Top 5 honeymoon destinations for adventurous travelers (video)

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

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

Koh 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

Salinas Grandes salt flats 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

Yellowstone National Park
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

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!

nyc skyline from the trump soho

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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About Leslie Koch

I'm a New Yorker with a passion for travel and art. I founded DowntownTraveler.com after returning from a year-long backpacking trip around the world. Find me on Twitter at @leslietravel.