We are looking for a honeymoon on a budget and key west seems to fit the bill. However, I am wondering is this a good honeymoon spot? What would you recommend we do in Key West? I get the feeling from research that the area is getting overrun with tourism. We aren't into nightlife or anything...we want a quiet, romantic vacation with some interesting, relaxing things to do during the day. We will only be in town for 4 nights. She doesn't like swimming but sailing, cruising, etc. would be fine. It seems there are some really nice B&Bs located a couple blocks from Duval street. Is this a pretty quiet area?

Also, how is the weather in July?

Thanks!

It's hot in July. That's hot with a capital H, O & T. And humid.

As much as I love Key West, I'm not sure if I'd pick it as a honeymoon spot. That could be that it's just too familiar to me (I've been going there for 40 years).

It is tropical, and there some very nice romantic B&Bs and hotels (The Gardens, for instance).

But there are a ton of people who go there. There are a ton of "boat people," i e, the cruise people. When those ships let loose with their passengers, the street swell with people.

But to me, there's still magic in Key West.

Snorkeling, scuba diving, just being on a boat, are great things to do there. And walking around, seeing the sights. Ahhh.

I'm just not sure if it's honeymoon worthy.

By the way, Duval is not a quiet area. Many of the nicer places -the Gardens, the Marguesa - are off Duval, like you see. It does get quiter the farther you get from Duval.

Key West is pretty much what you make of it. It can be a wild party place, or a haven of peace and relaxation.

Duval Street (the main drag) is usually packed with tourists and can look pretty tacky. It's filled with t-shirt
shops and has lots of bars, but it's also got top-notch restaurants and some really nice shops. A block or so away are beautiful residences and good B&Bs.

The weather in July can be brutal. Think very hot and very humid!

If you're not into nightlife and just want a quiet honeymoon, go somewhere else. Even just another one of the keys. There are lots of secluded spots along the Keys, and you can even drive down to Key West for a day to see the Hemingway museum, the lighthouse and the Little White House, do some window shopping, then see a sunset on Mallory Square. The other keys also would offer snorkeling or scuba diving. But to spend a week there I think would be much too much for you. I was in Key West this past weekend as spring break was starting. It was incredibly crowded and noisy -- in fact the crowds were migrating into the streets around the time we left at midnight.

Also agree with July being extremely hot -- and there's a greater possibility of rain.

Hmm...yeah and it's hurricane season too. We are planning on going to the carribean in a year or two so maybe we will wait until then for our "tropic fix"!

As most have already posted Key West in July will not provide ideal honeymoon weather.

I recommend that you head north instead to the straits of Mackinaw and visit Mackinaw Island for a wonderful honeymoon. If the Grand Hotel rates are a little steep try another hotel or a B& B. Either way, you will find this an enchanting place just right for honeymooners on a budget.

I have found quite a few locales in the Caribbean that are much cheaper and better suited for a honeymoon than Key West.

July is off-season for the entire Caribbean, and you can expect 30 to 50% off of room rates and flights.

Extremely reasonable dining and accommodations can be found:

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Jamaica
Mayan Riviera - Cancun, Playa del Carmen, etc. Mexico
Puerto Rico

If you know where to look, you can stay for a week or more in the Caribbean for quite a bit less $$$ than Key West.

For the most part, the temps in the Caribbean are the same year-round, and where KW can be brutal and totally breeze-less in July, the Caribbean is hot, but there are cooling trade winds.

For example, last year in late April to early May, we spent three weeks in Mexico staying at upper quality hotels and resorts (InterContinental, etc.) and paid between $99 and $150 per night for oceanfront rooms. Our airfare was $300 pp.

I would not go there for a honeymoon...still what you think it is. Maybe Mexico?