Iberostar Quetzal and Tucán are two Iberostar resorts side by side in Playacar, south of the town centre. Plan the ceremony about 90 minutes before sunset; the beach faces Cozumel, so the sun sets behind you.
Iberostar Quetzal and Tucán are two Iberostar resorts side by side in Playacar, south of the town centre. Playacar is a quiet, gated resort area of gardens and golf, south of the busy centre. This guide is the photographer's view: venues, light, timeline and vendor rules.
The Resort at a Glance
- ResortIberostar Quetzal and Tucán are two Iberostar resorts side by side in Playacar, south of the town centre.
- AreaPlayacar, south of the centre
- Beach facesEast, toward Cozumel
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 Iberostar Quetzal and Tucán'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.
Parque Fundadores, with the Portal Maya sculpture and the ferry pier to Cozumel, is the classic Playa del Carmen backdrop, busiest in the evening and quiet at sunrise.
Sunset and Light by Month
Times for this beach on the 15th of each month in 2027.
| Month | Sunrise | Golden | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7:27 am | 5:57 pm | 6:28 pm |
| March | 6:57 am | 6:29 pm | 6:58 pm |
| May | 6:11 am | 6:47 pm | 7:18 pm |
| June | 6:08 am | 6:58 pm | 7:30 pm |
| July | 6:16 am | 7:01 pm | 7:32 pm |
| September | 6:36 am | 6:22 pm | 6:51 pm |
| November | 6:58 am | 5:36 pm | 6:08 pm |
| December | 7:17 am | 5:38 pm | 6:10 pm |
Playa del Carmen faces east toward Cozumel, so the sun rises over the channel and sets behind the town, 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 October through February, the sun comes up from behind Cozumel, across the water.
Bringing Your Own Photographer
Bringing your own photographer to Iberostar Quetzal and Tucán is allowed, with an access charge for outside wedding vendors that the resort sets by season and package. Because the number moves, the only figure that counts is the one in your own contract or in an email from your coordinator. Ask two questions: is it per vendor or per person, and does a higher wedding package include it? We register with the resort and send our documents ourselves.
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 Iberostar Quetzal and Tucán.
Coverage and Prices
What does it cost? Half-day coverage, up to four hours, is 1,800 to 2,800 USD. The full day, eight to ten hours with two photographers, is 3,500 to 5,500 USD, the right choice for larger weddings. With a wedding film added, 5,500 to 8,000 USD. We deliver every wedding gallery within one to three business days, not the weeks or months that are common elsewhere.