Spice of the Islands: These Jamaica Recipes Will Have You Going Back for More!

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Spice of the Islands: These Jamaica Recipes Will Have You Going Back for More!

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January 20th 2025Back to our Sandals Blog > > >
Spice of the Islands: These Jamaica Recipes Will Have You Going Back for More!

Cover image credit: from my point of view/Shutterstock.com.

There’s an undeniable magic in the medley of flavor that Jamaican cuisine is known for. The seasonings and spices used in meal prep on this island can and have won over food critics and casual diners alike. But if you're simply looking to enjoy great Jamaican food and drinks during your vacation, that's perfectly fine too.

In this post, we’ll explore iconic Jamaican recipes, giving you a glimpse into the island's culinary wonders. Not only will you know what to look forward to on your next Jamaican getaway, but with a little practice, you'll also be able to recreate these mouthwatering dishes in your own kitchen.

Read on for some of the most popular Jamaican food recipes around!


Jamaica food

Photo credit: Hope Phillips/Shutterstock.com



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Table of Contents

Jamaican-Style Jerk Chicken Recipe
Authentic Jamaican Oxtails Recipe
Cassava Pone Recipe
Ackee and Saltfish Recipe



Jamaican Jerk Chicken: A Recipe from the Jerk Shack

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Picture: The Jerk Shack at Sandals Dunn's River is a must for jerk meals and other island favorites!


Let's start with jerk chicken. Known and loved around the world, this is one of the most popular Jamaican food items there is. This traditional dish is said to have first been made by the Tainos, the first indigenous settlers to Jamaica. The process of making jerk chicken involves “jerking”, an intricate cooking technique. This entails the marination of the chicken (or whichever other meat or fish you decide to use in your recipe) in a mix of spices. Scotch bonnet peppers and allspice are staples here.

Once the meat has marinated, the next step is slow cooking. Slow cooking helps to seal flavor. In the jerk preparation process, the meat is cooked over pimento wood or charcoal. This results in the smoky and spicy flavor that people have come to know and love. While jerk chicken was invented by the Taino people, over the years there have been other influences from the African, Spanish, and British cultures that have helped to make this dish what it is.


Expert Tip: If you want to spice up your jerk chicken even more while in Jamaica, reach for some jerk sauce. You can purchase this in local supermarkets to take home with you!


How to Make Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Jamaican Jerk Chicken with rice and plantains

Photo credit: The Image Party/ Shutterstock.com.

Step 1: Jerk Dry Rub & Hellfire Sauce Recipe (The Jerk Shack)

Ingredients

2 tablespoons ground allspice
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon ginger powder


Method

Mix all the ingredients together and rub well into protein prior to marinating.


Hellfire Sauce

Ingredients

5 whole Scotch Bonnet peppers
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon of prepared mustard
1 teaspoon fresh chopped ginger
1 large onion, chopped
2 stalks of scallion
1 clove of fresh garlic
½ teaspoon allspice
1 sprig of fresh thyme, chopped
1 small carrot, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 cups water
Salt to taste


Method

Place all ingredients except oil and water in a blender and blend to a smooth consistency, adding the vegetable oil and water as needed to adjust the consistency. For best results, set aside for 1-2 hours before use to allow the flavors to meld.


Expert Tip: When dealing with dried spices, make the spice mixture in bulk - this will save you time if you choose to make this delicious recipe again.


Step 2: Jerk Marinade Recipe

Jerk Marinade Recipe

Photo credit: stockcreations/Shutterstock.com

The Jerk Shack

Serves 4; Makes 1 ¼ Cups

Ingredients

1 tablespoon stemmed & finely chopped Scotch Bonnet pepper (about 1 pepper)
2 tablespoons stemmed fresh thyme
1 tablespoon freshly ground allspice (not too fine)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
¾ cup finely chopped onion
1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
1 ½ cups finely chopped scallions (using the white and the green parts)
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup soy sauce
¾ cup vegetable oil


Method

Place all ingredients in a food processor except soy sauce and oil.
After finely minced or pureed, place in a mixing bowl and add soy sauce and oil.
Store in a glass jar or clay pot.


Step 3: Prepare your protein

jerk chicken

Photo credit: Stephen Gichuru/Shutterstock.com

You can buy whole chickens and carve them or buy a whole chicken already cut up. Either put it in a resealable bag or a shallow pan and pour half the marinade over. Massage it in, so that every piece is covered, then repeat with the remaining marinade. Put it in the fridge, either sealed or covered, and let it sit overnight.


