I love adventure elopements, so much so that I think couples underestimate JUST how excited I get when it’s time to pack my bags with sunscreen, swimsuits, and camera gear! Over the years, I’ve noticed a shift in the destination wedding space. Couples are beginning to prioritize experience, quality, and privacy over quantity, vanity, and unnecessary stress. Tulum has become a popular elevated elopement location in recent years, offering many unique experiences, high-quality ceremony spots, and private, intimate accommodations. Over the years, I’ve collected a few Tulum wedding tips that I believe are a must-know for couples looking to elope in Mexico. As a Tulum elopement and intimate wedding photographer, I’m excited to share the best Tulum wedding tips that I’ve gathered over the years. You won’t believe how easy the elopement planning process will be once you read them below!

All About Tulum, Mexico

Tulum is a coastal town nestled on the shore of the Gulf of Mexico. Sitting on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, its alluring beach town charm, year-round warm weather, and abundance of activities draw in tourists worldwide. One of the best things about Tulum is its tourist-friendly atmosphere. Whether you and your partner are first-time abroad travelers or seasoned nomads, Tulum is easy to navigate and full of sweet locals who are quick to offer a helping hand. 

Best Time Of Year To Visit Tulum

Tulum is warm all year round! Average daytime temperatures range from 70°F – 80°F (20°C – 27°C). Tulum’s dry season usually runs from December to April. While June, September, and October are the rainiest months on average, with occasional chances for tropical storms or hurricanes. 

November and December are the two best months to visit Tulum. These months are just the beginning of peak season, typically from December to March.

Best Ceremony Locations In Tulum

Casa Violeta

Casa Violeta is a beachfront wedding venue and boutique hotel, perfect for couples looking to recharge and reconnect with one another during their elopement or intimate wedding getaway. 

Arcadia Hidden Arches – Tulum Jungle Wedding Venue

Arcadia Hidden Arches is a wedding venue tucked away in the jungle of Tulum. Its natural beauty and overgrown tropical foliage make for the perfect hidden ceremony space for couples seeking an intimate elopement experience. 

Dreams – Tulum Resort & Spa

Dreams is an all-inclusive luxury resort nestled between a white sandy beach and a flourishing green jungle—an elevated elopement location for couples looking for an elegant ceremony and reception with outstanding catering and amenities. 

Akkūun Tulum

Akkūun Tulum is another beachside boutique hotel. This spot is ideal for an intimate elopement or wedding for couples with small guest counts, offering a private beach ceremony spot and personalized concierge services.

Best Accommodations Near Tulum

Unico Hotel 

Tulum has many hotels, resorts, and Airbnb, but Unico Hotel holds a special place in my heart. My husband and I stayed here on our honeymoon, and I can’t even begin to describe how beautiful this resort truly is. The food was incredible, the service was unmatched, and the room was well-maintained and clean! Unico is about 30 minutes outside Tulum and can also double as a ceremony location!

Beachfront Mansion 

Beachfront Mansion is a stunning Airbnb located in a private, gated community in a small area called Akumal. Akumal is about 30 minutes from Tulum and offers a variety of activities, such as beautiful beaches, snorkeling, and some small shops and restaurants. 

Activities In And Around Tulum

• Visit Cenotes Dos Ojos 
• Enjoy Tulum’s restaurants, shopping, beaches, and nightclubs 
• Rent bikes at Tigre De Mar 
• Take a guided tour of the Ancient Mayan Ruins of Tulum 
• Hang out and grab a bite to eat at Wild Tulum
• Snorkel and swim with sea turtles in Akumal

Tulum Wedding Tips For Elopements & Intimate Weddings

Tulum Wedding Tip #1: Fly Into Cancun International Airport

Cancun International Airport is just 2 hours from Tulum. The airport is relatively small, easy to navigate, and services popular airlines such as Delta, Southwest, United, and more. 

Tulum Wedding Tip #2: Rent A Car Or Use a Transportation Service

If you and your partner are staying at a resort and don’t plan on leaving, I recommend hiring a transportation service for travel to and from the airport. Some resorts even have a private transportation service, so check with your resort or travel agent before your visit.

If you are staying at an Airbnb or plan on exploring Tulum, I recommend renting a car. Enterprise and Hertz are on location at Cancun International Airport and easy to work with! Just be sure to take pictures of the vehicle before driving off the lot to be safe from incurring an unnecessary damage charge. 

Tulum Wedding Tip #3: Remember Your Passport!

If you’re traveling from the U.S. or Canada, no visa is needed to travel to Mexico. Just be sure to double and triple-check your travel details before booking your Tulum elopement. The Mexican government does require that your passport be valid during the entirety of your trip. If your passport expires within six months of the return date of your trip, you will not be allowed to enter through security.

Tulum Wedding Tip #4: Visit During Off-Season To Avoid Crowds

Off-season in Tulum runs from May to September. If you want to avoid the crowds that come with traveling to the area during peak season, plan your elopement for May. It’s at the tail end of the busy season and just before the sweltering Summer heat fully hits the city. It’s also just before the cusp of hurricane season, so you’ll avoid most stormy weather. Hotel prices also begin to drop during May, and sea turtles start to arrive on the shore from the Caribbean Sea!

Tulum Wedding Tip #5: Don’t Forget Sunscreen

When traveling for a tropical destination wedding, it’s important to make a packing list detailing everything you’ll need, big and small. Before leaving for Tulum, add sunscreen and aloe vera lotion to your packing list. The last thing you want before your wedding day photos is a sunburn!

Tulum Wedding Tip #6: Use Pesos 

If you’re traveling from the United States for your Tulum elopement, many places in Tulum accept U.S. dollars (along with pesos). With the conversion rate, converting your U.S. dollars to pesos once you arrive in Mexico is better. You’ll get more for your money along the way!

Let’s Plan A Tulum Elopement!

I hope my Tulum wedding tips helped you feel a little less stressed while planning your Mexico elopement! If you’re ready to say I do in Tulum, I’m your go-to adventure elopement photographer! It’ll help make your ceremony as stress-free as possible. I assist couples with location scouting, permits, timelines, and more! You can check out my photography packages here, and tell me all about your vision for your special day by filling out my contact form!

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Vendors

Jungle Wedding:

• Retreat: @styledwildretreats
• Host: @meglaymanphotography
• Venue: @wildtulum
• Styling/Florals: @bixbyandpine
• Paper Goods: @26pressed
• Rentals: @archiverentals
• HMU: @daianasaucedomua.hair
• Dress: @grace_loves_lace
• Couple: @greta_milkovic x @jairomodel

Beach Wedding:

• Venue: @casavioleta
• Styling/Florals: @bixbyandpine
• Paper Goods: @26pressed
• Rentals: @archiverentals
• Dress: @willowbywatters from @thebespokebride
• Couple: @laylaalunalove_ x @daniel.sun__

AirBnb Wedding: 

• Styling/Florals: @bixbyandpine
• Paper Goods: @26pressed
• Rentals: @archiverentals
• HMU: @daianasaucedomua.hair
• Dress: @janehillbridal from @thebespokebride
• Couple: @candela.bulla x @martinn_isa

Bar & Bike Couple:

• Retreat: @styledwildretreats
• Venue: @wildtulum
• Bike Rental: @_tigredemar_
• Models: @marianadayg x @davidalonsopq