Yet another where to honeymoon thread.

[raasco]

So, I got engaged recently and we are looking for places to go in the Caribbean around the middle of April. Budget will be somewhere between $4000 - $6000. We will be coming from snow country, so hanging out on a beach for more than a few days would not be the end of the world, but alas, even that will get boring. I would like to hear about your personal experiences. Where have you been? What did you do there? All inclusive? Rental Car? Suggestions please.

 

[Exterous]

All inclusive vs Non-AI is a matter of preference. We do AI when we just want to relax and not have to worry about anything and if its your honeymoon I would think there would be a lot of room service for the first couple of days so having that included might be nice

We've done all inclusives in Punta Cana and Cancun and we found the AI in Cancun to be much better although they are more expensive (but air fare is generally much cheaper). The food was better, the accommodations were better, less crowded, less pressure selling, no guy with a gun on the beach trying to sell us heroin etc. There are a lot of options in Cancun so they seem to often compete on pricing. Having been to a couple I would recommend Live Aqua if thats an option (Often bookable on Cheaptickets.com with a 20% off promo code. Sales stack and no cancellation fees so I was able to snag a Live Aqua Sale + Cheaptickets Sale + 20% off promo code booking). The place was amazing and the food was fantastic. There was also a LOT more to do outside of the resort compared to Punta Cana

I know Cancun sounds kind of cheesy (at least it does to me) but there are lots of club\entertainment options and Chichen Itza if you are worried about being bored. You could easily split your time part AI part not.

I've heard great things about Cozumel in terms of scuba diving and snorkeling if thats your thing but I haven't been there yet. (Maybe this year. We'll see) Best snorkeling I've done was in Barbados during a catamaran ride - but that might be because a group of three turtles thought I was very interesting and came for a very close up look


We didn't care much for St Lucia, Puerto Rico or the Bahamas compared to other islands we've been to. Overall St Kitts is probably our favorite Caribbean island. Very friendly and lots to keep us interested (lots of nice beaches, decent zip line etc). St Maarten was quite nice too with the nude beaches being a great place to get your fill of old saggy titties and fire engine red testicles. Better shopping than St Kitts but more expensive. The airport beach is a very fun place to feel (yes feel) planes land. Didn't explore much past the beach\ocean on Barbados so I can't give much info there unless you want a catamaran recommendation (Best I've been on across several islands)

Never rented a car as negotiated cab prices are pretty cheap in all the islands

 

[raasco]

All inclusive vs Non-AI is a matter of preference. We do AI when we just want to relax and not have to worry about anything and if its your honeymoon I would think there would be a lot of room service for the first couple of days so having that included might be nice

We've done all inclusives in Punta Cana and Cancun and we found the AI in Cancun to be much better although they are more expensive (but air fare is generally much cheaper). The food was better, the accommodations were better, less crowded, less pressure selling, no guy with a gun on the beach trying to sell us heroin etc. There are a lot of options in Cancun so they seem to often compete on pricing. Having been to a couple I would recommend Live Aqua if thats an option (Often bookable on Cheaptickets.com with a 20% off promo code. Sales stack and no cancellation fees so I was able to snag a Live Aqua Sale + Cheaptickets Sale + 20% off promo code booking). The place was amazing and the food was fantastic. There was also a LOT more to do outside of the resort compared to Punta Cana

I know Cancun sounds kind of cheesy (at least it does to me) but there are lots of club\entertainment options and Chichen Itza if you are worried about being bored. You could easily split your time part AI part not.

I've heard great things about Cozumel in terms of scuba diving and snorkeling if thats your thing but I haven't been there yet. (Maybe this year. We'll see) Best snorkeling I've done was in Barbados during a catamaran ride - but that might be because a group of three turtles thought I was very interesting and came for a very close up look


We didn't care much for St Lucia, Puerto Rico or the Bahamas compared to other islands we've been to. Overall St Kitts is probably our favorite Caribbean island. Very friendly and lots to keep us interested (lots of nice beaches, decent zip line etc). St Maarten was quite nice too with the nude beaches being a great place to get your fill of old saggy titties and fire engine red testicles. Better shopping than St Kitts but more expensive. The airport beach is a very fun place to feel (yes feel) planes land. Didn't explore much past the beach\ocean on Barbados so I can't give much info there unless you want a catamaran recommendation (Best I've been on across several islands)

Never rented a car as negotiated cab prices are pretty cheap in all the islands

Thanks for the great input. We've ruled out Mexico only because I have relatives that make an annual trip down there in the winters and I see ourselves joining in on that in the future.

