Make Mexico Your Honeymoon Destination

 faraweek.com

 Jul 23, 2014 

People honeymoon all over the world, but Mexico is still a top destination for happy newly-wed couples. The country’s many different landscapes and lifestyles will provide you with vastly different experiences, depending on your tastes, budget, and the time of year. Even if you’ve already been to Mexico, there are most probably countless opportunities for discovery that you haven’t even considered yet. Seasoned travelers will tell you so: Mexico cannot be summarized and fully appreciated in one single visit. In fact,you can visit Mexico numerous times and be amazed by what you experience on every occasion. Here are only a few recommendations – feel free to do your own research, you’re bound to find a destination that will please both you and your significant other!

Traditional Locations

Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Cancun are popular Mexican locations that are best known for their all inclusive hotels and resorts. The areas around these cities are so well developed that you could spend over a week there and never get bored. The resorts have full service in every sense – expect the very best in dining, nightlife and outdoor activities. Many tourist attractions have sprung up around these locales. The tourism sector also thrives on the Yucatan peninsula’s federally-protected archeological and ecologic parks.(Image by Rigoberto Reyes)

Mazatlan

Mazatlan is a vacation destination that many people do not think of when they are planning their honeymoon. While Mazatlan is a busy tourist city, it’ssituated on the Pacific coast, which distinguishes it from the Mexico’s main tourist destinations on the Yucatan peninsula.Mazatlan is a sleepier town, with different venues for entertainment and more exotic destinations to visit when you leave the confines of the city.

Zipolite

If you would rather trade the comfort of an all-inclusive resort for something slightly off the beaten tracks, Zipolite might be just the place you’re looking for: this beach community in the state of Oaxaca is home to a number of expatriates who have come to enjoy the hippie lifestyle it tolerates, as well as its pristine beaches and cheap accommodations.

Baja California

Visiting Baja California is a unique experience for the Mexican traveler. This long stretch of land is surrounded on both sides by water, and is home to many small villages that dot the landscape. Stop to try local cuisine in these villages, and enjoy the diverse geography of valleys, mountain ranges and beaches. If you are planning a road trip, you can even drive the length of Baja and return to the U.S. through San Diego.(Image by Carlos Esparza)

Planning your honeymoon to Mexico can be summed up to purchasing a package to Cancun or Cozumel –this is of course the simplest and safest way of going about things. However, if you are feeling more adventurous you should customize your vacation and seek out Mexico’s beautiful and lesser-known attractions. In doing so you will certainly come back with long-lasting memories of the country’s amazing diversity and the great hospitality of its people.

Destination Weddings

travelsense.org

Congratulations! You're getting married! Over the next year you will be making a million decisions about your wedding and honeymoon, and hopefully the process will be as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. One choice that many couples are making nowadays is foregoing the traditional idea of a wedding - a local ceremony in front of 300 family, friends and random strangers - for an intimate destination wedding.

A destination wedding, labeled by some as a "wedding moon," combines the wedding, reception and honeymoon together in one location. The destination wedding is held at a desirable site, sometimes tropical, other times exotic, allowing the guests to enjoy a relaxing, activity-filled vacation while spending more quality time with the wedding couple. The couple invites only their nearest and dearest to celebrate the union. All events occur over a long weekend, along with other wedding activities designed to bring the revelers together.

If it's hard to imagine what a destination wedding is like, picture this: you and your partner are in a warm, tropical setting, surrounded by friends and family toasting your success. The sounds of music and ocean waves peacefully blend together in the background, and a feast is prepared in your honor in the local traditions. Every single detail, from the setting of the service to the flowers, has been effortlessly arranged to suit your taste. And after the ceremony, you won't have to leave this breathtaking locale, for you'll have your honeymoon there as well.

To discover if a destination wedding is right for you, check out this advice from ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents). Some of the most travel-wise people in the world, ASTA travel agent members know that a special destination can make a special occasion extra special.

Reasons to Say, "I Do" to Destination Weddings

 

The Beauty of Package Deals - Tourism organizations, resorts and cruise lines offer wedding packages to keep a destinationwedding stress-free and simple. Some offer the complimentary services of their on-site wedding consultant to help coordinate the essentials, like your marriage license and an officiant. All you have to do is show up. Your travel agent can sometimes expand these package deals to include fun activities for you and your special guests, such as sightseeing excursions, snorkeling adventures or shopping trips.

