by Kieran O’Brien Kern
You’ve said I do, cut the cake and danced all night. Embrace this time to relax and reconnect as a married couple. Running through multiple airports rushing to make connections on the way to your dream honeymoon is the antithesis of what you need to do to unplug. Southwest Airlines has your golden ticket to paradise with several new direct routes from Houston.
Cabo San Lucas
One of Mexico’s top destinations, Cabo San Lucas is known for its beaches and hospitality. Fly into your new union with Cabo Flyboard. The trainer controls the power and height while the rider controls the movements of this water-propelled adventure. It’s as close as you can get to flying without strapping on wings. Looking for a different brand of thrill? Have a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with dolphins at Cabo Dolphins. Whether seeking a deeper understanding of their behavior or just a dolphin hug and kiss, reaching out to these warmhearted animals will grant you an unforgettable time. Shed the last vestiges of your wedding stress and rejuvenate your spirits with a unique spa experience. At Esperanza, you and your sweetheart can get your hearts pumping behind the wheel of a desert-racing car or set your spirits free with a cabana beach massage.
Belize
It’s easy being green in Belize. Tourists flock to this diverse ecosystem, which is part of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor and in need of protection. Embrace your inner adventurer with a hike through the rain forest that culminates with an inner tube float through the dry caves with Cave-Tubing.com. Learn about the life cycle of the green iguana with The Green Iguana Conservation Project before interacting with full-grown and baby iguanas. Drink in the ancient Mayan architecture and culture at Xunantunich. Keep cameras handy as you traverse grassy plazas and marvel at El Castillo, one of the three largest Maya Temples of Belize with its reconstructed friezes representing Mayan gods. Climb its “stairway to heaven” and see the top of the Mayan world.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta’s beaches, jungles and waterfalls combine with top-of-the-line shopping and gourmet dining to make it an optimal playground for newlyweds. Shop, snap pictures and stroll with your beloved along the El Malecon Boardwalk. Charming restaurants, local vendors and sculptures will take your breath away. When the sun goes down, get ready to dance till all hours. Whether seeking spiritual enlightenment or a photo opportunity, Our Lady of Guadalupe is worth the visit. Building lasted several decades, ending in the 1980s, and the church’s style is a tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe Basilica in Mexico City and design inspiration attributed to the fathers’ tastes. Immerse yourselves in nature with a Canopy River tour. Just minutes from the city, this zip line adventure will take you through the rain forest of the Sierra Madre Mountains and the canyon along the Rio Cuale. Your adventure isn’t complete without a tequila tasting. Learn its history and how it is made, and then taste the different flavors of this authentic Mexican drink.
San Jose
San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica and the nation’s largest city. While it is a center of commerce and industry, it isn’t all about work. View the vibrant history at Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, located in the Bella Vista Fortress, including pre-Colombian archaeological finds and the fountain pen President José Figueres Ferrer used to sign the constitution in 1949 following the civil war. For eco-enthusiasts, the National Biodiversity Institute (INBio) provides native plants and animals in recreations of Costa Rican ecosystems, a butterfly garden and a model sustainable home. The Barrio Amon is a photographer’s dream – this historic neighborhood was home to coffee growers and features art-deco concrete homes as well as tropically-painted Victorians repurposed as restaurants, shops, hotels and offices.
Liberia Costa
Liberia Costa is a crossroads of culture and natural awakening in northwest Costa Rica. With galleries, safaris and a volcanic national park, it is the ideal spot to tap into all your interests. The Hidden Garden Art Gallery is the largest art venue in Guanacaste with more than 60 local artists and 400 paintings, sculptures and diverse artistic expressions celebrating the beauty and culture of the country. No matter what level of activity you desire, Africa Safari Adventure Park is a must-see. Tour breathtaking waterfalls, unleash extreme adrenaline on an ATV tour or connect with nature on the hiking trails. The Rincon de la Vieja National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most diverse ecological parks. Extending to both the Caribbean and Pacific sides of the Cordillera de Guanacaste, the sectors are both lush and dry respectively and host a variety of animals including jaguar, spider monkeys and the blue-crowned Motmot. Home to two volcanoes, this diverse park offers hiking, picnic areas, hot springs and a volcanic lagoon.
Whether your dream honeymoon involves relaxing on the beach or hiking through the jungle, let the experts from IDoHou’s travel and honeymoon directory help with your plans.