My brother and his woman have set their wedding date for July 4th. They’ve got the week after that off. As the maid of honor, I want to arrange a great honeymoon for them somewhere beautiful and romantic. My brother’s said he really wants to go to an island somewhere (his choice was the US Virgin Islands). So I come to you, O Dopers, in my time of need.
Qualifications:
Must be glorious island paradise in the Caribbean or Mexico. I want sandy beaches, clear ocean water, palm trees, the whole kit & kaboodle.
Must be inexpensive as possible. I’m buying plane tickets and hotel here, and I’m not a millionaire.
Must be safe and clean – it’s their honeymoon, they don’t want to be dodging bullets while taking a stroll down the beach.
The US Virgin Islands consists of three islands: St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. Each one is different. If they would like a quiet, relaxed honeymoon then St. John.. St. Thomas is much more touisty but has nightlife and other diversions. St. Croix is the largest island and is beautiful too but is not as big of a tourist destination. All three islands are gorgeous and have as many blue water, white sand beaches as you could want and they are often secluded. The advantages to the USVI’s are that they are U.S. territories, everyone speaks English, you don’t have to exchange money or have a passport, and they offer typical American amenities.
Re: Biloxi, I was laughing about that. Our mom suggested Gulfport but damnit, this is their only honeymoon (or at least my brother swears up and down if this marriage doesn’t work, he’s not getting married again). I’d like to send them someplace magical and exotic.
Re: San Juan, is it safe there? My cousin’s wife, who’s Puerto Rican, refuses to visit because it makes her sad to see how her hometown has degraded. I dunno how the touristy sections look though.
USVI look like the top choice right now, but the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Cozumel are on the list also. C’mon Dopers, spill!
I went to Costa Rica on my honeymoon. My wife and I loved it. Costa Rica is clean and really safe. They call it the jewel of Central America or something. If you like nature and the outdoors in general, then it can’t be beat. They have some of the most diverse ecosystems and wildlife in the world. Costa Ricans are extremely kind and friendly to Americans. Much of their economy depends on American tourism and there are lots of American tourists. Costa Rica has pretty beaches especially on the Carribean side but the beaches in the USVI and Bahamas are a little better IMHO. Most things are really cheap and health care is excellent if something happens. The country is failry small so you can do almost anything you want anywhere in the country by driving or taking a nicely appointed shuttle bus for not that much money. They have nightlife and I liked their food. This hotel was one of the greatest places I have ever been to in the world. The pictures don’t quite do it justice but it is at the base of an active volcano (Arenal) that belches several times a day. Running all around the hotel, are these moving hot water streams that you can soak in and drift all over the place. Monkeys hang out in trees too. Very cool. It isn’t very expensive either.
Re: Costa Rica. Shagnasty, that place is gorgeous! I’m in love with the volcano. Did you go on the rafting trip through the rain forest? Was it worth it? Is the hotel near any beaches? I know you’re not the hotel staff or anything, but I thought you’d be very honest about how the location is.
So far the cheapest tickets I’ve found are $470-something and up for St. Thomas, USVI.
We had ours in Aruba. Not much to complain about. Aruba has constant ocean breezes that keep the insects asway and conform the trees (“Divi-divi trees”) uinto a permanent crouch. It’s not constantly deluged by water. In fact, Aruba looks like a chunk of Utah desert that has bbeen anomalously transported – cactus, goats, limestone caves, and all – to the Caribbean.
Puerto Rico is nice, but my experience there was humid and rainforesty. Aruba is very different.
One, I’ve never heard of the Maid of Honor being responsible for the Honeymoon. Is this really a traditioin. It’ great that you want to do this for him.
The other thing is that my first reaction was "BUT BUT I have a little crush on Mississippieanne, she can’t be gettin married! So I feel better now.
As far as I know, the maid of honor has no particular obligation in regards to the honeymoon. However, this may be the only great vacation of their lives and I wanted to give them a special wedding present.
I got a big surprise tonight – my brother called and it would appear that his woman is pregnant. Hmmm. Now everyone will think they’re having a shotgun wedding! They’re probably going to bump the wedding up a couple of months, but I still want to send them on a nice honeymoon. Are any of these places safe for a pregnant woman?
At the beginning of February I went to Saint-Martin with my pregnant wife. We had a fantastic time-- beautiful beaches, gorgeous water, excellent food in in the town of Grand Case.
Just don’t fly American Airlines, because they’re prone to cancelling flights for no reason.
I don’t know why any of the above recommendations would change because the bride happens to be somewhat pregnant. Maybe some doper moms know more, but I don’t see any difference as far as safety goes.
The wife and I stayed at Couples Swept Away at Negril in Jamaica about a year and a half ago. I have a review up on www.tripadvisor.com if you poke around.
Short story is we absolutely loved it! We had sprung for a ocean side room which (we measured) was about 50 feet from the beach. The beaches there are beautiful and safe with lots of space. No children are allowed at the resort, nor are singles, so it is lots of quiet, intimate time without drunken teens or screaming babies. In addition, the resort seemed relatively unique in their huge open rooms, limiting each building to two or four rooms per floor, two floors per building. It made you feel like you had privacy and was very enjoyable.
I just spent a honeymoon in Aruba, at an all-inclusive called the Tamarijn. All things considered it was much cheaper than any of the Virgin Islands would have been. If you want details about what we did when we weren’t in the room, drop me an e-mail. I can give you rough cost estimates, and a short list of “don’t-miss” attractions that will make the island shine.
My life is always interesting! And it’s not like I go looking for excitement, it’s just that the flaming trains, Dutch marines, and kittens in storm drains just find me. sigh
Anyway, I don’t want my sister-in-law rafting through the Costa Rican rainforest while five months pregnant. Or getting a tropical disease. Or Montezuma’s Revenge. That’s all I’m saying. I still want to send them somewhere wonderful, but now with added emphasis on safety.
I’m checking those links! And keep the suggestions coming, everyone.
