Mexico honeymoon ideas: 10 of the most romantic places to stay

Times

3 days ago

Despite its famed food culture and jungle-fringed beaches, Mexico wasn't a country that particularly called to me — that is, until I visited unexpectedly in 2022 after meeting a man who lived there. It turned out that I fell harder for the place than the relationship: over the next two years I spent 17 months exploring the country's epic landscapes — and just four of those with the man in question.
It's hard to define exactly what's so seductive about Mexico. Is it the cowboys riding along the beach while whales breach on the horizon? The defiant cool of its contemporary creative scene contrasted with indigenous peoples proudly practising pre-Colombian crafts? Whether your post-wedding wish is sun worshipping or high-octane hiking, cultural kicks or historic immersion, Mexico offers it all — and at far more affordable prices than most top honeymoon destinations. I'd be very surprised if you didn't fall head over heels with it too.
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Vast, vibrant and very easy to fall for, the sprawling capital is the place to start any Mexican honeymoon. From classic cantinas to Enrique Olvera and Jorge Vallejo's Michelin-starred restaurants, each neighbourhood has its own culinary identity best discovered on a food tour. It may be tempting to spend the rest of the time browsing Roma Norte's concept stores for treasures for the house, but a balloon ride over the vestiges of Teotihuacan (once one of the largest ancient cities in the Americas) has to be among the most romantic history lessons you'll ever have.
Uma Casa's plant-strewn, limewashed rooms embody the most seductive aspects of contemporary Mexican design, while double-height indoor terraces offer plenty of privacy.
Viator has numerous options for a sunrise balloon ride over Teotihuacan. Most are similar in terms of the experience they offer — and the opportunities for envy-inducing honeymoon photos.
• Discover our full guide to Mexico
Given its location just four hours from Mexico City and its long affiliation with the arts — it was one of the favoured bolt holes of the Beat poets — it's unsurprising that this highland city's cobbled streets are lined with tempting galleries and candlelit bars. Seeing Diego Rivera's murals followed by a dance performance at the Bellas Artes is a low-key date, as is sitting in the Jardin de Allende listening to the mariachi musicians who perform under the spires of the great gothic cathedral that crouches at the heart of the Unesco-listed old town.
Casa No Name is an 18th-century mansion with a folkloric feel and rooftop hot tub, perfect for quaffing sunset cocktails à deux.
G Adventures' nine-day Essential Central Mexico trip includes two nights in San Miguel de Allende as well as the up-and-coming city of Guadalajara.
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The intimate Caribbean island of Cozumel comes into its own in the morning, when the glassy waters of the snorkelling spot known as El Cielo (the sky) are free from day trippers and the best loungers still available at the Cabana Beach club. The west side of the island is home to the lively (read: touristy) city of San Miguel and most of the island's hotels, while the lonely beaches and seafood shacks of the wild east coast are a mere 20 minutes away by car. Broody newlyweds, take note: the ruins of San Gervasio were once part of an important Maya pilgrimage site for women seeking fertility.
InterContinental Presidente Cozumel Resort Spa may not have the catchiest name, but you can't beat stilted cabanas with sunbathing nets over the ocean when it comes to spending quality time together.
Newmarket Holidays' Deep South Rhythms, New Orleans & Caribbean Cruise includes a stop in Cozumel, as well as the Caribbean islands of Jamaica and Grand Cayman.
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Tequila, mezcal, pulque… when you think of Mexican tipples, wine probably isn't high on the list. However, thanks to a Mediterranean microclimate due to its location in the mountains of the Northern Baja Peninsula, the Valle de Guadalupe enjoys perfect conditions for producing light, characterful reds. A stay here offers the opportunity to explore more than 150 independent wineries, many championing organic and biodynamic techniques, as well as feast at numerous farm-to-table restaurants such as Lunario and Fauna, which has long communal tables that spill out into a cactus-filled garden.
Banyan Tree Veya's 30 romantic villas appear to have sprung organically from the valley's boulders, each with a private plunge pool. You'll wake every morning to panoramic views of the vineyards and mountains beyond.
Baja Winery Tours offers private transportation and itinerary planning around the Valle de Guadalupe, including stops at fine-dining restaurants.bajawinerytours.com
Sandwiched between the skeleton of a Maya citadel and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve — the largest protected area on Mexico's Caribbean coast — Tulum's sublime shoreline contains six miles of beaches with sand the texture of talcum powder and bath-calm water. Throw in countless design-led resorts, spas hidden in the jungle and plenty of opportunities to sip mezcalitos in bars where everyone looks like off-duty models, and you'll begin to understand why Tulum is such a siren for those dreaming of tropical romance.
