7 Caribbean Honeymoon Resorts with More than a Beach

Photo: Marigot Bay Hotel

Problem: you want to hit up a beach for your honeymoon, but you don’t want to spend all day, every single day, lounging on the sand. If your budget allows for a Caribbean excursion, but your curiosity entice you to do more than sunbathe and drink margaritas, it’s important to book a resort that offers interesting, unexpected adventures that take you far past snorkeling or cabana hopping.

Before you book your post-"I do" honeymoon, consider these Caribbean resorts to get the most out of your tropical adventure:

For a farm-to-fork dinner in a treehouse

Every couple is brought together for what seems like ‘random’ connections to other people. Maybe it’s a love of soccer games or a shared affection for classic rock songs. If a heightened palette is part of what makes you love your soon-to-be spouse, you’ll want to pick a resort that will inspire your tastebuds. At the Marigot Bay Resort and Marina by Capella in Saint Lucia, not only will you get the farm-to-table experience, but you can dine in your own private treehouse! The culinary team works with local fisherman and farmers to forge mouthwateringly fresh recipes that you can enjoy in your suite or high up into the trees. Before you board your plane, make time to visit the on-site ‘Rum Cave’ where specialists will walk you through a variety of tastings. In other words? No sense will be left untouched at this must-see destination.

Photo: Sandos Playacar

For dancing all day, everyday

Even if you couldn’t be more #thrilled to be marrying your #MCM or #WCW, wedding planning is an anxiety-ridden time for each and every single couple. In addition to the - ahem - traditional way couples’ relieve stress on their honeymoon, one way to blow off steam is to dance it away. If you stay at Sandos Playacar Beach Resort in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, you’ll have no shortage of opportunities to shake your groove thang. Their ‘All Playa Experience’ includes daily and nightly entertainment that’s inspired different world-famous beaches, from Malibu and Jamaica to South Beach and more. Not only will the staff and the cocktails switch to mimic the themed day, but you’ll be encouraged to move and groove along with other honeymooners and vacationers. The only rule? It’s a judgement-free zone, so shake what your mama gave you.

To immerse yourself in the culture

In Puerto Rico, not having a passport isn’t a problem, so if that fell off your to-do list leading up to the Big Day, don’t sweat. Instead, book a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the W Retreat & Spa - Vieques Island

. This small getaway is eight miles off the coast of Puerto Rico, traffic-light free and offers two private beaches, with one being adult-only. As a special, exclusive escape from the routine of daily life, the resort really focuses on local immersion. All guests have access to the on-site concierge that’s called the ‘Island Insider.’ As a native to Vieques Island, he works magic by making unique, special arrangements for couples - from discovering hidden beaches to dining hole-in-the-wall restaurants, your itinerary is personalized to your interests. (Psst: One must-see is the ‘Bioluminescent Bay,’ where plankton sparkle during a nighttime kayak ride for two.)

Photo: Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort

For erotic massage training

Looking for less of a PG experience and want to have an X-rated excursion for your honeymoon? We say go for it, and consider booking your vacation at Desire Riviera Maya, which offers an exotic massage class you won’t want to miss. These renowned adults-only resorts are known for their dedication to pleasure, and with a spa treatment that’ll help you release any and every tension, you’ll definitely be putting that ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign to great use. You’ll not only learn massaging techniques, but experience various oils, treatments and seductions you can practice for decades to come.

For an offroading adventure or to see wildlife

Forget beach chair rentals, you and your new spouse would rather climb to new heights while on your honeymoon. At the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino, offroading is a simple walk away. The concierge services will set up a tour of the dramatic North Coast of Aruba, with an off-road Jeep. This allows you to get to the sites fast, then park and explore natural beauties, like the Casibari Rock Formation. Just think about those #marriedlife Instagrams you’ll be able to post when you snack a selfie at sunset.

One of the true wonders of visiting other countries is coming face-to-face with climates different than your home state. If you’re into wildlife, consider booking your stay at the Renaissance Aruba Resort & Casino, with the nearby Arikok National Park, where you’ll see everything from lizards and iguanas to goats, donkeys and more. And when you’re on the actual property, you can explore their private beach, complete with a friendly guest: the flamingo!

For a fishing expedition

Forget fly fishing or waiting around for a catfish to bite, if you stay at the reasonably-priced Courtyard Bonaire, you’ll be in the fishing capital of the caribbean, allowing for once-in-a-lifetime deep sea expeditions. Though you’ve already hooked, lined and sunk that greatest catch of your life, it’s a fun experience to share with the only fish in the sea for you. And if you’d like to swim among the fish, instead of catching them, the on-site diving center can take you on scuba diving and snorkeling adventures whenever you’re ready to flip your fins.