Acapulco Mexico
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Acapulco Mexico Weddings
Acapulco is a city located at the Pacific coast of Mexico, a major sea port whose cruising lines run between Panama and California. It is as well an important tourist destination mainly because of its beaches and its pleasant year-round climate which suits the taste of both locals and foreigners who seek a tropical vacation.
Its wide variety of beaches and island resorts make Acapulco one of the best places to hold receptions and gatherings such as weddings. The city is accessible both by air and by sea, and because it has become one of Mexico’s gems in terms of promoting tourism, air fares have now become more affordable and flights have been increasingly available.
Acapulco’s best known island is Roqueta. Roqueta boasts a beautiful coral reef that can be viewed under glass-bottomed motorboats, and as well serves as a home for water lovers who are into scuba diving, snorkeling and other sorts of underwater adventure. As for the rest of Acapulco, water sports such as water skiing, sailing and para-sailing can be enjoyed anytime of the year.
Traditions
In Acapulco, the traditional Mexican beliefs and practices which were derived from the country’s rich blend of history and culture can be followed, among of them being:
1. The Wedding Attire- in a traditional Mexican wedding, the bride may wear a mantilla veil. She can also opt for a Flamenco-style dress as well as carry a fan instead of flowers. The groom meanwhile may wear a bolero jacket matched with a pair of tight fitting pants.
2. Food- traditional foods that can be served in Mexican weddings include spicy rice, tortilla dishes with chicken and beef and beans. Sangria, a beverage made up of red wine, brandy and fruit juice is served as well.
3. Music and entertainment- Mexican receptions are filled up with lots of merry-making. Salsa, meringue and flamenco music give life to the occasion, and so does mariachi music, that consists of drums, guitars, trumpets, violins and harps played by fancy-dressed musicians.
4. Religion- the major religion followed in the country is Roman Catholic, thus, wedding services in Mexico would go with the rules of the Catholic church, and primarily consists of a full Mass.
Why Acapulco?
Acapulco offers delightful locations when you’re in search for the ideal tropical wedding. Here are a few good reasons why Acapulco can be a good wedding nest:
1. It only takes 35 minutes to get to Acapulco coming from Mexico City through air, and almost 3 hours and 30 minutes by land.
2. If you want to experience how famous celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Mike Todd, Bill and Hillary Clinton, and John and Jackie Kennedy enjoyed their weddings and honeymoons, Acapulco is the right place for you.
3. Acapulco offers a unique concoction of Spanish, Mayan and Olmec traditions for those who want a wedding bound by both religious faith as well as history.
4. The city is home to over 35 hotels and resorts you can choose to stay depending on your budget.
5. If you opt for an underwater wedding, Acapulco can be a good destination because of its beautiful underwater reefs.
6. For those who love the beach, seaside weddings can be held anytime in Acapulco because of its hot tropical weather all year round.
7. Acapulco has a rabid nightlife, so newlyweds would not miss the partying after their wedding.
8. If you prefer a Mexican holiday for your wedding, Acapulco would be a good choice because not only would you be near the beach but would also get to see one of Mexico’s popular events-bullfights, which are held every weekend.
9. If you plan for a traditional wedding ceremony, Acapulco has over fifty chapels that offer peace and solemnity for your union. Its beaches and resorts are also well equipped to cater to every kind of wedding theme.
Marriage License Requirements
All Mexican weddings, regardless of location, must include a civil ceremony, for religious weddings bear no legal effect. Among the requirements include:
• All those who plan to marry in Mexico will both need certified copies of their birth certificates. For foreigners, their birth certificates must be legalized first by the Consulate of Mexico with jurisdiction over the country of birth.
• Couples must bring proper identification cards, passports and tourist cards.
• Applicants must undergo a blood test 15 days before the wedding date. They would have to submit a medical certificate stating that both of them are free of HIV and other diseases that are considered an impediment to marriage according to Mexican law.
• Couples also need to bring two witnesses over the age of 18. The witnesses should bring their IDs as well.
• Clients who have been previously married would need to present their divorce or death certificates. Those who have been divorced need to allot one year after the finalization of the divorce before they get married.
The first step in getting married in Acapulco is applying for a marriage license at the Registro Civil, which is situated near the Fort of San Diego, setting a schedule for the wedding. Most couples prefer to be wed at hotels and other beach locations, so those who would be wed outside the Registro Civil would have to pay a surcharge.
