Post # 1
Member
216 posts
Helper bee
- Wedding: August 2016 - Taber Ranch
Hi Bees! Next thing on our list is to decide on a honeymoon location and book it asap. We are from California and will be traveling in the beginning of August. I’d say our budget is less than $5k for flights, hotel and activities. We love to go 7-10 days somewhere. My fiance wants to go to a luxe all-inclusive while I want to go somewhere we can explore new places and maybe tropical like hike to a waterfall, and learn about different cultures and sightsee. Also somewhere we haven’t both been. We have been to Hawaii. He has been to Jamaica. I have been to Mexico. I do not really want to go on a cruise. But I would love some sun. I knnow the Carribean it could be storm season.
We are almost set to go 5 days to a Cancun all-inclsive reosrt (excellence) to be exact, and 4 days in Costa Rica. Basically Cancun for R&R and Costa Rica for adventure. But airfare, hotel, trandfers, and everything, it is almost $7k
Any Bees have any suggestions other than the others listed?
Post # 2
Member
257 posts
Helper bee
pglt09: I was really looking into Costa Rica because we want the adventure side of things too, but we ultimtely decided on St. Lucia! We’ll be going mid-late August, and although it’s in the Caribbean, it’s farther south than many others, and it doesn’t normally get hit by hurricanes. We’re taking the chance. From everything I’ve heard, it should be great (:
We aren’t looking at all-inclusive just because we would personally prefer not to, but I’ve heard fantastic things about the 3 Sandals resorts in St. Lucia, and there are others, as well. There’s a combination of wonderful beaches and adventurous activities (water sports, scuba, snorkel, hiking, mountain biking, volcano tours, boating, cooking classes, etc.).
And our budget is about $5k as well, including flights from NJ (I don’t know where you’d be coming from, so your flights might be more or less, depending).
Post # 3
Member
3064 posts
Sugar bee
pglt09: Sandals in St Lucia is where we honeymooned but you might will have to up your budget. We came from IL and spent 7 days there and I think we spent about 6K for flights/accomodations. We also went in Sept so that should be pretty accurate to the cost you will incur ( off season)
It was phenominal highly reccomend, but it will rain a bit ( we went second week in Sept) and it was coudy a couple days but the rain passes quickly. It was gorgeous and we had sooo much fin-hiked, swam, water sports, if you do go , do the “Joes knows tour”
I would also look into Punta Cana- you can get a lot for your money
Sandals will have sales, so check out their website.
Also sometimes all incusive can be more expensive than NON all inclusive, so in the Carribean I wouldn’t rule out non AI! especially in th Carribean islands
I think with your budget and the desired length Carribean will be best option.
stoked.stokes:
Post # 4
Member
3064 posts
Sugar bee
stoked.stokes: I copied you in the response as we honeymooned in St lucia too!
Post # 5
Member
720 posts
Busy bee
The Rivera maya area in Mexico has more of a jungle feel. There is some great parks like xcaret and lots of ruins and tulum is awesome. Also get the all inculsive Too And there is a lot of resort options For all price ranges.
I also agree that Punta Cana is great also. I found the people were very nice and it’s beautiful.
Also I recommend checking out the website cheap Caribbean. Great prices. I don’t go off their reviews though I use trip advisor but I find they have amazing prices.
Post # 6
Member
210 posts
Helper bee
If you want guaranteed good weather, Aruba is amazing year round. I don’t think they have all inclusives but I went when I was in my early 20s and stayed at the Hilton and I think it was only $2k for a week including airfare from NJ (This was over 10 years ago though so I’m not sure how it is now).
I also recommend Cheap Caribbean. We honeymooned in Cabo at Secrets Marquis but had to go to Cancun after Cabo was hit by a hurricane. Cheap Caribbean was wonderful in helping us, and all the days we lost in the shelter were added to our stay in Cancun. Outside of the actual hurricane the weather was gorgeous our whole trip in Cabo and Cancun (September).
Post # 7
Member
1303 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: Hawksnest Cove Beach St John USVI
DisneyKb: seconding cheap caribbean for amazing deals. We stayed at Dreams Sugar Bay in St Thomas and are going to Divi in St Croix Next month that we booked through theM
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