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The 10 Best Unique Honeymoon Destinations

Honeymoon on a budget? Or looking for an original Honeymoon Idea? Here are some of the most unexpectedly romantic and unique places we have ever been - both near and far. And most are much cheaper than your standard honeymoon destinations!

By Amy Seder
The 10 Best Unique Honeymoon Destinations
Cook Islands

Honeymoon on a budget? Or looking for an original honeymoon Idea? Here are some of the most unexpectedly romantic and unique places we have ever been - both near and far. And most are much cheaper than your standard honeymoon destinations! 


1. Cook Islands

 


Are you looking for a classic tropical South Pacific honeymoon with a twist? Or (even better) on a budget? Ever since traveling to the Cook Islands in 2018, I have not stopped singing the praises of this tiny island chain! Located between Tahiti and Fiji, the islands are a beach and adventure-lovers' dream - and the crown jewel, Aitutaki features one of the bluest lagoons in the world. There are no international chains here, so every resort and restaurant is all local and independently owned, much less expensive than a place like Bora Bora, and since the Islands are on the New Zealand dollar, the exchange rate from USD makes them a great value for Americans. There is even a direct flight from Los Angeles to Rarotonga once a week, making travel here incredibly seamless. If your timing is tight, a private charter from Los Angeles lets you fly out exactly when you want and reach Rarotonga without building the whole trip around one fixed flight.

Brandon and I were actually scheduled to return here on our honeymoon in September, but as Covid had it, all of our plans were halted. But we are dying to return to this paradise, and I honestly cannot recommend the country more! As soon as the borders open to Americans, Brandon and I will be on the first flight back!

 Read my Complete Rarotonga Travel Guide and my Complete Aitutaki Travel Guide for all the details and more paradise photos!


Where To Stay:

  • Aitutaki Lagoon Private Island Resort: An adults-only island escape with lagoon-facing and overwater bungalows for that classic South Pacific honeymoon.
  • Pacific Resort Rarotonga: Stay on Muri Beach for a relaxed beachfront base with easy access to Rarotonga’s lagoon adventures.
  • Pacific Resort Aitutaki: An adults-only beachfront retreat on Aitutaki with spacious bungalows and beautiful lagoon views.
  • Little Polynesian Resort: Beachfront bungalows, an ocean-facing pool, and a quieter Rarotonga setting make this a lovely place to slow down together.

What To Do:

These five experiences depart from Rarotonga; book them for that part of your trip before heading to Aitutaki.




2. Cape Town, South Africa


Cape Town is one of the most varied, beautiful areas I have ever been to - within a few hours' drive you can:
- Explore a major city
- Swim in clear, aqua, tropical water
- Climb mountains on incredible hikes
- Explore majestic landscapes and some of the most dramatic roads I've ever seen
- Stay at some of the world's highest-rated hotels
- Experience world-class wine tasting in towns that look just like European villages
- See wild penguins (!!) on a beautiful beach
- And go on a Big-5 Game Safari!

If you want to do everything without hopping on multiple flights, South Africa is hard to beat. Also, food and wine here, even in highly touristed areas, can be incredibly low-priced for Americans and Europeans (we were honestly shocked at how affordable the restaurants were). One of the other huge benefits of Cape Town is the reverse seasons - if you're looking to plan your honeymoon between January and March, this far south, they have long summer days and warm sunny weather. If you’re balancing travel plans with schoolwork, some rely on custom research paper writing services to meet deadlines before takeoff.

Start by reading my Cape Town Travel Tips here, checking out our time on Safari just outside of the city, and what it's like to stay in the highest-rated hotel in the world!



Where to Stay:

  • Gondwana Game Reserve: Pair Cape Town with an overnight safari near Mossel Bay on the Garden Route; this is several hours from the city, so plan it as a separate stop.
  • La Residence: An extravagant Winelands escape in Franschhoek with vineyard scenery, beautiful interiors, and a pool made for lazy afternoons.
  • Taj Cape Town: A grand city-center hotel with a spa and indoor pool, ideal for combining sightseeing with a little honeymoon pampering.
  • POD Camps Bay: A small, design-focused hotel close to Camps Bay Beach with an outdoor pool and a lovely coastal setting.

What To Do:

These experiences explore Cape Town and the nearby Winelands; plan a separate overnight stop for a Garden Route safari.







