Senneth

Hi everyone!
I am so torn between 3 countries for our honeymoon in early September. Originally, I wanted to go a bit further and to a place more culturally different than the states but my fiancé is very afraid of flying so I had to keep the flight under 14 hours for his sake. It was my hope to take him to another country and "infect him with the travel bug" - but it has been hard working within my limited parameters.

And so - we have arrived at Hawaii, Mexico or Costa Rica...

He wants history and some relaxation. I want "nature activities", culture and SOME pampering/luxury. I am obviously liking the price point in Mexico, but am wondering if there are any good hiking trails there? Are there jungles? And are the historic towns fairly accessible from the resorts on the coast?

Costa Rica may be TOO MUCH adventure for the FH - I just wasn't seeing a lot of nice resorts there to come back to. Hawaii is obviously gorgeous but I worry that it may be too expensive and to similar to American culture...

Any experience or insight out there? <3

Senneth

too* =)

MichelleY

You can have it all in Hawaii. Culture and history on Oahu. Beaches, resorts, nature on all the islands. Plus, less stressful as you will be using English and USD.

hopefulist

If you're open to some add'l ideas, consider Belize. LOADS of inland and blue water activities: snorkeling, diving, windsurfing, paddle boarding, cool caving, hiking, waterfalls, ziplines, Maya sites, and English is the nat'l language. Maybe split between a high end jungle lodge and a nice beachy spot? My photos with blog, travelogue, and review links on the main page of each collection are below in case you're interested - all my recommendations are embedded there.
Happy trails!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

hopefulist

Oh - and incredible diversity of cultures - Maya, Mennonite, Creole, Garifuna, and more.

RAC

My recommendations would be:

Belize/Guatemala (Mexico (combo of Chiapas and Yucatan)
Nicaragua (Granada area)

Given your wish list, I would try to avoid big resorts--they aren't a good fit for an itinerary big on nature, culture, and history.

Costa Rica is a fantastic honeymoon spot, but it's not anywhere near the other choices in terms of history/architecture etc. Best nature though. Maybe get him hooked on nature travel before taking it to that level.

Nicaragua-- allows you to stay in a colonial town like Granada where your money goes quite a long ways (we loved Hotel Los Patios), while doing day trips to volcanoes, lakes, nature reserves. Only one hour from Managua airport.

Mexico--you could do Chiapas where Palenque, Yaxchilan and Bonampak give you rainforest, hiking and some of the most exquisite cultural/architectural sites in the western hemisphere--plus several gorgeous waterfalls and pools. Fascinating local culture to explore in the various regions of Chiapas too, especially in the small hill towns around and including San Cristobal de las Casas. The Zapatista presence there presents no danger, though always the possibility for some intrigue. Yucatan offers colonial cities in Campeche, Merida, and Valladolid, plus ruins at Uxmal, Ruta Puuc, Ek Balam, Calakmul, Chichen Itza, Copa, Tulum . . . plus nature reserves at Sian Kaan, Calakmul, Celestun, and of course the scuba/snorkeling on the MesoAmerican reef.

Belize-Guatemala--Tikal/Flores, Cayo area (including Caracol), Lamanai, plus coastal activities and lots of jungle.

I would consult local rainfall charts by month--September can be a bit tricky depending on location.

volcanogirl

We've been to all three of your choices and like Costa Rica and Hawaii more than we've liked Mexico. We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon and loved it. Have been to the Big Island, Maui, and Kauai. Since we've been to Costa Rica, we haven't been back to Hawaii, just because it's so much closer for us and more affordable. We love Costa Rica. There are a lot of very nice resorts in CR now. If you like hiking and jungly area, check out the Arenal/La Fortuna area, both Nayara and The Springs Resort and Spa are really posh and will give you the pampering that you want. We also like Tulemar Bungalows in Manuel Antonio. We saw monkeys every day on the property and sloths. We did those two areas for our first trip and it was a great combo. If you like cultural activities, you might also check out Belize - nice ruins and great snorkeling. Victoria House is our favorite, and you can pair it with a jungle location like Chaa Creek or Lamanai Outpost Lodge if you wanted more off the grid.

suze

I would choose Hawaii for a honeymoon. In a heartbeat!! I think it's by far the most romantic.