 

[GobBluth]

If it were me, I'd be going to Europe. Portugal or Spain, or one of the Mediterranean countries. Turkey is super nice (on the west side). I went to Izmir, and it was beautiful. Very "westernized". Greece would be on my list too. Azores maybe, I hear they are very very pretty.

 

[purbeast0]

with that budget, i'd recommend turks and caicos. my wife and i went there (providenciales) last may and it's our favorite caribbean island we've been to. it's simply amazing with the most beautiful beaches i've ever seen. we rented a car and drove all over and went to some very secluded beaches. there isn't too much of a nightlife there though if that is what you were looking for. but it's very relaxing and laid back with some of the best food i've ever eaten, with many restaurants literally on the beach. if we weren't having our first kid in 3 months, we'd already have another trip planned to go back there.

personally, i do not like all inclusive. i've done it once in costa rica and most likely won't do it again. when i'm on vacation in another country that i may never go back to, i don't want to be couped up in 1 spot the whole time i'm there. we like to explore.

although, we did go to the atlantis in the bahamas, and while we did not explore the island that much while we were there, we LOVED that place and the atlantis is so huge that you can not even see all of it after 4-5 days. i'd love to go back to that place but we just haven't made it around to there and have wanted to go to other places.

i've been to cancun (2x), barbados, bahamas, aruba (2x), and costa rica. also the florida keys are very nice too, but not quite in the carribean. while not in the carribean, we went to maui on our honey moon and that place is also incredible.

cancun is way more party, and a shitload of fun if that is what you are looking for. i also found it relatively cheap in general, especially compared to other places i've been.

EDIT:

this is taylor bay in turks and caicos.

so secluded and beautiful. there were about 6 people on the whole beach the whole time we were there. and that house on the tip there is dick clarks old house lol.

 

[Exterous]

Thanks for the great input. We've ruled out Mexico only because I have relatives that make an annual trip down there in the winters and I see ourselves joining in on that in the future.

No problem Let me know if you end up with any more questions about those places and good luck!

If it were me, I'd be going to Europe. Portugal or Spain, or one of the Mediterranean countries. Turkey is super nice (on the west side). I went to Izmir, and it was beautiful. Very "westernized". Greece would be on my list too. Azores maybe, I hear they are very very pretty.

My 'problem' with Europe is that, at least when we go, it is much more about what we can see then spending time together. Not that we don't spend time together but getting up at 6am to go sightseeing seems less honeymoon-ish than a lazy morning in bed together. I know you can certainly do that but the temptation from all the places to visit would be too much for us

 

[GobBluth]

No problem Let me know if you end up with any more questions about those places and good luck!



My 'problem' with Europe is that, at least when we go, it is much more about what we can see then spending time together. Not that we don't spend time together but getting up at 6am to go sightseeing seems less honeymoon-ish than a lazy morning in bed together. I know you can certainly do that but the temptation from all the places to visit would be too much for us

I get that, you're looking for a getaway, not tourism. Maybe Jamaica would be a good fit for you then. Its beautiful. Azores is really beautiful w/o the tourism. Just an island with not much to do but lounge. But its quite the flight to get there and can be expensive.

 

[edro]

We went with an all inclusive resort in Punta Cana. The water and beaches were amazing.
I recommend the swim up room. It was pretty cool and convenient.
Wake up, hop into the pool from your patio, swim to the swim up bar.

 

[raasco]

If it were me, I'd be going to Europe. Portugal or Spain, or one of the Mediterranean countries. Turkey is super nice (on the west side). I went to Izmir, and it was beautiful. Very "westernized". Greece would be on my list too. Azores maybe, I hear they are very very pretty.

That would be fun, but I see Europe and places such as Australia/New Zealand being more of an exploratory trip. If we were to go to a place like that we would feel too much of an urge to see absolutely as much as possible. That's not our intent on this trip. We would like to see a few sights, but mostly just enjoy some relaxing time together.

 

[GobBluth]

I'm just a whore for Europe I guess.

 

[raasco]

I'm just a whore for Europe I guess.

