Need ideas on a honeymoon location?

[Dale Moser]

Will do!

[bowhunterhelm]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say don't do an all inclusive package. We went to Negril Jamaica for our honeymoon and were rarely at the resort. The resorts are so Americanized that it's just like being here in America.

The only thing we did was sleep at the resort, we also did a few night dives with them but other than that we were up early and off enjoying getting to see the foreign culture. We would see people hanging out at the pool in the morning and come back that night and the same people were still there. Sorry, but I can hang out at a pool here in Austin. I think if I had to do it again I would just stay at a hotel and do our own thing. I don't think the all inclusive will really save you all that much money and then you have free choice to decide what you want to do and when you want to do it.

We had a great time but really didn't take advantage of the all inclusive package.

Just my $.02

[junior]

Dale which place are yall staying at? Looks pretty sweet. You ain't getting married are ya? Here is where we'll be!

http://www.sandals.com/main/bahamian/ba-home.cfm

[BIG D]

On all the all inclusive trips we have taken, I have done my best to make the resort lose money..........with the amount of alcohol I drank. If everyone was as bad as me, they would all go under.

[Texastaxi]

Amen, D!

Too bad my "Playa del Carmen" report was lost with the crash!
From what they tell me ... I had a dang good time!



The all inclusive packages aren't that much more expensive. Even if you don't stay there the WHOLE time, it's still nice to be able to go to the resort, and eat and drink whatever you want, whenever you want.

I WILL NOT take a vacation to a place like that UNLESS it's all inclusive!

Dale ... remember, man ... It's ALL about the video!

[Teuf]

We went to Quepos, Costa Rica for 10 days for ours. We fished offshore 4 days, hiked through Manuel Antonio National Park (monkeys will steal stuff from your backpack, including the backpack, so don't set it down too far from the water when you want to take a dip. There is all kinds of things to do there...we also took a private guided tour via wet bike down the coast to a deserted beach, travelling over huge schools of mackerel. We caught 39 sailfish and a few big dorado which we had prepared for dinner by the resort chef. Laid back, romantic, nobody bothers you (like Jamaica), friendly people...we had a blast. We stayed at El Parador, but Si Como No is also nice if you like more people, live music, swim up bar. We wanted to be alone rather than having to talk to Pam and Fred from Cleveland...if you get my drift (this was before I was in to swapping ).

We also went to British Columbia last year, spent a few days in Vancouver (awesome, awesome city..great food/gallery shopping), then headed up to Whistler (get a driver) and skied for 4 days. It's a beautiful place, and the people are much more warm and friendly than I've found at Aspen/Vail/Park City. We stayed at the new Four Seasons, which was fantastic, but there are MUCH cheaper places to stay that are very nice as well. AND, my wife doesn't even ski. She took lessons and had a blast (young, Austrailian instructor might have had something to do with that). I'd always told her that ski towns have a certain aura and feel to them, especially in the evenings, that makes it almost magical. Everyone is happy, the food is great, the mountain looms above you while you drink micro brews....very romantic and FUN. We also did the zip-trek, which was fun, and a night snowmobile ride up the mountain to a lodge for dinner.

Sorry to be so long winded, but I've spent a lot of time planning vacations and these two were the most memorable.

Congrats and good luck!!!

[mesquitecountry]

The best part about all inclusive. Drink and eat till you puke. lol . D i hear you on the going under part. I smelled of rum and coke for a month after we got back. Like i told brunner on his cancun trip. W/ all-inclusive you and your wife can get drunk and then order room service at 3 in the morning and pass out for you get there. (It was funnier when we were in the moment haha lmao.)

[BIG D]

Dale ... remember, man ... It's ALL about the video!

And please, not video of your bare arse trotting along the beach.

[Shortbow]

We went to Hawaii and I really did not care for it. I would have prefered Mexico but my parents paid for the trip. Mexico is affordable and very relaxed. I will also agree with going All Inclusive. Also, shop different travel agencies. You can save a lot of money if you shop around.

[Mary]

Quepos, Costa Rica

You can NOT find a more laid back place... anywhere! December would be the end of the rainy season, though. If you don't go here for a honeymoon.... definitely put it on your list of places for vacation later on.

Dale's spot looks like a winner to me.

[Snakelover]

Bowhunterhelm brings up a good point. All-inclusives aren't for everyone. However, sometimes all I want to do is park my butt next to the pool for a couple days and have someone bring me margaritas! For that, they're perfect!

[chongo]

I am actually setting up my Honeymoon right now for June - from what I have found - Mexico is the way to go - I wasnt really all that impressed when researching Hawaii - Jamacai looked great as well - just remember in Cabo - you cant really swin in the ocean - because of the strong current and undertoe - definetly go all inclusive - and at resorts if you want an ocean view and privacy on a baclcony or what not - request a room on the top level - most privacy - and you will get the best view as well - good luck and congrats

[Snakelover]

I haven't been there in a few years, so I hope it's not run down now. But, at least at the time I went, the Melia Azul in Ixtapa was unparalleled pampering and extremely nice amenities for the money.

Here's a tip for you that works at any all-inclusive in Mexico... Very few people tip at an all-inclusive resort. When you arrive, go to the concierge and buy a couple rolls of ten pesos coins. Each coin is about a dollar. (Currently about 91 cents I believe.) Anyway, hand your waitress one everytime she brings you and your honey a round of frozen concoctions. Just leave the roll laying on the table next to your lounge chair in full view. Everytime she comes, just slide one out and hand it to her. Believe me, she will quickly get the idea. It will only add something like $40 to the cost of your trip, but it will get you extraordinary service. After doing this for a while, you'll probably even start getting a better grade of liquor in your drinks. Trust me on this; it's well worth it.

[Texastaxi]

Good idea, David, but none of mine seemed to dislike a crispy $1 bill!

[Snakelover]

Good idea, David, but none of mine seemed to dislike a crispy $1 bill!

Absolutely! I just find that having the roll of coins laying on the table adds to the psychological manipulation! lol It's hard to do that with a stack of bills as they tend to blow away. Besides, the coins hold up better in a wet bathing suit!