Secrets Riviera Maya Destination Weddings 2026 — Four Resorts Compared
Four distinct adults-only Secrets properties along the Riviera Maya — each with a different personality, venue lineup, and defining advantage. Secrets Maroma Beach (AAA Five Diamond, world's best beach), Secrets Akumal (#1 hotel in the world, 10 venues, sea turtles), Secrets Riviera Cancun (rooftop panoramas, over-water ceremony, boutique scale), and Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club (jungle resort with a complimentary shuttle to its own exclusive beach club). Full comparison guide with venue tables, property breakdowns, and planning details.
Updated September 2026 · VFL Destination Weddings · CST #2002477-40
Why the Riviera Maya for a Secrets Wedding
The Riviera Maya corridor — from Puerto Morelos south through Tulum — is home to four Secrets properties, each positioned in a distinct part of the coast with genuinely different personalities. All four are adults-only throughout, all-suite, and Unlimited-Luxury® — but the differences in location, venue options, and defining amenity are significant enough that the choice between them changes the character of the wedding week. This guide covers all four, side-by-side, so you can make the right call for your group.
All Four Properties — Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Maroma Beach | Akumal | Riviera Cancun | Tulum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Maroma Beach, Riviera Cancun area (north) | Akumal Beach (central Riviera Maya) | Puerto Morelos (Riviera Cancun) | Tulum's Aldea Zama, plus Zamna Beach Club on the coast |
| Rating | AAA Five Diamond | AAA Five Diamond · TripAdvisor #1 Hotel in World (2025) | Adults-only · all-inclusive | Adults-only · all-inclusive |
| Suites | 412 · all-suite · Italian marble bathrooms · 624 sq ft min | 434 · all-suite · Jacuzzi in every suite · iPad in-room dining | Boutique scale | 300 suites + 1 villa · swim-out suites · rooftop master suites with plunge pools |
| Defining differentiator | Travel Channel World's Best Beach (4× in a row) | Green sea turtles off the beach year-round + #1 hotel globally | Purple Rooftop panoramas + over-water Energy Pool ceremony | Cenote-inspired jungle resort + complimentary shuttle to its own exclusive Zamna Beach Club |
| Wedding venues | 5 venues + ballroom | 10 venues | 6+ venues incl. rooftops | 11 venues — 8 in the jungle resort, 3 at Zamna Beach Club |
| Largest ceremony | Beach · 150 guests | Plaza Akumal · 200 guests ceremony | Preferred Beach · 300 cocktail | Zamna Beach Club Beach or Jaguar Ballroom · ~150 guests |
| Largest reception | Grand Maroma Ballroom · 300 banquet | Grand Ballroom · 400 reception | Ballroom · ~350 | Jaguar Ballroom · 150 reception |
| Most unique venue | Pool Gazebo (wood gazebo surrounded by pools) | Secret Garden (15 guests · most intimate in portfolio) | Energy Pool (ceremony ON the water) + Purple Rooftop (sunset panorama) | Sky Pool Deck — vows exchanged over a glass-covered pool with a jungle backdrop |
| Spa | 13,000 sq ft SecretsSpa by Pevonia | 18,000 sq ft spa | Full spa on property | Secrets Spa by Pevonia, plus extra saunas and a steam room at Zamna Beach Club |
| Pools | 12 pools incl. infinity | 3 pools (infinity · social · relaxing) | Multiple including Energy Pool | 4 cenote-style pools + 1 main pool + 2 rooftop pools |
| Restaurants | 6 à la carte (Oceana · Portofino · Bordeaux) + buffet + café | Multiple à la carte + buffet · iPad room service | Full Unlimited-Luxury® dining program | 9 restaurants across the resort and Zamna Beach Club |
| South Asian program | Yes — dedicated Indian/SA menu available | Confirm with coordinator | Confirm with coordinator | Yes — dedicated Dulha & Dulhan package |
| Wildlife / nature | 500 acres protected jungle | Green sea turtles off the beach year-round · snorkeling | Mangrove nature reserve nearby | Cenote-inspired architecture in the heart of Tulum's jungle, minutes from the Tulum ruins |
| Best for | Couples who want the most prestigious beach in Mexico + Five Diamond service | Couples who want the most venue flexibility + a unique natural setting | Couples who want rooftop sunsets, over-water ceremony, and boutique feel | Couples who want both a jungle ceremony and a separate beach club in one wedding week |
Secrets Maroma Beach sits at Km 306.5 on Federal Highway 307 — roughly 35 minutes south of Cancun International Airport. All 412 suites are all-suite with Italian marble bathrooms, private furnished balconies, and plunge tubs. The 13,000 sq ft SecretsSpa by Pevonia is one of the largest resort spas in the Riviera Maya, and the wine cellar at Bordeaux restaurant rivals any fine dining in the region. 12 pools including an infinity pool, 6 à la carte restaurants with no reservations required, and 8 bars round out the Unlimited-Luxury® experience.