After the wedding, the couple would now receive their certificate of marriage or Acta de Matrimonio, which is obtained from the Registro Civil. It is recommended that the couple should have their marriage certificate authenticated by their respective country’s consulate.
• Registro Civil -- Retorno Tehuacan Lote 11 Mz 73 Col. Jardin Mangos CP 39412 Acapulco, Gro.
• Marriage fees cost around 510 Pesos to 762 Pesos or $51.00-$75.00.
How to Get There
Acapulco is located 300 kilometers away from Mexico City, and it can be reached by land, air and sea. Because of the site becoming a more and more popular tourist destination, daily flights going to Acapulco have already increased in order to bring more people who wish to experience a holiday in the place. Airfare has become more affordable over the years, in order to entice tourists to visit the destination.
• Going via Plane- it takes an estimate of 30 to 35 minutes to get to Acapulco’s Juan N. Alvarez International Airport from Mexico DF. The terminal is 26 kilometers from the center and is link to the Carretera Escenica Highway.
Aeromexico provides daily flights to Acapulco via Guadalajara with aircrafts accommodating up to 50 seats.
Continental Airlines meanwhile provide international flights to Acapulco from New York, Newark and Houston.
Sun Country Airlines and Northwest Airlines come from Minneapolis. American Airlines fly to Acapulco from Chicago.
America West Airlines fly from Lost Angeles, California.
• Land Transport- it takes an approximate of 3 to 4 hours going to Acapulco from Mexico City, and you can either take a bus ride or drive your way to the spot. There are a number of bus lines traveling to Acapulco, most offering deluxe and economic services. Acapulco has also three bus terminals for vehicles from all parts of the country arrive at. The toll fees to Acapulco, however, are very expensive.
• Traveling through sea is no longer popular in Acapulco, except during the ancient times.
Buses and taxis are common in Acapulco, but most tourists enjoy strolling around the city by foot for they get to see more sights rather than taking a ride.
Insider Tips
To avoid getting your holiday wedding ruined by stress and worries, here are some helpful tips in arranging your wedding in Acapulco:
1. Plan ahead- it’s always best to make a substantial game plan for your wedding. Acapulco is a place fit for year-round weddings so it is wise to make arrangements ahead of time. Of course, unexpected problems may occur in terms of weather, venue and reservations, so at least you have enough time to fix them.
2. Keep all documents handy- remember, Acapulco is a place set in the far side of your hometown, unless you live in Mexico. Thus you need to know and secure the proper documents as well as keep them handy so that you would be saved from the hassle of going back and forth to claim papers needed for your wedding ceremony.
3. Inform your guests in advance- send your invitations in advance to give your guests enough time to prepare to attend your wedding. Consider the fact that not all of them are jet setters who can fly to Acapulco and back anytime they want to.
4. Double check everything- in order to prevent last minute trouble, be sure to double check every detail in your wedding, from the flowers to hotel accommodations and most importantly, the wedding ceremony.
5. Check the weather- be alert of weather forecasts to avoid a rainy stormy wedding. Acapulco may be a tropical getaway but it occasionally has rain showers that could sometimes lead to storms.
6. Choose an off-peak date- be aware of the peak rates in Acapulco so you can enjoy a more peaceful journey to matrimony in terms of hotel accommodations, flight schedules and less crowded party zones. Take note of the events when tourists flock the place, as well as the days when there are a lot of couples getting married.
Best Time to Go
Acapulco is a tourist destination all year round, but becomes most populated during events such as the Spring Break, where college co-eds take the time off from school because it’s their vacation.
Ceremony
Religious Sites
Acapulco has a number of churches and chapels you can choose from, whose clergy would be more than glad to assist you with your wedding ceremony. However, Acapulco is predominantly Catholic due to its historical roots and traditions.
1. Iglesia de San Sebastian y Santa Prisca Southwest side of Plaza Borda, Taxco, Acapulco Open daily from 6 AM-9 PM
2. Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Acapulco, 39300 GRO Mexico +52 744 481 1160 Open daily from 7am-9pm No masses offered in English
3. Iglesia de San Jose Puerto Marques, Acapulco English masses offered during Saturday evenings and Sunday mornings as 8:00 AM.
