We are looking for a nice island to visit for one week from April 9th to the 16th 2012 for our honeymoon.

We are looking for a romantic, fun and exciting time.

We have already booked a Sandals Resort in Antigua for $4,100 all inclusive luxury room has its own whirlpool, airfare not included, we will be traveling from New Jersey, airfare is another $1100.

After mentioning that to many friends and searching this site, we are not convinced with Sandals Antigua.

We initially wanted to avoid family resorts, Mexico, Bahamas and Jamaica.

I wouldnt mind going to a really nice place in Mexico.

Some friends told us not to get all inclusive since we do not drink alcohol, and it wouldnt be worth it.

We would love to hear your advice.

I would LOVE to keep the entire trip under $4000.

We just returned from a trip to Turks & Caicos (TCI) we really loved it! We usually go to Mexico for beach trips but like so many others, the violence there has ended that. I know people will argue that any place has it's good and bad, but knowing people who have had scary situations in Mexico, we have chosen to go elsewhere. I want to feel relaxed when I travel!

TCI is the only place in the Caribbean I have visited but I can tell you to check it out! Kind of low key, but with a very nice vibe.it wasn't party party party from what I saw. One word to describe TCI-stunning! Every morning I would wake up and look out a Grace Bay beach and say Wow! Great food and restaurants. I never saw any people panhandling. We did eat out every night, but we went to the grocery story which was as nice and large as any in the states, and got breakfast and lunch stuff. We had a great day on jet skis and a great day snorkeling from a boat- highly recommended! But snorkeling right in front of our house was amazing and free!

Anyhow, our group really had a great experience. I suggest you check out places on Grace Bay! Good luck!

ocdogsmom, could you please say specifically where in mexico your friends encountered their scary situation?

joey, i think antigua is a fine choice - gorgeous beaches. you have a good price from sandals. if you don't drink at all though you might look at other resorts. however, it's hot & you'll be drinking plenty of fruit juice, soda & water plus once you factor in the cost of dining out 3 meals a day plus taxi to those restaurants you might still come out ahead.

I am one of the people who do not agree with ocdogsmom. We have been going to Mexico for the past 10 years and have had no issues. Mexico is a great choice for a honeymoon and is were where we spent our honeymoon in 2000 and many happy anniversaries since. We were last there in December 2010 and had no issues. We usually go ever year, but this year we decided on Jamaica and are staying at the Jewel Dunns River in Ocho Rios, which used to be a Sandals. Got it for much less that what Sandals used to charge. Please do not be scared off by the hype, false information and scare tatics by clueless people or the news media about Mexico.

I agree that if you do not drink alcohol than any AI resort will be a waste of money. We have been to 2 Sandals and I feel their price is excessive for what they offer.

Look at the Maroma Beach hotel in the Riviera Maya of Mexico. It is super lux, adults only and sits on a fab section of beach and is not AI. An excellant choice for a honeymoon.

T & C is a good choice also. Grace Bay is gorgeous. Many condos choices for accomendations and a few high end hotels. T & C is all about the water. Nightlife, entertainment and shopping are minimal if that matters to you.

If your interested check out our picture page. We have been to many Caribbean Islands as well as Mexico.

http://community.webshots.com/user/kvrlvn

AIs have a sameness to food and drink

jamaica.bookit.com deals on couples.com Swept Away

personally prefer rockhousehotel.com cheaper more romantic

cheap flights down on spirit.com

you could easily keep it under 4K.

Cancun.bookit.com

Secrets Maroma or betterbidding.com for cheap 5 star hotels

bidding priceline.com would save you a lot over AI.

Congrats!

Let me preface, I am not trying to start a war. I know Mexico is a pretty hot topic...just my opinion!

We are in Ca and used to go down to Rosarita and that area for the day or weekend with friends. We know of strong armed robberies, car jacking and you can't ignore the border violence, so we don't go down and I don't know of anyone that drives down there anymore. Believe me I would love to run down to Porto Nuevo on a Saturday! Cabo also had a shoot out and a few friends that still go there got hassled on their last trip. We also know some people that just returned from San Jose del Cabo and had a great trip, and that was great.

But FOR ME, if it costs the same to go somewhere that isn't having a publicized drug war, that doesn't have a notoriously corrupt police force, that the US State department doesn't say is dangerous, and is a place I can feel is safe, it's an easy choice. Our group, who are all Mexico vacationers commented on how nice the TCI people where.

That's just my opinion...

Comparing the border areas and Western Mexico to the Carribean tourist areas of Mexico is comparing apples to oranges. That's like telling someone from Florida not to go to New York because there are reported muggings and murders there.

I live in West Texas about 3 hours from Mexico. You won't see me anywhere near the borders of Mexico like Juarez, Acuna or the Rio Grande. But tourist areas of the Western Caribbean Mexico like Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and the Riveria Maya are not in the reported areas that are affected by the issues that the border towns of Mexico are having.

The Western side of Mexico like Acapulco and Mazatlan have had reported issues. We've been to Puerto Vallarta with no problems and Cabo doesn't seem to be affected. Some cruise ships have pulled out of that side of Mexico, but again what's happening on the Western side/California area of Mexico is miles and miles away from the Caribbean side of Mexico.

I understand your concern, but geographically we are not even in the same ballpark and the information you have stated is not relavant for someone looking to take a vacation in Caribean Mexico.

In Mexico, Marmona is extremely nice. I mention it because you said you wouldn't mind going to Mexico. It's removed from "hotspots" and removed even from the craziness of Cancun and Playa. It's adults only and is special.