Europe is great. I've been there twice.

 

[JM Aggie08]

Getting married in 2015. Haven't done much overseas travelling, so we're staying stateside. Just going to tour the Northeast for a week or so, as neither of us have been there. Being able to speak English and use US currency will relieve a lot of stress that I typically associate with travelling abroad. I fully intend to eat lobster rolls and snort Old Bay everyday.

 

[purbeast0]

Getting married in 2015. Haven't done much overseas travelling, so we're staying stateside. Just going to tour the Northeast for a week or so, as neither of us have been there. Being able to speak English and use US currency will relieve a lot of stress that I typically associate with travelling abroad. I fully intend to eat lobster rolls and snort Old Bay everyday.

you can use american dollars and speak english at pretty much any destination in the carribean.

 

[JM Aggie08]

you can use american dollars and speak english at pretty much any destination in the carribean.

Not really interested in a tropical setting, unfortunately.

 

[QuantumPion]

We just went on honeymoon to Sandals Whitehouse in Jamaica last month. While it was very beautiful, we got bored by the end of the week as there's no much to do other than drink and eat and sit on the beach. I think most of the Caribbean islands are similar, but Jamaica has much cheaper airfare, there's more resorts to choose from, and the population is english speaking. If you go I'd recommend staying in Montego Bay area as that is where all the activities are, anywhere else involves long drives over rough country roads - unless you prefer super serene, secluded and peaceful area and don't care about excursions, in which case Whitehouse is very nice. Definitely opt for the helicopter transportation there though, the bus ride sucks.

 

[raasco]

with that budget, i'd recommend turks and caicos. my wife and i went there (providenciales) last may and it's our favorite caribbean island we've been to. it's simply amazing with the most beautiful beaches i've ever seen. we rented a car and drove all over and went to some very secluded beaches. there isn't too much of a nightlife there though if that is what you were looking for. but it's very relaxing and laid back with some of the best food i've ever eaten, with many restaurants literally on the beach. if we weren't having our first kid in 3 months, we'd already have another trip planned to go back there.

personally, i do not like all inclusive. i've done it once in costa rica and most likely won't do it again. when i'm on vacation in another country that i may never go back to, i don't want to be couped up in 1 spot the whole time i'm there. we like to explore.

although, we did go to the atlantis in the bahamas, and while we did not explore the island that much while we were there, we LOVED that place and the atlantis is so huge that you can not even see all of it after 4-5 days. i'd love to go back to that place but we just haven't made it around to there and have wanted to go to other places.

i've been to cancun (2x), barbados, bahamas, aruba (2x), and costa rica. also the florida keys are very nice too, but not quite in the carribean. while not in the carribean, we went to maui on our honey moon and that place is also incredible.

cancun is way more party, and a shitload of fun if that is what you are looking for. i also found it relatively cheap in general, especially compared to other places i've been.

EDIT:

this is taylor bay in turks and caicos.

so secluded and beautiful. there were about 6 people on the whole beach the whole time we were there. and that house on the tip there is dick clarks old house lol.

Do you remember what the name of the hotel that you stayed at in Turks and Caicos? We are leaning towards there, Jamaica or the DR.

 

[purbeast0]

Do you remember what the name of the hotel that you stayed at in Turks and Caicos? We are leaning towards there, Jamaica or the DR.

stayed at the alexandra on grace bay. amazing beach there as well. i walked down to coral gardens 1/2 of the mornings i was there to go snorkeling from the shore.

i found it on VRBO actually it was very reasonably priced - $1500 for a week or around that. i've actually inquired about the room again but don't think we'll be able to make it just due to having a baby.

i can tell you this with 100% confidence ... T&C is light years ahead of DR and jamaica. like they aren't even comparable. it's way less touristy in T&C and you can actually go drive around the island and not worry for your safety. there also aren't the huge big crowded resorts, other than Beaches, but that place is HUGE and i walked past it every day almost since it's next to the alexandra. that place looks awesome, but prices there are like $900/person/night there lol, so f that.

i have a TON of pics from there as well if you are interested in seeing anything specific. we did a lot there.