 

3. Sri Lanka


When Brandon and I first started out with Away Lands, we spent 2 months traveling across every corner of Sri Lanka on our first-ever campaign, and the country and our friends there made a huge, lasting impression on us. The island nation is still one of our favorite places in the world, and has everything from tropical beaches, surfing, mountain climbing, history and culture, fantastic food, modern luxury hotels, and a major city.

If you're particularly interested in the South Coast of Sri Lanka and the incredible beaches and surf culture along Galle and Unawatuna, the best time to travel is January-March, when the waters are calmer and the beaches larger and sandier.

Read through my MASSIVE Travel Guide to Sri Lanka for details, experiences, and tips for each reason, from tip to tip. a

Also, if you're planning a trip to the Maldives, Sri Lanka is a great way to mix some more adventure and culture into your honeymoon, as it is the closest country to the islands, with direct flights.


Where To Stay:

  • Levels Unawatuna: Formerly Cantaloupe Levels, this hillside hotel was one of my favorite stays years ago; I still remember its quirky, modern design and the wonderful team from our visit.
  • Shangri-La Hambantota: I am a HUGE fan of Shangri-La Hotels from our stays around the world, and this expansive south-coast resort offers pools, a spa, and plenty of room to unwind.
  • Kandy Hills: A hillside base for exploring Kandy, with city and mountain views away from the busiest streets.
  • Dream Cliff Mountain Resort: Distinctive beehive-style villas and an outdoor pool overlook the hills around Beragala, near Haputale.
  • Find even more hotels in my Sri Lanka Travel Guide - sorted by region!

What To Do:

These five experiences suit a south-coast stay around Galle and Unawatuna; check pickup areas before booking.




4. Oman


A road trip through the middle east isn't a very obvious honeymoon, but that's why you're here right? And let me tell you, traveling through Oman was one of the most romantic, incredible, beautiful and varied travels we have ever been on - and I have not shut up about how incredible the country is since our trip in fall of 2019. To start - it is overall very safe and easy to rent a car and drive yourself (read more about the logistics of driving in Oman here.) 

Must Sees on an Oman trip are: The Daymaniyat Islands off the coast of Muscat, The Wadi Shab swimming hole, a night deep in the Wahiba Desert, and the many ancient forts, mosques, and villages all around the country. We spent 10 days here and I wish we would have had another week to be able to see even more.

Read our entire 7-Day Road Trip Itinerary here with details on every stop!



Where to Stay:

  • Al Husn Hotel Muscat: Formerly Shangri-La Al Husn, this coastal resort south of Muscat has beautiful sea views and a secluded beach setting.
  • Kempinski Hotel Muscat: A polished beachfront resort in Al Mouj with pools and a spa for an easy, luxurious start or finish to an Oman road trip.
  • Thousand Nights Camp: A night deep in the desert dunes! Our cabin had ample electricity and running water, including flushing toilets and a proper shower, and we were seriously impressed by the food.
  • Alila Jabal Akhdar: A dramatic mountaintop retreat in the Al Hajar range with indoor and outdoor pools and sweeping canyon views.
  • Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort: A luxurious mountain escape with a canyon-edge pool and spa; this is a beautiful place to splurge for a few slower honeymoon days.

What To Do:

Choose experiences to fit your road-trip stops, and check each tour’s meeting point and transport arrangements.





5. La Paz, Baja California, Mexico



Just a 2-Hour Drive from the much more popular Cabo San Lucas (and a direct flight from a number of West Coast cities), La Paz, Mexico is the hipper, lesser-known sister to to Baja California's Cabo. A historic town with cool cafes, amazing food of both the high-end and street-taco variety, a walkable city center, and one of Mexico's most beautiful beaches - the incredible Balandra Bay - La Paz has a little of everything.

If you're looking for an amazing honeymoon destination on a serious budget and are trying to squeeze in a gorgeous destination without traveling halfway across the world, La Paz would be your go-to destination, particularly in November, as the weather is comfortable (70—84°F), and it is the start of peak season for marine life.


It is also one of the only places in the world where you can swim with Sea Lions!




Where To Stay:

Many couples are booking Jacuzzi suites when they are celebrating their honeymoon or anniversaries. For more inspiration, you can explore a wider range of romantic and unique stays on TubHotels.

