12 Cheap Honeymoon Destinations That Feel Luxurious

Your honeymoon should be an opportunity to decompress after months of wedding planning, but spending a small fortune for your first vacation as a married couple — after paying for the wedding itself — can be just as stressful.

According to a study by The Knot, couples dropped an average of $5,700 on their honeymoon in 2023. It’s more than understandable that many newlyweds would be hesitant about spending so much on a trip after shouldering wedding costs. But fret not, frugal lovebirds — there are plenty of honeymoon destinations that are both luxurious and affordable, whether you want to stay in the U.S., warm up in the Caribbean, or jet off to the other side of the world.

• Best tourist destination: Mexico
• Underrated hidden gem: Guatemala
• All-inclusive getaway: Jamaica
• Best for foodies: Vietnam
• Best for a long weekend: Bermuda

Ready to celebrate a lifetime together somewhere spectacular? Here are 12 affordable honeymoon destinations to put on your radar.

Mexico

There are so many flights from the U.S. to Mexico, and they’re generally short and relatively inexpensive outside of school vacation times. The country continues to entice American honeymooners with some of the world’s best beaches, Mayan and Aztec ruins, and great food and cocktails. Many resorts in Mexico, particularly those on the coast, offer affordable honeymoon packages.

Head to Tulum, on Mexico’s Riviera Maya, for a honeymoon that mixes relaxation — lazing on the sand and splashing in the Caribbean — and activity. Spend a couple of days exploring Mayan ruins — the Playa Ruinas in Tulum and Chichén Itzá two hours northwest — while leaving time to cool off in Tulum’s many cenotes. Stay in one of 30 suites at the boutique Jashita Hotel, a white-sand oasis that beckons you to relax in a beachfront lounge chair with a cocktail in hand. You can book one of its oceanfront honeymoon suites and a romantic dinner for two on the beach.

Guatemala

Flights to Guatemala tend to be affordable, and once you’re there, the low prices will help you have a fun honeymoon on a budget. Costs for eating out, activities, and luxe hotels are a fraction of what you’d pay in the U.S. And the country is gorgeous, home to volcanos, ancient ruins like the Mayan citadel Tikal, and lush rain forests.

For a remote and romantic trip, book a stay at La Casa del Mundo on Lake Atitlan, a hotel built into the cliffs and accessible only by foot or boat. With a lakefront hot tub and stunning volcano views, this is a hidden paradise at an affordable price. From here, you can hike around the lake to neighboring villages, book a boat tour, or take a day trip to the bustling Chichicastenango Market to pick up a couple of treasures to bring home.

Jamaica

Jamaica is the land of good vibes, mountains, rain forests, and beautiful beaches. Budget-conscious honeymooners will also appreciate the typically affordable flights to the island and the relatively low cost of food and accommodations. Save money by exploring the island on your own and hanging on the beach so that you can splurge on accommodations at the GoldenEye resort, where Ian Fleming wrote all 14 James Bond novels. Today, the property is a honeymooning couple’s dream, with a lagoon, secluded beaches, and 49 stand-alone villas, cottages, and beach huts.

The island is also home to plenty of all-inclusive resorts, where you can enjoy your honeymoon without stressing about that second round of drinks or late-night room service order. For the ultimate all-inclusive experience, check out Couples Sans Souci in Ocho Rios or one of the island’s seven adults-only Sandals.

Vietnam

Offering less expensive alternatives to Thailand’s more overly touristed destinations, Vietnam has a little something for every kind of honeymooner. Like to hike? Enjoy scenic views of the Muong Hoa Valley or Fansipan Mountain in Sapa. Looking for a trip filled with food and culture? Head to the capital, Hanoi, and book a stay at the luxurious Sofitel Legend Metropole, an oasis from which to venture out for steaming bowls of pho and heaping banh mis.

Couples interested in beaches, spa treatments, and relaxation can head to Côn Đảo, an archipelago off the coast that makes an affordable honeymoon filled with white-sand beaches and scenic trails possible. Check out Côn Đảo’s Six Senses resort, which sits within a protected national and marine park with plenty of beachfront.

Bermuda

If you want to get out of the U.S., but don’t want to travel far, Bermuda is the perfect destination. Flights from NYC, for example, are just over two hours long, and on arrival, you’ll be greeted by the island’s famous pink-sand beaches and turquoise waters.

Stay at The Reefs Resort and Club, which has three restaurants and bars, pickleball and tennis courts, and complimentary kayaks, paddle boards, and snorkel gear. On the other side of the island, less than 10 minutes’ drive from the airport, you’ll find Rosewood Bermuda. The property has three restaurants and two bars and an unbeatable location on the coastline of Castle Harbour. With plenty of free or affordable things to do in Bermuda, including walking the Royal Naval Dockyard, visiting the Unfinished Church, and snorkeling, couples can splurge a little bit on accommodations.

Belize

Honeymooners love Belize, which serves up idyllic beaches with a side of tropical forest. Belize City, the nation’s largest, sits on a peninsula in the Caribbean and is perfect for active couples. You can go kayaking or snorkeling and visit the nearby Mayan sites Xunantunich and Cahal Pech or the jaguar preserve at Cockscomb Basin.

