This entry is from our Expert Guest series where wedding and honeymoon professionals share their best tips on creating memories that last a lifetime. We want to thank our friends at Hilton and the author Elizabeth Heath for sharing this great content.
Few destinations make sparks fly like the Caribbean, from the lush rainforests and waterfalls of Jamaica to the relaxed party vibes of Playa del Carmen to the laid-back rhythms of the Dominican Republic. With an abundance of full-service hotels, romantic getaways in the Caribbean let you focus on l’amour. It’s why Caribbean honeymoons are so popular!
Like nowhere else – just choose your destination, check in and look forward to:
- Toes-in-the-sand dining: Sit down to local and international fare at private beachside tables
- Indulgent spa treatments for two: Book romantic spa rituals designed to help you reconnect
- Watersports from wild to mild: Go snorkeling and diving amid tropical reefs, hit the waves on a kiteboard or enjoy an unforgettable sunset sail
For the foodie couple
Caribbean cuisine is amazingly varied, reflecting the broader region’s Indigenous cultures as well as African, European, Latin American and East Asian influences. And from Mexico all the way to the Lesser Antilles, the Caribbean knows how to tempt foodie couples on their Caribbean honeymoon.
Maybe you’ll spice up your romance with fiery jerk-seasoned dishes by the sea in Jamaica, which originates from the Indigenous Taino people. You could taste the flavors of Spain, Africa and the Middle East in the cuisine of the Dominican Republic, where rice, plantains and yuca are staples. For a classic romantic evening for two, you could discover authentic Mexican fare in a refined setting in Playa Del Carmen.
Given the huge range of dining options in the Caribbean’s resort properties, there’s no reason to eat at the same restaurant twice — and no pressure to find romance in all the standard places. The sparks will fly over burgers and fries by the pool, during a fun evening watching the sushi chefs work their magic or at the chef’s table enjoying one artfully prepared creation after another. Whatever your food mood, the Caribbean delivers with its culinary diversity, creativity and options galore.
For the relaxation seekers
Romantic getaways in the Caribbean are all about relaxing and reconnecting as a couple, and what better way to wind down than with an indulgent spa treatment for two? Fresh tropical ingredients, skin-nourishing treatments and rejuvenating techniques combined with the sultry beauty and unmatched setting of the Caribbean mean that you’ll return home from your couples getaway feeling better than ever.
In Aruba, try an aloe vera and rum-infused couples massage in a thatch-roofed oceanfront cabana, accompanied by the sounds of the gentle surf right outside. Or find renewal and balance with a temazcal ceremony for two in Playa del Carmen, an herbal ritual that includes a traditional Mesoamerican stone steam bath. Or keep it simple — partake in a reparative after-sun facial if you caught too many tropical rays in Punta Cana.
For the adrenaline-junkies
Along with the Yucatan Coast, the islands that dot the Caribbean Sea are home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, with fine, soft sand and dazzling clear, turquoise waters. Beneath the calm surface, tropical fish, dolphins, sea turtles and passing whales call the sea home. You could spend weeks chasing big thrills in the surf, exploring vibrantly colored coral reefs, or simply enjoying the lullaby of the surf and the calls of seabirds. Romantic getaways in the Caribbean literally beckon you to dive in as a couple.
Get the most out of your Caribbean honeymoon by enjoying watersports and other activities bookable through your resort. In Playa del Carmen, you’re actually within the confines of the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere: the Mesoamerican Reef. It runs from the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula down to Honduras. Find fabulous, close-to-shore opportunities for snorkeling and diving just minutes from the Playa del Carmen area.
For something up-tempo, let the Caribbean trade winds of the Dominican Republic whisk you across the waves on a windsurfer, or soar high above them in a paraglider. Toast the setting sun together over Jamaica’s Montego Bay during a sunset catamaran ride or just spend your mornings wandering the miles of whitesand beaches in the Bahamas.
Make your romantic resort memory
Sunsets, palm trees and soft sand between your toes. Cold drinks, culinary delights and the sounds of a steel drum. Romantic getaways don’t get more idyllic than in the Caribbean.
Start your honeymoon registry today.
Elizabeth Heath lives in the hills of Umbria, Italy, from where she writes about travel, food, and Italian life. Her work has appeared in HuffPost, The Telegraph, TripSavvy, Frommers.com, and many other outlets.
