Honeymoons and Weddings

Honeymoons & Weddings

An archeologist is the best husband any woman can have: The older she gets,
the more interested he is in her. Agatha Christie, 1890-1976

Mexico is now the number one foreign destination for honeymooning couples. It’s no wonder, explains Geri Bain, travel editor of Modern Bride Magazine: “Couples nowadays are looking for more than just a nice beach location and good weather. [They] want a romantic and relaxing setting combined with adventure and outdoor activity. Mexico amply satisfies these criteria.”
Call your travel agent for honeymoon packages. Many resorts also offer wedding deals, allowing for a romantic tropical affair at your hotel. You can arrange your own idyllic marriage ceremony anywhere. It’s easy to plan a civil or religious ceremony in Mexico. The legal requirements and regulations are minimal and mirror what a couple would need to provide in the United States.

Today’s honeymooners are an active group. Courtesy Mexico Tourism Board Lots of companies can help with wedding arrangements, from the Justice of the Peace to flowers and cake. Weddings on the Move is one. Call  800/444-6967, or visit their website at www.idoweddings.com. Caribbean Cancún Weddings (998/881-7307, www.caribbeancancunwedding.com) arrange nuptials in the ever-popular honeymoon resort town of Cancún.
Required Marriage Documents
 Tourist card
 Birth certificate
 Blood test certificate
 Valid passport or driving license
 Divorce certificate (if applicable)
 Marriage Application form
 Four witnesses

Holidays and Festivals

Holidays & Festivals

To many people holidays are not voyages of discovery, but rituals of reassurance. Philip Andrew Adams, Australian Most of Mexico’s festivals and holidays have religious significance. In the Yucatán, these aren’t solemn occasions but spirited celebrations that, in some cases, blend Maya
rituals and culture with the Catholic religion. Local people dress up and enjoy dancing, music, feasts and fireworks. For more details on any of these events, you can call the Mexico Government Tourist Office,  800-44-MEXICO.

JANUARY
1 Jan: New Year’s Day.
6 Jan: Día de los Reyes Magos: Day of The Three
Kings. Gifts are often exchanged this day instead
of Christmas.

FEBRUARY
2 Feb: Candeleria (religious holiday).
5 Feb: Flag Day/Constitution Day (legal holiday).
Feb/March: Carnival. This is especially festive
on Cozumel.

MARCH
Around 21 March: Vernal Spring Equinox. The
shadow of a serpent appears to undulate down
the steps of the pyramid of Kukulcán at Chichén
Itzá.
21 March: Birthday of Benito Juárez.
March/Apr: Easter Sunday. Perhaps the most
holy day in Mexico. The week preceding is La
Semana Santa (Holy Week).

APRIL
End of Apr/beginning of May: International
Yacht Races, Isla Mujeres.
El Cedral Fair, Cozumel.

MAY
1 May: Labor Day (legal holiday).
2-3 May: International Deep-Sea Fishing Tournament, Cozumel.
5 May: Cinco de Mayo. This holiday commemorates the Battle of the Puebla (1862), in which the
Mexican Army defeated invading French troops.
17-27 May: Jazz Festival, Cancún.

JUNE
4 June: Festivities, Valladolid.
24 June-9 Aug: Saints Peter & Paul, Cozumel.

JULY
25 July: Saint James the Apostle, Rio Lagartos.

AUGUST
17 Aug: Cruz de la Bahia celebrates the founding of Isla Mujeres in 1854. A bronze cross weighing approximately one ton, 39 feet in height and 9¾ feet wide, was planted into the Manchones Reef between Isla Mujeres and the coastline in 1994. The “Cross of the Bay” is the island’s tribute to all the men and women of the sea. Scuba divers celebrate with a mass dive.

SEPTEMBER
15 Sept: Independence Day (legal holiday).
23 Sept: Autumnal Fall Equinox, Chichén Itzá.
29 Sept-9 Oct: Saint Miguel Archangel, Cozumel.

OCTOBER
2nd weekend Oct: Music Festival, Isla Mujeres.
12 Oct: Columbus Day (legal holiday).
31 Oct: All Souls’ Eve. Boo!

NOVEMBER
1-2 Nov: All Souls’ Day/All Saint’s Day/Day of the Dead.
Graveside and church ceremonieshonor the memory of departed loved ones. Instead of a somber occasion, the Day of the Dead is a happy celebration with a fiesta atmosphere. As well as sugar skulls and candy skeletons, a family meal is eaten at the gravesites and favorite food
is left for the departed souls. A haunting experience for visitors. Be sure to join in if you’re here.
Mid-Nov: Cozumel Marathon Race. The 26.2- mile race attracts runners fromthe US andMexico. End of November-beginning of December: Expo-Cancún. Arts and crafts, exhibits and folk dancing.

DECEMBER
8 Dec: Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
12 Dec: Our Lady of Guadalupe. A big holiday in honor of Mexico’s patron saint.
Mid-Dec: International Marathon Cancún. Begunin 1996.
25 Dec: Christmas Day.
31 Dec: New Year’s Eve. Party time.

Driving/Car Rental, Buses

Rental cars are relatively expensive and you should buy all the insurance on offer.
Unlike the United States, rental drivers are liable for 10% of the car’s value, so we strongly advise taking zero deductible policies. Roads are in excellent condition, but night driving in the countryside is very dangerous for a variety of reasons.

WARNING

Be cautious when you drive in Mexico, as left turns are made from the right lane. On Cozumel’s four-lane northern road, for example, in order to make a left turn, pull into the right lane and wait until the traffic passes before you turn. Yikes! Buses are a good alternative and very reasonably priced. The hotel zone in Cancún offers frequent bus service along the main drag and into downtown for about 75¢. The bus station for longdistance service is downtown at Av. Uxmal & Tulum.

More Information

To get information and brochures about Cancún, Cozumel and Mexico in general, call the Mexico Hotline. In the US,  800/44-MEXICO (800/ 446-3942); in Canada,  800/2MEXICO (800/263-9426). Online info is available at www.Cancun.com; e-mail welcome@cancun.com. Numerous tourist information booths at the airport and in downtown Cancún advertise free trips
to Isla Mujeres, discounted tours or car rentals, gifts, free Jungle Tours, etc. These are mostly
time-share promotions that require what is euphemistically called “an hour” of your time. Unless you’re an old pro or are thinking seriously of joining an interval ownership group, your best
bet is to just say no.