sevendustweb

Hello:

I am getting married mid-November and will be taking my honeymoon towards the end of November. We have a $8,000.00 - $10,000.00 budget.

We want to be warm (80 degrees f or higher) and we want the water somewhat warm (79 - 84 degrees f) as well. We do not want to deal with crazy bugs when sleeping, so air conditioning would be huge. I have no problem being near the jungle as long as we have AC.

We also want a plunge pool (again, adhering to somewhat warm temperatures).

I am unsure about the all-inclusive. I have been told to buy the all inclusive if it includes beer and liquor because you will pay out the nose for drinks. I am curious to get other people's impressions.

Although I am posting on the "Mexico/Central America" board, I am open to all suggestions, including South America (Argentina), or the Caribbean. We don't want to do Costa Rica at this time because we know we will likely be going there with friends at some time in the future.

My fiance loves culinary arts and it would help if a.) the resort had more than 1 restaurant, or b.) the resort is near a city/town that is safe for Americans. Also, I presume that if we are on the beach, we may go fishing one day and would like the kitchen to clean/cook it for us.

I am on the fence about being on the beach vs. being near the jungle. We want to make sure there are sufficient activities as well. Some calm activities and some intense activities, like sky diving.

Sorry for the long post. I know it seems like we are picky, but I just want to make sure it is an amazing experience.

Thanks!

qwovadis

Capella Pedregal Cabo Private Plunge pools less rain

Nov CA floats away usually most of mexico too...

http://www.destinationweddingmag.com...es/8-honeymoon

good link detailing best options here.

Congrats!

cabron

South of Puerto Vallarta in Banderas bay, the jungle covered mountains come down to the beach.

cabron

Also zero rain in November!

suze

Do you have a specific reason for those places you mention? Except for Mexico I'm not sure there are a lot of All-Inclusive resorts available.

Does the plunge pool have to be your own? Private?

I agree with the suggestion above of the Puerto Vallarta area. The Bay of Banderas is beautiful with jungles above beaches below. All different kinds of accomodations available from within the city, to more remote areas both north and south.

You wouldn't only look to your resort for its restaurants, there is a fabulous food scene in PV.

Maybe stay in town for part of the time, then out in Sayulita (or other) for part of the time. Look into independent apartments, bungalows, casitas, not only "resorts" for a more authentic experience.

sevendustweb

Yes, we want our own plunge pool and yes, we want it private. I like the idea of being able to explore the jungle and surrounding city, but I also want it so that when we are at the resort, we feel like we are the only people there.

There was no reason why I listed the places above. The only places we have seen are resorts, and some of them looked amazing. While we want to get a feel for what the locals do, we also want lots of comfort throughout.

suze

I'm just wondering if maybe renting a private "villa" would be closer to the total experience you are seeking than trying to find a "resort".

I questioned your list of countries because those three aren't exactly known for having a luxury tourist infrastructure (like you find in Mexico, Hawaii, or the Caribbean for example). They are lesser developed countries. I'm not saying there isn't a private plunge pool to be found, but it's anything those particular countries are well known for.

schmerl

Look into the Honeymoon Villas at the Iberostar Paraiso Grand. Although the Grand is a large all inclusive adults only resort, the honeymoon villas are off to the side of the resort and are quite private.

volcanogirl

I think you should also check out Belize. It's beautiful with great food and has quite a few luxury properties. Great snorkeling as well as adventure activities and ruins.

pepper131

Look at Be Tulum. http://www.betulum.com/eng/index.html
It is not an AI, but it is very close to what you are looking for.

For adventure nearby, you can explore the cenotes and with some experience, you can cave dive with a guide. http://www.mexidivers.com/html_en/buceo_cenotes.php

There are ruins to visit: Tulum, Muyil and Coba.
You can try kiteboarding.

Visit Sian Kaan. http://cesiak.org/

Go deep sea fishing: http://www.mexidivers.com/html_en/pesca_deportiva.php

Little_Man

I'd definitely check out the Banyan Tree Mayakoba for that private pool. Gorgeous rooms, but a very spread out resort.
Or, if you do want AI, the best ai in Mexico with good food and lots of restaurant choices is reputed to be the Grand Velas Riviera Maya, and some of their rooms also have private plunge pools. I'd love to stay there...can't afford it, but itd fit in with your budget.
Don't want to argue with you Schmerl, but the Iberostar is supposed to have pretty sub par food.

Little_Man

The Turtle Inn in Belize looks gorgeous, too.

schmerl

Food is subjective. Have been to Iberostar and the food was fine. No all inclusive is going to have food comparable to a five star restaurant.
YOu may want to look into Zoetry Parausi de la Bonita in Mexico's Riviera Maya. It is a small, romantic, luxury resort with great food. Not much to do in the evenings though.

schmerl

That should say Zoetry Paraiso de la Bonita.

RAC

La Selva Mariposa in Tulum--your own private hammock over your own private plunge pool.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...Peninsula.html

Andre1324

If you're not wedded to the idea of being on the beach, I think the colonial cities in El Bajio such as Guanajuato are some of the most beautiful and romantic places in the world. In addition, they are quite safe and clean.

nicaragua

Pelican Eyes in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua?

http://www.thenicaraguablog.com