The Bahia Principe complex near Akumal groups several Grand and Luxury resorts, including Akumal, Tulum, Cobá and Sian Ka'an, on a long stretch of coast. Plan the ceremony about 90 minutes before sunset, and keep a backup for wind or seaweed.
The Bahia Principe complex near Akumal groups several Grand and Luxury resorts, including Akumal, Tulum, Cobá and Sian Ka'an, on a long stretch of coast. This guide is the photographer's view: venues, light, timeline and the questions to ask before you sign.
The Resort at a Glance
- ResortThe Bahia Principe complex near Akumal groups several Grand and Luxury resorts, including Akumal, Tulum, Cobá and Sian Ka'an, on a long stretch of coast.
- Beach facesEast, onto the open Caribbean
Venue names and capacities come from the resort's wedding listings and change with renovations and packages, so your coordinator's current sheet is the final word.
Where the Ceremony Happens
Ask Bahia Principe Riviera Maya's wedding team for the current ceremony and reception venues. On this coast the strongest settings are the beach and any raised terrace facing the sea, with pools and loungers out of the frame.
Sunset and Light by Month
Times for this beach on the 15th of each month in 2027.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:28 am | 5:58 pm | 6:30 pm |
| March | 6:58 am | 6:30 pm | 6:59 pm |
| May | 6:13 am | 6:48 pm | 7:19 pm |
| June | 6:09 am | 6:59 pm | 7:31 pm |
| July | 6:18 am | 7:01 pm | 7:33 pm |
| September | 6:37 am | 6:23 pm | 6:52 pm |
| November | 6:59 am | 5:38 pm | 6:09 pm |
| December | 7:17 am | 5:39 pm | 6:12 pm |
The coast here faces east onto the open Caribbean, so the sun rises over the sea and sets behind the resort, leaving the beach in soft, even light at the end of the day. A good rule here: start the ceremony about 90 minutes before sunset, and keep the final half hour of daylight for portraits. Mornings have a bonus: from roughly February through April and August through November, the sun comes up from behind Cozumel, across the water.
Bringing Your Own Photographer
Expect Bahia Principe Riviera Maya to charge outside wedding vendors for access. Resorts call it a vendor fee, an outside supplier fee or a day pass, and they revise it by season and wedding package, which is why we do not print a number here. The moment to negotiate it is before you sign your wedding package; afterwards coordinators have little room. Ask whether it is charged per vendor or per person, and get the answer by email. We handle the paperwork with your coordinator.
Weddings in Akumal, Through Our Lens
Real IVAE Studios weddings and portraits in Akumal and along the Riviera Maya, so you can see how this light and water look on camera. They show our work in the area, not necessarily at Bahia Principe Riviera Maya.
Coverage and Prices
Our wedding prices are public. Up to four hours of coverage costs 1,800 to 2,800 USD; a full day of eight to ten hours with a second photographer is 3,500 to 5,500 USD; photography plus a wedding film is 5,500 to 8,000 USD. The resort's access charge for outside vendors is separate and paid to the hotel. Your edited gallery arrives within one to three business days.