Puerto Vallarta has a well-earned mystique as a go-to for jet-setters and celebrities. In the 1960s, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton made Mexico’s Pacific Coast their playground, having a very public affair while he filmed “The Night of the Iguana.” The reputation stuck and, 50-plus years later, Puerto Vallarta still tops the list of the world’s most exotic romantic destinations.

Today, Puerto Vallarta is charming, colorful and accessible, with direct flights from most major U.S. cities. You’ll find beautiful beaches, unforgettable local cuisine, charming shops and galleries, and vibrant night life, not to mention spectacular sunsets over the Pacific.

STAY: Casa Velas

The term “ all-inclusive” once conjured images of all-you-can-eat buffets and noisy partiers doing cannonballs into the pool.

Casa Velas has turned that concept on its head, creating an adults-only boutique resort that is truly private, tranquil and lovely. Minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport, this hidden sanctuary is one of three Velas Resorts in the area. As a guest of Casa Velas, you have access to all of the Velas Vallarta resort restaurants, pools and beaches.

“Casa Velas has the look and feel of a private, luxury hacienda,” says Managing Director, Luis Angarita. “With only 80 suites, couples can take over the entire hotel and their celebration will feel like it’s held on their own elegant estate.”

Weddings at Casa Velas can be intimate or grand. Go glam with the exquisite four-bedroom Presidential Suite, which accommodates up to eight and has a spacious terrace with a pool and golf course view. Amenities also include live wedding painting, drones, Internet streaming to friends and family at home and even a personal social media concierge.

DINE: Emiliano
This Casa Velas restaurant features Four Diamond-rated fine Mexican cuisine in an intimate setting. The diverse menu fuses ingredients, flavors and spices – many of which are grown on-site. Don’t miss the ceviche.

EXPLORE: The Malecon
You haven’t really been to Puerto Vallarta until you’ve strolled the city’s recently renovated waterfront esplanade on the edge of the sea. Rich with restaurants, shops, street artists, galleries and public art installations, the heart of the city bursts to life when the sun goes down.

This article first appeared in Destination I Do’s Spring/Summer 2017 issue. You can order a copy here.