Avoiding the Awkward Invites - Because destination weddings are generally intimate affairs attended by only your closest friends and dearest family members, you can avoid being forced into inviting cousin Matt with halitosis or your best friend Jenny's little brother you met once 10 years ago. You get to choose the level of intimacy you want for the ceremony and invite accordingly, or you can invite no one at all for a very romantic trip down the aisle.

No Reception with 250 People to Pay For - You do the math: 250 people, including co-workers and business contacts, at $75 a head equals too much money! A luxurious wedding weekend at a fabulous destination oftentimes costs less than a seated dinner at the local country club. Proper etiquette of a destination wedding calls for invited guests to pay their own airfare, while you'll pick up the tab for the lodging, food and beverages. You can add a few perks for your guests if feeling generous, such as gift certificates to nearby spas.

It's smart for a couple planning a destination wedding to contact a travel agent to negotiate a discounted rate for booking multiple rooms and group rates with airlines or cruise ships. If money is an issue, your travel agent can steer you toward domestic locations or countries with a favorable exchange rate.

No Extra Traveling Necessary - Destination weddings are perfect for couples with families and friends scattered around the country or even the world. If a good majority of your guests would have to travel to your hometown anyway, then getting married in a desirable vacation spot will make many of your guests happy.

Reasons to Think, "Maybe Not"

Long Distance Planning and Legal Red Tape

For those not getting married at a resort with a complimentary wedding consultant, you'll have to juggle all the small details yourself long distance. You might experience complications when trying to get a marriage license in a foreign country or even another state. Many places require marriage fees and residency requirements.

It's wise to hire a coordinator who specializes in destination weddings to help you navigate the twists and turns. A good wedding planner, like a good travel agent, can help keep costs in check by bargaining with vendors or utilizing professional relationships to obtain special discounts. The more exotic thelocale, the more necessary the wedding planner becomes. If at all possible, hire a local wedding planner who specializes in destination weddings, and let him or her work with an onsite planner. This usually does not translate into double fees, for the services of the local wedding planner are generally included in the overall price. 

Where's Granny? - While exotic locales are a great way to keep undesirables from attending your special event, it may also have the reverse effect with loved ones who may not be able to attend due to the expense, physical limitations or getting enough time off of work. Think about all the guests who are truly essential before deciding on the location. If money is an issue for your guests, simply tell them that their presence is the only wedding gift you need.

No Room for Impetuousness - With a destination wedding, advance warning and save-the-date cards are crucial. Send them off as early as possible, preferably at least eight months in advance, for your guests will need to work the trip into their budget and work schedules. Also, many guests, since they're suddenly planning to visit an exciting corner of the world, take vacations before or after the wedding. Fair warning gives them time to contact a travel agent and plan the perfect trip.

Crowded Honeymoon? - With your family around, will you be able to enjoy a private honeymoon with romantic alone time? If you want alone time, you'll have to schedule it. Arrive a few days before everyone else, which you may need to do anyway for marriage license requirements, or enjoy your honeymoon nearby on a different island or neighboring resort. If neither of these options is possible, plan fun activities, preferably of the all-day kind, to occupy your friends and family while you and your new spouse sneak away to a private beach or special restaurant.

I, Travel Agent, Take Thee (State Your Name) Anywhere You Want to Go

Once you decide a destination wedding is right for you, then say "I do" to a travel agent. Travel agents excel at making plans for multiple people from multiple locations, oftentimes at special, discounted group rates. Planning for the most important day of your life will be a wonderfully crazy time for you, so finding someone you trust to aid in your decision making will be a welcomed relief.

A good travel agent can save you money as well as time - two enormous factors for a couple planning their life together. Through their love of travel and reliable relationships with suppliers around the globe, travel agents specialize in providing personalized suggestions to suit both your dreams and your budget. Some travel agents can even set up a layaway plan, so you can make monthly payments for your special trip.

Wherever you decide to share your vows and spend your honeymoon, ASTA members want you to remember to pack a good attitude and simply enjoy your time together. With a little TravelSense, a few guidelines and some helpful tips, your destination wedding will lead to many, many destination anniversaries.

