After making what feels like a million decisions – flowers, gowns, cakes, venues, seating chart, band, bachelorette festivities – it’s possible the last thing you want to do is make a decision on where to spend your first vacay as newlyweds. That’s why I’m here to help you out with the travel aspect, no travel agent fees required.
Antigua
Why we love it: You can visit a different beach each day and not repeat yourself for a full year-and that’s why tourists and celebrities alike flock to this sun-soaked Caribbean island. In Antigua, life’s a beach. But the beach is just the beginning.
The perfect couple: Sailors, bird-watchers, water lovers
Where to stay: Jumby Bay, A Rosewood Resort
What to know: Reserve early if your honeymoon is in early Spring. Yachtsmen from around the world congregate here for Antigua’s Sailing Week and Classic Yacht Regatta.
COVID Compliance: The Government requires all passengers age 12 and older who are arriving by air to have a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test result taken within seven days of their flight including transiting passengers. See the latest travel advisory and covid compliance measures here.
Nevis
Why we love it: How much time do you have? The unhurried island is much chicer and more remote than its sister, St. Kitts. Abundant vegetation and wildlife consume visitors, as does the delicious rum punch. I’ll stop there, but you can read more Nevis treasures here.
The perfect couple: History buffs, hikers, monkey lovers, privacy seekers
Where to stay: Paradise Beach Nevis
COVID Compliance: Effective May 29, 2021, only fully vaccinated adult travelers will be allowed entry into St. Kitts & Nevis. Exemptions for Citizens and Residents. Non-vaccinated children under 18 traveling with fully vaccinated parents are welcome. See even more rules and regulations here including the current Vacation in Place guidelines.
St. Kitts
Why we love it: Timothy Hill provides the most spectacular launch point for paragliding, and there are few better places to watch the sun go down than Shipwreck Beach Bar in Friars Bay. Down the beach is a place where watersports reign king.
The perfect couple: Adventure seekers, day drinkers, those who like the hustle-and-bustle and don’t mind a cruise ship or 10 inside its port.
Where to stay: Belle Monte Farm
COVID Compliance: Effective May 29, 2021, only fully vaccinated adult travelers will be allowed entry into St. Kitts & Nevis. Exemptions for Citizens and Residents. Non-vaccinated children under 18 traveling with fully vaccinated parents are welcome. See even more rules and regulations here including the current Vacation in Place guidelines.
St. Barths
Why we love it: Welcome to the Caribbean’s most elite (read: most expensive) island – where the rich and famous are most seen/most heard clinking glasses of rosé all day long. You won’t eat a better French-inspired meal anywhere else in the Caribbean, and any of the 22 postcard worthy beaches will sunkiss you so hard, you’ll never want to leave.
The perfect couple: Sun gods, sun goddesses, foodies, rosé all day-ers, shop-til-you-drop-ers, and those who love to live in the lap of luxury
Where to stay: Eden Rock
COVID Compliance: For adults 18 years and older, proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 antigen test taken within 48 hours (2 days) of arrival OR a Negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours (3 days) of arrival. (for all age 10+) is required. For non-vaccinated travelers, you must present a negative Covid-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours (3 days) of arrival (for all age 10+). You are requested to self-quarantine for the first 7 days after arrival. If staying on the island 7+ days, repeat a PCR test on the 7th day after your arrival. See more information here.
St. Martin/Sint Maarten
Why we love it: Two nations, one island. How sweet it is to be half-Dutch, half-French, with two very distinct personalities. With its tourist-friendly nightlife, flashy shopping centers and tacky casinos, it can sometimes feel overdeveloped and artificial, but you’ll also find a few gems in the form of picturesque beaches. Don’t miss Maho Beach, famous for being directly under the flight path of all planes landing at Princess Juliana Int’l Airport. See my Instagram photo here.
The perfect couple: Adventurer seekers, aviation lovers, yachties
Where to stay: Belmond La Samanna
What to know: Reserve early if your honeymoon is in early Spring. Yachtsmen from around the world congregate here for Classic Yacht Regatta.
