A beach honeymoon is one of the best ways to usher in married life. The calm, warm waters, sunshine, enchanting views, and fun-filled activities on a private island or beach will melt away any post-wedding stress.
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What Can You Do on a Tropical Honeymoon?
There’s a lot to do on a tropical honeymoon, from getting pampered to enjoying thrilling outdoor activities. Besides lounging around on white-sand beaches with your spouse, you can also enjoy one of the following activities:
- Snorkeling
- Kayaking
- Scuba-diving
- Paddleboarding
- Couples massage
- Hammock lounging
- Day parties at a lively beach club
- Surfing
- Yoga sessions in wellness centers
- Sightseeing (ocean views, jungle tours, and coral reef expeditions)
How to Choose a Beach Destination
Choosing the perfect beach destination for your honeymoon can be daunting. After all, there are numerous gorgeous beaches locally and abroad. Consider a few factors before choosing your destination, including the following:
Travel Time
Depending on the duration of your honeymoon, you may not want to spend fifteen hours traveling. Consider the distance (and the possibility of jet lag stealing a day or two) before deciding on a far-away, exotic location.
Price
How much are you willing to spend on your honeymoon? Prices vary for different beach destinations, depending on the season and location. Be realistic with your budget and match it to your expectations and preferences.
Most destinations have affordable packages during off-peak seasons. Planning your honeymoon in advance helps in evaluating the best rates. Picking an all-inclusive package could be cheaper than planning the daily itinerary and searching for deals.
Weather
Pleasant weather is a vital ingredient for a successful romantic getaway. During your beach honeymoon, you want to avoid hurricanes, storms, or heavy rains. Most couples also prefer to avoid scorching temperatures.
Accessibility
Do you fancy a far-flung beach destination that allows you to unplug and enjoy quality time from your regular life? A remote location could be the perfect choice in this case. But if you forgot something you needed, can you find it there?
A perfect honeymoon spot should have transport access during emergencies or urgent evacuations. Plus, tourists should be able to access essential services during their stay.
Safety
You don’t want unpleasant experiences during your honeymoon, including losing money or valuables to criminals. Hence, consider the safety of your preferred destination when planning your trip.
Some destinations have higher crime rates than others. However, most honeymoon resorts are safe for tourists.
Tourist Season
Most honeymoon spots will be crowded during specific times of the year. And you may not have the magical experience you’re craving if you have to put up with crowds of tourists at your honeymoon destination. Consider visiting your preferred destination during shoulder and low-peak seasons.
7 Most Beautiful Beach Honeymoon Destinations
1. St Lucia
Nestled in the Eastern Caribbean, St Lucia is an enchanting island that evokes the honeymoon sentiment. Its top-rated attractions include the lush, thick forests, stunning waterfalls, and the iconic Piton Mountains (UNESCO heritage). Newlyweds enjoy being pampered on the island’s luxe beach resorts.
Plus, music lovers can plan their honeymoon during St Lucia’s Jazz and Arts festival.
Suggested duration: 7 days
Best time to visit: December – February (for best weather); March, April, October, and November (fewer crowds)
Price range: $1,099 to $4,350 per person for one week
2. The Bahamas
The Bahamas should be on your bucket list if you’re looking for a beach destination that experiences sunshine all year round. Comprised of sixteen unique islands, this tropical oasis has many all-inclusive beach honeymoon destinations.
Spend your honeymoon on its pristine beachfront, enjoying the warm, azure waters and exploring the natural beauty of the Bahamas islands.
Suggested duration: 7 – 10 days
Best time to visit: November or late April (fine weather and fewer crowds)
Price range: $1,500 to $4,000 per person for one week
3. Mauritius
A subtropical island in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is one of the best honeymoon destinations on the African coast. From luxurious all-inclusive resorts to historical landmarks and cultural diversity, Mauritius offers a paradisal experience.
Exciting activities to try during your honeymoon include sightseeing, water sports, food-tasting, city tours, hiking, whale and dolphin watching, and safari rides.
Suggested duration: 7 – 10 days
Best time to visit: April to June and September to November (low-season)
Price range: $1,560 to $3,430 per person for one week
4. Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast is the perfect honeymoon getaway if you’re looking for romance and adventure. This dramatic coastline is located in southern Italy. Discover the rich Italian history and culture by exploring pastel-colored villages. Then, take a boat ride around Amalfi’s beautiful coast and sample Italian delicacies.
Relax on the pristine beaches, enjoy the warm turquoise waters, or hike the mountainous trails while admiring the scenic views.
Suggested duration: 3 to 7 days
Best time to visit: May or October (favorable weather, best hotel rates, and low tourist traffic)
Price range: $3,140 to $6,030 per couple for one week
5. Jamaica
Visit legendary Jamaica for a simplistic yet captivating beach honeymoon. This laid-back Caribbean island isn’t only famous for birthing reggae music and having some of the best beaches, including those in Negril and Montego Bay.