Wedding Venues
| Venue | Setting | Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beach | Maroma Beach — Travel Channel's World's Best Beach. White powder sand, crystalline Caribbean water, and 500 acres of protected jungle providing a natural, undeveloped horizon backdrop. | Up to 150 guests (ceremony · cocktail · reception) | The prestige ceremony setting; every photo is against the most recognized beach in Mexico |
| Pool Gazebo | A wooden gazebo structure built over and surrounded by the resort's pools — one of the most distinctive ceremony settings in the Riviera Maya. Guests are literally surrounded by still, reflective water on all sides. | Up to 80 guests (ceremony · cocktail · reception) | Couples wanting a structurally unique ceremony beyond the standard beachfront setup |
| Oceana Terrace | An outdoor terrace set in the central area between the resort buildings — elevated, breezy, with ocean views. Named after the Oceana seafood restaurant it adjoins. | Up to 140 guests (ceremony · cocktail · reception) | Mid-size events wanting an elevated outdoor setting with ocean aspect |
| Seaside Garden | Lush tropical garden near the beach — garden backdrop with ocean views. Intimate, naturally decorated without additional florals needed. | Up to 100 guests (cocktail · reception) | Garden-aesthetic lovers; cocktail hours preceding a beach ceremony |
| Grand Maroma Ballroom | Indoor air-conditioned ballroom — 7,752 sq ft of dedicated event space. The resort's rain contingency and primary large-reception venue. | 300 guests (banquet) | Large indoor receptions; rain backup for outdoor ceremonies; formal evening events |
South Asian Program
Dedicated Indian/South Asian wedding menu available — buffet with 5 vegetarian + 3 non-vegetarian Indian entrées prepared by a gourmet chef, private bar, and dessert station. See South Asian guide →
Bordeaux Restaurant
French fine dining with its own wine cellar — the most romantic dinner setting at the resort. Recommended for the couple's anniversary dinner or rehearsal dinner for the inner circle.
500-Acre Jungle Reserve
A protected ecological reserve borders the property — giving Maroma Beach a level of natural seclusion impossible to achieve at a resort set in the main Hotel Zone.
Secrets Akumal sits on Akumal Beach — "place of the turtle" in Mayan — in the heart of the Riviera Maya. The 434 all-suites each include a Jacuzzi tub and an iPad for in-room dining, a genuinely distinctive room-level amenity not found at the other Riviera Maya Secrets properties. Three pools (infinity, social, and relaxing) and an 18,000 sq ft spa anchor the amenity program, while 10 wedding venues give more flexibility than any comparable adults-only resort in Mexico. The Central Beach venue (December–April only · min 120 guests · $3,000+ venue fee) is the flagship setting — but the breadth of the venue lineup means the right space exists for any guest count or aesthetic preference.
10 Wedding Venues
| Venue | Setting | Max Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plaza Akumal | Open-air terrace featuring symbolic Ceiba trees near the Arch, Spa, and Theater. Private and serene — the resort's premier mid-size outdoor ceremony space. | 200 ceremony · 500 cocktail · 400 reception | Larger ceremonies; couples wanting natural Mayan cultural elements in the setting |
| Grand Ballroom | Indoor ballroom with chandeliers, classic glamour, air conditioning, and generous dance floor. Dedicated purpose-built event space with full AV. | 400 reception | Largest indoor reception option; rain backup for all outdoor venues; evening dancing events |
| Seaside Garden | Tropical manicured lawn with swaying palms between the resort and the beach. The most spacious outdoor event space at the property for cocktails and receptions. | 450 cocktail · 250 reception | Large cocktail hours and standing receptions; couples wanting an expansive garden-beach setting |
| Beach Gazebo / Pergola | Permanent wooden walkway leading to an elegant oceanfront pergola structure on the beach. Framed by tropical palms and Caribbean breeze — the most romantic of the outdoor structures. | 110 guests | Intimate to mid-size ceremonies on the sand with a defined architectural focal point |
| Lagoon Pool Side | Lagoon pool backdrop with hard flooring — the only Akumal venue specifically noted as practical for dancing in high heels (a genuine planning consideration). Pool views throughout. | 200 cocktail · 250 reception | Evening receptions where dancing is a priority; stylish poolside dinner flow |
| Ceiba Garden | Garden space centered around the resort's iconic Ceiba tree — one of the most sacred trees in Mayan culture. Lush, naturally green, and symbolically meaningful for couples who appreciate cultural context. | 50–80 guests | Intimate ceremonies with natural Mayan cultural significance; garden photography settings |
