Imagine saying your vows in a private cove surrounded by jungle, with the sound of the waves behind you and only your guests on the beach. A Las Caletas wedding gives you exactly that. The venue can only be reached by boat from Puerto Vallarta, which makes it one of the most unique places to get married in the area.
I have photographed several weddings at Las Caletas, and it is one of my favorite places to work. It also has a few particularities that affect your timeline and your photos, so here is what you should know before booking.
Why Couples Choose Las Caletas
Las Caletas feels like your own private island for the day. There are no hotel guests walking by, no crowded resort beach and no city noise. Just sand, clear water and tropical vegetation all around you.
- Privacy: once the boats leave, the cove belongs to your wedding.
- An experience for your guests: the boat ride along the Bay of Banderas becomes part of the celebration.
- All-in-one packages: wedding packages usually include transportation, the ceremony setup, dinner and drinks, which makes planning from far away much easier.
What to Know Before Planning Your Las Caletas Wedding
The boat ride sets the pace of the day
Everyone travels by boat from the Puerto Vallarta marina, so departure times are fixed. The venue coordinates the boats for you and your guests, but make sure everyone knows exactly when to be at the marina. Missing the boat means missing the wedding.
The ceremony always starts at 6:00 PM
Las Caletas shares the area with other activities during the day, so ceremonies have a set start time of 6:00 PM. In summer that gives you beautiful light after the ceremony. In the winter months, though, the sun sets very close to the end of the ceremony, which leaves little or no daylight for portraits afterward.
This is the most important thing to plan for, and it is why the season matters so much here. If you are still choosing a date, my guide to the best time of year for a wedding in Puerto Vallarta can help.
Take your portraits before the ceremony
The evening show at Las Caletas takes place in the same area, so later in the night parts of the venue are no longer available for photos. To use the whole place, I recommend a first look and couple portraits before the ceremony, especially for winter weddings. That way you get photos in the jungle paths, on the beach and on the dock while the light is still good.
Let the setting do the work
Las Caletas already looks incredible, so simple decor works best. Soft colors, tropical flowers and natural textures blend with the jungle and beach instead of competing with them.
Photographing a Las Caletas Wedding
Because the schedule is so specific, working with a photographer who knows the venue makes a real difference. I plan the photography around the boat times, the 6:00 PM ceremony and the sunset time on your date, so you do not have to think about it on the day.
If you want to see how I would organize the rest of your day, read my Puerto Vallarta wedding timeline guide, or look at my wedding photography packages to see the coverage options.
Ready to Plan Your Las Caletas Wedding?
If you are dreaming of a private beach wedding near Puerto Vallarta, tell me a little about your plans. I am happy to help you choose the right timing and make the most of this beautiful place.
