Xcaret, pronouced SHH-car-et, is a Mayan word meaning "small inlet".  Many tourists and visitors to the Cancun area know it as the BEST ATTRACTION to visit on vacation in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and anywhere along the Riviera Maya. 

Xcaret is a water, theme, amusement, eco-archaeological park and more, in one place. Due to its privileged location in the Mayan jungle among underground rivers, cenotes and facing the Caribbean Sea, Xcaret has impressive scenarios where you can do different activities and enjoy to the fullest those scenarios. Besides that, Xcaret is a park that celebrates Mexico’s present and rich past, a country known for its traditions, culture and folklore.

Xcaret opened in 1990 and since has become a landmark of Cancun and Riviera Maya, even considered my many, as THE destination of this region above the aforementioned. Its name means “small inlet” due to the fact that a portion of the Caribbean Sea enters the land. Because of this, the Mayans used Xcaret, know back then as Pole, as a merchandise port.

Have fun in water activities that will take you to mystical places in the territories of Chaac, the Mayan god of water. Enjoy underground rivers, a beach area, a lagoon, and natural pools of seawater. For the little ones, there is a special area, Children’s World, where they can swim in shallow cenotes and wading pools designed for them.

In the park you can visit the Coral Reef Aquarium and the sea turtle center. Learn more about regional flora and fauna at the Butterfly Garden, the Aviary, the Rainforest Trail, and the Living Orchid and Bromeliad Museum. Additionally, in different sections of the park you will see jaguars, manatees, flamingos, spider monkeys and saraguato, bats, deer, and tapirs.

Xcaret’s Butterfly Pavilion is the first butterfly breeding facility in Mexico. The structure is 49 feet high and has nearly 38,000 sq. ft. of free flying space, the largest such facility in the world. This Pavilion features only regional species in their natural habitats and its caretakers work diligently with some 5,000 butterflies in an intensive breeding program for 20 endemic species. 

Xcaret is home to more than 24 species of tropical birds, most from Mexico’s southeast. Today—mostly due to poaching, the destruction of habitats and the black market—many of these animals are on the endangered species list. To date, we have successfully reproduced the Scarlet and Military Macaw, Yucatan Green Parrot, Lilac-Crowned Amazon, Yellow-Headed Parrot, and Flamingos. Flamingos, one of the most admired species at Xcaret, are beautiful pink birds that have found refuge here. You will be able to find this beauty throughout the Park: at the entrance, river exit, at the beach and also at the reproduction area.
On June 1st 2011, Xcaret was granted a Guinness World Record® for “most macaws born at a single location in one year”, the first of its kind granted to a Reproduction Program for endangered species

One of the main reasons to visit Xcaret is the presentation Xcaret Mexico Espectacular, an experience that will give you goosebumps. In the park you can also enjoy the Papantla Flyers ceremony, the Equestrian Show, or the pre-Hispanic Dances in the Mayan Village. Do not miss the Mexican Folk Art Museum, the "Bridge to Paradise" Mexican Cemetery, and the Hacienda Henequenera.

Visiting Xcaret Park is a must when you're staying in the Cancun - Riviera Maya region! There's so much to see and do and it's fun for all ages. Xcaret Park is just one of most popular attractions and tours but it's one not to miss!

Lastly, guests staying at Hotel Xcaret have full access to Xcaret parks, Xel-Ha, Xplor, Xplor Fuego, Xavage, Xoximilco, Xenses, and the Xenotes and Xichen tours, plus food and beverages and transportation between parks. It's one of the many reasons to stay at Hotel Xcaret to really have the full Xcaret experience!  

Located on the beautiful Banderas Bay with spectacular views of the Sierra Madre Mountains, Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta is an all-suite, AAA Four Diamond Resort for couples and families alike. This oceanfront resort treats couples and couples with children to a gorgeous beach, elegant pools, and exterior whirlpools on every terrace. With close proximity to Puerto Vallarta, local attractions include premier golfing, whale watching, shopping and nightlife. Go far beyond the all-inclusive experience with Unlimited-Luxury®, where nearly everything is included.

Enjoy the many amenities of Unlimited-Luxury, where nearly everything is included!