Method for Seafood (fish, lobster, shrimp)

Place the fish or seafood in the marinade for one hour only. Do not over-marinate or it will break down the fibers in the fish and seafood, resulting in a mushy consistency when cooked.
Remove from the marinade and grill at a high temperature until cooked through.


Step 4: Bake & Grill

Picture: The art of grilling has been perfected at The Jerk Shack, located in Sandals Ochi, Jamaica.

When you’re ready to cook, pull the chicken out and preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You want to start the cooking process, not roast it - that’s what the grill is for.

Put your chicken in the pan. Make sure to choose a pan that is large enough that no chicken overlaps, which would result in underdone or steamed parts.

Bake chicken for 30 minutes, and get your grill ready, making sure it’s hot so you can get a good sear on the chicken. Take chicken out of the oven and sprinkle a little more of the spice mixture you made on it, and brush it with olive oil - this helps keep it from sticking and adds a nice sheen.

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Chef’s Note: A great deal of jerk’s flavor comes from pimento wood smoke. For the most authentic jerk flavor without pimento wood, soak ¼ cup whole allspice berries in water for at least 1 hour (preferably overnight). Sprinkle over the coals or flames of the grill right before cooking, and be sure to close the lid to trap the smoky flavor.


Grill for 5 to 10 minutes, checking to make sure it’s not burning, then flip and repeat. The key is to squeeze some lime juice on the chicken, cover loosely with foil, and don’t touch it for at least 10 minutes.

Then you just let it cool off and dig in!



Authentic Jamaican Oxtails Recipe

Jamaican oxtail food and drinks

Photo credit: The Image Party/Shutterstock.com.

A lot less spicy than the popular Jamaica jerk chicken, oxtail is a must try in Jamaica. This dish is hearty, savory, and supremely delicious. Before we get too carried away with the flavors, let’s get into some of the things you might want to know about oxtail!


What kind of meat is oxtail?

You might be surprised to know how many people are just not sure what type of meat oxtail is. Without a doubt, it is exceptionally delicious, but what is it exactly? Well, the meat used in the popular Jamaican dish known as oxtail is from the tail of cattle, specifically beef cattle. So, although the name might suggest otherwise, oxtail does not come from oxen (castrated male cattle).

Often in Jamaica and in places where Jamaican cuisine is popular, you’ll find oxtail on the menu in various recipes. Among the most popular is stewed oxtail. When made right, this can be one of the most delicious meals you’ve ever tried, especially when paired with Jamaican rice and peas with festivals on the side! Oxtail is also often featured in soups.


How do I cook oxtail?

Jamaica-oxtail-stew

Photo credit: Jago Moto/shutterstock.com

Getting a good oxtail recipe is the first step to making great oxtail, and that's why we're here. Slow cooking is the preferred method for the best results. Let's get into it!


Jamaican Oxtails Recipe

Ingredients

2 ½ pounds of oxtail

1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon of soy sauce

1 tablespoon of salt

1 tablespoon of garlic and herb spices

1 tablespoon of sugar

1 teaspoon of Grace browning sauce

¼ teaspoon paprika

¼ teaspoon pepper

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 carrots

2 celery stalks

1 chopped onion

4 cloves of garlic

3 cups of beef broth

1 bunch of thyme

1 sprig of rosemary

1 bay leaf

2 tablespoons butter


Method

Step 1: Take a shallow baking dish, and add the oxtail first.

Step 2: Mix up Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, salt, garlic and herb seasoning, browning sauce, sugar, paprika, and both types of pepper to create a sauce. Rub the oxtail with the sauce and remove any excess from the dish.

Step 3: Place a large pan over high heat and sear the outside of the oxtail in vegetable oil until it changes color to a golden brown hue. This should take around three minutes. Then, take your oxtail out and place it on a plate.

Step 4: In the same pan, saute your carrots, garlic, celery, and onion until they begin to go soft. It’ll take around five minutes. Once they’re softened, start to add your beef broth, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring the mixture up to the boil and then, as soon as it’s boiling, you can add your oxtail.

Step 5: Reduce the heat on your pan and cover. Then simmer at low heat until the oxtail is completely tender and falls apart. This will take around three hours. It’s worth the wait!