4. Holy Cross Anglican Episcopal Church of Acapulco Alvaro Saavedra No. 10, Acapulco +52 744 466 1066 English Services every Sunday, 10:30 AM
Civil Sites
Beaches
Among Acapulco’s civil wedding sites are beaches, which can be accessed in private homes, hotels and resorts. Most beaches in Acapulco are open to the public, but in if you want to keep some personal space and hold your union as a private event, it is best to make arrangements with the hotel or resort. Acapulco hotels do have wedding packages for their clients to choose from.
Below is a list of beaches in Acapulco:
1. Caleta Beach- it is one of the most popular beaches in Acapulco, located at the ‘old’ part of the city. It has been one of the established beaches in Acapulco, and has been a favorite of the locals and is ideal for big family gatherings because of its wide space and local picturesque. However, it is always crowded especially during weekends.
2. Icacos Beach- located right in front of La Palapa Hotel, Icacos Beach is flocked usually by spring breakers and vacationers. Most come for water sports such as parasailing and wave running.
3. Condesa Beach- it can be found at the heart of Acapulco Bay. It is another public beach with a lot of vendors roaming around selling all kinds of goods.
4. Puerto Marques- this beach is located near the airport with calm waves and is ideal for quieter ceremonies.
5. Revolcadero Beach- this is a private beach where the Princess Hotel is situated.
6. Pie de la Cuesta- if you want a wedding with a romantic sunset, this beach is probably the best choice. The waves are more ideal for surfing though, but the environment is more peaceful and serene.
7. La Bonfil- in between Puerto Marques and Revolcadero Beach. It is another good place for surfing.
8. Hornos Beach- located near the center of Acapulco, Hornos has calm waves and is flocked by the locals of Acapulco.
Historic Sites
1. El Fuerte de San Diego/Acapulco Historical Museum Address: Costera Miguel Aleman, Acapulco, Mexico 76805 Telephone: +52 744 482 3828
El Fuerte de San Diego, or the Fort of San Diego, was built during the start of Spain’s conquest of Mexico. During this time Acapulco became an important part trade routes to the Philippines, another Spanish colony. The fort was constructed to protect the colony against pirates, but was destroyed by an earthquake in 1776. The Acapulco Historical Museum meanwhile displays Acapulco’s rich history and culture featuring hand-woven baskets, porcelain vases, Oriental chests and embroidered silk tapestries that defined what the city was during the Spanish period.
El Fuerte de San Diego is an ideal nest for those who love history and culture, as the fort still carries the aura of the Spanish conquest through its ruins.
2. La Quebrada Cliff Divers - La Quebrada houses the city’s most famous attraction-cliff diving. In 1934, a group of young lads amazed tourists by diving from over 100 feet off the cliffs down to a deep canal. After almost seven decades this show can now be watched from an observation deck as well as the La Perla Restaurant, if you want to thrill your guests during the wedding reception.
3. The Zocalo (Address: Plaza Alvarez, Acapulco, Mexico 76805) - The original town square of Acapulco, the Zocalo keeps the historic nature of the city as a place of bliss and enjoyment, where people lived in harmony and gaiety through music and dances. If you opt for an old fashioned wedding ceremony fiesta-style where everybody would be invited to join the fun and glee, then the Zocalo is one of best picks.
Other wedding locations
If you seek for a more adventurous and exciting wedding event, Acapulco offers a variety of thrills for you to choose from.
• You can go bungee-jumping after saying ‘I do’ at the La Condesa Beach. It normally costs $50 for the jump and an additional $20 for video coverage or photographs of your stunt.
• Another form of adventure is parasailing and underwater weddings, which can also be held at the La Condesa Beach.
• If you prefer a wedding in the sky, you can choose to hold your vows during a balloon ride. Balloon rides are offered at Costa Azul at $10 per ride per person.
• Another wedding thrill is the Skycoaster, where you can test your undying love for each other as you fly nearly 270 degrees in the air via a giant swing. The Skycoaster is located right beside the Balloon rides, also at Costa Azul. A ride costs $25 for a couple of persons.
Water theme parks also make a good venue for weddings in Acapulco, especially when the guests consist of families who want to enjoy a weekend getaway. A few of Acapulco’s water parks include:
• Cici- this is a water park favored mostly by kids. It is located near Costa Azul and beside the Hard Rock Café. Your guests would enjoy not just swimming in the waters but playing with the dolphins as well.
• El Castillo de Los Moyis- this is a relatively new water park which can be found in Pie de la Cuesta, more suited for adults who want to enjoy the waters in private.