5 Unique and Inexpensive Honeymoon Destinations

Visiting a new place with your sweetheart on your honeymoon is amazing. But after shoveling out the [potential] tens of thousands of dollars on a wedding, you still deserve a memorable honeymoon. Just because you’re allocating less funds to the honeymoon doesn’t mean you can’t travel well for less. Check out these often overlooked but oh-so-unique and inexpensive honeymoon destinations that won’t break the bank.

Eastern Europe/Balkans

Eastern Europe has a lot to offer: great food, amazing coastlines, and lower costs. While Paris, London, and Rome have tons to offer, places like Budapest, Prague, and Dubrovnik have their fair share of beauty, history, and romance. Take a stroll along the famous Charles Bridge in Prague. Watch a sunset at Fisherman’s Bastion in Budapest after a day of soaking in one of several bathhouses. Go cliff jumping and sea kayaking in Dubrovnik and sip fresh wine from the local vineyards.

Whether you want to visit the beaches of the Adriatic Coast in Croatia or Albania, or you want to explore exciting cities like Bucharest or Belgrade, you’re in for a romantic adventure that is not only unique, but affordable. Prices average about $55-90 per person a day in Eastern Europe. Compared to places like Paris ($186 a day) or Rome ($138), it’s a no brainer.

Vietnam

Most honeymooners going to Southeast Asia opt for Thailand. It’s easy to see why: fairly good infrastructure, world famous beaches, and popular elephant sanctuaries. It’s way more inexpensive than a European or even Caribbean getaway, but with the sharp incline of tourism to Thailand, prices are starting to rise. So why not opt for Vietnam instead?

Vietnam is also starting to make moves on the tourism stage but isn’t quite as popular as Thailand yet. What does this mean? It is still much, much cheaper to visit. With average costs per day being less than $45 per person in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An, and with less than $150 per day for luxury accommodation and food, you can’t get better deals.

Turn up the romance on a two or three-day cruise along Halong Bay, taking in the large, limestone rock formations in the gorgeous blue water. Or travel to Phu Quoc where you can watch stunning pink sunsets and swim in crystal blue waters. Either way, you get honeymoon luxury for less. And you get gorgeous, romantic beaches that are free from the crazy Full Moon partiers in Thailand. In short, it’s a win-win.

Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania)

Southern Africa is starting to pick up tourism quickly, but it’s not all for safaris and humanitarian efforts. These places have so much to offer from amazing food and wine pairings in South Africa to stunning waterfalls in Zimbabwe, and even secluded and romantic beaches in Tanzania. Want to get away from it all for less? This is where you need to go.

With 4-day all-inclusive safaris starting at $1,100, checking off some bucket list items is easier than ever. Average costs per person per day for each country are as follows:

• South Africa: $95 or $215 for luxury
• Namibia: $91 or $174 for luxury
• Zimbabwe: $20 or $49 for luxury
• Tanzania: $62 or $155 for luxury

My point is it’s fairly inexpensive to travel here. And it’s gorgeous. And the variety that Southern Africa has to offer is simply amazing. Starting to add to your wanderlust list yet?

Western Canada

With the Canadian dollar falling compared to the USD, our money goes even further in our neighbor to the north. For about $100 a day per person, you’ve got a full pocketbook in Vancouver, where you can discover their botanical gardens, or even go whale watching. Vancouver also is an amazing city in its own right with laid back, Pacific Northwest vibes and so much beer.

Another amazing fact about Canada this year? To celebrate their 150^th year, they have opened all national parks to the public for free. No entry fees necessary to check out some breathtaking mountains. Go to Banff National Park in Alberta and check out Lake Louise: a stunning azure lake surrounded by the Rocky mountains. Or head over to Jasper, Alberta for fantastic hiking. Either way, you’re saving so much money and having the trip of a lifetime with your honey.

Argentina, Bolivia, Peru

Samba dancing, mountain climbing, salt flats, Incan ruins, and so much more are on offer in Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. You can have fantastic experiences for less. With costs averaging $24 a day per person ($70 for luxury) in Argentina, you can enjoy your views of amazing glaciers or dance the night away on dirt cheap prices. Or in Bolivia ($27 per person or $65 for luxury), you can explore the famous salt flats that expand for miles or go explore jungles. Then visit Peru ($42 or $128 luxury) and hike the Incan trail toward Machu Picchu and reward your hike by lounging on the lovely beaches of Lima.

Either destination in South America will save you money and create memories that last a lifetime.

So don’t buy into the myth that you need loads of money to travel. These places are inexpensive honeymoon destinations that seem much more luxurious. It’s about thinking outside the box and exploring new locations that you can perhaps even splurge more. Because when you can travel like a million bucks for way less, it makes life even sweeter.

 

Where are you planning to go? Let me know in the comments!

*Prices come from budgetyourtrip.com, an amazing resource to start making your travel budget!