When it's time to cut loose, fun-seekers tend to head to Cabo San Lucas and Cancun, Mexico. But, for couples seeking a peaceful island honeymoon packed with adventure, Cozumel is intimate enough to never feel crowded, yet offers everything from nightlife in San Miguel to miles of secluded, white sandy beaches. Setting it apart from its mainland Mexican counterparts, Cozumel boasts photo-op worthy sunsets, privacy and some of the best diving reefs in the world.
Wedding Requirements
U.S. citizens need to provide certain documentation to be married in Cozumel, including an original passport or birth certificate, a copy of a tourist card, and a blood test issued within 20 days of wedding date (obtained by a Mexican doctor). To make life easier, have the blood test taken in Mexico, where the medical certificate can be obtained in one day. All documents must be presented 72 hours in advance. Four witnesses, above the age of 18, are required. There is also a $350 fee for a marriage license and judge's services. Rules can change, so be sure to get the most updated from your wedding planner or resort contact. For more info, visit islacozumel.com.mx.
What to Do
Scuba Diving For more than 20 years, Cozumel has drawn divers with its impeccable dive spots, including Colombia Shallows, El Cielo, and the famed Palancar Reef drop-offs. Bond with your new spouse over sightings of yellow stingrays, barracuda, giant sea turtles, nurse sharks and dozens of tropical fish varieties and coral formations. Sites range in depth from shallow to drop-off deep, and numerous outfitters means there's a perfect fit for divers of every skill level.
Fiesta The week may be ending, but in Cozumel, Sunday means the party is just beginning. Join the party at the island's main plaza, which turns into an open-air festival with live music and lots of dancing by visitors and locals alike. Grab an outside table at one of the many restaurants, or join the crowd and show off your own spicy moves.
Chankanaab High-octane couples can fulfill all of their adventurous desires here with dolphin swims, SNUBA (the latest underwater craze, it's like diving only you breathe through a tube that connects to the surface), and diving to underwater caves and Madonna and Christ statues. For the less ambitious, the Park's crystal clear waters make for world-class snorkeling with plenty of Caribbean reef fish. You can also take a walk through Mayan history, with a complete replica of a Mayan village. Or simply relax in one of the hammocks by the beach or in a shaded palapa.
Off the Beaten Path
Mexican drinks Tequila's great, but to really get a unique taste of Mexico, drink what the Maya drank. Xtabentún is a liqueur made in the Yucatan from anise seed and fermented honey. The ancient Maya offered the sweet and intoxicating spirit to their gods during ceremonies. Xtabentún doubles as a great wedding favor. Although this potent liqueur can be found at various bars around the island, sipping it on a slice of sand at sunset is pretty close to liquid nirvana. — Emma Fox