Step 6: Once the oxtail is tender and succulent, you can remove the lid and increase the heat. Stir the mixture from time to time and wait for the sauce to thicken. It’ll only take five minutes or so.

Step 7: Your authentic Jamaican oxtail is now ready to serve! You can serve this dish as it is, for a comforting stew, or accompany it with typical Jamaican sides like rice and peas or baked plantain.



Jamaican Ackee and Saltfish Recipe

Ackee and saltfish

Photo credit: Debbie Ann Powell/Shutterstock.com

What is ackee?

Ackee is actually a fruit. It is native to West Africa but grows in Caribbean islands like Jamaica and it is often used in the island’s cuisine. Ackee comes from the soapberry family and its botanical name is Blighia sapida. In terms of appearance, this fruit resembles a pear and has smooth skin that ranges from reddish to yellowish. Inside the fruit, you’ll find three large, shiny black seeds. It's easy to tell when ackee is ripe as the flesh turns bright yellow. This fruit stands out for its unique mildly nutty taste and its interesting texture when cooked. Ackee can resemble scrambled eggs once it gets cooking.

While ackee is widely known to be a key ingredient in Jamaican cuisine, it is also used in many West African countries like the Ivory Coast, Faso, Gambia, Ghana, Cameroon, and Sierra Leone. Though ackee and saltfish is one of the most common dishes made with this fruit, there are other recipes like ackee stir-fry. Ackee wine is also made in some places.


Good to know: Ackee requires special preparation for it to be safe to eat as unripe ackee can have toxic compounds. For this reason, it is common practice to boil ackee for about five minutes before consumption to remove any toxins that may be present.


What is Saltfish?


Saltfish is essentially fish that is salted for the sake of preservation. The process of making saltfish includes first cleaning the fish, then cutting it open. After that it is heavily salted. The salt is said to remove the moisture from the fish which in turn extends its shelf life. After the salting process, the fish can become quite hard which makes it important to rehydrate it when cooking. Some people choose to soak the saltfish in cold water overnight to rehydrate it. This process can involve changing the water multiple times to remove salt. The boiling method is more popular in some places as this can take less time.

Once rehydrated and desalinated, you can use saltfish in a range of recipes. This includes stews, soups, fritters, and breakfast dishes. When cooking with saltfish you may not need to add any salt at all as doing so can result in an exceptionally salty dish. Both Caribbean and Mediterranean cuisine tend to use saltfish in their dishes as it is quite versatile.


How to Make Authentic Jamaican Ackee and Saltfish

There are a few different ways to prepare the national dish of Jamaica. Like any popular dish, recipes have evolved over time and have passed from generation to generation. For a simple start, try this Jamaican ackee and saltfish recipe:


Ingredients

½ pound of Saltfish
½ cup cooking oil
3 cloves of garlic
Fresh thyme
2 onions
1 cup of bell peppers
¼ Scotch bonnet chilli
1 can of ackee
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon pepper


Method

  1. Soak your saltfish overnight in cold water.
  2. In the morning, drain the water and soak for one hour in hot water. The fish will now be rehydrated and ready to use.
  3. Fry garlic, thyme, onions, bell peppers and Scotch bonnet on the stove for five minutes. Stir.
  4. Add your saltfish to the pan of garlic, thyme, onions, bell peppers and Scotch bonnet peppers.
  5. Simmer the mixture for a further five minutes.
  6. Once five minutes has passed, add your ackee to the mix.
  7. Season with black pepper and paprika.

Insider Tip: If you are off to Jamaica to an all-inclusive resort, make sure you don’t miss out on this great, authentic taste of the island.


Sweet Island Treats and Desserts

Jamaica fruits

Picture: From fresh fruit to unique desserts, there's lots to discover in Jamaica! Visit Jamaica - Photo credit: Anna_Pustynnikova/Shutterstock.com.

One thing’s for sure, there’s no shortage of scrumptious things to try on this island. Whether you enjoy freshly picked fruits or try mouthwatering local recipes, it's not hard to have a memorable vacation in Jamaica! And speaking of recipes, on this island, you can have the best of these served from some of the best chefs in the world. Just to ensure you can also try them at home once you get there, let's hop right onto sweet island treats and desserts!


