It can be a lot of pressure to choose the perfect honeymoon destination. Like all things wedding, high expectations are attached, as well as high price tags. Thankfully, Sean and I decided on Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic without too much difficulty. We had been on a long weekend a few years earlier and loved it. Most of the resorts on the island are all-inclusive, and surprisingly more affordable than destinations in Mexico or Jamaica. Plus, we ruled out more "intense" vacations like Europe in favor of a restful beach getaway. (Don't get me wrong, I adore Europe, but I always seem to come home more tired than when I left, and after nine months of wedding planning...) So, we stayed at the Luxury Bahia Principe resort for a steal, and we were able to splurge on massages and two excursions (as well as generous tips for our favorite bartenders). The food was excellent, the staff was friendly and helpful, and there was a ton to do—so win/win/win. Oh, and it's adults only, so one more win.
Although there were plenty of activities on the resort, we chose to spend most of our time hanging at the beach, reading and sipping cocktails. (Coco Loco, hers, and whiskey lemonade, his.) We took an all-day excursion to Saona, a private island accessible only by way of boat, where we had a cookout on the beach. Views of the Dominican shore along the way were unforgettable. On the way back, we stopped at La Piscina Natural—a natural pool in the middle of the bay that features clear water and shallow depths.
For our second excursion, we toured the D.R.'s capital, Santo Domingo, and learned about the island's history. We saw Los Tres Ojos caves, Christopher Columbus' tomb, his son's castle, and the first-ever sundial. It was fun to get off the resort and meet some new people, but we were pretty stoked to spend our last day lounging on the beach and taking in the sun. We had one whole glorious week, and of course it went by too quickly, but looking at the photos almost makes me feel the Caribbean sun on my face. All that's missing is a Coco Loco. Cheers!
Although there were plenty of activities on the resort, we chose to spend most of our time hanging at the beach, reading and sipping cocktails. (Coco Loco, hers, and whiskey lemonade, his.) We took an all-day excursion to Saona, a private island accessible only by way of boat, where we had a cookout on the beach. Views of the Dominican shore along the way were unforgettable. On the way back, we stopped at La Piscina Natural—a natural pool in the middle of the bay that features clear water and shallow depths.
For our second excursion, we toured the D.R.'s capital, Santo Domingo, and learned about the island's history. We saw Los Tres Ojos caves, Christopher Columbus' tomb, his son's castle, and the first-ever sundial. It was fun to get off the resort and meet some new people, but we were pretty stoked to spend our last day lounging on the beach and taking in the sun. We had one whole glorious week, and of course it went by too quickly, but looking at the photos almost makes me feel the Caribbean sun on my face. All that's missing is a Coco Loco. Cheers!