Legalities of getting married in Mexico

mexico.com

Unlike Las Vegas, which has a reputation for fast and easy weddings, couples that want to get married in Mexico have a few legal hoops to jump through -- as well as a short mandatory waiting period. The good news is that the process is relatively easy and civil ceremonies in Mexico are recognized in the U.S. Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions. Be aware that rules vary by state in Mexico, so you should check with your wedding coordinator or a local civil registrations office (Registro Civil) for more information about marriage licenses and wedding ceremonies.

Is there a residency requirement or
waiting period in Mexico?You don't need to be a resident of Mexico to get married there. However, couples do need to arrive and stay in Mexico for three full business days (this excludes Saturdays, Sundays and Mexican holidays) before submitting a marriage license application.

What documents are needed for the marriage license application?

• Original birth certificates with apostille-certified Spanish translations.
• Passports (originals as well as copies).
• Tourist cards (these are issued to you at the airport upon landing).
• The completed marriage license application (this form is available at local civil registrations offices in Mexico).

What if one of you is divorced or widowed?

The laws vary by state in Mexico on when people are allowed to remarry. Most require at least one full year from the date of the final divorce decree. Your divorce decree must be translated to Spanish, certified with an apostille and presented as part of the marriage application. In addition, if either party is widowed, the death certificate of the deceased spouse is needed as part of the documentation requirements. This also must be translated into Spanish and certified with an apostille.

Are blood tests required?

Yes, recent blood tests are required from both the bride and groom. Many resorts have doctors on staff who can do blood tests on the premises. These tests should be done at least three business days before the wedding and the results must be written in Spanish. The cost for this usually ranges from $150 to $300. In some Mexican states, chest X-rays are also required.

What is the cost and processing speed for a marriage license application?

Once you have all of your paperwork together and three business days have passed, you can submit the application at a local civil registrations office. Marriage license fees vary by state in Mexico, but usually range from $25 to $40. The processing time also varies -- anywhere from 30 minutes to a few days -- after which the ceremony can take place.

Do we need to have witnesses at the ceremony?

If neither of you are Mexican, you will need to have at least four witnesses present at the ceremony -- two for the bride and two for the groom. Your witnesses must be at least 18 years old and will be required to submit their passports (originals as well as copies) and tourist cards at least three business days before the ceremony. If you do not have witnesses traveling with you, they can often be provided by your resort.

Are wedding ceremonies performed in English or Spanish?

To be legal, ceremonies must be performed in Spanish, but they can be translated to English by resort staff or someone else who has been designated to do that. Symbolic ceremonies -- such as renewals of vows or commitment ceremonies -- are all performed in English.

Is a Mexican wedding recognized in the U.S.?

Yes, civil ceremonies in Mexico have legal validity in most countries including the U.S. However, religious ceremonies are not legal. Once the civil ceremony has been conducted, couples will need to obtain a certified copy of their marriage certificate (Acta de Matrimonio), which proves they have been wed in accordance with Mexican law. Then, upon return to the U.S., they will need to get that certificate "authenticated." This is done by the Office of Authentications in the State Department. For more information, visit http://www.state.gov/m/a/auth/.

Are there any requirements for a renewal of vows ceremony?

No. Unlike a civil wedding, vow renewals are considered to be "spiritual" ceremonies and are not legally binding. Anyone

Give Memories, Not Things: Using Travel to Celebrate Milestones

By Jennifer Miller

March 25th, 2013bootsnall.com

 

 

 

Three days after we got married, I had back surgery instead of a honeymoon.

 

Our long running joke about the traditional vows, “For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health,” is that we started out sick and poor, so it had to get better. To celebrate our first anniversary we drove our beater car from central Indiana to Miami and took a four day cruise to the Bahamas. You know, one of those free ones you get for sitting through the time share presentation in which they browbeat you and tell you you’re a terrible parent for not buying in so your non-existent children will have a place to vacation? It was all we could afford, and it was fantastic. We got sunburned, we got offered weed on the street five times a day, we ate lobster, our car was t-boned by a drunk Irish dude – what more could a girl ask for in a belated honeymoon? How ‘bout 20 more?

