Help me find a good beach for my honeymoon!

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ZappDogg

ZappDogg

Senior member
Jul 18, 2005
761
0
0
I've never been out of the country. Heck, I've never been further from Texas than Kentucky. I need help! I don't know the first thing about traveling internationally, but I know that I want to honeymoon outside the US.

It's an August wedding, so a beach is a must! From my preliminary research amongst friends and colleagues, if you're going to go to Mexico, Playa seems to be the only respectable option.

I'm not made of money (it's my first year out of school), and I'd like to keep the total trip expenses around $3000-3500 if possible. We don't mind sacrificing on the lodging a little if it means that we can partake in the activities of our destination a little more.

So, ATOT, what would you recommend for an international trip to the beach? Open to all suggestions.
 
dainthomas

dainthomas

Lifer
Dec 7, 2004
14,963
3,951
136
Originally posted by: ZappDogg
I've never been out of the country. Heck, I've never been further from Texas than Kentucky. I need help! I don't know the first thing about traveling internationally, but I know that I want to honeymoon outside the US.

It's an August wedding, so a beach is a must! From my preliminary research amongst friends and colleagues, if you're going to go to Mexico, Playa seems to be the only respectable option.

I'm not made of money (it's my first year out of school), and I'd like to keep the total trip expenses around $3000-3500 if possible. We don't mind sacrificing on the lodging a little if it means that we can partake in the activities of our destination a little more.

So, ATOT, what would you recommend for an international trip to the beach? Open to all suggestions.
Click to expand...

With the dollar in the toilet, international travel is not the best idea right now.

Hawaii's cheap to fly to, and you should be able to have a great honeymoon for well under your budget.
 
M

MixMasterTang

Diamond Member
Jul 23, 2001
3,167
176
106
Well your first problem is that August is Hurrican Season and also Peak travel time (unless it's the very last part of August/early September). Aruba and the other few islands at the very south of the Carribean is out of the main Hurricane area, but can still get hit on occasion.
 
purbeast0

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,745
6,620
126
I'd recommend Aruba.

When I went w/my (now) fiancee we paid $1500 for the flight + hotel for 5 days, and over there we spent about $2k. We also went all out and spent money like we didn't care. You could easily spend less than that, but when I go on vacation I like to save a lot before and just splurge when I get there.

I have a ton of pics of our trip and there are some fantastic restaurants.

http://www.drewscrib.net/galleries/aruba

I've also been to Cancun this past year which was also a blast. It's definitely a huge party place with a lot of things to do at night. We stayed right in the middle of all the party stuff so we could just walk everywhere. I also have a ton of pics of that.

http://www.drewscrib.net/cancun

Personally if I hadn't been to Aruba yet, that is where my fiancee and I would go for our honey moon, but since we've already been there we want to try something new. I strongly recommend Aruba. it was the first place I went outside of the country as well and I've been to a few places out of the country, and Aruba was my favorite.
 
pontifex

pontifex

Lifer
Dec 5, 2000
43,804
46
91
have you posted pics of fiance/wife? if no, you must post them before you get any help.
 
moshquerade

moshquerade

No Lifer
Nov 1, 2001
61,504
12
56
Originally posted by: buck
Costa Rica, its cheap and fun. Alot of fun.
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Santo Domingo (the DR) is cheap and fun too. i can recommend an all inclusive if you'd like OP.
 
buck

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
12,273
4
81
Originally posted by: ZappDogg
Where in Costa Rica? I know enough to avoid San Jose, lol.
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San Jose isnt bad at all, of course there are bad parts, but honestly not worse than the bad areas of chicago/detroit/nyc.

As for beaches, Tamarindo is very nice, been there a couple of times, great for couples IMO.
Malpais is great as well.
Jaco is a cool place to spend a couple of nights, unless you surf in which case you spend most of your trip here.

On the Carribean side, Cahuita and Puerto Viejo are insanely beautiful. There is also a volcano that is worth a day trip if you are staying in tamarindo. PM me if you need more info, I have been there many times. Granted I mostly go to surf...
 
Aharami

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
what are you looking for? just kick back and relax on the beach all day or go out snorkeling, jet skiing, etc? Do you want the beach to be remote so you can sun tan naked? not too crowded yet not desolate? fully packed so you can mingle and people watch? Do you care about a night life?

Ive been to Grand Bahama Island twice and that has the best beaches by far. We stayed at Wyndham Viva Fortuna both times but 2nd time we rented a car and drove for 40 mins to Gold Rock beach. That was the best beach Ive ever seen in my life. shallow, calm, wide, and desolate. There were maybe 2-3 couples as far as I could see, and none within half a mile of us. That was the type of beach where we could've layed out naked if we'd wanted to (I think one of the couples were...but not sure). But the resort I stayed in had no night life.

