Known for its lush jungles, beautiful beaches, exciting nightlife, and cultural richness, Tulum is perfect for couples looking for an elopement experience that’s a perfect mix of luxurious, relaxing, and adventurous.

Legally Getting Married in Mexico

While foreigners can legally get married in Mexico, the process will be a bit more lengthy and involved. Beyond photo I.D.s and passports, you’ll need apostilled birth certificates translated into Spanish, a tourist permit, and a special permit to get married in Mexico (issued by Mexican immigration).

You are also required to get a medical examination (blood testing) at the local General Hospital in Mexico no more than 15 days before your ceremony and your ceremony must be performed by a Civil Registry official. You can find more info about the full process and requirements HERE.

Alternative option: do the legal paperwork at home.

Because of these requirements, it’s common for couples traveling to Mexico to legally get married in their home state and have a symbolic ceremony for their elopement instead. This will save you from the extra appointments and legal requirements during your wedding trip, which you’ll want to be as stress free as possible! You can still get dressed up, share your vows, celebrate your wedding, and have a really special day - you just won’t be doing the legal paperwork.

Best Time of Year to Elope in Tulum

To avoid hurricane season and the oppressive heat and humidity of summer, the best times to elope in Tulum are between November and April. During these months, you’ll want to plan around the major holidays and spring break times as those bring more crowds and higher rates.

Best Places to Elope in Tulum

Tulum has an incredible selection of beautiful venues from the beach to the jungle that make perfect elopement locations! Many of them also have on-site accommodations, restaurants, and other amenities that allow you to have a more seamless experience since you won’t have to worry about traveling between different locations on your elopement day.

Here are some of the best places to elope in Tulum:

Chechen Tulum:
A boutique hotel in the heart of the jungle with contemporary architecture, vibrant plant life, and a traditional Mayan restaurant on-site. Rental of the location for a wedding includes furniture, catering service, open bar, and indoor and outdoor spaces for ceremony and/or reception. Great for eloping couples who want to be joined by guests for an intimate, getaway type experience in the jungle of Tulum.
NEST:
Luxury beachfront property. With only 12 rooms and 1 villa onsite, this is the perfect place for a private and intimate gathering of your closest people. Great for eloping couples with 0 to 10 guests who want a private beach location with on-site accommodations for getting ready.
Kima Tulum :
A secluded jungle estate with 3 large private suites, a jungle cabana, and a pool on site. The minimalistic design of the rooms and outdoor spaces, paired with the natural elements of the jungle, make this one of the more modern and elegant venues in Tulum. Great for eloping couples who want a private space with a more simplistic, yet elegant design - this venue still has a classic tropical Tulum vibe, but isn’t overly “boho”.
Papaya Playa Project:
A boutique beachfront hotel with a rustic chic vibe and lots of wellness focused activities and amenities like yoga, meditation, spas, and a gym. Accommodation options include luxury villas and casitas, with ocean and jungle views, rooftop pools, and nature inspired designs. There are multiple venue options for your ceremony here including the beach, rooftop with 360 views, and both indoor and open air spaces. Great for eloping couples who want a luxury beach getaway and to be a little closer to the nightlife scene.
Una Vida Tulum:
A tropical oasis tucked away in the jungles of Tulum offering boutique villas, resort style pools, and two on-site restaurants. The thoughtful architecture of this property was designed to flow naturally into the environment. While this may not be the most ideal for a ceremony or celebration with a larger group, this is a great place to stay for eloping couples who are having a “just us” experience or those who are traveling with a group and getting married at another nearby site.
Be Tulum:
A beachfront resort hotel where luxury seamlessly merges with nature. This property has a peaceful, secluded vibe. Great for eloping couples who want a relaxing getaway experience.
Fossil Tulum:
A complex of boutique apartments that feature clean modern architectural design with lots of arches and natural colors. Great for eloping couples looking for accommodation that is more affordable than booking out an entire venue, but still has a luxury vibe. Fossil Tulum is less than 10 minutes from the beach, making it ideal for those not wanting to be in the very midst of the touristy beach region, but close enough to get there with a quick trip. If you like these, check out the other properties in Tulum by the same designer.
La Valise Tulum:
A luxury boutique hotel offering rooms both on the beach and in the jungle. This is a gorgeous property perfect for a truly unique wedding experience. Book a room for just yourselves as a tropical getting ready space or book out the entire property and invite all your loved ones to join you. Great for eloping couples who want a luxury tropical oasis vibe with beach and jungle access.
Cenotes:
Cenotes are often a highlight of visiting Tulum, however, they are not always the most ideal for an elopement location. If you have your hearts set on getting married at a cenote, I highly recommend working with a local elopement planner who has connections with cenote venues as many are located on private property and you must contact them directly to get permission. If it’s not a must for your actual elopement day, a much easier alternative option is to make a cenote adventure part of your pre- or post-elopement trip plans!
Public Beaches
If you’re not staying at a hotel or venue with private beach access, you can always go to one of the beautiful public beaches on the coast of Tulum for your photos. This is a low cost option if you simply want to run around in the sand with the ocean as your back drop, however, you won’t be able to set up any decorations or block off a specific area if you elope on public property. I recommend a sunrise adventure to the beach for photos (either on your elopement day or the day before/after) and having your ceremony somewhere more private.

