Say "I Do" with a View: Marriott’s Latin American Destinations Redefine Luxury Weddings

Source: Marriott International

Reported By: Caroline Dalal

April 9th, 2025 — Today’s luxury wedding isn’t just a ceremony—it’s a curated journey. According to the 2024 Global Wedding Report by The Knot Worldwide, modern couples are opting for destination weddings that tell a story—one rooted in authenticity, immersive experiences, and emotional connection. Latin America, with its layered cultures, vibrant traditions, and breathtaking natural beauty, has become the new frontier for weddings that are as memorable as they are meaningful.

Marriott International is leading the way, offering exclusive properties across the region that combine world-class amenities with local character and deeply personalized planning. Whether couples are drawn to jungle-meets-ocean hideaways, sacred Incan valleys, or modern capitals with skyline views, Marriott’s portfolio provides a setting for every kind of love story.

Some couples crave more than champagne toasts and floral arches—they want their big day to include a dose of adrenaline. For those drawn to landscapes that stir the soul, Marriott presents two standout venues:

In Peru’s coastal desert, Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, offers an enchanting juxtaposition of sea and sand. With a private dock for excursions to Paracas Bay, couples can treat guests to nature-filled outings to the Ballestas Islands, home to penguins and sea lions, or to the ancient Paracas Candelabra geoglyph. Optional activities like catamaran rides and coastal biking create a full wedding weekend of exploration and bonding.

In Costa Rica, El Mangroove, Autograph Collection, blends barefoot luxury with ocean adventure. The resort’s Azul center provides stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and even private yacht charters, so guests can soak in the serene beauty of the Gulf of Papagayo before celebrating seaside.

Weddings that embrace ancestral traditions are resonating with a new generation of globally-minded romantics. For a ceremony steeped in meaning, Cusco, Peru—the former capital of the Inca Empire—is nothing short of extraordinary.

Couples can opt for a Catholic wedding in one of Cusco’s storied colonial churches or partake in an Andean ancestral ceremony guided by a local shaman, known as a paqo, who performs blessings in honor of Pachamama (Mother Earth). For accommodations, JW Marriott El Convento Cusco, set within a restored 16th-century convent, surrounds guests with pre-Inca, Inca, and colonial relics, echoing centuries of love stories past. Nearby, Palacio del Inka provides similarly historic grandeur, while Tambo del Inka, set in the Sacred Valley, allows couples to incorporate traditional rituals and garden ceremonies.

In Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, a recognized Blue Zone where longevity thrives, Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection, blends cultural immersion with coastal calm. Wedding parties can participate in tortilla-making classes, visit local art collectives, and toast love with a backdrop of panoramic ocean views.

Beach weddings have enduring appeal, but Marriott elevates the experience with next-level luxury. Along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, venues like Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, The Westin Reserva Conchal, and W Costa Rica offer lush, wildlife-rich settings—ideal for couples seeking romance wrapped in rainforest beauty. Many of these properties also specialize in sustainable weddings, allowing lovebirds to make eco-conscious choices guided by expert planning teams.

A crown jewel of tropical sophistication, Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, blends high-end intimacy with nature’s raw beauty. Here, the jungle meets the Gulf of Papagayo in seamless harmony, creating a poetic setting for ocean-view vows and candlelit receptions.

Other standout beach destinations include The Buenaventura Golf & Beach Resort Panama, where a chapel, gardens, ballrooms, and beach access offer all-in-one convenience and customization, and Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida in Colombia, where expansive oceanfront venues and floor-to-ceiling windows capture every moment of the Caribbean sunset.

Not every dream wedding requires a passport stamp to a remote locale. For couples who crave a contemporary vibe with top-tier amenities and effortless logistics, Latin America’s capitals deliver.

In San José, Costa Rica, Costa Rica Marriott Hacienda Belén merges hacienda elegance with modern convenience—complete with a chapel, grand gardens, and proximity to the international airport. The hotel’s subtle nods to Costa Rica’s coffee legacy offer a warm, sensory touch throughout the stay.

Panama City offers skyline drama and historic charm in equal measure. W Panama is a hub of modern design and bold personality, while JW Marriott Panama—towering above the city—offers garden-ready ballrooms, ocean-view terraces, and suites with private balconies and bathtubs for pre-wedding relaxation. The Santa María, a Luxury Collection Hotel, serves as an urban resort escape, pairing golf greens and natural grass terraces with luxurious spa experiences.

In Lima, the capital of Peru, culinary sophistication and coastal views reign. JW Marriott Lima pairs newly renovated rooms with ocean-facing ballrooms, letting couples and guests indulge in world-renowned gastronomy, impeccable service, and the grandeur of the Pacific.

Each of these destinations offers more than just a venue—they offer a sense of place, thoughtfully integrated into every ceremony, celebration, and stay. With Marriott International’s seasoned planners and a world-class portfolio across Latin America, couples can truly create a wedding that reflects not just who they are—but where they’ve chosen to begin their next chapter.

After all, the best weddings aren’t just remembered. They’re felt.