Illinois-Chicago

NEED HELP CHOOSING HONEYMOON DESTINATION!!!

Hi,

So I am getting married in a month and I wanted to surprise my hubby-to-be with our honeymoon.  Because we had to pay for the wedding ourselves, our finances have been very tight, so we decided to forgo the honeymoon.  Well I have been working overtime because of some work project and I have saved a nice amount of $$ for the honeymoon.  On the day of the wedding, I will have the best man give him the card with our flight and travel itinerary in it :) along with the other gift I have for him.

My Dilemma:  I am stuck on where to go, Cancun or Puerto Rico??? Or I  will take any other destination suggestions!!! We like the All-Inclusive travel as we then don't have to worry about traveling with much cash.  We get married on June 11th, so I am looking for us to leave that next day for about 8-10 days. Any suggestions or ideas would be FANTASTIC!

Thanks for your help!

Re: NEED HELP CHOOSING HONEYMOON DESTINATION!!!

  • CASK85CASK85 member
    5 Love Its First Anniversary Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Wow! What a sweet thing for you to do!!  I've never been to either of those places, but Cancun to me = spring break party, whereas Puerto Rico is maybe more romantic? I'm sure some of the ladies on here know better than I do.

    I'm sure you know this, but if you go to Cancun make sure your FI's passport is up-to-date since it is a surprise trip and he won't be able to check that himself (obvi don't need one for Puerto Rico)  :) Happy Honeymooning!!
  • edited December 2011
    Thanks for the advice! I was leaning more towards PR as well, they just don;t have any all inclusives. We got our passports renvewed last year so we are all set on that one thankfully :)

    Congratulations to you all as well :)
  • edited December 2011
    I'd vote PR personally. I think PR is gorgeous and would be a little more romantic than cancun. Cancun feels like an anytime trip to me, not a special moment trip. Plus you don't need to worry about passports, just your regular ID. This will help make sure the suprise is kept too.

    I think it's really sweet you worked so hard to make the honeymoon happen. Your FI will be so thrilled!

    PS not sure what you price range is but Copamarina offers an all inclusive package. Check the resort sites because some offer the option even though they're not labeled as an all inclusive resort. It's like a package option
    Last Post 7/8 Leave for Paradise 7/9 Our Beach Wedding 7/13
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  • edited December 2011
    THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!
  • edited December 2011

    Do you check out the Living Social Escapes every week?  They usually have a great deal for some warm and romantic place!  Plus, it's a STEAL!  We've discussed that we're going to take advantage of one of these "escapes" for ours!
    livingsocial.com - on the left side will say "Escapes"

    Though, if I had to choose, PUERTO RICO! 

    How awesome of you!  Just make sure you check with his work before you book something! 

  • edited December 2011
    I agree with PP about PR.  I was there very briefly for a couple of days years ago and would love to go back.  It seems to offer a lot of sightseeing options on the island (shopping, rain forests, Old San Juan, good food) that I don't know if Cancun offers other than resorts?  I don't know.  Just my 2 cents.  

    Either one you choose is very impressive.  Does your FI already have that time off from work?  What a wonderful surprise for him!  Make sure your photographer/videographer is there the moment he opens the card so you'll be able to see his face later! Laughing
  • hz80408hz80408 member
    5 Love Its First Comment Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I'm going to play devil's advocate...would your FI be upset by any chance that you decided to spend a decent amount of money without his consent? (Even if it is your money).  I obvouisly don't know your financial situation, but just a thought.

    That being said, I think it's awesome of you!  We HMed in Riveria Maya and although I'd been there before, we stayed at a different resort (Secrets Maroma Beach), and it definitely "felt" like a HM the entire time.

    Like someone else posted, will FI have the vacation needed?  Part of the reason we choose MX is that it was a 2.5 hr direct flight so we could use our vacation to actually relax and not travel.
  • edited December 2011
    Thank you all so much for the suggestions!

    Yes, we both scheduled to have the time off just to relax and enjoy each other, so we are good on his work time :)

    He wouldn't be upset if I booked the trip, it is driving him crazy that we don't have the free cash.  We are spending cash on all the wedding things and not using our credit cards for anything as we are choosing not to be in credit card debt.

    I will definitely have the photographer be there to take pics of him while he opens the card and his gift.

    PR is really my 1st choice, but as the PP stated, we will spend majority of our time on the plane rather than honeymooning.

    Thanks for the suggestions! Keep the feedback coming Cool
  • MrsPapsMrsPaps member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    we're going the same place that Hannah went to in Riveria Maya (Secrets Maroma Beach) and we are beyond excited. this resort is rated a top honeymoon destination year after year. we're going July 11-18 and total everything with flight is around $4K. We chose an ocean view jr suite on the preferred club level so you can choose a lesser $$ option too.
    Good luck!!!
  • edited December 2011

    What a thoughtful gift! That will be great. Tough choice, but if you do chose Cancun, a suggestion might be to look for adult only resorts, that will definitly help avoid the "spring break" atmosphere! :)
    Wedding Countdown Ticker
  • edited December 2011
    Great, my budget for the honeymoon is about $5k, so I am looking for fun, romance and much needed R&R

    We have been to Cancun before and it was too many kids at our all inclusive, so I would definitely do an Adults Only resort.  Besides, who wants "spring break" on their honeymoon!