Papaya Playa Project is a cluster of thatched cabanas and whimsical tree houses with direct access to 900m of deserted Caribbean sands. There's a beach party every Saturday with renowned guest DJs –— a plus or minus depending on your post-wedding energy levels.
Kuoni's tailorable Las Vegas and Mexico trip offers a memorable contrast between the bright lights of Vegas and the Yucatan's most laid-back beaches. kuoni.co.uk
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Once known for its 19th and 20th-century architecture and old-time feel, the capital of Yucatan is having a moment. Thanks in part to gentrification in Mexico City, a host of cool creatives have relocated here and are now embracing the city's history by converting mansions into boutique hotels and opening shops that act as galleries for indigenous artisans (try Taller Maya). The dense jungle that surrounds the city is scattered with Maya archeological sites including Uxmal (a Unesco world heritage site) and Ake, which lays bare the story of the Spanish conquest.
Casa Olivia is romance embodied thanks to antique loveseats, spiral staircases and bathrooms like indoor jungles lit by chandeliers. Two of the four rooms are honeymoon-worthy suites, but Olivia gets our vote for its direct pool access and very private terrace.
Sunvil's 11-night Yucatan Natural Wonders itinerary includes several nights in Merida, as well as time at Uxmal and Chichen Itza.sunvil.co.uk
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A host of ritzy resorts makes this glamorous peninsula an ideal basecamp for exploring the Riviera Nayarit, 200 miles of pristine Pacific coastline and arguably Mexico's most up-and-coming beach destination. Between December and March amorous humpback whales migrate to the waters of the Bahia de Banderas (Mexico's largest bay) to breed, while the gentle waves of Playa Punta Mita are ideal for fledgling surfers. If you can peel yourself off your lounger, a boat trip to the Islas Marietas Unesco biosphere reserve and golden sand of the appropriately named Playa del Amor — which can only be reached by swimming — are well worth the effort.
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is a collection of breezy houses and intimate casitas overlooking a private swathe of sand. The spa offers numerous couples treatments, including a signature tequila stone massage.
Cox and Kings offers tailor-made tours to the Pacific coast, including the Riviera Nayarit.coxandkings.co.uk
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This 31-mile-long Caribbean lagoon is Mexico's answer to the Maldives. Its Mayan name, Siyan Ka'an Bak'halal, translates to 'place surrounded by reeds where the sky is born' and as the sun progresses over the water you'll see it glow numerous shades of blue, from inky indigo to violet and turquoise. Wandering along Chetumal's malecon (pier) and climbing the Coba pyramid to watch the jungle claim the sun are worthwhile outings, but Bacalar is fundamentally a place to indulge in stillness, nature and stylish hotels with a sustainable bent.
Akalki Hotel y Centro Holistico is a collection of Gaudí-esque structures on the water's edge, including a floating yoga pavilion, juice bar and holistic healing centre ideal for those craving a post-wedding health reset.
Today Voyages' ten-day Yucatan Honeymoon combines plenty of beach time with nature excursions and visits to interesting rural villages.
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Flying under the radar of most international tourists, this rural region in the northern state of San Luis Potosi combines the chance to hike to dozens of gorgeous waterfalls with cultural quirks such as Huapango music and behemothic tamales designed to feed up to 50 people. A stroll around Las Pozas — the whimsical sculpture garden dreamed up over decades by surrealist artist and patron Edward James — is captivating, as is swimming in the crystalline canals that feed the Media Luna Lagoon, a half-moon-shaped lake you can go scuba diving in. The area is popular with day-trippers from Monterrey, so it's best to avoid visiting at weekends if you can. Accommodation tends to be in private cabin rentals or small boutique hotels, bringing a sense of charm to celebratory nature-first getaways.
Hotel Boutique Santa Lucia is typical of the region's hotels: a cosy, colourful nest in which to relax after a day spent in nature. It's also within easy striking distance of the Las Pozas garden and Tamul waterfalls.
Get Your Guide offers a day trip to the Tamul waterfall — the highest in the region — with a boat ride, underground cenote visit and meal at a local restaurant.
This ultra-exclusive enclave's name translates to 'village of water' and it does indeed have a series of cerulean lagoons, as well as Caribbean beaches and deep, mysterious cenotes (sinkholes) where you can float and observe the burning blue of the sky. The most exclusive spot on the Riviera Maya, Mayakoba is essentially a gated community that's home to just a handful of high-end resorts as well as some private properties. It may not be the most culturally stimulating destination but it's hard to beat for a blissful post-wedding slump.
Banyan Tree Mayakoba has an excellent spa, as well as a boat that can be booked for couples dining among the mangroves.
Abercrombie & Kent offers bespoke trips to the Riviera Maya that can include a stay at the magnificent Rosewood property.abercrombiekent.com
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Do you have a favourite romantic destination in Mexico? Let us know in the comments