Puerto Vallarta Destination Weddings

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Puerto Vallarta Destination Wedding Planning Guides

Why Choose Puerto Vallarta for Your Destination Wedding?

Puerto Vallarta sits on Mexico's Pacific coast — and that one fact changes everything about what a destination wedding looks and feels like. Unlike every Caribbean all-inclusive, Puerto Vallarta faces west. The sun sets directly over Banderas Bay during your ceremony, turning the water gold and orange. Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta's private Mismaloya cove — the same stretch of coastline where John Huston filmed The Night of the Iguana and Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor honeymooned — creates an intimate setting with no other resort visible from the beach. Humpback and gray whales migrate through Banderas Bay December through April, visible from the resort. And Puerto Vallarta proper is 5 minutes from El Malecón boardwalk and Old Town cobblestone streets — the most city-accessible all-inclusive corridor in Mexico.

Four all-inclusive wedding properties are in the VFL Puerto Vallarta portfolio. Two are adults-only (Secrets Vallarta Bay, RIU Palace Pacifico). Two are family-friendly (Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, Dreams Vallarta Bay). The geography spans two Mexican states: Puerto Vallarta proper (Jalisco) and Nuevo Vallarta (Nayarit) — each with different character, city access, and civil registry jurisdiction for legal ceremonies.

PV vs Nuevo Vallarta — The Geography Decision

Top Reasons Couples Choose Puerto Vallarta

• Pacific sunsets over the water: The sun sets directly over Banderas Bay — turning the Pacific gold and orange during your ceremony. No Caribbean destination offers this.
• Hyatt Ziva's private Mismaloya cove: A protected natural Pacific cove with no adjacent resorts visible — the most distinctive all-inclusive setting in the VFL Mexico portfolio. Full guide →
• Whale watching December–April: Humpback and gray whales migrate through Banderas Bay — visible from Hyatt Ziva's beach and pools. Private charter tours available. Unavailable at any Caribbean destination.
• El Malecón 5 minutes away (Secrets + Dreams): Cobblestone streets, local restaurants, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and Puerto Vallarta's famous boardwalk — the most walkable all-inclusive destination in Mexico. Secrets guide →
• Only all-inclusive casino in PV: Secrets Vallarta Bay has the only on-site casino of any all-inclusive hotel in Puerto Vallarta — an evening activity without leaving the property.
• Complimentary championship golf: Secrets guests play Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta (Jack Nicklaus + Tom Weiskopf designs) at no charge — unique in the PV portfolio.
• Same-sex legal marriage: Fully legal in both Jalisco and Nayarit. Puerto Vallarta is the only VFL destination where same-sex couples can legally marry in-country. Legal guide →
• SA-certified South Asian coordinators at Hyatt Ziva: One of the Pacific coast's only SA-certified all-inclusives — Mehndi, Sangeet, Baraat, and mandap programs fully supported.
• Best sunset photography position: Secrets' Terraza La Vista is elevated, covered, and panoramic — the sun sets directly behind the couple. The $700 venue fee is the best photography investment in the PV portfolio.
• Direct West Coast flights: Non-stop service from LA, SF, Seattle, Phoenix, and other Pacific cities — significantly shorter than any Caribbean destination for California and Pacific Northwest wedding groups.

Puerto Vallarta Wedding Resorts

Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta

Private cove · family-friendly · Sky Penthouse Terrace · Beach 500 · SA-certified · whale watching

Secrets Vallarta Bay

Adults-only · Terraza La Vista · casino · free golf · Ballroom 724 · 5 min Malecón

Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa

Family-friendly · free-flow to Secrets · closest PVR · 5 min Malecón

RIU Palace Pacifico

Adults-only · Nuevo Vallarta · Caprice $8,999 · pro photos · 3-resort access

Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta

Family-friendly · Nuevo Vallarta · Banderas Bay · championship golf nearby

Puerto Vallarta Wedding Planning — Where to Start

Top Attractions in Puerto Vallarta

• The Romantic Zone (Zona Romántica): Puerto Vallarta's most vibrant neighborhood — Playa Los Muertos beach, boutique restaurants, galleries, and nightlife on cobblestone streets. Walking distance from Secrets and Dreams.
• The Malecón: Puerto Vallarta's iconic oceanfront boardwalk — local bronze sculptures, street performers, Pacific views, and easy access to bars and restaurants. 5 minutes from Secrets and Dreams.
• Mismaloya & Boca de Tomatlán: Secluded southern beaches with clear water, hidden coves, and boat tours to pristine anchorages. The Hyatt Ziva private cove is directly on this stretch.
• Marina Vallarta: Luxury marina with yacht charters, seaside dining, and the 18-hole Marina Vallarta Golf Club (complimentary for Secrets guests).
• Sierra Madre Mountains: Zip-line tours, hiking, wildlife watching, and jungle excursions — the mountain backdrop that frames every Banderas Bay wedding photograph.
• Marietas Islands (UNESCO): Biosphere reserve 30 minutes from Nuevo Vallarta — famous hidden beach, snorkeling, booby bird colonies. Permits required; book through resort or VFL.
• Sayulita & Punta Mita: Bohemian surf village (30 min north) and ultra-luxury enclave with world-class golf — two of the Riviera Nayarit's most photographed wedding excursion destinations.

