Catalonia runs two resorts on this stretch, Catalonia Riviera Maya near Puerto Aventuras and the adults-only Catalonia Royal Tulum at Xpu-Ha. Plan the ceremony about 90 minutes before sunset, and keep a backup for wind or seaweed.
Catalonia runs two resorts on this stretch, Catalonia Riviera Maya near Puerto Aventuras and the adults-only Catalonia Royal Tulum at Xpu-Ha. This guide is the photographer's view: venues, light, timeline and the questions to ask before you sign.
The Resort at a Glance
- ResortCatalonia runs two resorts on this stretch, Catalonia Riviera Maya near Puerto Aventuras and the adults-only Catalonia Royal Tulum at Xpu-Ha.
- 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 Catalonia 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 | 5:57 pm | 6:29 pm |
| March | 6:58 am | 6:29 pm | 6:58 pm |
| May | 6:12 am | 6:48 pm | 7:19 pm |
| June | 6:08 am | 6:59 pm | 7:31 pm |
| July | 6:17 am | 7:01 pm | 7:33 pm |
| September | 6:36 am | 6:23 pm | 6:52 pm |
| November | 6:58 am | 5:37 pm | 6:08 pm |
| December | 7:17 am | 5:39 pm | 6:11 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. Plan the ceremony for roughly 90 minutes before sunset; the portraits then land in the softest light of the day. Mornings have a bonus: from roughly September through April, the sun comes up from behind Cozumel, across the water.
Bringing Your Own Photographer
Expect Catalonia 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 the Riviera Maya, Through Our Lens
Real IVAE Studios weddings and portraits 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 Catalonia Riviera Maya.
Coverage and Prices
IVAE Studios publishes its prices. Half-day coverage of up to four hours is 1,800 to 2,800 USD, enough for the ceremony, family photos, portraits and the start of the reception. A full day of eight to ten hours with a second photographer is 3,500 to 5,500 USD, and adding a wedding film brings it to 5,500 to 8,000 USD. Every gallery is edited and delivered in a private 4K gallery within one to three business days.