Every year, the same destinations fight for the top spot: Mexico, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Hawaii. And every year, more couples are discovering what wedding industry professionals have known for years — Puerto Rico quietly offers everything those destinations do, plus advantages none of them can match. Here's why Puerto Rico has become the #1 destination wedding location for couples in 2026.
No Passport Required
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory. American citizens do not need a passport to travel there. This single fact eliminates the biggest logistical headache of destination weddings: expired passports, processing delays, guests who can't attend because they didn't renew in time. Your guests book a domestic flight and go. No customs. No immigration lines. No currency exchange. They land, grab their bag, and they're on island time.
No Residency Requirement or Waiting Period
Unlike many Caribbean destinations that require you to be on-island for a set number of days before you can legally marry, Puerto Rico has no residency requirement. You can technically arrive and hold your ceremony the same week. That said — based on the reality of navigating the local legal process — we strongly recommend couples legally marry in their home state before arriving and hold a beautiful symbolic ceremony in Puerto Rico. This lets you enjoy the celebration without the stress of government paperwork on vacation.
Direct Flights from Everywhere
San Juan's Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU) receives direct flights from most major U.S. cities — New York, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, Orlando, and more. Flight times are as short as 2.5 hours from the East Coast. Your guests aren't enduring 8-hour flights and connecting through hubs. And because it's a domestic route, flights are generally more affordable than international Caribbean destinations.
Year-Round Tropical Weather
Puerto Rico's average temperature ranges from 75°F to 85°F year-round. There is no 'bad season' for weddings — though the drier months of December through April are the most popular. Even in the wetter months, rain in Puerto Rico tends to come in short, dramatic bursts that pass quickly, leaving behind dramatic skies that photographers love. Hurricane season runs June through November, but reputable venues have contingency plans, and many of the most beautiful months (December–May) fall entirely outside that window.
Diversity of Settings — All on One Small Island
Puerto Rico is only 100 miles long and 35 miles wide, yet it contains more geographic diversity than islands three times its size. Within a single day, you can visit a bioluminescent bay, a rainforest waterfall, a cliff overlooking a deserted beach, and a cobblestone street in a 500-year-old colonial city. This means your wedding guests get a full travel experience — not just a resort pool — without long travel days between activities.
- ◆Rainforest sanctuaries with rivers and waterfalls
- ◆Dramatic cliffside farms overlooking the Caribbean
- ◆Historic haciendas surrounded by tropical gardens
- ◆Beachfront estates on both calm and surf coasts
- ◆Old San Juan — one of the oldest European-settled cities in the Americas
- ◆Bioluminescent bays that glow at night
Truly All-Inclusive Venues Exist Here
Puerto Rico has something many Caribbean destinations lack: genuinely all-inclusive wedding venues where you hire zero outside vendors. These aren't resort 'wedding packages' that cover the ballroom and a cake — they are dedicated wedding estates where every detail, from the officiant to the photographer to the shuttle, is included. The venue team knows the land, the weather, the logistics, and the culture. You show up and experience your wedding instead of managing it.
U.S. Legal Protections Apply
Because Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, American consumer protection laws apply. Your credit card protections, travel insurance policies, and legal recourse options work the same as they would for a wedding in any U.S. state. This is a significant advantage over international destinations where contract disputes can be extremely difficult to resolve.
The Culture Is Warm, Vibrant, and Welcoming
Puerto Ricans are known for their warmth and hospitality. The island's culture is a rich blend of Taíno, Spanish, and African heritage that shows up in the food, the music, the architecture, and the way people celebrate. Your wedding guests won't just attend a wedding — they'll experience a culture that treats celebration as an art form. From the flavors of local cuisine to the sound of coquí frogs serenading your evening ceremony, Puerto Rico wraps your wedding in an atmosphere that no mainland venue can replicate.
It's More Affordable Than You Think
Compared to Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and many Mexican resort destinations, Puerto Rico often delivers more value per dollar. Domestic flights are cheaper. There's no currency exchange loss. Tips, taxes, and service charges follow U.S. standards. And the all-inclusive venue model means fewer surprise costs — your total investment is transparent from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, so American citizens do not need a passport. You book a domestic flight and travel with the same ID you'd use for any U.S. destination. This also means no customs, no immigration, and no currency exchange.
No. Puerto Rico has no residency requirement or waiting period. However, the local legal marriage process can be challenging (requiring medical exams, government office visits, and a 10-day completion window), so most couples legally marry in their home state first and hold a symbolic ceremony in Puerto Rico.
December through April are the most popular months for Puerto Rico weddings, offering drier weather and pleasant temperatures in the upper 70s to mid-80s°F. However, weddings are held year-round. Even in wetter months, rain tends to come in brief tropical bursts that clear quickly.
Puerto Rico often delivers more value per dollar than Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and many Mexican resort destinations. Domestic flights are cheaper, there's no currency exchange, U.S. consumer protections apply, and the all-inclusive venue model provides transparent pricing with fewer surprise costs.