Want a unique honeymoon? Skip the traditional getaway to Europe or the Caribbean and head to a more exotic destination. Whether you enjoy snorkeling, camping or relaxing at the beach, you can’t go wrong with our top 5 honeymoon picks.
Editor’s note: I’ve visited each of these destinations with my fiance (now husband) and can verify that they inspire romance!
DowntownTraveler.com editor Leslie Koch reveals her top 5 offbeat honeymoon destinations in this Geobeats “travel tips” video.
#5 – The Great Barrier Reef, Australia
Head down under to explore the world’s largest reef system. The Great Barrier Reef is home to an array of marine creatures including sea turtles, tropical fish, dolphins and whales. Day trips depart from the Queensland coast or you can overnight on a luxurious ship. Popular activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, sailing and swimming. If you have extra time, add on a road trip through Queensland’s Outback.
Web: Australia.com
Twitter: @SeeAustralia
#4- Ko Lanta, Thailand
Want to relax on the beach, sip exotic drinks and snorkel off-shore– without emptying your bank account? Comfy rooms with A/C start at just $25 on Thailand’s Ko Lanta Yai island. Less developed than Phuket, this laid-back destination features 25 km of white-sand beaches. After a full day of snorkeling, swimming, moped riding and walking along the beach, chill out with a seafood dinner and evening fire show.
Web: TourismThailand.org
#3 – Salta and Jujuy, Argentina
Spend your honeymoon on a classic road trip through rural Argentina. It’s Route 66 with a Latin flair (and lower hotel prices). Drive your rental car through Salta and Jujuy provinces, making sure to stop at the Salinas Grandes salt flats, which cover 3,200 square miles and resemble the surface of the moon. Other must-see attractions: the Cafayate vineyards and the 7-color mountain at Purmamarca.
Web: Turismo.gov.ar
Suggested reading: Discover Cafayate: Argentina’s other wine country
#2 – Yellowstone, Wyoming
America’s oldest national park is the perfect destination for an adventurous couple. Activities include hiking, swimming, fishing and wildlife-spotting. Accommodations range from camping to upscale lodges; affordable motels line the roads leading into the park. Yellowstone’s hot springs may get you in the mood for romance, with their clear pools and bright orange rings. Just don’t dive in– they can be deadly!
Web: WyomingTourism.org
Twitter: @WyomingTourism
Suggest reading: Insider’s guide to Wyoming, America’s “Cowboy State”
#1 – Fernando de Noronha, Brazil
It’s not often you have a beach all to yourself, but you can enjoy miles of untouched sand in Brazil’s Fernando de Noronha island. Tourism is limited at this World Heritage site, which retains a small town feel; most rooms are located in family-run guesthouses and private homes. You can snorkel with sea turtles and dolphins right off the beach or opt for a scuba diving excursion.
Web: BrazilTour.com
Twitter: @VisitBrazil
Suggested reading: Scuba diving in Brazil: Fernando de Noronha offers marine life, pristine beaches
ALTERNATIVE: Have a romantic getaway in your home town!
Don’t have the time or money to visit an exotic destination? Celebrate your wedding by becoming a tourist in your home town. Rent a hotel room, bring plenty of champagne and make sure to leave out the “Do Not Disturb” sign. My husband and I recently enjoyed a romantic getaway in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood— a short walk from our apartment.
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This looks like a great list. If you opt for the staycation approach, be sure to mention the fact (several times) during registration and check-in. You’re likely to score copious upgrades and add-ons.
Good tip Kris! Thanks for sharing.
I was going to add Hawaii to this but then you said off the beaten path. However, I am not sure about Yellowstone as you might get eaten by bears! 🙂
I would highly suggest a Yellowstone cross-country ski adventure during the winter. Bears hibernate Jeremy, so this is the ideal time to go. Plus, you will not have to deal with 90 degree heat.
Ted, that is so YOU! I can’t wait to meet your future bride; she’s going to have to love winter camping, canoeing in Wisconsin and playing softball. The total package 🙂
Hehe, yes– a bear attack could mar a honeymoon. But I’m living proof that it is possible to camp in Yellowstone and not even see a single bear!
