Post # 1

Member
138 posts
Blushing bee
We’re planning on booking our honeymoon soon, but i’m still up in the air about what to do.
If we go to Mexico, we’re planning on staying at Secrets Maroma Beach for 7-8 nights, which would be wonderful. Relaxing, all inclusive, no worries, and i’ve read all the wonderul reviews on the boards, buuuuuuuuuuuut, I still can’t get hawaii out of my head.
The Ritz and 4 seasons are WAY out o the budget, but we could definitely swing getting a condo and a rental car, cooking dinner together a couple nights and eating dinner out the rest of the time. Hawaii is the dream location, but I know I won’t get as much “bang for my buck” as I will in Mexico.
I really can’t decide. They both have their pros and cons. HELP. What would you choose, and why?
Post # 3

Member
7768 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
Hawaii is a lot less stress, so I personally would go with that.
Post # 4

Member
841 posts
Busy bee
I would go with Mexico if you want to get the most for your money. Personally? I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii, so I would postpone it until we had the extra cash 🙂
Post # 5

Member
1919 posts
Buzzing bee
I think for honeymoon I would go to mexico for all inclusive and be pampered and then go to hawaii at a later date when you have more money.
Post # 6

Member
527 posts
Busy bee
You’re right…tough choice. We just booked an amazing condo in Maui that is right on the ocean front for a pretty good deal.
Post # 7

Member
11324 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
We had the same dilemma… and we went with hawaii 🙂
Post # 8

Member
645 posts
Busy bee
I’ve been to both, for a honeymoon I’d do Mexico. Less glamorous, I know… But less effort. I don’t want to worry about driving around and having to find stuff while I”m on my honeymoon. I’d rather just belly up to the swim-up bar. 🙂
Another thing to consider is that Hawaii is FAR, depending on where you’re starting. 7-8 nights is definately enough time for a long trip like that, but how much do you like planes? It’s 5 3/4 hours to Maui from San Francisco. If you’re coming from, say, New York, tack on 6 hours to get to the west coast.
Either way, you’ll have an amazing time.
Post # 9

Member
746 posts
Busy bee
I would go Mexico. Much shorter flight times, and with the all inclusive, you won’t be cooking your own food all week!
Post # 10

Member
8734 posts
Bumble Beekeeper
I used to go to Maui every spring with my family. We’d always stay in a condo (rather than a resort). I really liked it better.
We could get fresh mangoes for breakfast, grill fish on the balcony, and it was really nice to have the extra space.
The condo pool & beach were also a lot less crowded than the big resorts, but they were on the same path. So we could do a snorkeling excursion that left from one of the bigger resorts without having to drive.
I LOVE Maui and I’ve always done staying in a condo. I feel like it is a fantastic way to do Hawaii.
Post # 11

Member
1066 posts
Bumble bee
We were in a similar predicament… and we chose Secrets Maroma, so I am biased! But, it is our honeymoon and we wanted it to feel like luxury.
I would suggest going to Hawaii maybe another time, but on a honeymoon, you probably just want to relax and be pampered. This resort has such amazing reviews, I don’t think you can go wrong!
Post # 12

Member
15278 posts
Honey Beekeeper
I know it’d be great to have an all inclusive at an amazing resort, but if you can’t get Hawaii out of your mind and really want to go there, I’d take this opportunity to go, even if its not as glamorous. I mean, its STILL Hawaii!!!
I’d consider the following:
How often would you be able to get 7-8 days off from work? (Mexico could be an easy long weekend trip in the future and doen’t really require 7-8 days)
When do you think you’d really realistically be able to save up and go on the dream Hawaii vacation? Can you stand to wait?
Do you want to relax on a beach and do nothing? Or are you adventureous and want to do some activities.
Personally, I’d pick Maui/Hawaii hands down any day. Its beautiful and easy to navigate since its a pretty small island. You could do a fair amount of exploration and feel like you saw the whole island and still have time to relax.
I’m sure either would be an amazing honeymoon though! Good luck!
Post # 13

Member
776 posts
Busy bee
I was in your same situation, Hawaii was a dream honeymoon and Mexico was way more bang for the buck. We went to Mexico and unfortunatly I totally regret it….so I voted Hawaii!