ehouston3

Hello all,
I've been bouncing around here and TripAdvisor trying to plan my upcoming honeymoon in July, early August. I initially wanted to do a nice resort but, we've decided that we want privacy. Ideal situation:

Budget including airefare: $5,000 - $5500
Caribbean or Mexican Caribbean
Leaving from Chicago, IL USA

Private pool
Private beach
Near enough to grocery store to stock up for a few cooked meals
Snorkeling or other activities if we like
Able to walk around in the "buff" and enjoy the sun if the urge strikes
Living space has kitchen, hot-tub, shower, A/C

I'm not sure how realistic this is but that's the idea, we want to be able to forget the stresses of wedding planning and enjoy 7-10 days (including travel) of warm sunny bliss. We don't want to be in a touristy area

I saw some listing on VRBO but, am leary about that as a first time Caribbean trip and it being our honeymoon, not opposed though.

Thanks in advance

EH

qwovadis

pavilionsandpools.com

got you on Carib site forgot about this one on

St. Thomas private romantic best in Carib for budget.

very romantic cheap have stayed there personally.

Cheap flights down from FLL on Spirit.com

First Class for the price of coach.

Still would prefer Las Brisas Mexico better weather

you can find GREAT delas there currently.

Congrats!

suze

I'd look at the Mayan Riviera. I think your money goes further in Mexico than in the Caribbean islands. Look at the stretch of coast between Cancun, down to Playa del Carmen, Akumal. I don't know the resorts on that side, but there's several smaller towns and lots of choices that might work.

Do know that the months you mention are very hot, humid, and rainy season. When you mention "warm sunny bliss"... more like hot and sweaty -lol! It wouldn't stop me from going, but it is a consideration.

My favorite island spot is Negril Jamaica, but I don't think you'll find your wish list there, at least not on that budget.

zootsi

I agree with the above. The Mexican Caribbean is a great destination, we've been going every year for many years.Great beaches, great food, tons of things to do. Of course it will be super hot, as any place in the Caribbean this time of year. I don't know if you'll find a place with everything you are looking for, but you might. There are many quiet condos and villas for rent between Puerto Morelos and Tulum. Have you checked out locogringo.com?

hipvirgochick

What do you mean by private beach and private pool? You don't want anyone else there?

snobunny79

check this out

http://escapes.livingsocial.com/deal...1_43_2364email

suze

hipbirgochick, I was also wondering about the pool and beach. Does she mean that it needs to be private to the hotel and only for the guests where they are staying? Or truly private with no other people but themselves?

volcanogirl

It sounds like it would have to be a pool where they could be naked. I was thinking a private plunge pool or something along those lines since the poster mentioned being in the buff.

emd3

I am in the Riviera Maya in Mexico now. I was just here 3 wks ago for a wk, it was much nicer weather-wise then. It is getting as hot as Hades and humid too. Can't imagine what July-August would be like.

That said, if you can stand the heat and humidity those months, it is very laid back and there are areas that fit your bill. Look around Akumal and Tulum. Akumal Bay has VERY good snorkeing. At Akumal bay you can snorkel w/sea turtles and swim out to a reef from the beach to snorkel w/a very good array of fish at a shallow reef. Very near that bay is Yal-ku and Half Moon Bay, both also good for snorkeling. There are lots of cenotes in the area to swim in, and Mayan ruins at Coba and Tulum. Inexpensive restaurants w/fresh off the boat seafood and (real) Mexican food on the beaches.

There are some nude beaches in the area, but I don't know what they are, google it. Tulum has cabanas to stay in right on on the beach, some more secluded than others. Akumal also has nice places to stay that fit your bill.

ehouston3

Thanks everyone for the replies, I will continue checking into places. It's seems that the weather may be too hot. I'm planning on being there from July 26- August 2 or a couple days more. In regards to the private beach/pool... yea we'd like to be able to be nude and chill. Or at least not have so many people that you couldn't do it at all. Not into high heat and humidity...

andrews98682

I've been to Cancun in July and will NEVER go back there in the summer. It was brutally hot and humid. Hawaii is much more comfortable that time of year.