Where Should We Honeymoon??
A look at the Caribbean's hottest spots
by Paris Permenter & John Bigley

You dream of honeymooning alongside a patch of Caribbean sand and a lapping surf, luxuriating in each other's company beneath a tall palm. Or maybe you imagine hiking verdant rainforests hand-in-hand, scuba diving in warm tropical waters, or dancing the evening away beneath a starlit sky.

Whether your idea of a honeymoon is mild or wild, the Caribbean has an island custom made for your desires. While they may all share the powdery sand, aquamarine waters, and near-perfect weather, Caribbean destinations can be as different as the seashells along their beaches. Some islands span hundreds of miles; others can be covered in an afternoon on a bicycle built for two. Culturally, these islands may recall a French, Dutch, English, or Spanish heritage in their cuisine, architecture, and language.

Each island offers ample ingredients for a honeymoon. Lavish resorts. Vibrant scenery. Sensuous sunsets. Smoldering evenings spent dancing to a tropical beat or falling asleep to the sounds of a soothing surf. So what's the right destination for you?

Cancun & the Riviera Maya

Water as clear as tequila, history as old as the Mayas, and an atmosphere as spicy as the food: it all adds up to a honeymoon pace ranging from fiesta to siesta. To that sultry mix, add the call of wild monkeys in the surrounding lowland jungle at resorts like Iberostar Quetzal, one of the all-inclusive resorts where a one-price-pays-all policy makes couples feel like royalty.

Nevis

Imagine a country inn where a wide verandah invites you to sit, sip icy drinks, and enjoy a pristine view. Nevis offers a New England bed-and-breakfast atmosphere where palms replace pines and color comes, not from scarlet leaves, but azure seas. Cuddle at Nisbet Plantation Beach Club, where a quarter-mile, palm-lined walk leads from the greathouse to the beach.

Jamaica

The reggae beat of this island is just the first clue of its vibrant atmosphere. The island’s first all-inclusive resort, Couples Tower Isle is a veritable Noah’s Ark of travelers arriving two by two. Nearby, Dunn’s River Falls cascades down from tropical forest; don’t miss a chance to climb the falls hand-in-hand.

St. Lucia

Two jagged peaks clothed in velvety plants make up one of the Caribbean’s most recognizable landmarks. The Pitons, twin peaks located on the island’s southwest corner, rise from the sea in full view of honeymoon havens like Anse Chastanet. On the north side of the island, several all-inclusive Sandals resorts pamper couples with gourmet restaurants, spas, and more.

Aruba

Tucked south of the “hurricane belt,” Aruba is a favorite with late summer brides concerned about storms. This desert island combines Dutch heritage with stark beauty to give couples plenty of reasons to honeymoon here any season. Windsurf, explore the desert in open-air jeeps, hop a bustling nightlife bus, or just enjoy the smiles of the residents of Aruba, called “the friendly isle.” Romantics can’t miss “Pampered in Paradise,” private sunset meals for two on the beach at the Hyatt Regency Aruba.

Tobago

Nature lovers, set your sights on this island to scuba dive with manta rays or hike trails lined with tropical birds. If your idea of a walk on the wild side is a little different, a weekly street party called “Sunday School” fills the air with calypso and soca. The two of you can’t help but move to the Caribbean beat. The next day, lounge on the beach or challenge each other to a round of golf at the Mt. Irvine Golf Club.

US Virgin Islands

For Americans looking for a home-away-from-home destination, the US Virgin Islands fit the bill. "America's Paradise" is just that...a tropical paradise with warm waters, miles of powdery beaches, accommodations that range from expansive hotels to historic inns to private villas, all enjoyed with the ease of using the US dollar, speaking English, and following American style road signs (although on the left side of the road!)