Discover Jamaica’s treasures as you unwind under the palm trees, enjoying tasty rum punches. Nature enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies will fancy the island’s natural attractions and engaging activities like snorkeling, ziplining, rafting, and scuba diving.
Suggested duration: 5 to 10 days
Best time to visit: November to mid-December (shoulder season for the best flight and hotel rates)
Price range: $1,000 to $4,600 per couple for five days
6. Fiji
From turquoise waters to sandy beaches and luxurious resorts, Fiji has everything for a heavenly honeymoon experience. A getaway to this honeymoon spot in the South Pacific presents warm hospitality, diverse culture, and unparalleled beauty.
Have a once-in-a-lifetime experience on Fiji’s oceanfront with its coral reefs, lagoons, and palm-lined beaches. Explore the beautiful rugged landscape, historical sites, and ultimate relaxation in an all-inclusive resort.
Suggested duration: 5 – 7 days
Best time to visit: June – July (best weather) and October – March (best prices)
Price range: $1,500 to $4,000 per person for one week
7. Costa Rica
Does your dream honeymoon getaway include calming blue waters, exotic wildlife, and friendly locals? Costa Rica is a Caribbean/Pacific paradise sought-after for its gorgeous beaches, biodiversity, and luxury eco-lodges tucked within rainforests.
Trigger your adventurous spirit on an ATV tour of Costa Rica’s lush jungle and volcanoes. Other fascinating outdoors to enjoy with your better half include ziplining, white water rafting, snorkeling, and catamaran cruising.
Suggested duration: 7 – 10 days
Best time to visit: December – April (pleasant weather)
Price range: $2,000 to $8,500 per couple for one week
How to Plan a Budget Beach Honeymoon
Now that you’ve seen the average prices of each beach destination let’s discuss how to save money when planning your beach honeymoon.
- Stay closer to home. You don’t have to travel abroad to experience your dream honeymoon. Research local spots that match your ideal beach honeymoon destination. You might even be able to drive to your honeymoon spot.
- Plan early. Making plans last minute will consume more of your budget. Consider timely planning to weigh options and find cost-saving deals.
- Consider budget-friendly destinations. Stretch your dollar by visiting honeymoon destinations with a favorable exchange rate.
- Visit your destination during the off-season. Most destinations have fewer crowds and the best rates during their off-peak seasons.
- Consider all-inclusive resorts. Planning your daily itinerary might create room for unexpected costs. It might help to book an all-inclusive resort that fits within your budget.
- Declare your newlywed status. Informing people that you’re on your honeymoon could present more travel discounts and special treatments.
- Limit your duration. A one-week beach honeymoon is much cheaper than a two-week getaway.
- Split up your stay. Staying in an over-water bungalow on an adults-only beach could cost a fortune. Indulge for a few days, then switch to cheaper accommodation facilities.
- Go slow on excursions and activities. Limiting your tours will help lower your expenses. After all, a perfect honeymoon entails maximum bonding time with your spouse.
- Cook your meals. Save money by preparing your meals as often as possible. Exploring local markets will enable you to find affordable foods.
Should You Stay at an All-Inclusive Beach Resort?
All-inclusive resorts take the guesswork out of vacationing in exotic locations. If the resort includes activities and food, it might be cheaper than planning your own itinerary. However, depending on what type of adventure you want, an all-inclusive may not be ideal.
| Pros | Cons |
| – It is cost-effective and helps you stay within your budget. – It provides a stress-free honeymoon experience. – You enjoy top-notch amenities, including infinity pools, golf courses, and plunge pools. – You enjoy complimentary activities. | – It can be limiting regarding excursions and attractions. – Most all-inclusive resorts are isolated. – There’s limited exposure to the local culture and people. – Tempting extras (such as spa treatments) that are not included in the ultimate price – There are fewer food varieties. |
Should You Make Your Own Itinerary?
Making your own itinerary puts you in control of your trip. While it takes a lot of research, it can be very gratifying. That said, the stress of planning the trip isn’t worth it for some.
| Pros | Cons |
| – It creates room for spontaneity and flexibility. – There’s unlimited exposure to local culture and people. – It enables couples to maximize their vacation. – It’s more exciting. – The destination usually isn’t isolated. | – It can be more expensive. – There’s a high chance of unexpected costs or mishaps. – It’s time-consuming. – It can be stressful; you must research your destination adequately. |
What to Pack for a Beach Honeymoon
- Identification documents (driver’s license)
- Copies of important documents like health and travel insurance, your hotel booking confirmation, and prescriptions (if any)
- Passport and printed travel tickets
- Credit cards and cash
- Adapter or converter
- Toiletries
- Beach wear, including bathing suits, beach towels, light clothes, coverups, watersports attire, hats, sunscreen, bug spray, and sunglasses
- Electronics, chargers, and waterproof cases
- Luggage tags