Here at Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta, we go far beyond the all-inclusive experience with Unlimited-Luxury®, where nearly everything is included. Enjoy spacious rooms and suites, graciously appointed and luxuriously equipped, reservation-free dining, the Explorer's Club for Kids and so much more. All the fun is wristband-free!
At Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta, these amenities include:

• Limitless access to gourmet à la carte dining options without reservations required
• Unlimited international and domestic top-shelf spirits
• Unlimited natural fruit juices and soft drinks
• 24-hour room and concierge services
• Pool and beach wait service
• Daily refreshed mini-bar with soft drinks, juice, bottled water and beer
• Daily maid service
• Endless daytime activities and live nightly entertainment
• Theme parties, oceanfront bars and entertainment venues
• No wristbands required
• All taxes and gratuities included
• Enjoy free Wi-Fi and free international calling to the US, Canada and Mexico with Unlimited Connectivity. The mobile app also allows you to view the schedules of all events, activities and restaurants at the resort, plus to learn about local destinations, excursions, and much more

Unlimited-Luxury® for couples and couples with children.

​Retreat to your room or suite with a private balcony, stunning views and more. Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta features 229 non-smoking guest rooms and suites, family-sized and filled with luxury amenities for your comfort and convenience.

Experience our highest level of luxury and personal service in the Preferred Club at Dreams Villamagna. Enjoy an upgraded suite, access to a private lounge and beach access, special concierge service and other enhanced amenities.

Preferred Club Privileges

• Personalized check-in and check-out 
• Special concierge concierge service
• Preferred status and amenities
  • Upgraded bath amenities 
  • Upgraded mini-bar
  • Pillow menu
  • Complimentary Internet access in-suite
  • Complimentary newspaper in-suite daily (English and Spanish)
• Private Preferred Club Lounge (7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
  • Daily continental breakfast service
  • Afternoon hot and cold hors d’oeuvres
  • Exquisite desserts and fine liquors
  • Complimentary computer access

Dreams Villamagna Nuevo Vallarta avoids the cookie-cutter wedding. Our on-site coordinators encourage you to send images from wedding blogs, magazines, even your Pinterest board, and we'll help turn your vision into reality. Explore our wedding resources to help you plan your dream destination wedding.

Source: DreamsResorts.com

​Below I will guide you through where to start with your destination wedding.  I have broken down my weddings that I've booked from 2017, 2018 and 2019 so you can see how travel costs, wedding prices and promotions work. Here you can see proof of past, current and future weddings.  I have included hotels in each destination so you know where to start looking.

​Before you start looking up resorts all over Mexico and the Caribbean you need to narrow down 2 budgets.  At the same time you need to consider your wedding date, does it fall over a holiday or peak time of year as you may have to increase the travel budget to accommodate or be flexible on the date/month.

​1. You and your guests travel budget.                      2. Your wedding budget.
Without having planned a wedding before you are asking the same questions... how to estimate travel budget? and wedding budget? without knowing where to start!?

I have calculated the nightly average price from 3 years of weddings that I have booked between Mexico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Costa Rica to give you an average cost that is accurate to present day.

​The average nightly rate worked out to $185.50 per person per night x 2 adults in the room is = $371 per night.  If you stayed for a week that is $1,298.50 per person for 7 nights.

​Average wedding cost of $7,486 with an average of 42 guests for food, drinks, décor, DJ, dance floor with ceremony, 1 hour cocktail, 3 hour dinner reception.

​How do free rooms work?  One of best promotions that quite a few different brands of hotels are offering is every 6th room free (average is maximum of 3 free rooms).  What that means is when final payment of your group is finished the hotel gives the wedding couple the monetary amount of the free room. 

​To keep it simple if the cost of the week is $2,597 and you have 12 rooms book that is $2,597 X 2 free rooms = $5,194.  If you had 18 rooms that would be $7,791 that you would receive.   

​What most couples do is reduce their travel costs and then put the rest towards the wedding but you may do what you wish.

​Total costs for hotel for 1 week  =$2,597
Total wedding cost                      =$7,486
Total                                              =$10,083
PROMO        -$5,194 ($2,597 x 2 free rooms)
New Total = $4,889

What isn’t included is photography and flights to the destination.

Now that you know what an average wedding costs you can decide if you want go up or down in your travel budget and wedding budget.

Resort Sourced
Riviera Maya, Mexico – Dreams Riviera Cancun – April, May, October, November 2019
Riviera Maya, Mexico – Hard Rock Riviera Maya – September, October, November 2019
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic – Now Onyx Punta Cana – May, June, October November 2019
Montego Bay, Jamaica – Hyatt Ziva Rose Hall- September, October 2019
Liberia, Costa Rica – Secrets Papagayo- September, October 2019

I LOVE to travel -- to explore new places; try new foods; experience new culture; relax on gorgeous beaches; the reasons why I love to travel are endless!
​But, I HATE to leave my furbaby at home!!!  I have serious heartache when I have to leave my sweet girl behind.  I mean, just look at that face!!!