Caribbean Cassava Pone Recipe

cassava pone

Photo credit: Thao Lan/Shutterstock.com

What is cassava pone?

Cassava pone is essentially cassava (also known as yuca) cake and it is a traditional Caribbean dessert or snack. Yuca is a starchy root vegetable, and it needs to be grated or finely shredded for this recipe. Once that is done, the juice from the vegetable can be extracted. Various ingredients are combined with grated yuca including coconut milk, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and sometimes raisins or grated coconut. After that, the mixture is poured into a baking dish and put into the oven. It needs to be baked until it sets and a firm, golden brown crust on top is often a good sign that things are moving smoothly along.

Cassava pone is a great example of the versatility of cassava which can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. In terms of the texture, cassava pone is dense and pudding-like. At first bite, you may notice its sweetness and the coconut flavor. The aromatic spices bring everything together. Cassava pone is usually cut into squares or slices, and then served. You’ll most often find this traditional treat being served on special occasions and holidays.


The history of cassava pone

The use of cassava goes way back in the Caribbean, all the way to indigenous people like the Tainos and the Amerindians, specifically the Arawaks. These civilizations cultivated and used cassava in lots of different ways. African traditions are said to have influenced the use of cassava in dishes like cassava pone. As influences from Africa filtered down during the colonial era, Caribbean cuisine as we know today started taking shape. European culinary traditions played a significant role as well.

Historians believe that cassava pone originated in Trinidad and Tobago. With simple ingredients like cassava, coconut milk, spices and sugar, just about anyone can make this dish. Cassava pone has gone well beyond the islands and is enjoyed among Caribbean communities across the globe.


How to make cassava pone

shutterstock_2402850015

Photo credit: Thao Lan/Shutterstock.com.

Ingredients:

3 cups grated sweet cassava
1 cup grated coconut
1 cup grated pumpkin
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoon melted butter
1 cup evaporated milk
½ cup coconut milk
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
1 teaspoon grated ginger
½ cup raisins


Method

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350F, ready for baking later.

Step 2: Peel your cassava and pumpkin. Wash the flesh of both and grate entirely. Be careful as you do so as this can be a little dangerous! To make this step a little more convenient, you might wish to opt for peeled and frozen cassava instead. This is available at most supermarkets in the US, in the frozen section.

Step 3: In a big bowl, combine coconut milk, sugar, spices, and your grated cassava and pumpkin. Whisk thoroughly to break down the sugar. Then, once this is well combined, add your remaining ingredients.

Step 4: Grease your chosen baking dish. A round, ceramic dish that you’d usually use for pies works well for this. You can grease with butter, or use cooking spray or any flavorless oil. Make sure you grease well as this will stop the dessert sticking to the dish later on.

Step 5: Pour your mixture into the greased dish and put in the middle of your preheated oven. Bake for approximately one hour, or until a fork comes out clean when dipped into the middle of the pudding. If your fork comes out with wet mixture on, the pone isn’t quite ready yet, so let it cook for a further 15 minutes and repeat the test.

Step 6: This will be difficult, but you must wait until the pone is totally cool before you try to slice it! Resist the temptation to tuck in straight away, as you could cause a pone collapse! Once cooled, your recipe is ready to serve. This pone recipe is great served up on its own, or you could add a garnish of mint and a scoop of fresh coconut ice cream if you prefer.



Some of the Best Caribbean Recipes Around!

happy couple


Now that was a mouthful! And the consensus? Trying Jamaica food and drinks is an excellent reason to visit this incredible island! Now that you’ve gotten the inspiration, the only thing left to do is to try some of these recipes out for yourself. Whether you’ve been to Jamaica already or you’re on your way there, these recipes are sure to lead to some incredible meals and amazing moments with friends and family!


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Picture: At the all-inclusive Sandals Negril in Jamaica, ocean view accommodation is easy to come by! Plus, as our guest, you can enjoy themed dining, day and night entertainment, land and water sports and so much more included with your vacation!