    Are there any other destination suggestions? I am open for those as well

    Thank you all so very much for your support :)
  • hz80408hz80408 member
    5 Love Its First Comment Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    SIL HMed at the adults only iberostar (Grand Hotel Bavaro   ) in Pvnta Cana, Dominican Republic in July 2009 and loved it so much that my ILs went on vacation 6 months later.

    I think the pricing is similar to Secrets Maroma Beach.

    Honestly, the big vote for MX for us, as I started earlier is the time.  We were by the pool sipping drinks w/in 4.5 hours of our departure from Chicago :O)
  • edited December 2011
    Makes sense, my Fiance loves Mexico as they have better All Inclusive deals, he is just concerned for us in regards to the recent violence all over MX
  • Bimbi284Bimbi284 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    I wouldn't worry too much about the "violence" in Mexico. 

    As for your OP, PUERTO RICO!!! It is my mother land, so I'm a bit biased, but I also know how awesome it is. Other options include DR, Costa Rica (which is where we are going), Bahamas, any of the other Caribbean islands....
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_need-choosing-honeymoon-destination?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:afa092e1-1799-4fde-a729-7a838aa0d487Post:57cda9cd-92fb-4396-97ae-2c43afe101bf">Re: NEED HELP CHOOSING HONEYMOON DESTINATION!!!</a>:
    [QUOTE]I wouldn't worry too much about the "violence" in Mexico.  As for your OP, PUERTO RICO!!! It is my mother land, so I'm a bit biased, but I also know how awesome it is. Other options include DR, Costa Rica (which is where we are going), Bahamas, any of the other Caribbean islands....
    Posted by Bimbi284[/QUOTE]

    <p>Gracias Boricua!!

    I am half Puerto Rican/Black so I completely understand!!!!!  Did you find great pricing for Costa Rica? Resorts there? </p>
  • edited December 2011
    Ive been to both places and honestly -- I think Puerto Rico is WAY overrated and overall I was unimpressed.  Its very americanized and it wasnt as tropical as I imagined it would be.

    The place MrsPaps is going to sounds like a total dream and I think Mexico is much more relaxing and price friendly/most bang for your buck.  That's my vote!
  • Bimbi284Bimbi284 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_need-choosing-honeymoon-destination?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:afa092e1-1799-4fde-a729-7a838aa0d487Post:c9490056-45f5-40f6-9651-de705063f74e">Re: NEED HELP CHOOSING HONEYMOON DESTINATION!!!</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: NEED HELP CHOOSING HONEYMOON DESTINATION!!! : Gracias Boricua!! I am half Puerto Rican/Black so I completely understand!!!!!  Did you find great pricing for Costa Rica? Resorts there?
    Posted by lexakelley[/QUOTE]

    <div>Haha awesome! Yeah, we found a really great deal at the Riu Guanacaste from AA vacations for just under $3400 for AI including airfare. There are other options all over Costa Rica and good deals to be found!  We're soooooo excited!</div><div>
    </div><div>LIB: That's too bad that you had a not-so-great experience in PR. Just out of curiosity, where did you stay? I know that some parts are a bit more "americanized" as you say it, but others are VERY tropical and more cultured...I guess you just have to know where to go and try to get away from the uber touristy stuff.  I've been to Cancun also, and I find it more touristy and "americanized" than even PR, which is a U.S. Territory...but perhaps I didn't stay at the best place there?</div>
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_need-choosing-honeymoon-destination?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:afa092e1-1799-4fde-a729-7a838aa0d487Post:fc8a41af-77b3-4c8e-9e06-bf0a7b14d1bc">Re: NEED HELP CHOOSING HONEYMOON DESTINATION!!!</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: NEED HELP CHOOSING HONEYMOON DESTINATION!!! : LIB: That's too bad that you had a not-so-great experience in PR. Just out of curiosity, where did you stay? I know that some parts are a bit more "americanized" as you say it, but others are VERY tropical and more cultured...I guess you just have to know where to go and try to get away from the uber touristy stuff.  I've been to Cancun also, and I find it more touristy and "americanized" than even PR, which is a U.S. Territory...but perhaps I didn't stay at the best place there?
    Posted by Bimbi284[/QUOTE]

