fully anticipated questions (FAQ)

August 18th, 2008

You might be wondering…


What should I wear to the ceremony?

  • Dress comfortably for the tropical weather. Photos will be taken, so if you have certain standards for how you’d like to look in the wedding photo album, be forewarned! :-) All we care about is that you’re comfortable and have a great time.

Do I need a passport?

  • U.S. travelers will need a valid passport to enter and return from Mexico. If you need to renew your passport, visit http://travel.state.gov for forms and other important information. Allow at least a month to process your renewal.

Does Mexico grant equal marriage rights to all couples?

Do I need to know Spanish?

  • Obviously if you don’t speak the language, you will not benefit as much from the cultural opportunities in Mexico or anywhere else, and you may not be able to communicate with any given person you encounter on the street. Puerto Vallarta is a tourist destination, so taxi drivers, airport staff, and restaurant staff will know enough English for all basic transactions. Likewise in Yelapa, you will be able to conduct business at restaurants and water taxis without knowing Spanish.

Can I drink the water? Is it safe to eat the food?

  • Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta and Yelapa serve filtered water, and ice is made from filtered water. Their produce should be fine as well. Generally, any business frequented by tourists that someone could return to (or post reviews about online) will be OK for travelers. Food from street vendors in large cities presents more of a risk. (You must try a slice of pie from the famous “pie ladies” of Yelapa, however!) The place where you’re staying will also provide some form of filtered water–you just have to remember to use it. Tap water is fine for showering, but avoid drinking it or brushing your teeth with it. Fresh produce should be soaked for 30 minutes in water with a few drops of iodine (commonly provided near the sink, if you’re staying in a private residence with its own kitchen, or available for purchase in the village). As you can see on the CDC travel safety website, this part of Mexico is not affected by insect-borne illnesses common in other tropical regions.

What about scorpions?

  • Adults and kids alike should avoid surprising–or being surprised by–scorpions, which can give a nasty sting. Try not to leave cool, wet, or dark hiding places (e.g. towels, shoes, clothes, open bags and containers) near the ground where a scorpion might want to find shelter. See Brad’s advice on scorpions at the bottom of his pre-arrival tips page.

What should I bring?

Will my kids enjoy this place?

Any other questions to add? Post them here or send them to us and we’ll answer as soon and completely as possible.

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