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Two Love Birds Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
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Applicable for up to 10 people

Sweetheart Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
• Wedding planning team
• Gift registry service and wedding website templates
• Preparation of documents for marriage license During Your Stay
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Bliss Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
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• Private one-hour cocktail reception
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- Premium bar, sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
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• Two-tiered white fondant wedding cake with rose topper
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• Private two-hour dinner reception with selection from the plated menus and a premium bar, non-alcoholic beverages including freshly brewed coffee and a selection of herbal teas

On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
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- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
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• $100 credit towards either a Private candlelight dinner, scuba, snuba, beach or pool cabana

For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

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Epic Sandals Resorts Wedding Package Before You Arrive
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At Your Wedding Reception
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For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category

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At Your Ceremony
• Picturesque ceremony location*
• Pre-recorded musical accompaniment
• White or magenta dendrobium orchid bouquet
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• ReTie the Knot commemorative certificate
At Your Wedding Reception
• Private one-hour cocktail reception
- Passed hors d' oeuvres
- Sparkling wine toast, signature cocktail, and non-alcoholic beverages
• Single-tiered white fondant cake with dendrobium topper
• Reception table with white linen & white-cushioned Chiavari chairs
On Your Honeymoon
• Honeymoon dinner with sparkling wine at a resort specialty restaurant
• Honeymoon Package
- Chilled sparkling wine and sweet treat
- Romantic turn-down service on wedding night
- Breakfast in bed any morning of choice
For Your Anniversary
• One free anniversary night on a future stay with 7 paid nights in a Club or Butler category


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I wanted to share (with permission) these gorgeous pictures from a destination wedding 2 weekends ago we had the privilege of being a part of and booked by Lia. She chose this over the water wedding chapel in St. Lucia with friends and family there to help celebrate. I love her flower crown and her dress and how happy she is. Picture perfect. Congratulations Kate and Curtis! We are so happy for you!

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Lia was very helpful for us in planning our destination wedding to Ocho Rios, Jamaica. We had gone through a few other travel planners first who didn't seem nearly as interested in our needs. We really appreciated the way Lia helped us navigate through some of the complexities, including the local laws of Jamaica and the planning with the resort itself. Even once we got to the resort and ran into a few snags, Lia was able to quickly get those resolved very quickly. We would highly recommend her for anyone planning a destination wedding or any other vacation. Thanks, Lia, for making our destination wedding the most special day of our lives.

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Wedding planning can be stressful and overwhelming, but if you're planning on having a destination wedding, especially with a large group, I would highly recommend using All Inclusive Weddings!

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Leah and Kell Flynn - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Royalton Blue Waters, Montego Bay, Jamaica, Destination Wedding

My husband and I worked with the company's owner, Lia Vincent, and office manager, Linze.

Lia & Linze were both very warm and friendly, and from day one, we could tell cared about us as a couple and our destination wedding success, rather than just seeing us as more clients. I get stressed out easily, so planning my own wedding alone was overwhelming, even though my wedding was 10 months out. I ended up working with Linze, and we pushed up the wedding date with a little less than three months to prepare. I was initially nervous about using a travel agent / wedding planner, but it turned out to be a huge blessing, because it took away a lot of the stress and worry I was experiencing. A bride has so many things to worry about, so having someone else bear the brunt of the work and worry about the nitty-gritty details was a HUGE relief for me.

Why spend hours analyzing vendors and reading reviews, when you can have a pro do it? If you want an intimate wedding, if you want to elope, or if you want a huge all-out, go-into-debt-for-years wedding, and if you're in the market for a wedding travel agent, Lia and Linze should be at the top of your list!

The day of the wedding, everything was so beautiful, and so much better than I could have done on my own. Lia's company finds the best local vendors, so you know you'll get great value in your package, and what's nice is her company offers different packages for different budgets. We worked with and met AMAZING vendors! The reception was so elegant that as soon as I entered the reception, I felt amazement, joy, and relief because being the worrywart and control freak that I sometimes can be, it was hard for me to trust someone to somehow make everything perfect. Lia was able to give us the dream wedding we couldn't have done ourselves. Our family and friends were also amazed, and repeatedly told us how great the wedding, reception, and food were at the resort.