COVID Compliance: The island has established a mandatory health authorization application through an Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS) for every visitor arriving by air including transits and residents. As of July 1, 2021, U.S. travelers can present either a negative PCR naso-pharygeal swab test taken within 72 hours of departure or the results of any FDA-approved rapid Antigen test done within 48 hours of departure. Mandatory COVID-19 insurance for all travelers is also in effect. See more rule and regulations here.
Anguilla
Why we love it: Anguilla is everything you need from a Caribbean island – beautiful white sand beaches, turquoise waters, scenic bays, gentle breezes and palm trees as far as the eye can see. A slow and laid-back atmosphere dominates the island, where locals and visitors both adopt a slower pace of life during their time here.
The perfect couple: Those who want to remain undiscovered and fly under the radar.
Where to stay: Cap Juluca
COVID Compliance: As of July 1st only fully vaccinated (last dose in a two dose vaccine and the only dose in a one dose vaccine administered 3 weeks/21 days before arrival on island) visitors will be granted entry permission to Anguilla. Children who are not eligible for the vaccine will be exempt. See more travel updates here.
St. Lucia
Why we love it: If you just want to lie on a beach chair and drink daiquiris through a bendy straw so you don’t even have to move your head, you can do that. But if you’re more into off-the-beaten path adventures, you can do that too. In St. Lucia, there’s something for everyone…including mountain biking through the rainforest on the side of a volcano.
The perfect couple: Outdoorsy people, nature lovers, adventure seekers, water lovers
Where to stay: Jade Mountain
COVID Compliance: All travelers 18 years and older, regardless of their status (resident, non-resident, fully vaccinated or unvaccinated) must submit a travel registration form, and all travelers 5 years and older must take a PCR test 5 days or less before arrival in Saint Lucia. International visitors must adhere to all safety protocols in place throughout Saint Lucia, including wearing a mask in public. Travelers are subject to mandatory screening and temperature checks at the port of entry and throughout your stay. See more rules and regulations here.
Puerto Rico
Why we love it: Even with its small size, Puerto Rico consists of a whopping 1,125 beaches all with a unique latino touch.
The perfect couple: Anyone and everyone! This Isla Del Encanto (the Island of Enchantment) has it all from beaches to remote islands to rivers to mountains to rainforests to history and surf. See my Guide to Puerto Rico here.
Where to stay: Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve
What to know: Americans can visit this U.S. territory without a passport.
COVID Compliance: As of May 28, domestic travelers to Puerto Rico are allowed to present their vaccination card as proof of having completed vaccination (must be completed at least two weeks prior to travel), exempting them from pre-travel testing. See more rules and regulations here.
This is an amazing article complete with a wonderful, well-planned guideline on a trip to the Caribbean. These beaches and activities look amazing and very entertaining. I would die for a trip there and an opportunity to go paragliding again, and water jet packing. These images are incredible and flawless. The St. Martin looks amazingly beautiful from the picture here and on your Instagram. Anguilla looks extremely enjoyable as well as all the other spots. In your opinion, out of all these beaches, which was your personal favorite? From your previous article, for me, Nevis looks astonishing, fully equipped with many fun things to do, like horseback riding, paddle board yoga and hiking. The island looks very pleasurable and delightful, and I would go there in a heartbeat any day.
Hi Olivia – happy to hear you liked the article! For me, it’s a toss up between Nevis and St. Barths as my favorite. I suppose it would depend on the mood I’m in at the time, as these islands have very different vibes. Nevis has a little piece of my heart. Can’t wait to return one day!
I love this stuff & H ow did you manage to travel or nearly anything in food/service industry usually! Looking tooo Nasty, Especially Maho Beach is most favorable for me! – <a href="http://logisticparking.com">LogisticParking</a>
these destinations are just flawless. awesome selection of the places for the very special event of the life. even hotels in these destinations really does not matter a lot.