Tantalizing Honeymoon Locations: Caribbean Edition

Whether you picture snoozing on the beach while someone brings you cocktails, or hiking through a rain forest when you think of a vacation, the Caribbean islands are the perfect place for you and your spouse to book your upcoming honeymoon. Relaxing and stress free are adjectives often used to describe the tropical, all- inclusive nature of most Caribbean island resorts, and they certainly don't lack beautiful views. Here is a run down of some of the most popular honeymoon locations in the Caribbean, so take notes!

Antigua:

Antigua boasts 365 white sand beaches, one for every day of the year, so you can certainly find a few to fill every day of your honeymoon. Temperatures in Antigua range from mid 70's to mid 80's year round, and if you go during the peak months of December to May, rain is unlikely. The official language spoken there is English, making communication a non issue. The local currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, however American dollars are readily accepted. The city of St. John's offers the only real urban atmosphere on the island. While there, check out some of the city's main points of interest including the Museum of Antigua & Barbuda, Fort James, St. John's Cathedral and Market Street. Just a short taxi ride away lies Nelson's Dockyard National Park, which is one of the most popular attractions in the eastern Caribbean. If you don't mind losing some of the peace and quiet that the island usually provides, consider visiting during one of these world renowned events:

Sailing Week – A world class competition that attracts visitors from around the world to the sailing competition. This week of competing occurs during the last week of April for the 1st part of May.

Classic Yacht regatta – A five-day event that also draws visitors from around the world to showcase their sailing vessels.

St. Lucia:

If you enjoy intimate beaches with the opportunity for a little more adventure, St. Lucia is right for you. The island's beaches are certainly inviting—but St. Lucia is a volcanic island, so you won't find the long stretches of fine white sand characteristic of the other islands in this area of the world. St. Lucia offers excellent diving, particularly along its southwest coast near Soufrière. Deep-sea fishing is also first-rate. And a day sail on a catamaran is one of the best ways to see the island and perhaps the best way to travel from Castries to Soufrière, or vice versa. St. Lucia's crown jewel is its well-preserved rain forest, which is best explored on a guided hike. Climbing one of the Pitons is a rewarding experience for adventurous honeymooners, but you must hire a guide.

The high season runs from mid-December through mid-April and during the annual St. Lucia Jazz festival in early May; during that week, you may have trouble finding a hotel room at any price. The official currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, but U.S. dollars are accepted nearly everywhere.

Turks & Caicos

Located on the third-largest coral reef system in the world, swimming, diving and fishing here is unparalleled. The islands are among the driest in the Caribbean region, with an average of 350 days of sunshine, light trade winds, and less humidity than on surrounding islands. As another added bonus, the official currency of the islands is the U.S. dollar, so currency exchange isn't necessary. Turks and Caicos has almost every kind of restaurant you might wish for, especially on Provo. From small beach shacks to gorgeous upscale dining rooms and everything in between, this destination is a gastronomical delight. There are cafes and delis, international restaurants, and some of the best chefs in the Caribbean; what you won't find is fast food or restaurant chains. Some don't miss adventures while there include exploring the caves of Middle Caicos, whale watching from the Grand Turk Lighthouse, and visiting the world's only conch farm.

Jamaica

Called the "big, little island,” Jamaica is the largest English-speaking island in the Caribbean. Vacationing in Jamaica affords numerous opportunities for enjoying its diverse landscape of mountains, valleys, plains, waterfalls, natural rivers and mineral springs. Cities in Jamaica reflect the diverse culture of the island's African, Asian and European ancestors. Jamaica’s year-round tropical climate makes it ideal for honeymooning at any time of the year. As one of the largest islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica is hard to cover in one trip. Knowing this, it's best to choose your activities, and then make your hotel plans accordingly. Of the three main tourist pockets on the island, westernmost Negril is popular for its beaches and upscale accommodations; northwestern Montego Bay is well-liked by golfers; and Ocho Rios in the northeast appeals most to adventurous types. Some visitors choose the eastern area of Port Antonio to try the top-notch surfing at Boston Bay Beach, the hiking in Blue Mountains National Park and the river rafting along the Rio Grande. Jamaica is known for unique cuisine that fuses flavors and ingredients from different cultures. Seafood is a staple, and no Jamaican vacation is complete without sampling some of the island's fresh produce or main courses enhanced with the traditional jerk seasoning.

Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico offers year-round affordable packages so travelers can relax along its blanched sands and hike through its lush National Rain forest. And while other regional spots like to advertise exciting nightlife, the capital city of San Juan actually delivers. Follow your ears to the dance clubs in the Santurce neighborhood, catch some live music in a Ponce lounge or grab a casual drink at a San Sebastián bar. When you visit Puerto Rico, you can generally cover the whole island by car with day trips, but be warned of narrow winding roads and the occasional toll. Many Puerto Ricans speak English, but Spanish is the language of daily life, and Puerto Ricans welcome your efforts to converse with them in Spanish. Since Puerto Rico is part of the United States, the island's currency is the U.S. dollar and credit cards are widely accepted.

Bahamas:

Possibly the biggest draw of these set of islands is the convenience associated with traveling there. The Islands Of The Bahamas are very easy to get to by plane, cruise ship or private boat. Most major airlines fly directly from Miami International Airport to Nassau International Airport. Additionally, the Bahamian dollar is held on par with the US dollar and both are accepted interchangeably throughout the islands. British rules apply to driving, so if you plan on renting a car, be prepared to drive on the left. The temperatures in the Bahamas are ideal year-round, but most of the rain falls in late summer and fall. Some of the post popular things to do while in the Bahamas are to Visit Arawak Cay, spend an afternoon at Atlantis Waterscape, snorkel off the coast, Island hop, check out the historic downtown of Nassau and tour the private museum, visit pink sands resort, sample fabulous Bahamian dishes like conch fritters, fried grouper burgers, and stone crab claws and try a bottle of the great local beer, Kalik.

If you are planning a honeymoon, let The Wedding Suite Tallahassee help! Our favorite travel agent DND Escapes, knows everything there is to know about Caribbean travel, lodging and expeditions. Whether living like locals floats your boat, or the all-inclusive life is more your style, DND Escapes can help you design and book the honeymoon of your dreams!