Depending where you want to go in Mexico, September is NOT a good month at any of the beach resorts towns on either coast. It's rainy season, HOT, humid, with change of hurricanes on the Caribbean side. September is considered the very worst month of the year, weather-wise.

volcanogirl

I think everyone is raising some good points about the weather. A lot of those areas are rainy in September. Activities will go on in Belize and Costa Rica, but I would expect some rain.

sdtravels

Hawaii hands down. I've been to all three. Each had its appeal. But why throw in added complications/worries to a honeymoon? Hawaii has the advantage of English and Dollars (although neither is really a problem in the other places, it might be a bit daunting to your husband for the first time traveling outside the country) Plan those trips for when it doesn't matter so much. A honeymoon is special and Hawaii is beautiful. I would prefer Kauai, the Big Island and Maui to the others.

suze

Seriously & I know I'm repeating myself, but check the weather in the 3 places for September.

Hawaii is the one that will have the nicest... by a long shot.

Mexico has all the things you are asking about, hiking, history, culture, pampering, etc. etc. but you won't be up to doing any of it in September when it's 99 degrees F and 99% humidity, pouring rain occasionally (only a slight exaggeration -lol).

baldone

Did I miss where you'll be coming from?
Agree with the other comments about the weather. Like volcanogirl, we too liked Tulemar Bungalows in CR but found it way too hot even in February and their private beach was disappointing. I can't imagine it in September.
As far as Mexico goes, the only way I'd suggest there is the following:
Fly into either PV or Zihua for your beach fix. Then, via TAR fly to Queretaro, where September temps will probably be in the high 70's or low 80's. They have fares from under $70 one way. Near the Queretaro airport, there is the quaint colonial town of Bernal. It's known for it's monolith, the 2nd or 3rd largest in the world and you can hike it. Bernal also is essentially at the entrance to the Sierra Gorda, some of the most beautiful scenery in all of Mexico. Plenty of hiking, waterfalls, old Franciscan missions, etc., all at cool altitudes.
Sierra Gorda: http://sierragordaecotours.com/paque...ete=13&lang=en
Bernal & Queretaro: http://www.queretaro.guide/pena-de-bernal/
Nice hotel in Bernal: http://www.hotelescentenario.com/arroyitos.html

suze

Sorry baldone, I doubt anyone loves Puerto Vallarta more than I do (it's my home away from home for the past 20 years now) but I would *never* send someone there in September. Even for a quick "beach fix" unless you like the beach unbearably hot, ridiculously humid, and in the rain

jamie99

I've been to all three and I love the Yucatan in Mexico but for September I'd pick Hawaii - Kauai is very romantic.

Patty

I've enjoyed most of the places mentioned with my favorite being Belize but will echo everyone's comments about Hawaii being the safest weather bet in September.

volcanogirl

The official language of Belize is surprisingly English. Everywhere we've been in CR, English has been widely spoken as well; I wouldn't worry too much about language barriers. Of all of them, I think Hawaii is the most relaxing. Although I love Belize and CR, sometimes those feel a little like working vacations - sweaty with lots to do vs. Hawaii which seems a little more relaxing. I love having lots to do, hiking and all that, but after a wedding, I might just want to take it easy and unwind. I've been in Hawaii in September when there was a hurricane, so I guess you can get rain anywhere.

suze

Sure you can get rain anywhere, but some places it's more likely, almost a sure bet (coastal Mexico in September).

volcanogirl

Costa Rica is outside the hurricane belt though. I can't count how many vacations I've had in September where there was a hurricane or tropical storm. Maybe I have bad luck, but it has happened repeatedly.

suze

volcanogirl, I'm not disagreeing with you. That's why I'm trying my best to send these folks to Hawaii not Mexico or Costa Rica because of the timing of the trip.

Senneth

Oh my goodness thank you sooooooo much everyone! I cannot believe how helpful this is and I am so glad that you all seem to agree on the weather not being ideal in Mexico in September (I *would* have checked it, I just didn't get that far yet lol). My fiancé HATES hot hot humid weather so taking him to Mexico in September seems like it would have actually hurt my long-term goal of making him want to travel more =P

I thought of Belize but I might have to revisit that one since several of you have recommended it...

I have some major work to do - checking out the specific areas that some of you mentioned...

This is so appreciated - now I don't feel totally alone and blind in my planning <3