 

Taking an annual honeymoon

 

 

 

That trip started a long standing tradition of annual honeymoons. Some were big: to Hawaii for number ten. Some were tiny: a cake purchased at a grocery store and eaten in our tent in the rain somewhere in England with our four kids and a friend. Some have been epic: a two week east coast motorcycle tour through Maritime Canada. Others have been quick: an overnight at a fancy hotel with creme brulee and berries via room service.

 

Almost by accident, that tradition has lead to a trend in our family, as it has grown from just our two hearts to six, to value experiences over things. The grandparents have even gotten on board.

 

We travel for a living. Right now we are in an RV, touring the backroads of New Zealand with approximately 21square feet per person.

 

• For the preceding ten months we’ve been living out of backpacks in Southeast Asia.
• Before that we were camping in the USA.
• Before that we were road tripping Central America.
• Before that we were bicycling Europe and North Africa.

We don’t have a lot of room for stuff. So what’s a person to do when birthdays and holidays come around that are famous for being celebrated by a consumeristic binge? Opt out? Exactly the opposite. We opt in, but in all the ways that will matter for a lifetime, not simply a morning or a few months of tangible enjoyment.

Instead of buying things, we buy experiences

We decided long ago to spend our money on enriching our lives, building relationships, and crafting memories that tie heartstrings with the people who matter most. We don’t have closets full of clothes. Our kids have only the toys they love enough to carry on their backs. We’ve traded a pretty house for beautiful landscapes and the ability to change them at will.

I don’t remember what I got for my tenth birthday, but I promise you that when my youngest child is 38, he will. We rode elephants in the jungles surrounding the tiny town of Pai, Thailand for his 10th birthday. Our daughter wanted to see Angkor Wat for her 16th birthday, so we did (although on her actual birthday we were in Vietnam and she had a stunning Vietnamese tunic and pants custom made as a gift. She’ll never forget that either!) Our middle son spent his 12th birthday with “Uncle Ho” in Hanoi and proudly sports the t-shirt. My husband’s birthday was spent surrounded by friends and travelers at an enormous party in San Marcos, Guatemala. We’d been living there for six months, and the entire town came to his party. Two restaurants closed because there was no point in opening – everyone was with us.

For Christmas two years ago my in-laws came to Guatemala and spent two weeks climbing volcanos and learning Spanish with us. It was their first international trip and a huge gift of irreplaceable memories stitched into the hearts of our kids.
 

We have some of the coolest grandparents, on both sides of our family. They’ve gotten on board with our quest to make memories and give experiences instead of stuff. For Christmas two years ago my in-laws came to Guatemala and spent two weeks climbing volcanos and learning Spanish with us. It was their first international trip and a huge gift of irreplaceable memories stitched into the hearts of our kids. Four years ago my parents flew almost half way around the world to join us, camping, on the sands of the Sahara in Tunisia. We rode camels for Christmas and lay, freezing, in the dark as Daddy read the end of A Christmas Carol out loud. My Dad told me in the morning that listening to my husband read reminded him of our childhood sleepless nights in Central America when he’d read for hours to stave off the suffering of mosquitos and unbearable heat. I come about it honestly as we’ve been investing in memories for generations on my side of the family.

Using travel to celebrate

I turn forty in 17 months, but who is counting? I’m really looking forward to it. My twenties were a decade of pregnant or nursing and were characterized by chronic laughter and exhaustion, and I got four people off of my skirt hems and on towards independence. My thirties have been a roller coaster of adventures that have taught me much about life and myself. I’m surprised to find that I’m not at all who I thought I was before. My forties promise to be a time of rebirth and a different sort of adventuring, in which my children will leave as quickly as they came and I’ll have time on my hands in a way that I haven’t in a very long time. I’m excited about that.

To mark our 40th birthdays my friend Jade and I have an adventure in the works. It was her idea, truth be told. We’re going to take a month or so late next spring and walk the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean Pied-du-Port, France to Santiago, Spain. It’s about 500 miles, and we’re going to do it alone, just she and I. It will mark the milestone of our entrance into the second half of life. Mid-life deals some surprises, and we’re intending to spend some time walkin’ it off. It will be a time of personal reflection and seeking direction. It will be a time to celebrate who we are and where we’ve been as well as where we’re headed as individuals – wives, mothers, daughters, and friends. Neither of us want a gift we can hold in our hands; instead we’re creating a gift to one another that we’ll hold in our hearts forever.

