Honeymoon Help - July 2011
 

My fiance and I are getting married next July. We are currently in search of a great romantic destination in the Caribbean to go on our honeymoon. A little background:

- We'll be traveling at the end of July, and because of hurricane season would like to stick to southern islands like Aruba
- Fiance has been all over Mexico, because his family vacationed there frequently when he was young. So he'd like to go somewhere other than Mexico.
- Fiance also would like to go scuba diving.
- All though I love laying on the beach, I'd also like to do a little sightseeing.
- We are big foodies and appreciate a great regional meal.
- We aren't on a tight budget, but would like to stick in the $$-$$$ price range.

We've been looking into AI just because you don't have to worry about how much money you are spending when you are there, which is a nice advantage when you are on a honeymoon. However, I'm a little turned off by the idea of a large hotels with tons of kids. In my mind a picture something a little more private, like a cottage or cabana type deal.

Well thats a lot, haha. I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions, because right now we are a little overwhelmed by all the choices! Thanks all.

AI and Aruba don't go well together. Yes, there are a few AI hotels in Aruba, but none are adult only and they are expensive. Downright overpriced compared to many destinations that have AI hotels like Mexico, Jamaica or the Dominican Republic.

There are tons, literaly tons, of resturants in all prices in Aruba, so AI is not necessary. They are also convenient to get to. For us, I would budget about $1000 for food and drinks for a weeks vacation.

We were married in a July 10 years ago and just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in Key West. We have never been concerned regarding hurricanes in July. Just the extreme wet, humid heat. If we could do it over we would have gotten married in a May or November, when the weather is cooler. Something to think about when celebrating those anniversaries in the future.

If you don't want Mexico, which will give you the most bang for your buck, second less expensive choice would be an AI in Jamaica. Most people like the Negril area. Avoid the RIU's though. Look at Couples, Sandals or Sunset at the Palms.

I'm sure others can give you ideas of destinations/hotels if you choose not to go the AI route.

Thanks KVR. An AI isn't something we have to have, so I'll look into some hotel options in Aruba.

I also appreciated the Jamaica recommendations, and I'll definitely be looking into those. Have you been to all those resorts? And did you enjoy the restaurants? I've heard that at Sandals you can get shuttle to other Sandals to use their restaurants, that might be something we'd want to do.

We stayed at the RIU Tropical Bay in Negril, which was a mistake and why I don't recommend. Have stayed at 2 Sandals -Bahamas and St. Lucia. They are very pricey and I personally don't feel we got our monies worth at either. To do the free shuttle to the other Sandals properities it has to be within the same area. ie; all Montego Bay resorts are included if you stay at a Montego Bay resort, but if you want to go to a resort in Negril or Ocho Rios, you'll have to pay for transfers as they are quite far away.

We chose Sandals Dunn River in Ocho Rios for our 10th wedding anniversary and they closed the resort, so we ended up in Key West. The resort is re-opening under the name of Jewell Dunn's River. By this time next year it should be up and running well. It is supposed to stay couples only, but not sure about the price.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Aruba, which was fine for us, but not recommended for a honeymoon. Look at the Divi, Tamajin, Manchebo or the Amsterdam Manor. Smaller hotels on the quieter Eagle Beach area. Probably won't be very many kids, but in a July you never know.

Mexico is our absolute favorite and I recommend all the time for people who are looking for nice, lux AI's resorts that don't have alot of money to spend. We've been going almost every year for the past 10 years and returning again in Decemeber.

Look at Barbados also. It's on our list, but we haven't made it there yet. It might be over budget though.

Take a look at the Bucuti Tara Suites www.bucuti.com. They are right on the beach with all rooms looking to the ocean. I think you have to be 18 to check in. The Bucuti is on a quiet area of Aruba so the beach won't be crowded but you will still be able to get around to restaurants and a casino and town easily. Also, go to www.bucuticam.com and see the beach.