10 Outdoor Budget Honeymoons for Adventure Couples
Cambodia
What if I told you one of the more expensive destinations here was US$72? Yea, no kidding. Angkor Wat, a temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world, offers a seven-day entry ticket for that small fee. Explore Unesco-listed temples and jungle for that perfect amount of tranquility. Turn up the energy a little bit with US$1 beers and fill up on meals averaging around US$2.
The heavy lifting of the budget will be your flight, so maybe buy that in advance, but once you’re there, it’s like taking a step back in time with the prices. The 4 Rivers Lodge in Tatai, near the Thai border about halfway between Bangkok and Phnom Penh, sits in a land with unspoiled virgin forest, unique orchards, and elusive jungle animals. This luxury resort comes with floating rooms, kayaks and relaxing seclusions while offering top-notch amenities for fewer than US$100 a night.
Puerto Rico
Room rates in Puerto Rico are feeble compared to many other destinations in the Caribbean. It doesn’t take too much searching to find flight and hotel packages for next to nothing. Blue Beach is known for its fantastic snorkeling with copious amounts of colorful fish and colossal sea turtles. You’ll have the chance to see wild horses that run unchecked throughout the beautiful island. Enjoy beautiful horseback rides along the beach and through green trails.
The size of the lovely Hispanic Island gives you plenty of time for night kayaking in Bioluminescent Bay, voyaging through breathtaking rainforests, pleasant hikes, swims, scuba diving and don’t forget to visit the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico or the amazing Cathedral of San Juan Bautista.
Prices are cheaper by 40% from May thru early December.
Jamaica
Jah! You will not have trouble finding an all-inclusive resort if that’s what you’re in to. Take a horseback ride through the surf or waterfall climbs. Jamaica is one of the most budget-friendly Caribbean destinations. You don’t have to stay at a fancy resort to live in paradise. Once you get there; trek through waterfalls, swim underneath cascading water and snorkel the relaxing sea.
Mayfield Falls offers a float down the Negril River via bamboo raft! Test your limits and cliff jump! Wind down on the beaches and enjoy local, inexpensive culinary.
Colorado Rocky Mountains
Committing your life to someone and betting half your crap that you won’t split up is the second most thrilling thing you do if you decide to reserve a cabin at Dunton Hot Springs. Hike, climb, scramble, snowshoe, ski, fly fish, horseback, mountain bike, heli-ski, dog sled, and swim. And when it’s all said and done, medicate in a sulfur-free hot spring.
Door County, WI
This is our sleeper pick for the Summer. Door County is quaint peninsula located between Green Bay and Lake Michigan. In Door County, you can stuff yourself with fresh Wisconsin cheese curds, fresh fish and sausages. Wash it down with local beers and wineries. Try the Cranbernet from Door Peninsula Winery (cleverly named for its Cranberry infused Cabernet Sauvignon).
Step outside and fish or cherry pick. Explore the Whitefish sand dunes and the underwater caves of Lake Michigan at Cave Point County Park. Wisconsin is also home to over 10,000 lakes (many within driving distance of Door County) that offer tranquility or extreme water sports. Door County even provides small hikes through large hills for the novice hikers.
Florida Keys
If you don’t mind the snowbirds, head to the Florida Keys. The scenic islands stretch for over 106 miles off the mainland. In the Keys, you can swim with dolphins, catch fabulous sunsets, snorkel in warm water and explore the Molasses Reef. While you’re there glide through the Everglades and chill with the crocodiles. The Florida Keys allows you do indulge in Spanish tapas, without a passport, at Santiago’s Bodega with reasonable price and relaxing ambiance.
Peru
Visit Sacred Valley and explore the granddaddy them all; Machu Picchu. Grab your partner and climb the steep Huayna Picchu peak. Recover in the confines of Inkaterra Hacienda Urubamba, where they’ll assist you in scheduling your activities.
For more extreme couples, you can bike with Sacred Wheels, trek with llamas, kayak or white-water raft and sandboard down some seriously steep slopes. When you check out the Maras salt mines, you can explore via quads or horseback. If you’re trying to learn something new, lookup lessons for kitesurfing while planning your trip.
South Lake Tahoe
Northern California and Nevada are the hosts to this vast tourist spot. I say vast only because you’ll need a second visit to appreciate all the activities it has to offer. Ski, snowboard, swim, jaunt up and down some scenic hikes. In Tahoe, you can gamble, walk around with open intoxicates and enjoy lakeside lodging. When planning a trip to this beautiful area, you have to hike the Tahoe Rim Trail and spend at least one night at Mellow Mountain Hostel for less than $40.
Tulum, Mexico
Not Cancun. Tulum is located on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Here you’ll have more beaches than time with epic snorkeling, swim in cerulean waters and plop your butt in some white sand. Tulum is perched on the Caribbean coast with historical landmarks and breathtaking views.
Morocco
Morocco is hard to beat for daring couples seeking a bargain romance. Look into Marrakech, a beautiful northwestern city at the foothills of Atlas Mountains. You will have the opportunity to hike or ride a mule to one of the highest Berber villages or voyage across the Agafay Deserts semi-lunar terrain on a camel. Take a day trip to the breathtaking Ouzoud Falls for plenty of photo-opts; explore the river valley. Spelunk beneath the falls and meet the monkeys that dwell there.
Be sure to try couscous, a seven vegetable dish stewed with lamb, beef or chicken. It comes family style, perfect after a long day of hiking or swimming. Arguably the most interesting experience in Morocco would have to be learning the ancient art of falconry. Morocco is home to plenty of cities or towns with affordable cafes and seafood restaurants; as it lies underneath the Alboran Sea and beside the Atlantic Ocean.
Portugal
Portugal is more affordable than its Western European neighbors. It renders its old-world charm, packed with ancient castles, fishing villages, and acres of olive groves. Considering Portugal’s size, it’s easy to venture to the capital, Lisbon, where a full weeks stay is comparable to two or three nights at most European capitals.
What adventure couple doesn’t like wine? Or cheap beer? Espresso? Say no more. Head north to check out Porto, take a quick cruise (about 18 USD) along the Douro River. The Douro is a wine region where you can find a number of wine cellars whose fortes including tawny and ruby port. Some places even hand out free tours and samples. Head south to Algarve, do not skip out on the village of Sagres, known for its beer and rocky Cabo de São Vicente cliffs overlooking the sea. You can find beer for less than two American dollars and perk yourself up the next day with espressos cheaper than US$1.
Travel + Leisure’s 2016 Destination of the Year, Portugal has beautiful weather year-round, chic beaches with turquoise waters and white sand. Don’t stress over prices while you fill up on sausages, seafood, cheese, and many other local favorites.