There's a lot that goes into planning a vacation, not to mention if you're planning your destination wedding!! And keeping your furry family member out of the plans is heart wrenching! 
​Finding a suitable doggy sitter, ensuring they will be safe and happy and cared for while you're gone, facing timing them from the beach... (yes I do this -- #crazydoglady) There's lots that goes into keeping your dog at home while you're away.

Fortunately, now I can bring my dog on vacay with me!! Yup, you read that right!
​Breathless Riviera Cancun, an adults only all inclusive resort situated on the beautiful white sand beaches of the Riviera Maya coast line in Mexico allows small dogs in selected room categories!!

Yeessss!!

So, what's all this mean... I've scooped all the details for you! 

• Breathless Riviera Cancun’s dog policy allows dogs under 22 lbs. (10kgs) for $55 USD per night, in xhale room categories only.
• Please check with your airline for information regarding traveling with pets, including security and TSA guidelines.
• Only dogs are permitted
• Required upon check-in:

• Dog’s name, weight, age, color, and breed for identification purposes during their stay
• Vaccination certificate from veterinarian proving Bordetella and Rabies vaccinations within the past 12 months
• Evidence that a current treatment for fleas and ticks is in use

• No more than one dog is permitted in any guest room. Dog is allowed only on designated dog area(s) of the hotel grounds. Dogs are not allowed in the Pool, Fitness Center, Spa, Retail shops, and Golf facilities
• Due to local regulations, dogs are not allowed on the beach.
• Dog must be on a controlled leash at all times or in a dog carrier when not in the guest room. Guests are responsible for cleaning up after the dog on resort grounds and properly disposing waste in designated areas.
• Dogs cannot be left alone in guest rooms for periods longer than two hours. Guest must notify the front desk and hang the “Dog Friendly Room” door hanger when leaving their dog unattended in the guest room. Guest must answer the cell phone number provided to the resort while their dog is unattended in case there are any issues.
• Dogs must never be left alone overnight. Please contact the concierge if boarding recommendations are needed.
• Guest room cleaning services will not be carried out unless the guest is present. The dog owner must be in the room if the dog is present when the guest’s room is cleaned, in order to not frighten the pet and to avoid the risk of a pet’s escape. Please contact the concierge to schedule convenient cleaning times.
• The resort reserves the right to request the dog's removal if the above guidelines are not adhered to.
• Restrictions, guidelines and availability are subject to change at any time

While there are restrictions, you now can bring your small pup along with you for your vacay, or destination wedding!!  Every dog mom and dad want to have photos with their furchild with them on their wedding day!  And you're used to sharing your bed, ​albeit, sacrificing your own sleep comfort, so bring that spoiled pooch with you to snuggle together in your luxurious king sized bed!

What does that mean to me?  Now my sweet Casey can come along with me on vacation!  (If only this had been available for my own destination wedding! I would have been totally down, and while my husband may put up a tough guy front he adores our little pup)

So to sum up, everything is better with a dog and that includes your vacation to Breathless Riviera Cancun!  I cannot wait to bring Casey and pamper my girl with all the unlimited-luxury inclusions they can offer her! 

​Her nickname is Princess Paws for a reason ;)

What does this resort offer for their human guests?  Glad you asked!
Lux and modern suites are divided among three unique areas, each with distinct character and appeal. The xhale club section (dog-friendly rooms) for those seeking an elevated level of personal service and luxury, the energy center for those looking to mix & mingle and the xcelerate Party Zone for those who live and breathe for the party. This adults-only oasis offers all of the benefits of Unlimited-Luxury®--where everything is included. Unlimited premium beverages at hip bars and lounges, unlimited gourmet meals at trendy restaurants, 24-hour room service and much more.
​source: Breathless Riviera Cancun 

Breathless resorts knows how to create a lux wedding!  With pre-made packages plus plenty of add on options to make your wedding events look and feel custom made, the choices are endless.  The wedding team at Breathless Riviera Cancun knows how to delivery on details.  Plus with Wedding Butlers' professional destination wedding planners working with you alongside the team at the resort you have all you need to make your dream wedding a reality!
​Packages begin at $999 or ask us how to receive your wedding package for FREE!