And then there's the wedding option: For obvious reasons (scenic beauty topping the list), Mexico has always been a popular honeymoon spot, and now, there is a growing interest among couples to tie the knot in Mexico as well. Bending to the trend, an increasing number of hotels have on-site wedding coordinators and offer professionally planned destination wedding and vow-renewal packages.

All Mexican civil marriages are automatically valid in the U.S. However, as wedding regulations in Mexico do vary by state and city (as they do in the US), it might be best to work with the hotel or hire a professional wedding planner who can assist with all of the legal requirements, site selection and details down to the flowers, music and food, even scheduling the hairdresser and make-up appointments for the bride and bridal party. Most of the larger hotels have an on-site wedding coordinator and the Puerto Vallarta CVB & Tourism Board can also suggest local outfits.

Why else is Puerto Vallarta the place for your wedding - anniversary?

Many hotels in Puerto Vallarta offer special honeymoon packages. You can savor the privacy of their own Jacuzzi suite while sipping chilled champagne and devouring fresh strawberries smothered in chocolate served from a palm tray.

The different options that exist in Puerto Vallarta gives honeymooners plenty new adventures to explore together. From hiking to ocean kayaking, mountain biking to whale watching, Puerto Vallarta's natural beauty inspires action - as well as romance.

Day-long cruises to the south shore villages and to the jungle waterfalls are very popular excursions for hopeless romantics. A variety of options are available on catamarans, cruisers… or charter a private power or sailboat!

What better place to start a life together than on a secluded beach? The undisputed favorite in Puerto Vallarta continues to be the dozens of sandy beaches - long stretches and intimate coves - that still rank highest with lovers of all ages.

Puerto Vallarta's modern amenities and services provide comfort and security for honeymooners, along with its traditional charms. The new $6.5 million dollar water treatment and purification facility has been instrumental in providing the town with pure, clean water so that is one less thing honeymooners need to worry about. Puerto Vallarta continues to enjoy its reputation as a safe and friendly resort, good to know when all you want to do is relax and enjoy a vacation free of worries. A special corps of Tourist Police - wearing crisp, white safari outfits - is on-hand to help visitors with directions and questions.

Wedding planning can be a financial strain on many couples - make your honeymoon dollars go as far as they can by organizing it in Puerto Vallarta. Many hotels offer special package deals and travelers paying with dollars continue to enjoy increased purchasing power in Mexico and in Puerto Vallarta.

Wedding requirements in Puerto Vallarta:

Newlyweds-to-be need:
The required paperwork for a Mexican marriage is similar to that required in U.S.A., with the difference being that the nearest Mexican consulate must validate all documents (the hotel or wedding coordinator can assist with this).

• Current passport as proof of ID and marital status.
• Certified copy of both party's birth certificates.
• Tourist card (received upon arrival in Mexico) or visa.
• Names, addresses, nationalities, occupations and ages of both parents.
• Health certificate and blood test (hotels will help set up the tests, which must be done in Mexico).
• Four witnesses (these can be provided by the hotel locally for an extra fee). Will also need to provide their names, addresses, occupations, ages and photo ID.
• Typically, two to four days must be spent in Puerto Vallarta to complete the requirements, although less time may be required when a wedding coordinator is involved.

In addition to the above requirements, previously married couples need verification that a minimum of one full year has elapsed from the date of one of the following:

• Divorce. Final dissolution of marriage must be verified with a certified copy of the final divorce decree.
• Widowed. Must be verified with a certified copy of the spouse's death certificate.