Ted has a future-bride? Sending a shower gift!
You didn’t see any bears but did you lose any pic-nic baskets? Wait……..thats Jelly Stone!
Yes this does look like a great list. Do I want a unique honeymoon? I would love to visits any of these beautiful places. I would love to see an article on how to afford or even find the the time to visit. I guess the point here is it really doest matter were you go if you with the right person. This is when the worlds beauty shows itself to you. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Depending on where you live, it can be quite inexpensive to get to these destinations. Camping in Yellowstone (a national park) is very inexpensive; once you get to Thailand, it’s incredibly cheap to stay in Ko Lanta. You’ll spend a couple of dollars maximum on meals. No matter where you go on a honeymoon, the most important thing is that you are with someone you love 🙂
Koh Yao Noi in Thailand is also a perfect honeymoon spot. And if you want night life, lots of shopping, 24 hour room service and don’t like isolation, this is the wrong place for you.
Thanks for the tip! Sounds like a relaxing destination.
Great tips, I was surprised to see Wyoming at first but after reading about it and seeing pictures it looks beautiful! Embarassing that I didnt know about this place since I live in the U.S.;)
Nice video, where did you shoot it at? Sounds like it was in a jungle or somewhere exotic! BTW, I haven’t been able to submit my website URL when I post comments on your site – it’s been happening the last week. Not sure if anyone else is experiencing this? It says I need to put in a valid URL even though it use to accept my URL.
Actually, we shot the video in Tompkins Square Park in the East Village! I suppose that counts as exotic– hehe
Wow what a fabulous post! I would love to try to go to those places on my next honeymoon! =)
5 year anniversary trip, perhaps? 🙂
How about fluke fishing off sandy hook? Nice video I like the canadian accent.
Canadian accent?! I haven’t heard that before– I’m born and raised in New York. (I swear).
Awww I LOVED seeing you!!!!!!!!!!!! And yes FDN is the best place to honeymoon EVER!
Fernando de Noronha is the best. destination. ever!
Wayyyyy to go with the video Leslie! Nice touch, and some great destinations to choose from!
When’s the second honeymoon?! 😉
Hopefully soon! Although we’ve been married just over a year… it might be best to space things out a bit 😉
Gosh you have such a cute accent.. I cannot w8 to meet you in person Les!! Not fair.. Juno’s gonna see you soon:P Hope u come to KL soon, or I make it to NY!!!
I would love to visit KL! The food looks amazing 😉 Invite me to the next Norwegian Embassy seafood gala… hehe.
LOVE your video! 🙂 You should make more of those! Beats pictures anytime 😉 Such exotic honeymoon places.. and you know what? All of them have water and the colour blue! Hi 5! Just the type of honeymoon that I love 🙂
What a good point– I didn’t make the connection. Clearly I associate “honeymoon” with sparkling blue water. Although, you can’t swim in the Yellowstone hot springs– the water is boiling!
And BTW= couldn’t pass up the opp for a plug- Santa Fe is a great place for a romantic honeymoon getaway and we can plan it for you.
I imagine Santa Fe is a romantic spot for newlyweds. I’ll have to visit and find out!
Always wanted to visit Thailand and now even more reasons to. I agree about Santa Fe (above). Also don’t forget tried and true Maui!
Charu, you would love Thailand! The beach areas have inexpensive hotels, beautiful, clear water and amazing food. Go for it!
Great article. I really love that you put “have a romantic getaway in your home town”. It’s always good to know that one of the cheapest options is still one of the best options.
You don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a great vacation, honeymoon or not!
I think that if you go to your hometown, it would be nice to make it extra special. Maybe buy a dozen of roses and scatter them on the bed, or in the bath. If this is too expensive, delay your marriage!! A honeymoon is supposed to be special.
Good point. Rose petals would make a hotel room worthy of a honeymoon 🙂
Wow I’m absolutely loving the suggestions. I think my first choice would be Ko Lanta. Just Wow. I’d love to have a honeymoon there 🙂
What a great post! We’ll definitely keep this in mind, DT ; ) And it’s true: you can even experience NYC from a totally different perspective if you mix up your routine a bit.