Is it taboo to say that I’m equally as excited for my honeymoon as I am for my wedding day?

My fiance and I are getting married next month, but we’re pushing our honeymoon to Spring of 2027. That way, we can get through the holiday season without trying to plan a wedding, an international trip, and a Thanksgiving dinner all in quick succession.

Knowing my relationship, though, we’ll probably squeeze in a celebratory weekend trip sometime before our full-blown honeymoon.

In between spurts of coordinating our wedding-day logistics, we’ve spent many candle-lit evenings daydreaming about what we want our honeymoon to feel like.

Here’s where we’ve landed.

Our Criteria

We’ve narrowed it down to three honeymoon destinations. These are the criteria we considered:

Warm weather. All three destinations on this list will be significantly sunnier and warmer than North America come Spring 2027. We want to lay on a beach and return home a few shades darker (book tan-lines, optional).

Slow-paced and relaxing. Each of our proposed spots offers pristine beaches and an unhurried culture that fosters actual rest, not just hurriedly sightseeing on a set schedule. I tend to jam pack most trips out of a desire to see and do as much as possible. I want my honeymoon to feel the opposite. I imagine sleeping in followed by lazy beach days that end with long dinners.

All-inclusive. Neither of us has stayed at an all-inclusive resort, but our honeymoon seems like the perfect excuse to experience this form of travel. Maybe we will love it, or maybe we will be bored after 4 days of lazing around. Only one way to find out!

South America or the Caribbean. We narrowed our search to these two regions for the convenient flights out of our home airport, as well as the beautiful climate and the sheer number of all-inclusive options.

Length of stay. We’re leaning toward one full week because 7 days seems like the sweet spot. This computes to a 5-day trip, bookended by one-day travel to and from home. Any shorter and we will likely wish for more post-wedding relaxation. Any longer and we’ll probably start getting antsy.

With that in mind, the three destinations that made our honeymoon shortlist are:

Brazil

Yup, I could lay here and read for a week. (*Photo courtesy of* *Iberostar*.)

I’ve been drawn to South America for years, partly because I have yet to set foot on the continent. Brazil specifically appeals to me for its community-centered culture. I grew up in the United States, which is objectively individualistic. However, I’m a first-generation Lebanese- and Italian-American so my upbringing was incredibly communal.

Beyond its beaches, Brazil seems to have an incredible mix of culture, music, and biodiversity that makes it feel unique to other resort-stay destinations. Brazil feels like a place where we could actually learn something about where we are. The Northeastern coast in particular has that laid-back, tropical energy we’re after, without feeling as overrun by tourists as some other globally-recognized honeymoon hotspots. We want a beach vacation with a bit of soul to it, and Brazil seems to check every box.

That’s why we are considering a stay at Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte, which is an all-inclusive along the coast in the State of Bahia.

This beachfront option stands out to me because it promotes eco-tourism. The resort sits inside a nature reserve that’s home to four species of endangered sea turtles, and guests can actually visit the on-site turtle monitoring station to see this conservation work up close.

It still delivers all the usual all-inclusive amenities, but pairs them with a transparent look at the resort’s environmental restoration efforts as well as a local craft fair that celebrates Bahian culture. This resort feels like a rare chance to combine total relaxation with my personal values.

Its beauty also creates one notable downside. The resort is about an hour from the nearest international airport. A guest shuttle is available, but for an additional fee.

Even with that one caveat, Iberostar Selection Praia do Forte is my top choice.

Jamaica

Sandals South Coast knows what they’re doing.

Jamaica is a honeymoon cliche, and I can say that because three separate friends honeymooned there. But it’s popular for a reason! The beaches are pristine and the weather is idyllic for most of the year.

There’s something appealing about choosing the tried-and-true option. Jamaica has a well-earned reputation for genuine warmth, an easygoing island culture, and a whole hospitality industry built specifically around romance and relaxation.

Direct flights are plentiful out of North America, and the Jamaican resort scene is peer-tested and well-reviewed. If we want our honeymoon to feel effortless from the moment we land, Jamaica makes a strong case for itself.

The one hesitation I have is more of a me problem. I crave authenticity when I travel somewhere new. I understand that I will always be a visitor whenever I travel abroad, but I try to integrate into local cultures whenever possible.

The all-inclusives in Jamaica are a dime a dozen, but most fall under one of two chains: Sandals or Couples.

This honeymoon option is unlikely to give us much of a window into true Jamaican life. However, it would afford us the luxury of completely turning off our brains. I’m writing to you from the peak of wedding planning so a complete lack of responsibility sounds sooooo nice.

Turks & Caicos

Turks & Caicos is renowned for having some of the most beautiful water in the world, and honestly, the photos alone were enough to get our attention.

It’s a smaller, quieter honeymoon destination than a lot of Caribbean hotspots, but it still has a lot to offer. It’s also close enough to the U.S. for an easy flight, which matters when we’re trying to maximize our actual vacation time.

We are considering Club Med Turkoise, which is an adults-only, all-inclusive resort on the white sands of Grace Bay Beach. The palm-dotted property is just a nine-minute walk from Casablanca Casino (not that we are big gamblers but maybe I can enter my Lottie Deno era) and only a 15-minute drive from Providenciales International Airport, with a free shuttle included.

Club Med definitely feels the most social and party-centric of these destinations. Live music and parties happen most nights, which could be a fun way to meet other travelers, or a con if we’re hoping for something slower and more romantic. I do worry that we’ve aged out of this vibe. We are now in our early 30s. We can still hang, and love meeting new people but our clubbing days are in the rearview mirror.

I’m hesitant to fully-commit to Club Med based solely on the fact that it reads like the place I would’ve wanted for Spring Break during sophomore year.

Plus, online reviews for this property are mixed, so it’s one we want to dig into a little further before making a final call.

So, Where Are We Leaning?

Honestly? I still don’t know, and I kind of love that.

Each of these three countries has a different personality: Brazil feels like the slightly untouched pick; Jamaica feels like the classic, tried-and-true choice; and Turks & Caicos feels like the socially-charged option if we want a livelier week in paradise.

Over the next few months, we’ll be digging into flight costs, further interrogating our married friends, and reading way too many TripAdvisor reviews.

If you’ve stayed at an all-inclusive resort, or have a strong opinion on which destination we should choose, I want to hear from you.

Drop a comment and maybe you can help two very indecisive almost-newlyweds book some flights!

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