  • Hotel Catedral: Stay in La Paz’s historic center with a modern rooftop pool above the surrounding colonial rooftops.
  • Hotel Indigo La Paz Puerta Cortes: Formerly Costa Baja Resort & Spa, this marina-area resort offers a spa, pool, and access to a private beach outside the city center.
  • Casa Al Mar: We stayed at this hotel on the Malecón and loved how easy it was to walk everywhere; the attached café’s breakfasts were a highlight of our visit.

What To Do:

Wildlife trips depend on seasonal access, permits, and conditions; confirm availability for your dates before booking.





6. Croatia's Dalmation Coast


Looking for an alternative to Positano or the Greek Islands? Don't sleep on Croatia! The cities are beautiful and full of adventure, the waters are perfectly Mediterranean, the history is abundant, and the European coastal village feelings are endless! We spent a week cruising between the different islands with a small group, which felt much more fun and spring break-y than romantic, but was SO MUCH FUN. For a more romantic trip, I would travel between a few areas and stay on shore to have a more private experience.

Don't Miss:

  • Dubrovnik - The most famous city in the region is both stunning and incredibly historic. You'll most likely start and end here and/or Split!
  • Korcula - Known as "Croatia's Positano", Korcula was our favorite port, and is incredibly beautiful!
  • Hvar - Hvar Island is a bit of a party capital, if you're looking to go out and dance. It's also same some of the most amazing water we saw anywhere in Croatia!
  • Split - We spent a little more time here than the rest of the ports, and it is truly beautiful, with many ruins and historic buildings all around!



Where to Stay:

  • Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik: A historic waterfront hotel near Dubrovnik’s Old Town with sea views and an indoor pool.
  • Hotel Park Hvar: An old-town hotel overlooking Hvar’s harbor, perfect for staying close to the waterfront restaurants and evening strolls.
  • Rixos Premium Dubrovnik: A spacious coastal resort with pools, a spa, and terraces overlooking the Adriatic.
  • Hotel Park Split: A classic Split hotel near Bačvice Beach with an outdoor pool and spa, within reach of the historic center.

What To Do:

Choose tours that match your overnight stops in Dubrovnik, Split, and Hvar rather than trying to reach every departure point in one day.




7. The Loire Valley, France

Instead of going to Paris (or better - in addition to going to Paris!), Central France's Loire Valley is a dream of beautiful fairytale villages, wine tasting, vineyards, incredible food, history, art, and a seemingly endless amounts of absolutely stunning castles! It's the perfect destination for the dreamiest, most romantic spring or summer road trip.

Fly into Nantes (a quick hop from Paris), rent a car, and make your way through the countryside for a week or two, ending in Paris. What's more romantic than wearing your prettiest dresses and drinking fine wine in renaissance castles and little stone french villages? I'm pretty sure the answer is nothing!


Where to Stay:

In short: real castles. There are so many amazing chateaus (The French word for castle) that you can stay in all over the region. A few highlights:

  • Fontevraud L’Ermitage: Formerly Fontevraud L’Hôtel, this is where we stayed! The abbey was absolutely breathtaking, and we had so much fun wandering the ancient rooms and even the crypts.
  • Villa Alecya: A character-filled guesthouse south of Tours with gardens and a peaceful village setting.
  • Le Prieuré d’Orchaise: A historic guesthouse near Blois with gardens, well placed for a slower château-hopping stay.
  • Château Le Prieuré - La Maison Younan: A château hotel near Saumur with a river-view terrace and restaurant for a romantic Loire Valley stop.
  • Château de Nazelles: A château guesthouse near Amboise with historic rooms and a quiet countryside atmosphere.

What To Do:

The Loire Valley covers a large area, so match each experience to your route and its departure town.




8. Koh Mak and Koh Kood (or Kut), Thailand

The sister islands of Ko Kood / Kut and Ko Mak are an incredibly special place to me, as this was the first place in Asia I ever visited (after a brief stop in Bangkok), and also was the true origin of our Away Lands journey. Back in 2015, Brandon and I scraped together every vacation day we could to spend his birthday, Christmas, and New Year's in Thailand and Bali over 3 weeks - our first major trip together and where we filmed our first real portfolio piece for this wild idea we had.

