Affordable Honeymoon Destinations

You are planning your wedding, and you realize that between buying a wedding gown, renting a hall, and hiring a caterer, you will not have much money left to go on a honeymoon.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to take a romantic week in Paris or a cruise around the Mediterranean Sea. Although you may not be able to afford luxury, you still deserve to celebrate this momentous life event.

Fortunately, several low-cost honeymoon destinations are beautiful, romantic, and filled with interesting things to do. Many of them are very popular, so it is a good idea to make your plans well in advance of your trip.

Central America

When you go on a honeymoon, you don't want to be around a lot of other tourists. You want to feel as though you are in your own little world. Central America offers secluded locations, exciting things to do, and exotic foods to try.

You can start your day with a plate of beans and rice or go off your diet and try some fried jacks, a fried dough.

Take a hike in the jungles of Honduras or Nicaragua, where you will see breathtaking canyons, volcanos, and rivers. If you hike up some of the mountain trails, you will see moss-covered cloud forests.

You may see some of the local fauna, such as the Yucatan white-tailed deer, giant iguanas, and peccaries. If you are lucky, you may even see a tapir or a Margay, which looks just like a tiny leopard.

A Central American vacation is very inexpensive, and a hotel room there can be had for as little as $15 a night. If you are not an experienced outdoor couple, do not worry, you will find plenty of guides who will be willing to take you on jungle adventures.

If you are history buffs, check out the Copan Ruins in Honduras. There you will see the famed Hieroglyphics Staircase. The staircase is around 98 ft high and is covered with 2,000 hieroglyphics. 

The Temple of the Masks in Lamanai is a Mayan temple covered in ancient masks. It was not discovered by architects until 2011. You and your mate can be two of the few people in the world who have seen it.

India

Although the plane ticket may be a little bit expensive, you won't have to pay very much for hotels and meals when you get there. What could be more romantic than a tour of the Taj Mahal?

This ivory-white marble mausoleum is a popular attraction and was built by Emperor Shah Jahān, who reigned during the Mughal period. It was built to immortalize the emperor's wife, Mumtaz Mahal, after she died in childbirth. It has been named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Admission to the Taj Mahal is about 510 rupees, which is about $6.60 in US dollars. 

You can get a room at the Four Seasons in Bengaluru for $145 a night. Bengaluru is one of the country's wealthier cities and is the capital of India's southern Karnataka state. It is the Simi Valley of India as many new technologies are developed there. You will find many fantastic restaurants in town. The dining rooms are very elegant, and the food is cooked in saffron, one of the world's most expensive and delicious spices. 

India is famous for its statues of the Hindu religion's many Gods. Be sure to see the Indian Chivas statue and the Statue of Unity, which is a 567-foot tall likeness of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who served as the First Deputy Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1950.

The outdoor activities in India are not for the faint of heart. If you and your significant other are up for a challenge, you can hike to Chembra Peak, the tallest summit in Kerala. It will take an entire day to get to the top. Along the way, you will see elephants, the Malabar grey hornbill, and The Nilgiri tahr, which is a goat-like animal that you will only find in India. There are also many challenging hikes in the Himalayas.

Gatlinburg, TN

It's not a cheap vacation if you have to have your passport renewed, but there are plenty of places you can go to in the United States that are fun, entertaining, and romantic. Surrounded by the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, Tennessee is one of America's most beautiful places.

You will find a little bit of everything in this fun resort town. You always need a little bit of home decor to start your lives together, and you will find a bountiful antique row here. Some of the most famous artists in the world live and work in Gatlinburg, so you are certain to find the perfect souvenir to take home with you.

If antiques and artwork are not within your budget, you can stop by the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. Admission to the museum is only $4 and is complimentary if you buy one of the many salt and pepper shakers in the museum. You will find everything from shakers shaped like pianos, people, and penguins, to state-shaped shakers at this unusual establishment.

No trip to a resort would be complete without taking in a show or two. Gatlinburg is famous for its dinner theater. You can see everything from a show about the Hatfields and McCoys to a religious diatribe centered on a book of the Bible. There is nothing like a little salvation with your soup, and you will get a hearty dinner with the show at the Biblical Times Theater.

There are many beautiful natural areas in The Smoky Mountains. You will find hiking trails for people of all different abilities. Be sure to take in the Old Settler's Trail, where you will see several traditional cabins as you walk the narrow path surrounded by tall trees.

You may see bears and deer on the trail and are certain to see a flying squirrel or two. If you are interested in roughing it, you will find plenty of cabins just outside of town. There are also several camping sites where you can pitch a tent and look at the star-filled skies.

Niagara Falls, NY

It was once a great American tradition for couples to shuffle off to Buffalo when they got married. People often got married on the Maid of the Mist, which travels underneath these magnificent falls, but over the years, people have become more sophisticated, and the towns of Niagra Falls and Buffalo are not as prosperous as they once were. The economy is suffering, and you can take a very inexpensive trip to this beautiful Upstate Town.

You can stay in a fancy honeymoon suite for around $200 or stay in one of the many retro motels located in the area. If you enjoy gambling, try your luck at one of the casinos in town.

There are several lookout points on the Niagara Falls Boardwalk where you can see breathtaking views of the falls. Tourists can go behind the falls and get an amazing view of the water from the tunnels.

There is a major craft beer scene in Buffalo these days. If you are into the brew, you can take a beer tour. Most of the breweries offer cheap flights and delicious appetizers. The Maid of the Mist tour is not the only boat ride in the area because Buffalo offers sailing, kayaking, or even paddle boating on the Buffalo River.

Magicians and illusionists are all the rage in Niagara's theater scene. You will find several shows that will make you question reality while giving you a few good laughs.

Napa, CA

Going to New York might not be that inexpensive if you are a West Coaster. Instead, consider a trip to Napa Valley, California, a beautiful place in the northern part of the Golden State. There are over 400 wineries here, and no beverage is considered more romantic than wine.

In addition to many wine tastings and vineyard tours, there is a riverfront promenade with many shops and art galleries. You should have no problem finding a white tablecloth restaurant in which to have a romantic dinner in this berg. Hot air ballooning is very popular here, and so are romantic bike rides. There are several days spas in town that will give you the pampering this special occasion deserves.

Weddings are fun, but they are also a lot of pressure. Your parents have probably been looking forward to this day for a long time and each of you has an idea of the perfect wedding. Your friends will compare your wedding to those of others in your social circle.

You and your mate deserve to have some time to relax after all of that stress. If you do your research and plan carefully, your honeymoon can be an inexpensive and memorable experience.