, or if your party books 10 deluxe rooms for three nights.
Honeymoons
Be treated like kings and queens with an upgrade to the Royal Club, granting private check-in, butler service and access to an exclusive restaurant and bar.
Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay Resort & Spa
All 378 suites here give you a full ocean view — and after all, isn’t that why you’re here? The resort has three pools: One is just for adults, and one offers hydro-massage. Dine around at 10 restaurants and bars serving a variety of cuisine, including sushi, ceviche and French and Mexican fare. Guests also enjoy en suite dining around the clock.
Weddings
Big-day offerings include practical touches like a translator, as well as whimsical add-ons such as a butterfly release, bubbles, parasols and musical accompaniment, from violins and vocalists to a Mexican trio.
Honeymoons
Stay five nights and earn the resort’s free honeymoon package: sparkling wine on arrival, a room-category upgrade and a free night for your one-year anniversary.
Hotel Riu Emerald Bay
This 716-room hotel tower is 20 floors high — good news for couples who like a bird’s-eye view of the ocean. The complex includes four restaurants and five bars, including the sports bar, open 24 hours.
Weddings
Four packages are available; the free wedding package includes a planner, a bridal bouquet, sparkling wine and cake for 10 guests and dinner. Marrying couples can also rent out the Pacha disco, which includes a three-hour open bar for up to 100 guests.
Honeymoons
The hotel doesn’t offer honeymoon packages, but if you or your travel agent alerts the staff, you receive sparkling wine, a fruit basket and other small courtesies.
The Royal Suites Punta de Mita by Palladium
Two words: Butler service. It’s adults-only at this 100-suite property, where pampering comes courtesy of poolside Balinese beds, yoga on the beach and access to sister property Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa.
Weddings
New York wedding stylist Karen Bussen has partnered with the Palladium brand and believes couples should be able to customize their big day. So while her wedding designs are called packages, each is more like a collection of choices. Pick from five bouquets, and add themed events to the wedding, such as a bridesmaid “tea party,” where the gals get sparkling wine and cupcakes.
Honeymoons
You won’t want for romance with your in-room hydro-massage bathtub, as well as the newly expanded Renova Spa’s sauna, steam room and Jacuzzis. Adventurous pairs keep busy with deep-sea fishing, sailing, golfing, surfing and zip-lining tours.
Sandos Finisterra Los Cabos
This was Cabo’s first-ever hotel, so its location near the marina couldn’t be more ideal. Nor could its history be more storied: Keith Richards wed here in 1983. The Sandos resort brand bought out the 288-room property in May 2013 and commenced a top-to-bottom renovation, adding a spa and increasing the number of restaurants to four.
Weddings
For many couples, the four wedding packages are just a starting point for further customization. Venues include beach, garden and mountains.
Honeymoons
The concierge excels in customizing seamless day trips — be it fishing or swimming with whale sharks — from booking to transportation. Alternately, you may just want to stay put: The resort’s Stone Bar, aka the whale-watching bar, is an ideal perch from which to spy gray, blue and humpback whales January through April.
Secrets Marquis Los Cabos
Big drama blends with small touches: The high-end, adults-only Secrets Marquis Los Cabos resort was designed to maximize views of the ocean and surrounding mountains. Throughout the property, the owners have placed their own stamp by adding art and sculptures by Mexican and Latin American artists.
Weddings
Thanks to the resort’s location and wide curve of beach (which can seat up to 100), wedding photos easily capture the drama of the mountains and sea. A surreal setting for the reception: beside the infinity pool overlooking the waves.
Honeymoons
Each pool casita is a standalone suite that offers added privacy, as well as a personal plunge pool on the rooftop.
Zoetry Casa Del Mar Los Cabos
It’s as if your favorite uncle let you have your wedding in his sweeping hacienda: This 53-room boutique resort is posh, intimate and ideal for couples seeking a weekend buyout.
Weddings
All Zoetry properties allow only one wedding per day, so it’s your day. The high level of service means the staff will help you source local goodies for gift bags or finish any task necessary to big-day success.
Honeymoons
Just-minted couples receive a welcome bottle of tequila, sparking wine daily and 24-hour room service, as well as in-room dining (order from any of the onsite restaurants) and maid service three times a day.
Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta
Located in the newer part of Puerto Vallarta on the Bay of Banderas, this 232-suite resort has a modern aesthetic. Five restaurants, including four a la carte options, serve Mediterranean, Tuscan, Mexican and American cuisine.
Weddings
Couples can wed on a private beach that’s slightly elevated, so passersby aren’t in the photos (seats up to 100). Gohan, a rooftop sushi restaurant with 360-degree views and a private bar, can also be rented out for rehearsal dinners and receptions.
Honeymooners
This Pacific destination is known for high-impact adventures, from deep-sea fishing to zip-lining. At Dreams Villamagna, every suite has a Jacuzzi on the terrace, ideal for soaking together after an action-packed day.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
At this 267-suite resort, the five restaurants — three of which have earned four-diamond rankings — have such a strong reputation that they draw guests from nearby hotels.
Weddings
The resort owner’s 54-foot yacht is available for weddings. Other options include the ocean-view garden beside the resort’s infinity pool, as well as Lucca restaurant’s outdoor balcony.
Honeymoons
The Grand Velas Honeymoon special starts with a VIP airport pickup and continues with daily breakfast in bed, a private four-course dinner, a night tour of Banderas Bay and accommodations in the Master Ocean View Suite, which has a private balcony.