    We stayed near Old San Juan.  We did a bit of traveling around the island, I just wasn't a fan of the PR as a whole.  It reminds me of a another version of Miami.  I laughed when I saw the Church's Chicken, JC Penny, & Kmart because it just wasnt something I expected to see there, but bc it is a american territory I guess I shouldnt be too surprised!  PR just wasn't for me and i'd never go back.
  • Bimbi284Bimbi284 member
    First Anniversary First Comment
    edited December 2011
    LIB, yeah, the chain stores always distract from the rest of the cool stuff that the island has to offer. I'm sure there's Church's and JCPenny's in Mexico too...but you probably wouldn't notice it as much as you would on a relatively tiny island. There's always something new there! (Except Target, much to the dismay of my relatives, who are obsessed with it, lol. My aunt spent the time between our ceremony and reception at Target, no joke). Its a shame really! It makes me kind of sad that stuff like that is blowing up there because it really isn't an accurate representation of the history or the culture, and then people go away from there thinking that's all it is. I always recommend that people stay farther away from OSJ to get away from some of that, and experience the island a bit more remotely. Visiting OSJ and San Juan is awesome, but I always prefer El Yunque and Loquillo as well as the more off the beaten path attractions that make PR so great.
  • MrsPapsMrsPaps member
    First Comment
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_need-choosing-honeymoon-destination?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:72Discussion:afa092e1-1799-4fde-a729-7a838aa0d487Post:baa61ff8-0b5c-4890-959d-555b8bd385ba">Re: NEED HELP CHOOSING HONEYMOON DESTINATION!!!</a>:
    [QUOTE]Great, my budget for the honeymoon is about $5k, so I am looking for fun, romance and much needed R&R We have been to Cancun before and it was too many kids at our all inclusive, so I would definitely do an Adults Only resort.  Besides, who wants "spring break" on their honeymoon! Are there any other destination suggestions? I am open for those as well Thank you all so very much for your support :)
    Posted by lexakelley[/QUOTE]
    Secrets Maroma Beach is Adult only.
    My friend got married at a brand new Secrets resort in Jamaica--I'm not a fan of Jamaica but it's another option!
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_need-choosing-honeymoon-destination?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:afa092e1-1799-4fde-a729-7a838aa0d487Post:e5d115ca-c197-4800-9638-abfd2437493b">Re: NEED HELP CHOOSING HONEYMOON DESTINATION!!!</a>:
    [QUOTE]LIB, yeah, the chain stores always distract from the rest of the cool stuff that the island has to offer. I'm sure there's Church's and JCPenny's in Mexico too...but you probably wouldn't notice it as much as you would on a relatively tiny island. There's always something new there! (Except Target, much to the dismay of my relatives, who are obsessed with it, lol. My aunt spent the time between our ceremony and reception at Target, no joke). Its a shame really! It makes me kind of sad that stuff like that is blowing up there because it really isn't an accurate representation of the history or the culture, and then people go away from there thinking that's all it is. I always recommend that people stay farther away from OSJ to get away from some of that, and experience the island a bit more remotely. Visiting OSJ and San Juan is awesome, but I always prefer El Yunque and Loquillo as well as the more off the beaten path attractions that make PR so great.
    Posted by Bimbi284[/QUOTE]

    We went off rec's from someone else that went there and felt most comfortable/safe in the tourist areas (as the same in Mexico, we stay in the tourist areas)... I mean, the time we had was fun bc of the activities we did, but it just wasn't what I thought it was going to be.  Although, I was thrilled that they had CVS bc we had to use the pharmacy there and Footlocker for a pair of gym shoes that magically disappeared.  Good times.
  • edited December 2011
    I'm also Puerto Rican & biased, but I'm also Mexican and wouldn't go there. Too much going on there & much of it not on the news.

    I personally am a huge fan of Couples Negril. I'm sure you could swing it with your budget. If you're going AI, look into the Dominican Republic & Jamaica for sure. :)
  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_illinois-chicago_need-choosing-honeymoon-destination?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:72Discussion:afa092e1-1799-4fde-a729-7a838aa0d487Post:6ac1fdb9-3564-4e48-a417-c26d2122cde3">Re: NEED HELP CHOOSING HONEYMOON DESTINATION!!!</a>:
    [QUOTE]I'm also Puerto Rican & biased, but I'm also Mexican and wouldn't go there. Too much going on there & much of it not on the news. I personally am a huge fan of Couples Negril. I'm sure you could swing it with your budget. If you're going AI, look into the Dominican Republic & Jamaica for sure. :)
    Posted by Eener23[/QUOTE]

    Thank You <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" />  Looking for trips
  • edited December 2011
    I don't know you'd feel about Costa Rica but this Living Social deal popped in my inbox today and made me think of this post

    http://escapes.livingsocial.com/deals/40716-7-nights-in-costa-rica

    You'd just have to find airfare.
    Last Post 7/8 Leave for Paradise 7/9 Our Beach Wedding 7/13
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  • edited December 2011
    Thank you for the deal information from living social
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