EDIT:

couple pics from a thread i posted about the restaurants there, these were some of the places we ate for lunch:

and another taylor bay pic

 

[raasco]

stayed at the alexandra on grace bay. amazing beach there as well. i walked down to coral gardens 1/2 of the mornings i was there to go snorkeling from the shore.

i found it on VRBO actually it was very reasonably priced - $1500 for a week or around that. i've actually inquired about the room again but don't think we'll be able to make it just due to having a baby.

i can tell you this with 100% confidence ... T&C is light years ahead of DR and jamaica. like they aren't even comparable. it's way less touristy in T&C and you can actually go drive around the island and not worry for your safety. there also aren't the huge big crowded resorts, other than Beaches, but that place is HUGE and i walked past it every day almost since it's next to the alexandra. that place looks awesome, but prices there are like $900/person/night there lol, so f that.

i have a TON of pics from there as well if you are interested in seeing anything specific. we did a lot there.

EDIT:

couple pics from a thread i posted about the restaurants there, these were some of the places we ate for lunch:

and another taylor bay pic

Wow, that place looks awesome. Where is that third picture? A walk out room?

 

[purbeast0]

Wow, that place looks awesome. Where is that third picture? A walk out room?

nah its a restaurant called las brisas in the chalk sound area of the island.

http://neptunevillastci.com/wp/las-brisas-restaurant/

if you watch that slide show on the main page, on the 3rd image, that gazebo that you see to the right is where we were sitting when we took that picture.

 

[purbeast0]

this was also one of the coolest things i've ever done, and there is no chance that a woman won't like it.

that was the company 'provo ponies' and was really neat. i had done horseback riding before, but never where you go out into the ocean with them. and we were out where kite boarders were kite boarding so that was pretty sweet to watch too. i really wanted to try it but never did, a lot because i couldnt justify the cost of it for how much i was interested.

 

[raasco]

this was also one of the coolest things i've ever done, and there is no chance that a woman won't like it.

that was the company 'provo ponies' and was really neat. i had done horseback riding before, but never where you go out into the ocean with them. and we were out where kite boarders were kite boarding so that was pretty sweet to watch too. i really wanted to try it but never did, a lot because i couldnt justify the cost of it for how much i was interested.

That place keeps moving further up the list.

 

[purbeast0]

lol i can dig up some more pics if you need more convincing.

but pretty much anywhere in the carribean is pretty awesome. my wife and i just aren't the kinda people who want to just stay couped up at super resorts for the most part, aside from the atlantis, but the atlantis is an attraction that people from all over the island come to see, it's not just one of those "generic" all inclusive mega resorts.

only place i've been that i wouldn't really want to go back to is costa rica. but only because the resort we stayed at wasn't that great, and it was in a part of the country where there wasn't much to do outside of it. it's the only all inclusive place i've ever been to and wasn't a big fan of it, with watered down drinks, and the food got old quick. if i did ever go back tehre, it would be a totally different part of the country.

 

[MongGrel]

I guess we've been spoiled over time, the wife used to be a travel agency manager that specialized in cruises so we've bee on many all over the Caribbean, and Alaska.

We've never hit Europe, I asked her flat out what she would do for a Honeymoon these days and was something along a Viking River Cruise, you can do France, Germany, Amsterdamn, Switzerland, but pricey but they supposed to be good.

That and would be a bit cold for what you have in mind anyways, and would take about 6 grand just to do it I guess she says minimum.

For an all inclusive she recommended Sandals in St. Lucia is supposed to be fantastic, if you want to sit static and do things in one spot.

One of the big ships like Oasis of the Seas, with a nice cabin would be kinda cool too, have been on it before and fun.

 

[zinfamous]

Anguilla.

It's not overdeveloped horseshit like every other island in that part of the world. There is one filthy golf course, now, but otherwise it's a gorgeous natural island with real people and some of the best beaches in the world.

I think a lot of people ignore it because it still is a bit more natural, but it's the only island in the area (mostly French and Dutch--like St Maarten) that doesn't look like some Frenchman's toilet.

Anguilla, man. It rocks.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

So, I got engaged recently and we are looking for places to go in the Caribbean around the middle of April. Budget will be somewhere between $4000 - $6000. We will be coming from snow country, so hanging out on a beach for more than a few days would not be the end of the world, but alas, even that will get boring. I would like to hear about your personal experiences. Where have you been? What did you do there? All inclusive? Rental Car? Suggestions please.

St Lucia - Ladera Resort

You won't be disappointed.

www.ladera.com