Wedding Week Experiences — What Makes PV Unique

• Private whale watching charter (Dec–Apr): Humpback and gray whales in Banderas Bay — private boat for the wedding party, 2–3 hours, ~$47–$67/person for 60 guests. Unavailable at any Caribbean destination.
• Sunset catamaran cruise: Banderas Bay catamaran at sunset — open bar, snorkeling stops, wildlife viewing. A classic Puerto Vallarta wedding-group evening.
• Championship golf (complimentary for Secrets guests): Marina Vallarta Golf Club and Vista Vallarta — two of Mexico's most scenic layouts. Wedding groups of golfers get full rounds at no charge.
• Snorkeling at Los Arcos Marine Park: Protected marine sanctuary with manta rays, tropical fish, and dramatic rock formations — 20 minutes from the resorts by boat.
• Sierra Madre zip-line + tequila tour: High-canopy zip-line through the jungle plus a traditional tequila distillery visit — a full-day wedding group excursion.
• Old Town walking tour: Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, cobblestone streets, the Malecón sculptures, and local food markets — ideal for groups staying at Secrets or Dreams (5 min).

Local Tips for Puerto Vallarta Weddings

• Best time to visit: November through April — dry season, reliable skies, optimal sunset timing (5:30–7 PM depending on month). January–April also peak whale watching. Hurricane season is June–October; resorts have indoor contingency venues.
• Plan ceremony time around the sunset: Unlike Caribbean resorts (east-facing), Puerto Vallarta sunsets over the water. Time ceremony start 45–60 min before sunset for golden-hour ceremony photography. VFL confirms exact sunset time for your date.
• West Coast couples save on flights: Direct flights from LA, SF, San Diego, Seattle, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Vancouver. Significantly shorter than any Caribbean destination — a meaningful cost and logistics advantage for California wedding groups.
• What to pack: Lightweight linen or tropical attire, swimwear, sunblock SPF 50+, a light wrap for breezy evenings (Nov–Mar can have cool Pacific breezes after dark), and comfortable walking shoes for Old Town excursions.
• Beach curfew at Secrets: The Secrets Vallarta Bay beach venue has a 10:30 PM curfew. Late-night dancing moves to the Ballroom (724 capacity). Plan your timeline accordingly — VFL builds this into the wedding day schedule.
• Symbolic ceremony = no extra legal cost: The vast majority of VFL PV couples choose symbolic ceremonies and legalize at home. Saves $1,000–$2,500 vs a Jalisco legal ceremony. Full legal requirements guide →

Getting to Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR / Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International) is served by direct flights from major US and Canadian cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas, Chicago, Toronto, and Vancouver. Transfer distances: Dreams Vallarta Bay (~6 min) · Secrets Vallarta Bay (~15 min) · Hyatt Ziva PV (~20 min) · RIU Palace Pacifico in Nuevo Vallarta (~10 mi / 20–25 min). VFL arranges group airport transfers for wedding parties — confirmed pricing included in the group planning package.

Explore Nearby

• Riviera Nayarit: North of Puerto Vallarta — Bucerías (10 min), Sayulita surf village (30 min), Punta Mita luxury enclave (25 min). World-class golf, boutique hotels, and bohemian beach towns.
• Marietas Islands UNESCO Biosphere: 30 minutes from Nuevo Vallarta — the famous hidden beach (Playa del Amor), snorkeling with tropical fish and rays, booby bird colony. Day trip permits required.
• Punta Mita: Ultra-luxury peninsula with two Jack Nicklaus golf courses, private beaches, Four Seasons and St. Regis resorts — the most exclusive day-trip destination from the PV corridor.

Plan Your Dream Destination Wedding in Puerto Vallarta Today!

Ready to start planning? Tell us your guest count, whether adults-only or family matters, your target dates (and whether they fall in whale watching season December–April), and your budget range. We'll match you to the right Puerto Vallarta resort with confirmed 2026 pricing — and flag Mon–Wed savings and free package eligibility — within 24 hours. No agency fees. No obligation. CST #2002477-40.