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- Budget-friendly honeymoon destinations
Budget-friendly honeymoon destinations
Weddings are expensive. And that seems to be true regardless of where you get married or how many guests you have. But before you start looking at your budget and think that you may have to skip the honeymoon, rest assured that you don't have to! There are a whole bunch of honeymoon destinations out there that are not only beautiful, but also very kind on the costs side of things. Check out the best budget-friendly honeymoon destinations below.
Tradition used to dictate that you had to take your honeymoon straight after the wedding, with the happily married couple making their exit from the celebrations and heading straight to the airport.
For most, this is no longer the case. Due to the hefty costs of weddings, a lot of people choose to wait to take their honeymoon, bolstering up their budget so that they can splash out on a holiday when the time is right. Or, you can find a honeymoon destination that's more affordable - while making sure that it's a destination that you're genuinely keen to explore.
No matter what type of honeymoon you're looking for - whether that's a chilled luxury experience complete with spa treatments or something more adventurous - all the destinations below offer variety. And, most importantly, they're all budget friendly!
1. Bali, Indonesia
Bali has to be right at the top of this list; it just ticks so many boxes for a fun, budget-friendly honeymoon! Sure, it'll require long-haul flights to get out to Bali, but activities, food, drinks, attractions and accommodation are all pretty affordable once you step off the plane. Ubud and Seminyak are two popular bases for honeymoons. Ubud is known for its cultural offerings and attractions while Seminyak is home to beaches and nightlife. Canggu is an up-and-coming area that offers a little bit of everything, from yoga classes to beaches and affordable restaurants.
In terms of how much you spend, that's really up to what you and your spouse are looking for. You can book a four-star resort or instead book a rustic beach chalet - prices will vary greatly but will be much cheaper compared to other well-known honeymoon destinations, like the Maldives or Hawaii.
2. Croatia
A great alternative to some of the more popular - and more expensive - honeymoon destinations in the Mediterranean, Croatia is the perfect budget-friendly honeymoon spot. There are beaches, islands, lively cities and towns, bucket list-worthy national parks, waterfalls and so much more. And since it's easy to get around Croatia, you can opt to do a multi-destination honeymoon, taking in places like Pula, Zadar, Plitviče Lakes National Park, Hvar, Split and Dubrovnik.
Accommodation tends to be affordable in Croatia, especially if you book ahead for busier times like summer. If you fancy more of an island vibe, you can even dedicate your entire honeymoon to island hopping; Croatia is home to over 70 islands and some 500 islets.
3. Mexico
Mexico tends to be on many a budget-friendly travel destination list - and a honeymoon here is no exception. While there are many lovely places to see in Mexico, the eastern coastline bordering the Caribbean Sea is definitely where most honeymooners gravitate towards.
This is where you'll find well-known destinations like Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen, along with many other coastal resorts and settlements. Some of these fall within Mexico's famous Riviera Maya, which is known for its gorgeous beaches, ancient ruins, large beachside resorts and nightlife. But there's something else that makes this particular area so special: cenotes! The cenotes of the Yucatán Peninsula will make your honeymoon completely unique, as you endeavour to find the most beautiful natural limestone swimming pool of them all.
4. Bulgaria
If a beach honeymoon is your heart's desire, Bulgaria's Black Sea coastline is a hidden gem that also happens to be more affordable than most other seaside destinations in Europe. Nicknamed the Bulgarian Riviera, the Black Sea resort areas can be split into north and south. In the north, you have the largest resort, Varna, which is home to huge beachside accommodation complexes and lovely beaches too. You can also find Albena and Golden Sands in the north.
On the southern end, there's Sunny Beach, arguably one of the most popular options for a Black Sea honeymoon, as well as Nessebar and Primorsko. The best news is that food, drink and excursions are all super cheap here, which will make you feel like you're splashing out when you're actually saving loads of money!
5. Thailand
When it comes to affordable holidays, Thailand has always been a strong contender. And this is true of honeymoons too, as your money seems to stretch that much further in Thailand. Equally famous for its mainland destinations and popular islands, you could weave a lot of variety into a honeymoon here.
For something truly special, head to Khao Sok National Park, a natural reserve that's home to wildlife like tigers, gibbons and hornbills. Otherwise, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Khao Lak, Phuket and Koh Lanta are all reliable bases for a Thailand-based honeymoon. If you have particular accommodation in mind - and there are so many amazing and quirky options for honeymoons specifically (floating hotel, anyone?) - make sure you book well ahead of time.
6. Morocco
For something a little different - but no less affordable - Morocco is an increasingly popular choice for a honeymoon that doesn't require excessively long flights. To get acquainted with the country's history, including its bustling souks and opulent palaces, Marrakesh and Fez are both solid choices as a honeymoon base. For some time on the beach and a generally more laidback vibe, Essaouira and Agadir are great budget-friendly options for a seaside honeymoon.
There are other destinations to be seen and memorable experiences to be had here, like a visit to Chefchaouen, a place renowned for its blue buildings, or sleeping under the stars on a tour to the Atlas Mountains.
7. Costa Rica
For couples who adore nature, wildlife and the opportunity to have a more eco-friendly honeymoon, Costa Rica is an excellent budget-friendly destination. When it comes to describing Costa Rica's landscape, the word 'lush' springs to mind, with dense rainforests, serene beaches and volcanos all featuring here. Most famously home to sloths, there's so much more when it comes to the wildlife that lives in Costa Rica, including toucans, monkeys, caimans and iguanas.
Plus, the eco-friendly resorts and tours in Costa Rica are second to none, with loads of additional amenities like yoga classes, rustic spas and organic farms.
8. Portugal
With hot or pleasant weather for most of the year, Spain has long been a favourite for UK honeymooners. But its neighbour, Portugal has weather that's just as good and is often much more affordable as a honeymoon destination. Do some city hopping on the mainland; ride the trams of Lisbon, go wine tasting in Porto and the Douro Valley, spend a day in Sintra with its fairytale palaces or delve into history in Evora. Portugal really has a little bit of everything, which makes it such a good option for a budget-friendly honeymoon!
If you'd like something more adventurous, hop on a plane to Portugal's most famous islands - Madeira or the Azores. Even here, your pounds will go much further compared to other more popular islands in Europe.
9. Namibia
Perhaps off the beaten honeymoon track, Namibia is an incredible and very affordable destination for your honeymoon. I know this, because this is where my husband and I had ours. Namibia offers the chance to have a real adventure, with places that look like they belong on another planet and the opportunity to observe wildlife. Etosha National Park is a major drawcard for any honeymooner, and the camps here are very easy on the bank balance. We were surprised by how affordable a waterhole chalet - one of the fanciest options at Okaukuejo Camp - was, and we got to watch elephants, rhinos, hyenas, giraffes and zebras visit this landmark throughout the day and night.
Other must-sees on a Namibian honeymoon have to be Sossusvlei, Deadvlei, the Fish River Canyon, Kolmanskop, Cape Cross and Brandberg Mountain. Just make sure you hire a sturdy car, as many of Namibia's roads are gravel!