I'm getting married/honeymoon next June. We are having a hard time determining where to go. We want a laid back beach trip. Will be flying out of Indianapolis. Was thinking Hawaii or somewhere in the Caribbean due to shorter travel time. Budget is around $5k-$6k. Not really the all inclusive type as we really enjoy local culture and atmosphere. Suggestions?


US Virgin Island, Cayman Islands, Aruba, and Hawaii sound interesting.

They're all good options (haven't been to the Cayman Islands though). I don't think you could go wrong with any of them.

I think the beaches are better in the Caribbean if that is important to you.

I'd pick the US Virgin Islands, but it's not like it's a clear cut favorite. They're all good.

I realize I haven't helped you at all

Tulum in Mexico

Great choice, but have already been.


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Suggest you look into weather conditions in each location in June--you can be in the most beautiful/interesting place on Earth, but if it's raining 24/7or hot as @#$^% when you're there you'll probably wish you had gone elsewhere.

For caribbean, consider Antigua.

Barbados is a nice island, cool culture / atmosphere.

Jamaica a big NO, esp. if you don't want to go the all-inclusive route.

Aruba is not a very attractive island nature-wise, nor would I say it's particularly interesting in terms of culture or atmosphere. If you like that area, you might want to do a little research into Curacao (nearby island).

Maui &/or Kauai are hard to beat in terms of beauty, atmosphere, nature, laid-back environment, etc., but are pricey. Also, you didn't mention how long you have for vacation--both are a full day's travel time each way.

If you've got time for Hawaii, maybe consider Bali? Yes it's farther away, but everyone there speaks English, cheaper once you get there compared to Hawaii, and probably one up in terms of the "exotic" factor.

You mentioned you've been to the Playa del Carmen / Tulum area...what about Baja??

Are there any activities you want to do whilst you're there or is it beech and restaurants?

Scuba is meant to be good in Hawaii.

I had my honeymoon in Bali and it is still the place I seek to go back to first chance I get.

5k to 6k might be tough though as flights will be 3k to 4k.

Time doesn't really matter. We can both easily take 2 weeks off. We are not really planning on any activities besides exploring the local spots and eating/drinking. Maybe some snorkeling.

Haven't been to Baja. Flights to Bali are probably a bit much. I would rather get cheaper airfare and splurge on other things. Thanks for all the recommendations.


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The airfare will be least of your worries IMO. Look at the cost of "splurge on other things" in the destinations you mentioned vs. SEA, or especially Bali for that matter. Is exotic enough to make wife feel spoilt.

If you liked Tulum another option would be Coson in DR, close to Las Terrenas. A very nice and secluded beach, still relatively undiscovered with only a few hotels and villas. Las Terrenas itself has good restaurants (many French expats) and decent nightlife.

I would recommend a villa in the hills, the views are really spectacular, like this one (disclaimer: I don't know this particular villa, but I know the area very well, the views and overall atmosphere are actually a lot better irl than on the pictures): https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/2373040

I thought that Bali was horrible but I was based in Kuta, which is a big pub full of drunk Australians. Apparently, the rest of the island is nice. The snorkeling off Lombok, around the Gili Islands, is really nice. There's no reason why you can't visit Lombok and Bali on the same trip.

Kuta sucks and I would even stay out of the resort region of Nusa Dua, as it's kind of boring. If you want more nightlife and western restaurants/fine dining, Seminyak or central Ubud is nice. I would mix that with a private villa with personal staff in a more remote region like Lovina, Sideman, Amed, or the outskirts of Ubud.

This is intriguing. Plenty of good restaurants and shops nearby? Those prices are insane for that kind of view.


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Good restaurants for sure, like I said it has quite a large French expat community which I think helps. Shops I guess it depends what you are looking for, but after all it's just a small town in a 3rd world country.
The Coson beach is very nice though and for the most part deserted.