Brandon had previously been to Thailand and did a tour of the more well-known spots, and we wanted to find something really unique. We stumbled onto this New York Times Article about these little islands we had never heard of, and somehow they just called to us. These islands are in the Gulf of Thailand near the border of Cambodia (to get here from Bangkok, you can take a 5-6 hour drive or a quick flight to the little town of Trat, then catch a ferry.) Even after a number of years, they are still mostly undeveloped. They feel authentic, with lots of funky little tiki bars, amazing street food, crystal clear waters, and a wide mix of travelers. We spent a week here riding motorbikes, kayaking out to other islands, and exploring. Days like this call for easy, comfortable footwear - something like lightweight recovery sandals for travel that you can slip on between beach stops. They are truly magical - and I am hoping we can return soon! It’s the kind of trip where you start associating places with specific sounds, even the handful of songs you kept coming back to, the ones simple enough to pull up and play later from memory or something like Chord Songs.



Where to Stay:

  • Captain Hook Resort, Koh Kood: We stayed here and were so happy with our choice! I remember the beautiful water, excellent food, and incredible would-be-$20-in-LA cocktails; confirm arrival arrangements with the resort when booking.
  • High Season Pool Villa & Spa, Koh Kood: Private pool villas beside Khlong Chao Beach make this a luxurious option for a few completely unhurried days.
  • Mira Montra Resort Koh Mak: A beachfront resort on quieter Koh Mak with an outdoor pool; check seasonal ferry schedules if you want to combine both islands.

What To Do:

These five bookable experiences are on Koh Kood; save them for that island’s portion of your trip.




9. Belize

Just South of Mexico's Riviera Mayan Coast and Just West of the Caribbean, Belize still feels very under-appreciated and underrated! The waters are beautiful, the beaches are amazing, you can swim with sharks and rays, there are Mayan ruins to explore, and an extremely friendly local culture! Belize is also incredibly easy to do on a budget (or there are a few very high-end places if you're looking for that as well!)

The Southern and Southeastern United States is also incredibly easy to get to - a flight from Texas is only a couple of hours! If you start your journey somewhere with plenty of resources, like Whitney Ridge Resort, that can help, too. It gives you more of a rounded experience and ensures you remain safe, even if you have equipment failures. Then, you can make flight arrangements and turn the entire experience into a beautiful honeymoon you won’t forget for the rest of your life. You don’t always need to travel to feel those moments again. Personal videos let you relive meaningful memories with loved ones, and modern tools like automatic video editors can turn your clips and photos into a movie that brings your experiences back to life while you plan your next escape. Before you take off, small confidence boosts like a fresh haircut, facial, or teeth whitening can help you feel polished and photo-ready for every  moment.


Where to Stay:

  • Mahogany Bay Resort & Beach Club, Curio Collection by Hilton: A resort in San Pedro with cottage-style rooms, a pool, and a separate beach club rather than a beachfront main hotel.
  • Cayo Espanto: An ultra-luxurious private island just off of San Pedro. Cayo Espanto only has 7 private villas and every meal and service is tailored specifically for you. Because of the private nature, Cayo is a low-key celebrity hot spot

For rates and availability, contact Cayo Espanto directly.

  • Ramon’s Village Resort: Thatched-roof accommodations, a beachfront setting, and an outdoor pool create a relaxed tropical base in San Pedro.
  • Victoria House Resort & Spa: A beachfront San Pedro retreat with a spa and pools for a quieter, more romantic island stay.

What To Do:

Match island experiences to your base in San Pedro or Caye Caulker; the San Ignacio adventures need a mainland stay or separate transport.




10. Vietnam

Vietnam is a varied wonderland - from tropical beaches in Phu Quoc, to the wild cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Mihn City, to the stunning misty mountains of Sapa, to the majestic wonder of Ha Long Bay - there is so much to do and do and explore in this South East Asian country, and it is also an incredible place for adventurous travelers on a budget!



Where to Stay:

  • Paradise Elegance Ha Long Bay Cruise: Spend a night aboard a cruise through Ha Long Bay’s limestone scenery; check your sailing’s included meals, transfers, and activities before booking.
  • JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa: A playful, design-filled luxury resort on Phu Quoc with a beachfront setting and pools for a tropical honeymoon finish.
  • Pistachio Hotel Sapa: A mountain-town hotel with sweeping views over Sapa’s surrounding hills; this one is still on my list!
  • Park Hyatt Saigon: An elegant hotel near Ho Chi Minh City’s Opera House with a pool and spa, ideal for a city break between beach and mountain stops.

What To Do:

These experiences span Vietnam, so choose the ones that fit your itinerary rather than treating them as day trips from one base.



Wishing you all the best in marriage & adventure!

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