I’ve read that the average American was projected to spend over $850 on Christmas in 2012 and that the average spending per child was over $270. I believe it. So, if you’re a couple, that means that Christmas is likely setting you back $1700. If you have four kids, like we do, you could average $1080 on just the kids, never mind extended family and friends. Six months later, what do you have to show for that? Is the “stuff” still treasured, still making you “happy?” With all my heart, I hope so.

What I can promise you, beyond a shadow of a doubt, is that the memories made with that same amount of money will live forever in your mind, and the collective consciousness of the people you make them with. Every adventure you have with your kids changes the culture of your family forever.

Instead, I think of us as maximalists. We believe in living life to the fullest, sucking the marrow from every moment, spending our money liberally on the things that really matter.
 

We’ve been accused, occasionally, of being minimalists, because we’ve downsized to the point of only what we can carry and because we just don’t buy stuff. To be honest, that kind of offends me. I don’t view us as minimalists at all. To me, there are negative connotations to that word, and there’s an arrogance that seems to go with it for some people. As if living with less is somehow morally or socially, or ecologically superior to “everyone else.”

Instead, I think of us as maximalists. We believe in living life to the fullest, sucking the marrow from every moment, spending our money liberally on the things that really matter. And that is people and experiences that will last for a lifetime, perhaps into eternity – not things that will end up in a landfill.

We’ve stayed at the Four Seasons a few times and reveled in the lap of luxury. We’ve also camped with no electricity or running water in more than a few places and delighted in the simplicity of stars over head and a card game with friends by lamplight.

Give me people and experiences over stuff, every single time.



 

Mazatlan Continues On a Path of Tourism Recovery

 

 

 

travelpulse.com

By Claudette Covey
June 12, 2013 4:49 PM

 

 

Mazatlan is continuing to make a significant recovery following a drop in tourists since 2009 due to safety concerns. That situation, says Frank Cordova, secretary of tourism for the state of Sinaloa, has turned itself around. “Things are looking really, really good,” he told Travel Pulse. “We’ve had a month of May to remember. Four- and five-star hotels closed out may at about 85 percent occupancy,” he said, adding that May is traditionally a slower month.

Convention business has also fought its way back, with Mazatlan hosting 45,000 convention participants this year. Violent crime is down 80 percent from two years ago. “We haven’t had any incidents whatsoever in the tourism zone in over two years,” said Cordova. “Security is not an issue for us.”

Cordova said Mazatlan is working toward recouping its traditional markets, which include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Denver, Minnesota, southern Texas, Calgary and Vancouver with a $3 million advertising campaign that differentiates the destination from traditional beach resorts. “We’ve got a lot to offer that nobody else has,” Cordova said. “We have a Colonial city on the beach. We have the best of both worlds.”

Mazatlan has invested more than $7 million in restoring the city and is building a highway around the city that will reduce traffic that now runs through the destination.

In other tourism developments, both Holland America Line and Norwegian Cruise Line have begun serving the destination again. Cordova said that seven corporations have solicited bids to build hotels. On the airline front, Sun Country has more than doubled its seats into Mazatlan. Cordova said tourism officials are in negotiations with a host of other carriers to increase service. “We’re going to be able to close some good deals on flights,” he said.

Cordova said that he has high hopes that Mazatlan will host Tianguis Turistico in 2016 and has received a verbal promise from Mexico’s Secretary of Tourism Claudia Ruiz Massieu saying just that.

“We really want people to come back and get to know us again,” Cordova said. “That’s really what our message is.”


 

How to pimp your 'moon

lonelyplanet.com

Sarah Baxter 1 March, 2013

You’re getting married. It’s a dastardly-dipped recession, but you LOVE your betrothed and still want oodles of romance on your ’moon, even if you can’t afford the Ritz. Here’s how to add amour to your adventures without breaking the bank

Unleash the ‘H’ word

Whereas prefixing anything with ‘wedding’ guarantees a price hike, ‘honeymoon’ has the opposite effect. People love giving couples freebies – perhaps keen they’ll return for anniversaries. Tell hoteliers and you could get anything from free champers to a room upgrade. Tell your tour operator and it can notify its ground handlers – your airport transfer driver might be holding a cute sign; you might get the best table at the local restaurant.