Puerto Vallarta wedding travel agent
Darby Brown - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Destination Wedding

I used Stephanie Tindall to help me choose the perfect resort in PV Mexico for where my guests would stay for my destination wedding. She went round and round with me helping me find the perfect location. It had to be nice, trendy, not to outrageously expensive and within a certain mile radius of a marina where my guests needed to go for the wedding. She helped everyone get booked and when things became a little hectic as tracking sometimes can get. She took care of the details. One of my guests had passport issues and she helped talk them through what to do. It was such a relief to have a point of contact for travel related issues so I didn't have to be stressed about it. She did this all with a patient, positive? upbeat and kind attitude through the entire process. I highly recommend her.
Thank you again, Darby Brown

Juliet D. - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
UNICO, Riviera Maya, Mexico Destination Wedding

Unico was wonderful and the perfect place for our wedding! It was quiet and the ceremony was better than expected. We had it on the gazebo and it was away from everything, which was great. The photography was beyond our expectations. We have not received our video yet, but assume it will be just as great. I also used the in house vendor for make up and hair, and was not disappointed. The wedding coordinator, Nazareth, was so sweet and on point. We used the local host quite a bit with WhatsApp, which was quite convenient. Food and drinks were amazing. We were disappointed that 2087 restaurant was down for half of our stay for repairs. We ate at Mi Carisa on our wedding night, which was the perfect choice. Service was also best there. We scheduled 2 tours through the hotel, a sunset cruise and Chichen Itza express. The boat tour was nice. Chichen itza tour was too fast and ok. We really appreciate your recommendations and help booking our wedding and stay. It was wonderful! Thank you again, Juliet and Jason

Jodie Yu - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Hard Rock Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Destination Wedding

We just got back from an AMAZING wedding weekend yesterday. I can't begin to thank you enough for your help and support during the entire process. Everyone had a great time. It truly was one of the best days of my life and I can't believe how stress-free it was once I got there. Thank you Thank you!

SECRETS PLAYA MUJERES destination wedding review
Vivian and James Chevrier - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Secrets Playa Mujeres, Mexico, Destination Wedding

I have never used a travel agent before Lia. I have always been the "I can do everything cheaper by myself on the internet" type person; most of the time, it works great. When my husband and I decided to have a destination wedding, we were not sure about anything - number of guests, length of stay, etc; we also have very demanding jobs, requiring constant travels up until the week before our wedding. So we thought that a travel agent may be a lifesaver; as it turned out, she was. Lia was endorsed as an expert in destination weddings on the American Express Travel website. Although she lived over a 1,000 miles away, I felt comfortable.

As I am not a "girly" person, wedding planning was not my thing; however, party planning and event coordination are. Lia and I treated this "event" like a business and I loved that about her; I needed someone to be truthful and provide honest advice. As it is with my job, I like corresponding via emails because I can have all the information on hand and in writing at all time; Lia always accommodated that, and always very promptly. I'm not talking about several emails over a few months; I'm talking about over the course of over a year. Lia was there to provide support when I had a hard time reach the wedding coordinator; she was there when I freaked out at the resort regarding my brother's return transportation (as it turned out, my brother spoke with the wrong transportation company); she was organized to be able to provide me with spreadsheet of all guest arrival information; she always submitted my requests to Classic Vacation and the resort promptly. James and I cannot thank Lia enough to make everything go smoothly for the biggest event of our lives. All 48 of us had such a great time that we absolutely see another group vacation in the future.

Mark & Casey Shelley - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
UNICO 2087, Riviera Maya, Mexico, Destination Wedding

Read the full details about this destination wedding in our blog post, Mark and Casey Simpsen's Destination Wedding at UNICO 2087. This couple was also featured in the UNICO 2087 Resort blog post, UNICO Destination Wedding, Casey Shelley & Mark Simpsen

UNICO 2087 Destination Wedding
UNICO 2087 Destination Wedding
Jenni Johnson - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Beach Palace Cancun, Mexico, Destination Wedding

Lia being referred to me saved me so much wedding planning mental anguish! I had tried with a few other travel agents before I had two different people give me Lia's name, and with each of the previous TAs they had to look into things and call me back (I'm still waiting for those calls). Getting in touch with Lia was a whole new experience, she answered all my initial questions in that first phone call, had so many recommendations, and it was obvious she knew exactly what she was doing. By the time we hung up the first phone call, I had decided on a destination and venue (per Lia's suggestion). She was a God send! A year later, we are still having people talk about what a great trip it was and people are always amazed by what a great turn out we had. We ended up with about 60 people, all booking through Lia and everyone had a flawless experience. One even asked for her name when planning her destination wedding a few months later and was just as pleased! Lia told me a lot through the planning process that I was such a laid-back bride, but it really was because she left me nothing to worry about. She answered any question I had, was always quick to respond to calls and emails, and helped me plan the most perfect wedding ever. I wish I could re-live it all again!!