| Secret Garden | The most intimate venue at the resort — a private, secluded garden space designed for micro-weddings and elopements. No open sightlines from other resort areas. | 15 ceremony · 30 cocktail · 20 reception | Elopements; micro-weddings; couples wanting the most private ceremony at any Riviera Maya Secrets |
| Desires Terrace | Open-air terrace overlooking the resort's entertainment area — vibrant, social atmosphere with tropical Riviera Maya ambiance. | Cocktail hours · intimate receptions | Cocktail hours; post-ceremony celebrations; couples wanting a lively social atmosphere |
| Yalku Garden · Mastiles Garden | Two additional lush garden ceremony spaces in different areas of the resort — serene tropical greenery, naturally elegant with minimal additional décor needed. | Intimate ceremonies | Alternative intimate ceremony settings when Secret Garden or Ceiba Garden are booked |
| Central Beach | The resort's main beachfront ceremony setting — direct Caribbean Sea backdrop. Available December–April only due to sea turtle nesting season. Minimum 120 guests. Venue fee $3,000+ USD + taxes (determined by group size). | 120+ guests minimum | Large beach ceremonies during peak season; couples who can plan around the December–April window |
Secrets Riviera Cancun is set in the quieter Puerto Morelos area — between Cancun and Playa del Carmen — giving it a more boutique-scale, relaxed atmosphere than either Maroma Beach or Akumal. The distinctive venue lineup — including an over-water ceremony on the Energy Pool, a rooftop with panoramic sea views, and a Love Terrace — offers visual diversity unavailable at the other two Riviera Maya Secrets. For couples whose priority is photographic variety and a more intimate resort feel, Riviera Cancun is the natural choice.
Wedding Venues
| Venue | Setting | Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Rooftop | Elevated rooftop with panoramic 360° Caribbean Sea views — elegant white tent covering, open-air design, and the best golden-hour sunset photography position at any Riviera Maya Secrets. The resort's signature venue. | ~120 guests (ceremony · cocktail · reception) | Sunset ceremonies and receptions; couples for whom photography is the top priority; the most dramatic view in the Riviera Maya Secrets portfolio |
| Energy Pool | An over-water ceremony space set directly on the resort's Energy Pool — surrounded by water on all sides, giving the sensation of a floating ceremony. One of the most distinctive ceremony settings in the Riviera Maya. | Intimate · confirm capacity | Micro-weddings and elopements wanting an over-water ceremony without a dedicated pier or gazebo structure |
| Preferred Beach | The resort's dedicated beachfront area for the Preferred Club tier — a more private beach section with additional amenities and atmospheric ambiance including cabanas and fire pits (additional charges apply). | 300 cocktail · 250 reception | Large beachfront events for the full wedding group; evening fire pit receptions |
| Preferred Gazebo | An intimate garden gazebo decorated with natural materials and flowers in bloom — traditional ceremony focal point with a garden-meets-beach feel. | Intimate ceremony | Couples wanting a defined gazebo structure with a natural, garden aesthetic |
| Love Terrace | Open-air rooftop terrace with breathtaking turquoise water views — the venue that accommodates ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner reception all in the same space (all three phases of the wedding in one location). | ~60 guests (ceremony · cocktail · reception) | Intimate all-in-one ceremonies where the entire event stays in one setting; small weddings under 60 |
| Purple Rooftop Lounge | Adjacent to the main Purple Rooftop — lounge-style ambiance, more casual, ideal for cocktail hours and after-parties that flow from the formal rooftop ceremony. | ~80 guests | Cocktail hours; after-parties following a Purple Rooftop ceremony; lounge-style social gatherings |
| Ballroom | Indoor air-conditioned ballroom — the resort's primary large-reception and rain backup venue. | ~350 guests | Large formal receptions; rain contingency for outdoor events |
Secrets Tulum is a 300-suite (plus one luxury villa) adults-only resort designed by architect Michael Edmonds around cenote-style courtyard pools, native wood and stone, and rooftop terraces and fire pits scattered through the grounds. It is about 40 minutes from Tulum International Airport and roughly 1 hour 45 minutes from Cancun International Airport — the longest transfer of the four Riviera Maya Secrets, so it suits groups staying a full week better than guests flying in only for the weekend. Nine restaurants, four cenote-style pools, a main pool, and two rooftop pools round out the resort, and the Secrets Spa by Pevonia adds extra saunas and a steam room at the Beach Club.