Other Boutique Hotels & Venues to consider for Your Tulum Elopement

Do You Need a Planner to Elope in Tulum?

My advice is yes, IF:

You are getting legally married on your Tulum elopement date and want a local expert to help you with any legal documents or translations.
You want to work with a team of creatives who can pull together a beautiful ceremony site with florals, an arch, or other design elements.
You’re planning a reception for a group of guests and want a styled table scape and/or other decorations.

A planner will be able to coordinate with other trusted local vendors to bring your vision to life while taking as many responsibilities off your shoulders as possible.

If you’re booking a private villa or place to stay, having a symbolic ceremony, and the extent of your decor for the day is a bouquet, then a planner is likely not needed. As your elopement photographer, I will provide local recommendations for the most common vendors such as hair and makeup artists and florists. I also help with timeline logistics and guide you through the planning process to ensure you get the absolute best photos possible.

Where To Stay for Your Tulum Elopement

Many of the best elopement locations that I mentioned above have on-site accommodation options, however, if you want to do your own search for unique airbnbs or hotels within your budget and aesthetic preference, here are different areas to consider.

Tulum Beach is the coastal region of Tulum consisting of two large beach areas - Tulum Beach South and Tulum Beach North.
- Tulum Beach South aka the Hotel Zone is where you’ll find luxury beachfront accommodations, beach clubs, nightlife, and some of the best restaurant options. It is generally the most expensive area.
- Tulum Beach North is where you still have beach access, but will be further from many shops and restaurants. This area has a bit more of a quiet, romantic atmosphere and more affordable prices.
Tulum Pueblo (town center) is a bit further from the beach, but great if you’re wanting more of a local feel to your experience. Here you’ll find a mix of midrange and affordable hotels and restaurants within walking distance.
Aldea Zama is newer area of Tulum that is between Tulum town and the beach with lots of nice airbnbs and newer hotels. Generally quieter here at night.

Getting To and Around Tulum

While renting a car is an option in Tulum, I personally recommend booking a private shuttle from the airport and then renting a bike or scooter to get where you need to go once in Tulum. Many hotels will also help arrange private taxis for you during your trip. Parking and traffic in the busy areas can be a pain to navigate and I found the peace of mind from not having to deal with that totally worth any extra costs. If you plan to adventure out to some of the sites that are further from town or just want the flexibility of driving your own car, definitely be sure to follow all traffic laws and drive as safely as possible.

Things to Do in Tulum Before, During, and After your Elopement

If you’re traveling to Tulum for your elopement, definitely take advantage of all that this place has to offer! Here are some ideas of things that you can do either on your actual elopement day or on another day during your trip. Bonus points if you bring your photographer along to capture some of the “non-wedding” adventures!

Visit a cenote (Gran Cenote and Cenote Dos Ojos are a couple of popular ones)
Visit the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza
Get a day pass at a beach club
Make reservations at Azulik and/or visit the art exhibit
Take a trip to the Kaan Luun Lagoon
Rent a bike and ride around the beach zone
Find the nearest Matcha Mama and order smoothies or açaí bowls

Tulum Elopement Photography

If you’re looking for a photographer who will not only capture your elopement in a beautiful and artistic way, but also be there to support you throughout the entire process, then I’m the one for you. From brainstorming ideas together and really getting to know you and your priorities, to picking your locations, navigating travel logistics, and finalizing details, I’m here for you every step of the way. Planning an elopement is a little different than planning a traditional wedding, so having someone who specializes in planning and capturing these types of experiences is especially helpful! I’ll send you questionnaires to make things as personal as possible along with tons of other resources to guide you along the way as you craft a day that’s as intentional, unique, and adventurous as you want.

Pricing starts at $8,000 and includes: