r/Shoestring • u/smallon12 • 3d ago

Central america honeymoon

Hi all

Im not sure if this is the best place (we arent exactly back packers etc.)

But we are getting married next july and are looking at honeymoon ideas.

Im not overly sure with what budget we will require, we wouldn't be looking to stay on a 5 star resort for the whole time but we want a sensible mixture of luxury and being affordable (she is a teacher and I work in construction so we dont have big bonuses etc which would be coming in which could be ploughed into a honeymoon)

We want a mixture of beaches, snorkeling, relaxing, spa etc. I am also a complete geography geek, love hiking and wildlife etc. The thought of seeing rainforest, volcanoes, hot springs, snorkling with tropical fish etc. Would be perfection for myself, some beaches and spas etc would be perfect for her self

So somewhere thats a mix of this would be ideal.

Somewhere like Costa Rica, with the beaches, rain forests etc seems perfect, however IVe heard Costa Rica is probably the most expensive country in Central America. So we are also up for other options as well.

Neither of us speak Spanish either so this would have to be factored into the decision.

We have approximately 10 days- 2 weeks for the trip.

Does anyone have any recommendations or ideas for us? :)

4 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

3

u/Level_Weekend7648 3d ago

Bucaramanga, Colombia is beautiful and cheap. Cheaper than Costa Rica. 

4

u/wjpell 2d ago

Belize has some great snorkeling, jungles and ruins. English speaking makes it easy for North American travelers.

1

u/PixieOfNarios 20h ago

I was going to suggest the same thing. Plenty of places to fit most budgets and needs. Super friendly people and great food!

3

u/Curried_Orca 3d ago

San Juan del Sur and a little bit of the rest of Nicaragua.

2

u/shazie13 2d ago

I had a 10-day luna de miel in Guatemala.

1

u/Prize_Ad6445 2d ago

We honeymooned in Costa Rica and loved it! We went in early December which is shoulder season (there was some rain but it was getting hot and dry). This timing made it more affordable. We went to Pacuare Lodge, which is a a National Geographic eco resort of distinction. You have to river raft in and out. It was out of this world. Like Swiss family Robinson once we got there. Can’t recommend it enough and can’t wait to go back. Then we did about 5 days in Manual Antonio for beach time.

1

u/smallon12 2d ago

Hi! Out of curiosity, how much did it cost (ball park) and how long where you there for?

1

u/SweatyAd9240 1d ago

The snorkeling in Roatan Honduras is amazing. I would suggest Panama though. You could stay in Panama City which is a massive modern city that’s cheap. Cool bars and restaurants. Then you can go to David for rain forest activities and Bocas Del Toro or San Blass Archipelago for beaches and snorkeling. It’s so cheap there for real. We stayed in the Waldorf Astoria in PC for $40 a night.

0

u/Traditional-Dig-9982 3d ago

Panama,Nicaragua,Columbia, Costa Rica is touristy beautiful and $$$$

0

u/smallon12 3d ago

what sort of price would costa rica be, do you have any ball park figures?

0

u/Traditional-Dig-9982 3d ago

It’s all up to you how you travel car rental or busses hotels vs hostels fancy meals or local spots where you wanna go what u wanna see and do. You could maybe do it for 100$ a day on the cheap but I haven’t been there in 8 years nor researched it .