I know this has probably been posted about a lot on here, but I am still looking for input and opinions/suggestions.
We are getting married 9/23/11 and would like to leave for the honeymoon 2 days later if possible (if not, then early October). Obviously, this is Hurricane season in the Carribean.
We have been to Riveria Maya Mexico together twice, and LOVED it. We REALLY LIKE All inclusive packages. We more than likely do NOT want to do a honeymoon that is NOT all inclusive. The resorts we stayed at in Mexico were large complexes with multiple resorts, and the all inclusive package allowed us to eat and drink at any of those resorts. While I understand that is not possible on every island or place, we definitely want to stay at a resort that has more than 2 restaurants or just a buffet. We also LOVED the HUGE pools there. So we do not want to stay somewhere with a boring/normal pool that you can find at any hotel in the US. And there MUST be a swim up bar.
Just to give you an idea - this is the place we stayed in Rivera Maya and Loved:
http://www.grandpalladiumrivieramaya.com/I know that Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao or options during hurricane season because they are below the belt. Bonaire is already out - my friends went there and didn't like it - it is mostly for diving (which we don't do).
I've heard mixed opinions about Aruba. Some people swear by it, others don't like it at all. I've heard it is very "americanized" and a "honeymoon factory". If that is the case, I don't think we'd like Aruba.
We went on a cruise which stopped in the Bahamas and felt it was too americanized. We like to feel the culture when we walk around at the shops and stuff. I am also worried that the weather may be a little too cool for our liking in Aruba with all the wind.
These are the two All inclusives in Aruba I found, but I'm not crazy about them so far:
http://www.occidentalhotels.com/grand/Aruba.asp (I'd like to avoid a high rise)
http://www.diviaruba.com/index.phpTo summarize - we are looking for an all inclusive package at a large resort, somewhere that has plenty of "non-americanized" shopping areas (I don't want to go to a mall). We like to lounge by the pool, drink some great drinks and relax. We are not really big on the SPA stuff, or adventure stuff (but we would probably do an excursion or two). We also would prefer to pay no more than $2000 per person including air fare (which is even hard for me to accept. We paid $800 per person including air fare for our trip to Rivera Maya Mexico this past May - for a 7 night stay, all inclusive resort complex)...
Please don't tell me something like this doesn't exist
I would go to Mexico again, but I feel like we should go somewhere different, plus, because of hurricane season, it is really not possible, unless we wait until the following year, which we really don't want to do!
September 2011 Brides Siggy Challenge: Reception Venue
