Fabulous Honeymoon Destinations

If your idea of the perfect honeymoon is pristine beaches, all-inclusive romantic resorts where you can eat and drink to your heart's content for one price, incredible shopping, a variety of excursion choices, and a hopping nightlife...the Riviera Maya, Mexico is the ultimate destination.

My name is Brooklyn Fell, owner of Northern Indiana's AAH, and I am sitting on Maroma Beach in the Riviera Maya as I write this article. All week long I've been touring amazing all-inclusive resorts, meeting wedding planners, sampling exquisite cuisine, shopping, and exploring the areas of the Riviera, Cancun, Cozumel, and Playa Del Carmen. This destination is a hot spot, and it's easy to see why!

Playacar Palace Resort is located walking distance to the heart of Playa Del Carmen, a wonderful shopping district with true authentic Mexican flair, great restaurants, and a pulsing nightlife. Playacar is smaller in scale, but large on value and caters to the adventurous honeymooning couple. With a location only minutes from Xcaret Park, a twenty minute drive to Xel Ha or Tulum's Mayan Ruins where you'll explore ancient archeological history and enjoy the gorgeous beach, zoos filled with native wildlife, the chance to experience snorkeling through enchanting underground rivers and caves, and a short walk to catch the ferry to Cozumel, Playacar Palace offers it all. The Aventura Spa-Palace is a higher end luxury property further south, offering winding pools, multiple swim-up bars, and a natural salt-water lagoon perfect for snorkeling. The best advantage to all nine Palace properties is that when you book at one, you may visit and use the amenities at all the locations, opening up your options to many more restaurant selections, bars, and pools, and activities. Le Blanc in Cancun is the only exception, catering to the creme de la creme of guests who demand absolute privacy. Guests of this resort may visit the others, but not vice-versa.

Offering seclusion and ambiance unlike any other, the Riviera Maya is close proximity to these excursions, directly in the middle between Playa Del Carmen and downtown Cancun, approximately thirty minutes each way. The brand new Secrets Silversands was created for the couple who prefers contemporary design and upscale atmosphere with a twist of casual comfort. Silversands has a dive shop for the avid or novice scuba-diver, and offers a convenient diving location in the massive reef right off their beach. Endless infinity pools and numerous restaurants will dazzle you with their decor and cuisine selection, from Mexican to a sushi belt to a private gourmet dinner on the beach. Secrets Maroma Beach Resort (where my husband and I are staying) just opened last week, and offers a completely different concept in ambiance yet exactly the same amenities, restaurants, and excellent pampering service as it's sister property. The feeling at Maroma Beach is more romantic with Italian-Morrocan-Mexican decor, and the beach—well, it's one of the most amazing beaches I've ever seen with pure white powder-soft sand and a myriad of turquoise colors in the Caribbean Sea. This resort is a perfect choice for a destination wedding, offering several wedding packages sure to please.

For a tropical getaway like no other, the El Dorado Royale Resort is insurpassable for exclusive romantic honeymoon casitas. Beautiful accommodations welcome you with a private infinity pool off your bedroom suite, bamboo walkways to your terrace hammock and bed, jacuzzi and secluded outdoor shower, and a gorgeous stretch of beach two miles long. Each casita section has a large pool and swim-up bar for guests to mingle. For destination weddings, numerous ceremony locations await, but the ocean-front white gazebo located next to a lagoon with enough rock-enclosed beach for fifty guests was the most lovely.

Destination weddings are the specialty at Iberostar Grand Paraiso Resort, where opulent is the best word to describe this property. Lush landscaping, huge pools, incredible restaurants, and a plaza with a chapel are just a few amenities offered. Iberostar is a combination of five resorts, all offering different grades of amenities for every budget. The Occidental Grand is also a wonderful choice to hold your ceremony, with an amazing wedding staff ready to accommodate your every wish. Gazebos, beach sites, or terraces offer many ceremony choices and your guests will love the pools, swim-up bars, and wonderful cuisine selections.

Downtown Cancun is the place to be if you desire great shopping, restaurants ranging from tiny local hangouts to upscale recognizable chains, and a nightlife that thrills until the wee hours. Cancun was known as the cheap spring break capital, but ever since Hurricane Wilma hit a few years back, it has evolved into anything but as the area was rebuilt into an upscale metropolis. The beaches are endless with water more beautiful than any artist could ever capture. Every brand name hotel chain is in the Hotel Zone as well as many all-inclusive resorts.

Exploring Chichen Itza, the most famous of the Mayan Ruins, is a must. Most tours are an all day affair and provide transportation and lunch. Witnessing these amazing structures of a civilization gone by is breathtaking and worth it. Swimming with dolphins is also something not to be missed, as they speed you along on their noses and kiss you in thanks for the fish treat you gave them for lunch. These docile creatures are lovely, friendly, playful, and will give you wonderful memories for your honeymoon. Scuba-diving enthusiasts cannot miss the night dives off the coast of Cozumel as this area is famous world-wide for their marine life.

Most all-inclusive resorts offer multiple restaurants and bars, nightly entertainment, evening markets, themed dinners, beautiful suites, and honeymooner packages with champagne and other surprises upon your arrival. Destination weddings are executed with expert planning, attention to every detail, and no stress for you or your guests. Often when booking your wedding, you may receive free nights or upgrades for your stay. The cuisine, wine selections, and customer service is extraordinary at these resorts as well, not to mention the amazing spas and treatment services overlooking the ocean.

All About Honeymoons will help you get there! We will take care of every detail of your once in a lifetime trip and make sure you come home relaxed, refreshed, and ready to embark on your journey in life together.

"May the honeymoon never end..."