Planning a winter honeymoon? Here are the most romantic honeymoon destinations for December, January and February.
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Belize
Dry season (late November to late April) means less rainfall and great visibility for divers exploring the world’s second-longest barrier reef, making this a great winter honeymoon destination. Another big attraction is the Great Blue Hole, a crystal-clear underwater sinkhole whose residents include giant groupers, nurse sharks and reef sharks. (At more than 900 feet wide, it’s the largest of its kind.) Snorkelers will love Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley; both make great day trips from Ambergris Caye. For some mainland play, climb a Maya temple; hike the world’s only jaguar preserve, near Placencia; tube through cenotes on Caves Branch River; or zip line at Jaguar Paw Jungle Resort.
Hawaii
The Aloha State is blessed with near-perfect weather year-round, but as a winter honeymoon destination, it has extra attractions. Whales visit from late November to May, and favorite viewing spots include the protected Auau Channel (between Lanai and Maui) and the warm shallows off Maui’s west coast. Surf season starts in late October and runs through March. The epicenter is an eight-mile stretch along Oahu’s North Shore, where spots like Banzai Pipeline and Waimea Bay draw 20-footers and surfing’s top competitions. But it doesn’t end there — find killer North Shore wave shredding on Kauai’s Hanalei Bay, as well as on Hookipa Beach on Maui.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Winter at home means summer in Buenos Aires. The city has something to offer any visitor, from the painted houses and street performers in rough-and-tumble La Boca to artsy Retiro and the downtown’s monument-studded avenues. Musts include shopping at Palermo (known for leather goods) and dancing (go to a professional tango show, then head to a local milonga and try yourself). Dinner is a traditional parilla (barbecue) with grilled meats like sirloin steak, sausages and chicken. The countryside excels too. Head to the Mendoza wine country to stay in an estancia (ranch), ride horses and sample unique varietals like malbec and torrontes.
Florida Keys
Though officially part of the United States, the Keys have an identity all their own. Yes, there’s an airport in Key West — and one in Islamorada too, for that matter — but the best way to enjoy the islands is to take a road trip through the Keys, driving from Miami. There are loads of places to check in along the way, whether you’re looking for a family-run motel with dock space for your boat or a surprisingly chic resort that recalls the Caribbean. Other musts: cold beer, some live Jimmy Buffett cover music, fresh grouper for dinner and Key-lime pie for dessert.
India
Tourism season kicks off in late November with Rajasthan’s Camel Fair, a colorful parade of vendors and traders that dates back hundreds of years. India’s northern region is cooler, so this is a prime time to see top spots like Jaipur’s Pink City and Agra’s Taj Mahal without the heat. Then head south for some R&R. Goa earned its rep as a backpacker haven and party spot in the 1970s and ’80s, but today it’s possible to find low-key resorts that cater to couples. Kerala, at the southernmost tip, has waterways, making it great for houseboating; it’s also known for ayurveda therapy, a draw for spa goers. Another big plus: going on safari in the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Jackson, Wyoming
The National Elk Refuge is home to some 5,000 elk; in winter months you can spy them from the main highway, or get up close via snowshoe or sleigh ride. The many black diamonds at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort lure top skiers, as do luxe ski-in/ski-out lodges with heated pools and fireplaces. This winter honeymoon destination lets you enjoy the microbrews at the Mangy Moose in Teton Village, a favorite ski-bum hangout, or grab a saddle bar stool and mingle with the locals at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar, a Jackson institution.
