The trend of destination wedding tourism in Quintana Roo continues to rise, and Costa Mujeres is rebounding as an emerging market, although Cancun and the Riviera Maya maintain leadership.
These are favorite spaces for couples looking for paradisiacal settings for their weddings worldwide, said Julio Macías, national president of the Association of Independent Coordinators of Professional Weddings and Events (Acibep), within the framework of the 15th anniversary of the association in the entity.
In 2022, Isla Mujeres, which includes the Costa Mujeres area, registered a 56% increase in wedding tourism compared to the previous year, with around 200 ceremonies held on the mainland and more than 50 on the island.
Likewise, in 2023, more than 250 events were projected, reflecting the growing popularity of this area among couples. In 2024, more than 130,000 weddings were held in the Mexican Caribbean.
“This boom in Costa Mujeres is due to its recent tourist development, which offers pristine beaches, luxury resorts, and a more exclusive atmosphere, attracting couples looking for less crowded, but equally paradisiacal environments to celebrate their union, especially Hindu weddings that stay from seven to 10 days,” he explained.
The Mexican Caribbean is one of the three romance tourism powerhouses that people prefer to get married, in addition to the Caribbean islands and Hawaii.
The wide air connectivity it offers its visitors has been another important aspect for the development of this industry, with airports in Cancun, Cozumel, Chetumal, and Tulum, with daily capacity to receive hundreds of flights from the main cities of the country and the world.
For her part, Alejandra Solís, president of Acibep in Quintana Roo, stressed that “Hindu weddings have had exponential growth for four years, of the 130 thousand weddings that were held in 2024 in the Mexican Caribbean, 40% are from that country (India), apart from the Americans, Canadians, and Europeans, with a market for Catholic, Jewish and symbolic weddings.”
For this association, which has one hundred members in the state, including wedding planners and certified suppliers, at a national level they have competition from places like Punta Mita, which is growing and also offers attractive views; Mexico City, for Hindu weddings; and Yucatan for its haciendas; at an international level, Italy is a destination that is becoming fashionable for the romance segment.
Juan Pablo de Zulueta Razo, Secretary of Tourism of Benito Juárez, highlighted that 70% of weddings in Mexico take place in the Mexican Caribbean, consolidating the region as the leading destination in this segment.
He also highlighted that not only weddings are celebrated there, but also baptisms, engagement parties, and anniversaries, which further increases the economic impact and demand for tourist services in the area.
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