I'm planning a honeymoon for the end of July and would like to go somewhere in the Caribbean. We would like an island with a good atmosphere(clean beaches, friendly people, and interesting sites to see) but we are also on a budget. If anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated. We don't care whether our hotel is all-inclusive or not. Thanks.

Hi Brent - I just finished helping a friend plan his honeymoon to the island of Ambergis Caye, Belize in June. I highly recommend the place, especially if you're on a budget, since the island is very affordable. You will get all the fabulous aspects of being in the caribbean, such as swimming-pool-clear water & pure white beaches, but without the typical high price tag. I guess Central America hasn't caught on yet! Anyway, The place where we stayed is called Ramone's Village. They have several bungalows directly on the beach with excellent views. The rooms are small (unless you book one of the honeymoon cottages) but have tons of character, such as the walls and furnishings being made of handcarved mahogany. Ask for an oceanfront (not view!) room,& you will literally be able to walk off your front porch, walk 3 feet, & be in the water! The prices they were quoting last week were around $550 (per person) for one full week, including breakfast. Also, sometimes TACA Airlines has very reasonable airfare down there via Houston. The main town there (San Pedro?I forget the name) is very untouristy for a caribbean island and you can eat a great lobster meal every day for under $15. If you're interested, feel free to e-mail me for more info . I'm a very picky person when it comes to hotels & vacations, & usually prefer a Ritz-Carlton type of place, but this island is truly a gem.

Brent-

Have you considered Barbados? This may be out of the question depending on where you're flying from, but there are many really nice hotels that are very affordable at this time of year. Check out this site to see SeaBreeze - about $80 per night, and it's really nice: http://web.idirect.com/~seabreez/ If it looks interesting to you, I can give you any other information about Barbados that you need - been there 16 times with another trip planned for July. You can fly direct from NY, Miami or through San Juan. This is also a good choice since you're getting into hurricane season and Barbados is south of the typical path.

Brent: The Caribean is by and large quite expensive but in my opinion the best bargain is Cancun, Mexico. Great beaches, beautiful hotels, super nightlife (shopping restaurants, trips) I think it would be a real fun place for a honeymoon and in July Cancun (and Mexico in General) is cheap !! Have your travel agent work hard to get you a good air fare and have her qet quotes on the following hotels. The Omini, Caesar Park, Melia Cancun and if you want a price for "ALL INCLUSIVE" (I really don't recommend that in Cancun) Sun Palace or Royal Solaris !! Cancun is a lot of fun !! A great place for an "active" couple on a Honeymoon. And depending on where you are traveling from can be very resonable in July (We went last July) Email me if you have any questions !!

I agree with the man that suggested Cancun. I have twice and loved it. You get a very good value for the dollar there. I also do not think that an all-inclusive here is the best way to go. There are just to many good and reasonable restaurants to pick from. If you go try a breakfast at Captains Cove. Right across from the Omni you will have a fantastic meal at an umbrella table on the lagoon. Forget about hiring a taxi. Cancun has only one road and the best public transportation I have seen. For less than 75 cents you can go anywhere. They run very often. I enjoyed seeing the seaside city of Tulum. If you want to do a day tour go to Chichen Itza. For that trip take bottled water. Please remember the sun screen if you go, no lower than a #15. All hotels and restaurants have water that is safe to drink within the resort area. Your tour guide will inform you of where not to eat or drink. Call your travel agent and look into an Apple Vacation package. I have done 3 Apple trips and have had very good service at each hotel. The plus is that they take care of everything for you. Look into a sunset cruise very romantic. My sincere best wishes.

i agree with the previous post on barbados. my husband and i went three years ago for our honeymoon. we had a wonderful time. we stayed at the barbados hilton on the south side of the island. the price was right,@98.00 a night and we had an oceanview room. the location was great, close to St. Lawrence gap where there are plenty of good restraunts and bars for night life. very safe area. we took a cab without any problems. the hotel was quiet but there is an open air bar that has three guys who walk around singing & playing mariachis in the early evening. very romantic!! you can eat outside in the open air overlooking the ocean for dinner. during the daytime they also have a beachside gazebo bar and grill. fabulous flying fish, a must try. all at reasonable prices. beach was nice and no locals allowed to swim on their beach. they even had a vending area set up to the side if you want to purchase a few native items and good prices, bargain with them. everyone is very friendly in barbados, no attitudes like some islands.
i would be happy to tell you more,if you'd like just e-mail me. we had a fabulous time and we didn't have to bust the bank to go. wherever you decide to go, hope you have a wonderful honeymoon.

Cancun may be great but, go 1 hour south to Akumal for a number of reasons. First, the beach is beautiful and there is a reef that keeps the waves down, allowing for snorkeling. Second, Xel-Ha, Tulum and Coba are all between 30 and 60 minutes drive from Akumal. If you stay in Cancun, its 2 hours one way to Tulum. These places are not to be missed and starting from Cancun will force you to spend a lot of time in the car. Third, while some buses come to Akumal each day, it is relatively quiet and would allow for the romantic honeymoon that you are looking for. We just went as a family (two kids, ages 4 & 2) and everything was just great. There are also some small towns that are interesting and lots of great shopping for local crafts. No matter what you decide, if you go to Tulum, wear bathing suits and bring towels. The beach at the ruins is fabulous. E-mail for more info. Good luck, Rich.

hi Brent
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have a wonderful honeymoon whereever you go
hyacinth.

Brent,
I am a travel agent (home-based) and I have sent many honeymooning couples to Playa del Carmen, a village about 45 miles south of Cancun. It is less hectic and touristy than Cancun, with lovely small hotels as well as larger resorts, both EP and all-inclusive. You are close to the ferry to Cozumel for a day trip, Tulum, Chitchen Itza, and Cancun. The beaches are beautiful, snorkeling is great, and the restaurants are reasonbly-priced and excellent. The exchange rate is very favorable to Americans, about 8 pesos to the dollar.

E-mail me if I can be of help in your honeymoon planning or in booking a reasonably-priced trip.Anyone I have sent to Playa del Carmen is ready to return!