Sara Thompson - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Cozumel Palace, Mexico, Destination Wedding

My husband Cameron and I got married at the Cozumel Palace in June of 2014 and could not have been more happy with our experience. A destination wedding was definitely the way to go for us and Lia was a great asset in our planning.

Throughout the process we felt completely at ease as she handled some of the most important details of planning for this special time. From her first recommendations of resorts and destinations to her help arranging travel for our closest family and friends we always felt grateful having Lia on our side. We highly recommend Lia Vincent and Palace Resorts for your destination wedding!

Bridgette Cariker - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Le Blanc Spa Resort, Destination Wedding

I am truly so grateful for you and all of your help! Le Blanc was amazing! NOTHING could have been better, except maybe the weather, but the staff, food, and service were above and beyond! We will definitely go back there!! Love, Love, Love you for all of your help - Can NOT thank you enough!!

Saundra Ogden - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Beach Palace, Cancun, Mexico, Destination Wedding

Our Dream Wedding!

Lia was a phenomenal help from the beginning. She was referred to me by a friend, and I was incredibly thankful that we used her. When we started planning, we became overwhelmed with all of the information that is available.

We met with her for about 45 minutes one afternoon, took her pictures of spaces we had seen online and liked, and gave her a list of our "must-haves", a list of things that would be nice but didn't matter too much, and a list of things we absolutely did NOT want. She kind of thought about things for a minute, and then listed 3 resorts that fit every single one of our needs. She then ran sample pricing from EVERY location our guests would be traveling from so we could figure out what best fit our and our guests' travel budgets. After about a million more questions from me, we finally settled on her initial recommendation, the Beach Palace in Cancun. As we went through the process, any time I had a question, problem, or was just worried about something not being right, she was my go-to person. I'm not kidding, she would answer me in like, less than an hour 99% of the time. She even took my file home one weekend to give me more time to figure something out before she ran credit cards and got it booked. She was a Godsend!

Casey Morris - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Riu Palace, Riviera Maya, Mexico, Destination Wedding

My husband Cameron and I got married at the Cozumel Palace in June of 2014 and could not have been more happy with our experience. A destination wedding was definitely the way to go for us and Lia was a great asset in our planning.

Lia with Lia helped us plan our destination wedding in Riviera Maya, Mexico. We had a total of 11 people and she helped each of them set up their arrangements. From the beginning she was so helpful and always quick to respond. She made the entire process a breeze. She communicated with the wedding coordinator at the Riu Palace and made sure everything was just like we wanted. We did not have any issues at all, thanks to Lia and all of her thorough planning. Each of our guests bragged on her and said how easy it was to work with her. I would recommend Lia for all of your planning needs whether it be just a short vacation or a destination wedding. She knows what she is doing and will make sure all of your questions are answered and that you have the best vacation.

Mindy Huffman - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Destination Wedding

My husband and I got married in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico right off the beach. It was pure bliss, and everything I could have ever dreamed of! I may be biased, but destination weddings are certainly the way to go and thanks to our wonderful Travel Agent Lia Vincent at Vincent Vacations, we were able to find the perfect place! I had the opportunity to be able to edit the straight out of camera photos from my wedding! Here is a glimpse of our wedding day in paradise!

Justin and Mariama Jordan - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Iberostar, Grand Punta Cana, Destination Wedding

We had the most amazing time at our wedding. Our guests are still talking about what an amazing trip it was! Thank you for your help with organizing this unforgettable time for us, we cannot wait to put our pictures in our new frame!

Kylee & David - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Dreams, Puerto Aventuras Resort, Destination Wedding

Lia, thank you very much for all of your help with our PERFECT wedding vacation!

Chelsey Groh - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Excellence, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Destination Wedding

"It was beautiful! Everybody had a fantastic time!"

The staff was wonderful, the rooms were gorgeous, and the food was AMAZING! Our wedding could not have been more perfect and if you have any brides that want a beautiful wedding on a budget, The Excellence Punta Cana would be my number one recommendation. Emy and Livia were fantastic and everything was just PERFECT! Chris couldn't even believe how wonderful it was.

Thank you again for all of your help!!!

Amy Taylor - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Dreams, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Destination Wedding

Our Dream Wedding!