Self-glamp your camp

Wild camp by Alltan Ban by Ted and Jen. Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Camping is the cheapest way to ’moon – in some regions (notably Scotland and Scandinavia) wild camping is perfectly legal, meaning you pay nowt for accommodation. It’s also inherently romantic: what could be dreamier than unzipping the tent to your own private loch view? Make your camping super-chic with some simple touches: pack tealights and jam jars to turn your pitch into a fairy-dell; take plastic wine glasses and decant your favourite vintage into a wine bag (try the Platypus Platy Preserve - www.platypreserve.com); check astronomy charts to time your trip with a meteor shower or full moon.

Get your guests to pay

Increasingly, couples are ditching towels-and-toasters wedding lists, and asking guests to contribute to their honeymoon instead. Set up a list with your tour operator (many have giftlist services) or, if travelling independently, use a site such as buy-our-honeymoon.com or justthething.co.uk. Some of these charge a set-up fee, others take commission. Either way, you can list experiences – perhaps that Harley ride round Uluru or cocktails at Hong Kong’s Ritz Carlton – and your guests can buy them for you.

Book the right flight

Garuda Cabin by Simon_sees. Creative Commons Attribution Licence

You won’t get a free upgrade to business class just for being honeymooners – though it’s worth a cheeky ask. However, research your planes to feel like you’re flying higher: look for aircraft with a 2-3-2/2-5-2 seat configuration and book yourselves into a ‘2’ section for a bit of privacy.

Sleep cheap so you can splurge

Don’t blow your budget on fancy accommodation. It’s better to book the best room at a three-star hotel than the cheapest one at a five-star: you’ll feel more special and get more for your money. What you save on the room, use to buy cocktails in a bar with a beautiful view or those unforgettable front-row concert seats.

Be amorous ‘off-season’

Rates vary dramatically depending on when you travel. There’s no point heading to the Caribbean in peak hurricane season if you only want to sunbathe, but it’s worth considering certain destinations outside the most popular months. For instance, safari in Botswana in ‘green season’ and, while you might get short daily downpours, the landscape will be lush, the animals healthy-looking and lodge rates slashed. Shoulder months – the period just before/after peak time – can offer bargains, and decent weather.

Self-cater in style

Slash eating-out costs by self-catering. It makes having breakfast in bed easy. You can stock the fridge with cheap fizz. And you can make market-shopping for local goodies part of the fun. Ratchet up the romance by packing a tablecloth and candles. If you’re going to eat in a lot, book a place with a view, terrace, garden or balcony.

Take it in turns to plan treats

Little extras, such as spa treatments or ordering breakfast in bed, can quickly add up. So take it in turns to do them yourselves – one morning, one of you might nip to the patisserie to bring back brioche; the next, the other could offer a back massage. One day, one of you takes charge of booking dinner; the next, the other leads a mystery walking tour. It keeps the trip full of (cheap) surprises.

Think beyond the norm

Don’t just consider hotels – a house-swap could net you an hip apartment or beach hut for nowt but the airfare. Register (for a fee) on a website such as lovehomeswap.com to find options worldwide. Note, swaps don’t have to be simultaneous, giving you flexibility. Not ready to rent out your own home? You can still stay in other people’s: check out rental sites such as airbnb.com (www.airbnb.com/) and housetrip.com (www.housetrip.com/); rates often work out 20-30% cheaper than hotels, and properties may come with more personal touches such as access to a great DVD collection or the owner’s bikes.

Pack a ‘honeymoon kit’

Picnic by Chloe Lim. Creative Commons Attribution Licence

Before the trip, put together a package of ‘instant romance’ items for your partner. This might include: a slushy music compilation (and cheap travel speakers); a star chart for your destination; a thin check cloth (so picnics are always an option); matches and tealights; plastic folders (for memorable tickets and oddments); a full hip flask (for when you need to toast the wilderness).