Belize is also home to many resorts that offer all-inclusive packages — such as Chaa Creek and Belizean Dreams — which help couples save money on food and drinks. Though not all-inclusive, Xanadu Island Resort — on Ambergris Caye, overlooking the world’s second-largest reef system — offers an array of complimentary activities, such as kayaking, bird-watching, paddleboarding, and cycling.

Key Largo, Florida

If you’re looking for an inexpensive honeymoon destination without your passport, head to Key Largo, Florida. At 30 miles long, it’s the largest of the Florida Keys, full of white-sand beaches where you can snorkel and go stand-up paddle boarding. For a fun change of pace, make the 36-mile drive to Everglades National Park, where you can try to spot the park’s resident manatees and crocodiles.

Book your honeymoon adventure at Bungalows Key Largo, an adults-only, all-inclusive resort where you can sit on the veranda of your bungalow watching the sunset. Another option is the highly rated Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection, which has an ocean view pool and a private beach area.

Napa and Sonoma, California

There’s no lack of luxury in California’s Napa and Sonoma valleys, but you can keep the costs down by experiencing the areas on your own terms. Visit during low season, the period between January and early March, to avoid crowds and the highest prices.

Kick your honeymoon off with a flight of sparkling wine at Domaine Carneros winery, a French château-inspired spot with beautiful formal gardens perfect for photo ops. Stay at the Carneros Resort and Spa, where you can retreat from the world in a spacious cottage. With delicious food options on-site and an extensive spa, you’ll never have to leave the compound, but it’s worth venturing out for a ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train to take in the sights, lunch and wine included.

Head to Sonoma Plaza for free- and low-cost activities like window shopping, wine-tasting, and gallery-hopping. History buffs should visit Mission San Francisco Solana, the last and northernmost Mexican mission (built in 1841, but what you see today is a 1913 reconstruction). Save a few bucks by packing wine, cheese, and a blanket for a romantic picnic in the park on the square, or indulge in a meal on the rustic patio at French-leaning The Girl & the Fig.

Honolulu, Hawaii

If Hawaii tops your honeymoon list but doesn’t seem feasible when it comes to cost, consider bustling Honolulu on the island of Oahu. It’s a city that sits practically on the sand, providing access to the stunning (and surfable) Waikiki Beach; rent a board from Moku, just a block from the beach, for $30 a day (less if you keep it longer than three days) or book a lesson for two for around $160. Cruise the canals and coastline without spending much on one of the city’s easy-to-use biki bicycles.

Unlike some smaller places across Hawaii, the capital has hotels to fit various budgets. Honeymooners looking for direct beach access will love the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, while those after for a refined, modern hotel should check out the ‘Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach. Although the five-star Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach is pricey, if you and your partner enjoy cooking, you might save a bit on food costs by preparing meals and snacks in the in-room kitchen.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica may be known for its lush rain forests and diverse wildlife, but the country also delivers a dreamy beach vacation that makes for an affordable honeymoon. Book your own house or condo in Guanacaste Province, in the Pacific-side coastal towns of Playa Pelada or Playa Guiones (near Nosara) through Rent Nosara. When you’re ready to explore beyond the beach, take a yoga class or book a zip-lining adventure.

For full hotel services, head 185 miles down the coast to Puntarenas Province and adults-only Hotel Makanda by the Sea, which has suites with ocean views and a spa offering a couples’ massage. Just 10 minutes away is Manuel Antonio National Park, home to capuchin monkeys, sloths, iguanas, many species of birds, and the endemic squirrel monkey.

Portugal

Portugal has the warm weather, beaches, and wine culture of its neighbor, Spain, but at a slightly lower price. It’s one of the most affordable honeymoon destinations in Europe.

Start in Lisbon, a relatively short, direct flight from the U.S. East Coast, where you can spend your days exploring the city on foot (or by tram) in search of the city’s best pastel de nata (egg custard tart). The Portuguese capital is a very good city for eating, with plenty of affordable places to have a good meal. You and your beloved will be spoiled for choice when it comes to where to eat and drink in Lisbon. If you want to splash out a bit, book a romantic dinner at Belcanto, the first restaurant in Lisbon to earn two Michelin stars. Stay at The One Palácio da Anunciada, which has 83 modern rooms and a rooftop pool in a 16th-century building.

From Lisbon, grab your swimsuits and head to the beach. Azenhas do Mar is less than an hour’s drive from the capital and has a natural pool where you can take a dip in the ocean without any rough waves. If you have time to go a bit further, head to Comporta, aka the Hamptons of Portugal, reached by train and ferry or car and ferry. Set yourself up on Praia da Comporta, one of Portugal’s best beaches, and toast to your nuptials.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

Just across the Canadian border and about half an hour from the hustle and bustle of Niagara Falls is quaint Niagara-on-the-Lake. Come when the weather is warm enough to enjoy strolling through town, sitting outdoors at one of the many cafes, and popping into the independent shops housed in colonial-style buildings. Niagara-on-the-Lake is nestled in the heart of Ontario wine country, where you can sample icewine — made from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine — and wines made from local produce like peaches. A fun way to hop between wineries is on two wheels; popular bike tours include Tour de Vine and Grape Escape.

Spend an afternoon tasting at Peller Estates followed by a romantic dinner for two among the grapes. Stay at the town’s landmark hotel, Prince of Wales, a Victorian-style property with an elegant tea room and a full-service spa with an indoor saltwater pool.