As soon as Jimmy asked me to marry him, I knew we would want a destination wedding. We love to travel, and we love the beach, so there was no more perfect place to start our lives together than a beach in Mexico!

I am not the wedding planning type, and I knew that with a destination wedding, we could get someone else to plan the details for us. Luckily for me, my friend Lia at Vincent Vacations specializes in Destination Weddings. Lia had taken care of trips for us in the past, and I knew she was the perfect person to help me plan this trip. I was right! She helped me look through destinations, and we found the perfect spot: Dreams in Puerto Vallarta! The package came with a wedding planner, who took care of the details for me. 21 of our friends and family came with us, and everyone loved the resort. Our party ranged in age from 7 to 82, and everyone agreed it was an amazing trip. There were activities for the kids, and plenty of excursions for everyone to choose from. The staff was wonderful, and pampered us from the time we arrived. One of my bridesmaids had a broken foot and was on crutches, and was in a wheelchair some. The hotel staff assisted her anytime she needed it, including carrying her and her wheelchair up and down large flights of stairs. They were amazing! All the rooms are ocean front, with beautiful views. Jimmy and I stayed in the "Preferred" tower, and our room came with a great balcony with a hot tub! Most of our guests stayed in the other tower, but the resort is small enough, this was not a problem at all. They all loved their rooms as well. The wedding planner met with me in advance to work out the last minute details and timing. When our wedding day came, everything went perfectly. We got married on the beach right in front of the ocean. We had a sound system and a dj who played all the songs that we picked out in advance. My Dad is a minister, and he performed the service for us. We had 21 in our wedding party, but it felt like a much bigger wedding because lots of people watched the wedding. You could see people everywhere on their balconies watching, which made us feel like rock stars. We had a Mexican band that played a few songs after the wedding. The wedding came with a photographer and videographer who did amazing job! We took pictures right after the wedding, then we had dinner which also came with the wedding. We had steak and chicken which tasted great. Of course, I also asked them for chips and guacamole. (I love the guacamole in Mexico.) They were happy to oblige. They provided the wedding cake after which was amazing. After the wedding, my husband and I stayed for another 4 days, and it was paradise. I could not have asked for a more beautiful place to get married, or a less stressful way to do it. Thanks Lia and Vincent Vacations for making our special day an amazingly unforgettable experience!

John and Jane - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Jamaica, Destination Wedding

Love the pictures one of our brides just shared from her elopement in Jamaica! Thank you for sharing with us! Did you know we book Destination weddings of all sizes? If it's just the 2 of you or a group of 250, give us a call!

Marty Hill - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Grand Fiesta Americana, Los Cabos, Mexico, Destination Wedding

This was the best and easiest decision we made about our entire wedding! Lia at All Inclusive Weddings is the absolute best, extremely intelligent, hard working, and so caring. She truly makes you feel like you are her only client throughout the entire process. We had about 120 people coming to our Cabo wedding and even had to switch resorts, visitors coming from all different states and even Europe. She was calm, and kept the bride and groom calm! Every detail was taken care of and it was made to be the most perfect wedding!

Tiffany Phillips - All Inclusive Beach Wedding
Finest, Playa Mujeres, Mexico, Destination Wedding

I just wanted to thank you for all your hard work to arrange the hotel and transfers for Ashley and Robbie's wedding. It was perfect and everything that she had ever dreamed of! The resort was amazing! We had great food at all the restaurants. The staff went over the top to accommodate any needs that you could have had! Everyone felt safe and the beaches are beautiful. Since it's more private you don't get the crazy vendors walking the beach trying to sell you stuff. Our family loved it so much and we defiantly will be planning another vacation. You will be the first I call if we need help to organize something! Thank you again for everything

And lots more!
We have been in business since 2013, and booking destination weddings since 2002!

Contact us today to learn more about All Inclusive Weddings!

how can we help you?

Your love story is unique and special, and we understand your wedding should be, too!

Everything you need to celebrate your special day at Sandals Resorts with elegance and simplicity. It's the perfect start to the perfect marriage. Our frequently asked questions area has many answers about our process.

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We are a travel agency specializing in destination weddings, romance travel & experiences.

Dallas Office: 1341 W Mockingbird Ln., Suite 600W, Dallas, TX 75247
OKC Office: 9300 N. May Ave., Suite #400, OKC, OK 73120
destination wedding agent contact
1 (888) 976-0061