By: Harmony Walton
CASA SAN AGUSTÍN
Honeymoons should be unforgettable experiences, no matter how much you spend—so we’ve traveled the globe to find the best honeymoon deals for a postwedding get away under $2,500. Find our top five picks below.
1. Best Domestic Honeymoon: Key Largo, Florida
Where to Stay: The new Playa Largo Resort & Spa is a domestic oasis just an hour south of Miami Airport with rates as low as $329 per night, depending on season. Positioned on the brackish coastline, you can float your days away in the salt or freshwater, or kayak into the mangroves for a bit more adventure on the tranquil sea. After your day in the sun, splurge at the spa.
Where to Eat: A trip to Key Largo isn’t a trip at all without a stop to Mrs. Mac’s Kitchen for its world-famous key lime pie. No need to dress up for this local spot—just stop in after a bike ride for a sweet treat you won’t soon forget.
What to Do: Book a half-day snorkeling excursion out to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park where you’ll enjoy an afternoon on the ocean and a casual education of your surroundings back on the beach.
What to Pack: Pack a pair of tennis shoes for a stroll into town, a beach cruiser bike ride or any number of land sports available in the Keys
2. Best European Honeymoon: Rovinj, Croatia
Where to Stay: Travel outside the big cities and conside
r a honeymoon on the water in the quaint town of Rovinj. You’ll feel as if you’ve been transported back in time as you wander through gold-shimmering cobblestone streets to Hotel Adriatic, a boutique property full of charm, situated right in the center of town overlooking the harbor. Each room is a bit unique (I recommend the gallery loft with skylights and a higher ceiling). Rates can be as low as $165 per night, while their sister property, Hotel Monte Mulini, just outside of town offers a more resort-like experience at a higher price point. Consider switching hotels for your last night and get a completely different beach experience and a little something extra.
Where to Eat: Dine in town with locals cruising by your outdoor table in the old city at Bookeria. There’s always fresh fish served daily—and anywhere you dine, be sure to ask for truffles.
What to Do: Fly into Zagreb and rent a car to tour the countryside as you make your way to the coast. On your way to Rovinj, stop at Plitvice Lakes National Park and take in the beautiful Instagram-worthy lakes, waterfalls and canyons. Then plan a day trip to Motovun and a visit down the hillside for truffle hunting with a master local expert like Nikola Tarandek.
What to Pack: Depending on the season, you might find the coastline peppered with yachts, and the weather calling for bikinis and beachwear. The fall and slower seasons are just as delightful, but a bit chilly at night, so pack layers for some light winter weather.
3. Best Beach Honeymoon: Isla Holbox, Mexico
Where to Stay: You won’t find many choices in Holbox, as this is not a beach town full of big resorts—but the options are amazing. Stay at Italian-owned Hotelito Casa Las Tortugas for laid-back charm and incredible design details right on the sand.
Where to Eat: For a local favorite, visit the family-run La Isla del Colibri and enjoy an ultra-casual Mexican dining experience including seafood, steaks and breakfast fare. You’ll be in the center of town when you order up one of its mega margaritas to kick off your honeymoon celebration.
What to Do: Check a big adventure off your bucket list and swim with whale sharks between May and September. These giant fish are not actually sharks, so you’ll be safe on your honeymoon as you get up close and personal with the majestic creatures.
What to Pack: Keep it casual on this honeymoon and pack swimsuits and flip-flops for a relaxing island experience and plenty of beach time.
4. Best Old-World Honeymoon: Cartagena, Colombia
Where to Stay: Stay in the old city where the cobblestone streets are lined with charming pensions and boutique hotels, and are often too narrow for cars. For a luxury experience without the price point, consider staying at Casa San Agustin, an ideal romantic and old-world home for honeymooners with its three restored 17th-century colonial houses (complete with plunge pools). Try its “Romance in Cartagena” experience and you’ll enjoy sparkling wine, strawberries, roses and candles in your room. You’ll also receive airport transfers, daily breakfast, a minibar, Wi-Fi and bicycles to get around town. In this case, when you upgrade, you save.
Where to Eat: It’s hard to have a bad meal in Cartagena with tons of great local options like Restaurante Donjuán Cartagena, and many popular spots in the squares or overlooking the ocean. One personal favorite that’s not to be missed is more about the drink than the food. El Baron is a tiny, oh-so-trendy mixology bar with some of the best cocktails and late-night tables for two in town.
What to Do: Cartagena is a Caribbean coastal city with more than 40 islands just an hour away by boat. Take a day trip and boat tour to one of the Rosario Islands and enjoy lobster on the beach and cocktails in the sand. Splurge for a private charter or save and go with a public group.
What to Pack: Pack your dancing shoes. Cartagena is in a South American country with lots of live music, and late-night dancing in the squares and nightclubs.
5. Best Adventure Honeymoon: Cusco, Peru
Where to Stay: Live like reality TV stars and stay in the city of Cusco at the JW Marriott El Convento Cusco (where The Bachelor finale was recently filmed). This 11th-century convent turned small hotel property has a romantic courtyard in its center, a fantastic bar for cocktails and corner suites big enough to live in. Prices begin as low as $170 per night in the low season and $250 per night in the high season. And there’s no bad time to be in Peru.
Where to Eat: Dine inside your hotel at Qespi w
here edible flower salads and local delicacy cuy (otherwise known as guinea pig) are served in an elevated and experiential way. You will enjoy the environment and visual presentation as much as the exceptional food.
What to Do: See Machu Picchu, of course! Take a train for a day (or ideally an overnight trip) to one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and experience an ancient Inca village unlike anything else. Another slightly closer can’t-miss day trip (you can travel by car) is a visit to the Sacred Valley for an afternoon of Peruvian horseback riding through the countryside.
What to Pack: Pack as light as you can because you’ll want to bring all the beautiful textiles of Peru home with you. Known for its alpaca wool sweaters, intricate and colorful blankets, and wonderful local artisans, you can shop until you drop for pennies on the dollar and outfit your entire winter wardrobe and home on your honeymoon.
Splurging on your honeymoon will be unforgettable without breaking the bank when you explore exotic cities and beaches without the big price tag. And when you book as many of your wedding services on a miles or points credit card, you might even get your flights for free.
Blog Credit: https://www.theknot.com/content/top-5-honeymoons-under-2500