According to The Knot, couples spend an average of $4,600 on a honeymoon. And now more than ever, newlyweds look to plan honeymoons in unique locations that offer unconventional activities. Think of long walks on the beach, world-class diving or snorkeling, touring Mayan ruins, spelunking, and even touring ancient Maya cities. Just a 2-hour flight away from Miami, Belize is also the only English-speaking country in Central America—less time translating means more time together. In Belize, romanticism beckons from eco-lodges in the jungle to private island resorts, with something for every budget. And because it’s an easy (mental) conversion when it’s US$1 to BZ$2, you’re almost getting twice as much bang for your buck. How far could $5k go in a far-flung destination like Bali, Maldives, Paris, or even Hawaii? Here’s why Belize won’t break your honeymoon budget, while never sacrificing anything in experiences along the way.
Central America’s Sweetheart
Lounge poolside at SunBreeze Hotel. Image courtesy property.
Brenda O’Neale, a rep for With This Ring Destination Wedding and Honeymoon Travel, told TravelPulse, “Our clients are expressing interest in Belize, where they are finding deep-rooted cultures they are eager to experience and learn about.” After all, Belize is the only country in Central America without a Pacific coastline, but you won’t miss it; found on the northeast coast of the region, it’s a wonderful mix of things to do in the sand, sea, and ridges instead. We’re not the only ones heralding the affordability of Belize’s budget as a honeymoon destination: Madamenoire.com names Belize among six other global destinations. “[Belize is] rich with beautiful old ruins to explore and nature preserves and has several honeymoon-worthy resorts right on the water at affordable nightly prices.”
How about a surprise proposal on the beach? Image courtesy Leonardo Melendez Photography
Geography aside, Belize also sounds (and often acts) like the Caribbean, with strong roots in cultural aspects also. The Caribbean Sea laps its shorelines with little to no wave-action, thanks to the world’s second-largest barrier reef on the planet lying just offshore; did we mention Belize is renowned for its snorkeling and scuba diving too?
Explore the Xunantunich as a newlywed couple. Photo courtesy San Ignacio Resort Hotel
Walking you through honeymoon packages, from lush jungle interiors in town at Cayo to a treehouse on the beach, here are a few using The Knot’s average $4,600 budget.
Cayo — San Ignacio Resort Hotel — $3,070
San Ignacio Resort Hotel’s package starts from 3-nights in their honeymoon suite with a private butler on request; you’ll already be transported privately to and from the international airport in Belize City. On arrival, expect a chilled bottle of champagne and decked-out charcuterie board from SIRH’s sister company, Carnivore Belize. Sleep in as long as you’d like and order room service, or go to the Running W Restaurant for breakfast—it’s covered daily for the two of you, as is dinners for 2 of your 3 nights at the RWR, too. On the third night, choose between a private romantic dinner on the balcony of your suite or in a private garden, with a bottle of wine. And what’s a honeymoon without a little exploring? Two full days venture off property to the likes of Barton Creek, Rio Frio Cave, Big Rock Falls, and Actun Tunichil Muknal cave (ATM). Regardless of what tours you choose, melt tired muscles away after with your in-suite private massages that are also included.
Starting at US$1,535.28 per person. Details here.
Ambergris Caye — SunBreeze Hotel — $2,910
Photo by Duarte Dellarole
Dining beachfront at SunBreeze Hotel in San Pedro. Photo by Duarte Dellarole
SunBreeze Hotel is in the heart of San Pedro Town, yet never feels crowded or too busy to sink away into sweet, wedded bliss. Included in your honeymoon package is a bottle of sparkling wine, a private candlelit dinner, an hour couples Swedish massage, roundtrip airfare from the international airport in Belize City to Ambergris Caye, daily American breakfast, and a 2 1⁄2 hr snorkeling tour to the Hol Chan and Shark Ray Alley Marine Reserves. You can’t beat this honeymoon budget on Belize’s most popular island (and for good reason) for a total of 7 nights and 8 days.
Starting at US$2,910.00 per couple in a Deluxe Room. Details here.
Hopkins — Hamanasi Resort — $3,453
Hamanasi Adventure and Dive Resort in Belize is the bronze medal winner in the 'Hotels on the Water' category. It also finishes eighth in the overall 'Top Hotels' ranking.
Picture it: 8 days, 7 nights in a treehouse just steps from the beach, hidden away as a private oasis inside a coastal rainforest. After checking in at the Great House, it’s time to check out all the spoils of your room: there’s a luxe king canopy bed outfitted with plush cotton linens, his and hers cotton embroidered robes for your stay, en-suite coffee and tea, private porch with hammock, and a bottle of champagne for your first night.
The floral turndown is a sweet touch, but the 1-hour romantic duet massage is really the magic touch. All meals are included daily—continental breakfast, lunch appetizer or entrée, and 3-course dinner—from Singanga Restaurant, rated #1 of all restaurants in Hopkins. And because you’ve done all the planning already for an entire wedding, Hamanasi also arranges roundtrip air transfers from Belize City to Dangriga and roundtrip ground transfers from Dangriga to Hamanasi Resort. Round out your stay with one romantic dinner for two with a private server beachside, poolside, in-suite, or on your private porch of the 8th Best Hotel In The World, according to TripAdvisor.
Starting at US$3,453 per person in a Treehouse upgrade. Details here.
Looking for a tailor-made honeymoon in Belize – Contact ROEming Belize Travel Agency – Your Belize Honeymoon Planner and romance specialist.
Header image courtesy SunBreeze Hotel.