For other places you tagged, I personally would stay from AI if you don't drink. The islands you tagged don't fit the personality of normal AIs in the first place, plus you can stay in an ultra luxurious resort nicer than any AI on those islands for the same or better price.

Turks can be very romantic, the restaurants there all have amazing settings. Some restaurants can even set up special tables on the beach surrounded by tiki torches. The resorts are upscale, and you get really nice places for the money. For a honeymoon I would check out West Bay Cub, Seven Stars, Somerset, Regent Palms. There are many others that are nice there too, but the ones I mentioned had service on the beach and like staying at a Four Seasons or Ritz. If you still want AI, Veranda is a quiet elegant upscale AI.

I totally agree with KVR on this. The Caribbean side of Mexico...Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, etc. are NOT experiencing the issues with the "drug wars". Mexico is a LARGE country and the problems are not throughout the whole country.
Look into Maroma Resort. It is on one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. It is not AI. It is adults only and very upscale.

I think Turks and Caicos would be the perfect romantic spot. I second the choices blamona mentioned but I think you would enjoy Veranda. It's nothing like your typical all inclusive resort. It's ultra luxurious and upscale. Also resorts like Tuscany and Venetian are also worth looking into.

I would look at the Somerset & Regent Palms -they are 1st class full service resorts on Turks 8& Caicos ... Tuscany & Venetian are NOT full service, no restaurants etc. They would be low on my list .

For those advising on TCI, the OP was looking for a total vacation cost of $4000. Tuscany, Venetian, Somerset and Regent would not fit that bill. I think a 5 star in Playa del Carmen/Tulum is a better choice

Turks and caicos has many wonderful full service resorts that would be fantastic for a Honeymoon.
Stellar accomodations and great restaurants within the Grace Bay area would be easy to reach.
For resorts that would fit the romance factor.....look at the following:
Seven Stars
Grace Bay Club
Point Grace
The Somerset
Regent Palms
All would be great for this special time.

KVR is dead on with the info regarding safety in Mexico. Being afraid of the drug cartel is one thing if you are in the same areas, but the Riviera Maya (south of Cancun) is over 1000 miles from the danger areas.

I just stayed at the Grand Palladium (Royal Suites) for 8 nights, and paid $2800 for the two of us, which included airfare from Boston, Food, Drinks, an awesome Jacuzzi suite, airport transfers, and even hurricane insurance. The Royal section is adult only. This resort is ginormous....10 pools, 14 restaurants, beautiful beach, nightly entertainment, it has it all. The beauty is that being so big, you can escape the crowds if you want with ease.

This is just one example of a great resort for (well) within your budget. The Riviera Maya area has tons of gorgeous resorts that would easily fit your budget. With $4000 as a budget, I could live like a king in Mexico for a week.

Wow, thank you everyone for your suggestions/comments.

We really like Tulum and are considering it, but the hour and a half drive from cancun airport is turning us off.

How is the area? I called the hotel, they told me they offer free bicycles as well, so maybe we can get around a bit easier.

Is the area tourist friendly?

Any other suggestions? most of the suggestions in turks and caicos seem very expensive, more than what I would pay at Sandals Antigua.

I like the Rock house is nice, but expensive too.

tulum is great but does not have many places to stay unless you want to try the beach cabana places like ana y jose's. what hotel did you call?
somewhere closer to akumal or playa del carmen might be better. more central to all the to do/to sees & approx 45 mins south of cancun.
take a look at locogringo.com for lots of info on this area.

Yep...I agree with Virginia....although Tulum is nice, there are plenty of beautiful areas closer to Cancun. Anything near Akumal is great, and only about an hour from the airport....this drive goes fast. You may also want to try browsing through www.cheapcaribbean.com They have some great deals, which MANY will be well within your budget for top resorts. Locogringo.com is a great site for anything you need to know about the area.

We just returned from the Jewel Dunn's River resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica and loved it. It is also 1 1/2 hours from the airport, but no big deal. When you are in paradise and looking at wonderful, beautiful scenery it's more like a tour, than a transfer. Don't let that put you off.

You might look at the Akumal Beach Resort. It's a small AI hotel. Very simple, but nice and sits on a wonderful section of beach. Their is a nice reef for snorkeling and you can swim with the turtles. Many tour companies offers trips to swim there.

However, I think a resort closer to Playa del Carmen would be better for a honeymoon, and then take a tour to the other areas.

If the Rockhouse if too expensive, Catcha Falling Star is a bit cheaper and an amazing place -- particularly their Sagi and Libra bungalows on the cliff over the water feel quite private.
It's nice to walk down the road and just eat at the restaurant in the Rockhouse (the Lighthouse?) The design of Rockhouse doesn't afford the most privacy as diners in the restaurant can kinda look down and see guests swimming in the cove. (Although I also have a fantasy that one day, I'll stay there....)

Check out the Catcha website -- they've remodeled a lot and it looks nicer than when I was there. Tensing Pen is also beautiful, and I think it falls between Rockhouse and Catcha in terms of pricepoint. I've also had friends who went to Treasure Beach and really loved the privacy and quiet compared to Negril. They stayed in some gorgeous modern boutique-y type place and it's reasonably priced as it's still a sleepy destination compared to the rest of Jamaica.

THANKS SOOO MUCH EVERYONE!!

But we are still frustrated and have yet to settle on a single spot for our April Honeymoon!

There are toooo many hotels offering too many different services. all with many pros and unfortunately some cons.

We are still on the hunt. more recommendations are appreciated.