Ive been to Aruba once and thought it's a great mix. Awesome beaches + decent night life if you go into the main part. Beaches were a little more crowded than Bahamas, but it was just the right amount of people there IMO. Also rented a car in Aruba and drove to Baby beach (really nice..great for snorkeling) and another beach whose name I cant remember off the top of my head (this was the best beach in Aruba IMO).

Ive been to Cancun twice once for spring break and once in July. Although the beaches arent as nice as Bahamas or Aruba but the nightlife more than makes up for it. All the bars and clubs are easily and cheaply accessible via public transportation (Aruba's clubs are painfully expensive to get to if you stay far away) and bars were jumpin even in July. Really a party city.
 
ZappDogg

ZappDogg

Senior member
Jul 18, 2005
761
0
0
passports only take 2-3 months to process, correct?

what exactly do you mean by nightlife, aharami? i'm looking for a more laid back beach scene, and when i think nightlife, i think dives with good food and live music.
 
buck

buck

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
12,273
4
81
Originally posted by: ZappDogg
passports only take 2-3 months to process, correct?

what exactly do you mean by nightlife, aharami? i'm looking for a more laid back beach scene, and when i think nightlife, i think dives with good food and live music.
Click to expand...

There are HUGE delays now.... I dont know where you can check that but that is the word on the street.
 
Aharami

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
then you'll like Bahamas. it is very laid back there. by nightlife, I mean going out to clubs/bars/parties where they play top 40 hits.
But then again, you're in Texas. Bahamas will probably be a lot more for airfare. Look into the Mayan Riviera in Mexico. Its about an hr south of Cancun. A lot more laid back atmosphere than Cancun and I hear the beaches there are amazing also. Ive never been there myself
 
A

azilaga

Senior member
Mar 24, 2003
756
0
0
I'll vouch for Hawaii since I'm from Honolulu, but if you want to be out of the country, I highly recommend Thailand. It may be a little more expensive to get there, but your dollar will definitely carry you a looong way once there.
 
amdhunter

amdhunter

Lifer
May 19, 2003
23,332
249
106
Originally posted by: moshquerade
Originally posted by: buck
Costa Rica, its cheap and fun. Alot of fun.
Click to expand...

Santo Domingo (the DR) is cheap and fun too. i can recommend an all inclusive if you'd like OP.
Click to expand...

2nd'ed on the Domincan Republic, although I was about 4 hours away from Santo Domingo, in Puerto Plata (Sosua.) The beaches there are amazing, and the women are even more so. (So try and ditch the wife somewhere for a bit,) :)
 
Modelworks

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
Stay away from mexico.
The state department is extending its warning to americans traveling there.

Seems the problem with american tourist being kidnapped is on the rise again.
 
Aharami

Aharami

Lifer
Aug 31, 2001
21,205
165
106
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Stay away from mexico.
The state department is extending its warning to americans traveling there.

Seems the problem with american tourist being kidnapped is on the rise again.
Click to expand...

got a link? I felt perfectly safe in Cancun. granted that was 3 yrs ago
 
Modelworks

Modelworks

Lifer
Feb 22, 2007
16,240
7
76
Originally posted by: Aharami
Originally posted by: Modelworks
Stay away from mexico.
The state department is extending its warning to americans traveling there.

Seems the problem with american tourist being kidnapped is on the rise again.
Click to expand...

got a link? I felt perfectly safe in Cancun. granted that was 3 yrs ago
Click to expand...

http://travel.state.gov/travel..._pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html

Sounds a bit too risky to me.
In recent years, dozens of U.S. citizens have been kidnapped in Mexico and many cases remain unresolved. Moreover, new cases of disappearances and kidnap-for-ransom continue to be reported. No one can be considered immune from kidnapping on the basis of occupation, nationality, or other factors. Criminals have been known to follow and harass U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana. U.S. citizens who believe they are being followed should notify Mexican officials as soon as possible. U.S. citizens should make every attempt to travel on main roads during daylight hours, particularly the toll (?cuota?) roads, which are generally more secure. It is preferable for U.S. citizens to stay in well-known tourist destinations and tourist areas of the cities with more adequate security, and provide an itinerary to a friend or family member not traveling with them. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling alone as a means to better ensure their safety. Refrain from displaying expensive-looking jewelry, large amounts of money, or other valuable items.
Click to expand...
 
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