Cenotes Take Center Stage as Tulum Weddings Shift from Shore

Weddings in Tulum are finding a new venue away from the beach as the town experiences a significant drop in ceremony numbers. According to Clarisa Pat Maza, an officer at the Tulum Registro Civil, Tulum's four civil registry offices saw a lull in marriages for two weeks in August, a rare occurrence in a decade. In 2014, the same period saw around 40 weddings a month at upscale hotels like Bahía Príncipe, but this year, the same hotels are only booking one or two weddings a month.

The shift is not just a numbers game but a shift in the tourism landscape. The Tulum Registro Civil and the municipal tourism department are now working together to promote non-beach wedding venues such as cenotes and haciendas. This change is significant for both the registry and the tourism industry, as it means a change in how weddings are conducted and where they are held.

The drop in beach weddings is tied to the peak of sargassum in June and July, which affected couples' venue and date decisions months in advance. While the beaches have since cleared, the impact on the tourism industry is clear. The fall in wedding numbers has led to a drop in hotel occupancy, with Tulum hotel occupancy falling to 15 percent in late August, the lowest in the destination's history.

For those planning a destination wedding in Tulum, the message is clear: cenotes and other inland venues are now the go-to locations. While the shift may seem drastic, it presents a unique opportunity for couples to explore the natural beauty of the region and offer a memorable experience.