11 Wedding Venues — Jungle Resort + Beach Club
| Venue | Setting | Capacity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky Wedding Gazebo | Rooftop gazebo terrace with rustic-modern character and sweeping jungle views. | Ceremony 120 · Cocktail 120 · Reception 60 | Rooftop ceremonies with panoramic jungle views |
| Rooftop Garden | Secluded rooftop garden terrace, exclusive and private, for anything from an intimate gathering to a grand celebration. | Ceremony 120 · Cocktail 120 · Reception 120 | Couples wanting the full ceremony-to-reception flow in one rooftop space |
| Sky Deck | Open-air terrace with panoramic views of the resort, gardens, and jungle treetops. | Ceremony 80 · Cocktail 80 · Reception 60 | Mid-size ceremonies wanting easy access and jungle views |
| Sky Pool Deck | Vows exchanged over a glass-covered pool with a jungle backdrop — one of the most distinctive ceremony settings on the Riviera Maya. | Ceremony 50 | Couples wanting a structurally unique, photograph-first ceremony |
| Jaguar Ballroom | Chic indoor ballroom — the resort's rain plan and primary evening-reception space. | Ceremony 150 · Cocktail 150 · Reception 150 | Large indoor receptions; rain contingency for outdoor ceremonies |
| Foyer Ballroom | Earthy, natural-element ballroom with a charming feel, adjoining the Jaguar Ballroom. | Ceremony 150 · Cocktail 150 | Additional indoor space for larger wedding-week events |
| Cenote Poolside A & C | Two cenote-inspired pool terraces surrounded by lush vegetation — the resort's architectural signature. | A: Cocktail 100, Reception 80 · C: Ceremony 60, Reception 50 | Couples wanting the cenote-inspired design as the ceremony backdrop |
| Beach (Zamna Beach Club) | White-sand Caribbean beach ceremony or beachfront reception at the resort's own exclusive beach club, reached by a short complimentary shuttle. | Ceremony 150 · Cocktail 150 · Reception 120 | Couples wanting a classic Caribbean beach ceremony alongside the jungle resort |
| Willy's Place Terrace & Barracuda Bar (Zamna Beach Club) | A relaxed seaside terrace for a smaller celebration, and a beach bar for a fun party under the stars — both at Zamna Beach Club. | Willy's: Ceremony 60, Reception 40 · Barracuda: Cocktail 100 | Smaller beach-club celebrations and after-parties |
Secrets Wedding Packages — Same System at All Four Properties
All four Riviera Maya Secrets properties use the identical three-tier package system. The property decision and the package decision are separate — choose your property first, then choose your package tier. Secrets Tulum's published starting prices run somewhat higher than the other three Riviera Maya properties — confirm current pricing for your specific resort with our VFL specialists.
Wedding in Paradise
Complimentary with 7 qualifying nights (couple) or 5 rooms × 3 nights (group). Ceremony setup, coordinator, bouquet, cake, sparkling wine, newlywed amenities, late checkout.
$0 with qualifying staySecrets of Love
Private cocktail hour + 3-hr dinner reception (Silver Menu · 20 guests), 36 photos + album, minister included, hairstyling and makeup, Vera Wang flutes.
Confirm pricing with VFLSecrets Ultimate
Adds live entertainment, full ceremony décor, Gold Menu upgrade, 50 photos + album, 30-min video, couples spa treatment.
Confirm pricing with VFLLegal Weddings in Mexico — Riviera Maya Requirements
All four properties are in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. The legal requirements are the same across all four — the key variable is planning lead time, not the property.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrival | Couple must arrive minimum 2 full business days before the ceremony. Arrival day, weekends, and Mexican national holidays do not count. |
| Birth certificates | Original birth certificates — apostilled and translated to Spanish by a certified translator. |
| Marital status | Sworn declaration of single status. If previously married: apostilled, translated divorce decree or death certificate. |
| Blood test | Required by the state of Quintana Roo — arranged through the resort coordinator, typically 3 days before the ceremony. |
| Same-sex marriage | Legally recognized throughout Mexico — available at all four properties. No restrictions apply. |
| Lead time | Begin document preparation at least 3–4 months before the wedding date. The apostille process can take 4–8 weeks depending on your home country. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What Couples Say
What Our Couples Say About Their Destination Wedding
Real weddings planned with Vacations For Less
Amanda & Michael
Dreams Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort · Mexico
Teresa and the team at Vacations For Less made our destination wedding an absolute dream. With over 350 guests traveling, their organization and attention to detail made everything seamless. From the ceremony to the reception, every moment was flawless.
Lisa & Danny
Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort · Mexico
Coordinating travel for our beach wedding group was effortless thanks to Teresa from Vacations For Less. She handled all travel logistics, guest reservations, and details so everyone could relax and enjoy the celebration.
Kevin & Grace
Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres · Mexico
Teresa and Anna were incredible throughout our destination wedding planning process. They managed every reservation, transfer, and detail for our guests. Our wedding was absolutely perfect from start to finish.
Request a Secrets Riviera Maya Wedding Quote
Tell us which property appeals to you (Maroma Beach, Akumal, Riviera Cancun, or Tulum), your approximate guest count, and target dates. We'll send current package pricing, group room rates, venue availability, and complimentary package qualification details for your specific property within 24 hours — free, no obligation.
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