A country so lush that over half of it is blanketed in forest, Costa Rica is wonderfully wild. Honeymooners can explore it all: dense tropical rainforests, high-altitude ecosystems, and diverse marine habitats. For those in search of adventure, choose from adrenaline-fueled pursuits like whitewater rafting, scuba diving, and zip-lining. And if you’re in need of a mental reset after the wedding, the country’s yoga retreats and wellness spas are world-renowned. Warm all year round, it’s always a perfect time for couples to travel to Costa Rica.
Where to Stay: Eco-adventurers will find a perfect romantic respite at Nayara Tented Camp, a luxurious getaway bordering Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park. Tents are surrounded by guarumo trees and the brightly plumed toucans and howler monkeys that reside in them. Each accommodation’s private plunge pool is fed with water from the volcano. Take a yoga class in their open-air studio, and then go on a hiking adventure through the rainforest.
Benguerra Island, Mozambique
Photo: Courtesy of Kisawa
For an under-the-radar alternative to the Seychelles, honeymooners should head for Mozambique’s Benguerra Island in the Indian Ocean. Epitomizing the term “untouched,” this peaceful locale delivers on beaches with powdery white sand, coral reefs teeming with colorful fish, and tropical-hued sunsets worthy of a postcard.
Where to Stay: Benguerra Island is home to two five-star resorts. The first is Kisawa, which embraces African modernist architecture and an adventurer’s sensibility. Upon arrival, guests are given keys to a pastel Moke and free rein to roam the property’s over 700 acres (word to the wise: always keep the resort map handy). Food is fresh, local, and seafood-based—many dishes are caught by the island’s local fishermen—and the service is impeccable. Better yet: a portion of each stay’s proceeds benefits the Bazaruto Center for Scientific Studies, Africa’s first permanent marine observatory. Then there’s the tranquil andBeyond, nestled in an indigenous forest that includes over 150 bird species. The beach stretches for miles, without any other structures in sight. (Just off the shores is some of the best snorkeling in the world.) Despite the expanse it’s located on, there’s a wonderful intimacy to the property, with only 13 lodging structures.
Douro Valley, Portugal
Photo: Courtesy of Six Senses
