Kevin and Melody didn’t have a single regret in choosing Belize as the destination for their trip. She says, “We really wanted a honeymoon that was equal parts adventure and relaxation. We both love hiking and physical activity, but enjoy lazy cocktails on the beach just as much. We got exactly enough of everything we wanted!” And a day in the city of San Pedro was lovely for them both.

One of their favorite discoveries was Pages Bookstore on Tarpon Street, which they happened to stumble across. Melody says visiting this shop is “a must.”

Another highlight was driving their rented golf cart through downtown San Pedro. Bikes, carts and scooters are the best way to get around the tiny streets. Some of our other featured couples have opted for bicycles and golf carts too.

Melody says the people they met really made the honeymoon amazing for them. “Belizeans are some of the friendliest people I’ve met. Everyone was very warm and helpful – from our tour guides to our Victoria House bartender to a guy on the street in San Pedro who, as he saw us leaving a corner store with a case of Belikin, advised us that we could get it for much cheaper at a different store down the street. He turned out to be right!”

A million thank-yous to Melody and Kevin for sharing their stories and beautiful photos. They’re just one more couple who’ve convinced us that Belize offers a bit of everything to honeymooners looking for a memorable trip. Cheers!

Melody and Kevin knew that when you visit Belize, you can’t leave without seeing at least one Mayan temple.

She says, “We loved Lamanai, which has some of the highest and most fascinating structures.”

These honeymooners offered some great advice to other visitors, “If you go, brave the steep steps and climb all the way to the top of High Temple. It is terrifying, but you won’t regret it.”

One a honeymoon, you can find romance just about anywhere. For Melody and Kevin, while in Belize, that sweet moment was in the dark of an ancient cave. She says, “I know it probably sounds crazy, but the most romantic moment for me may have been trudging through waist-high, freezing cold water in the cave at Actun Tunichil Muknal and feeling Kevin’s hand reach for mine as he helped lead the way in the dark. There was something so spooky and cool about knowing how old those cave walls were and how many sacred rituals had taken place there – and there we were, quietly being a part of it. Even though we obviously saw other tour groups down there, at times it felt like we were the only two people in the whole cave.”

These two also had great company on their trek. Melody says, “The best tour guide ever – we would recommend him to ANYONE – was Ben Cruz. He led us through the above-mentioned Actun Tunichil Muknal (ATM) cave system. It was just us and one other couple in our group, and Ben was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable – not to mention a really warm and fascinating person. By the end of the day, he felt like family. We were heartbroken to leave him!”

And here’s Kevin, doing his very best Indian Jones impersonation.

Melody and Kevin absolutely loved their meal at Rojo Lounge at the Azul Resort in Belize. Melody says, “The atmosphere managed to be both incredibly hip and completely accessible, the service was laid-back and friendly, the food and cocktails were delicious and creatively presented. We could have lounged under that thatched roof for hours, just chatting with fellow diners and listening to the ocean.”

Getting there was a bit of an adventure. She says, “we had to take a 40-minute choppy, windy water-taxi ride up the Ambergris coast in the pitch dark to get to this restaurant, but WOW, was it worth it!”

Stick with us this week as Melody and Kevin share more highlights from their romantic honeymoon in Belize. Discover the cave tours, ancient ruins and perfect beaches that make this a winning destination for any newlyweds.

After Brooklynites Melody and Kevin Aberg tied the knot in Middletown, CT, they couldn’t wait to board their flight down to Belize for a romantic honeymoon. Melody, who works in marketing for a book publisher and Kevin, who does credit and risk management for a trading firm, wanted a trip that offered them a little adventure and a whole lotta relaxation. Melody says that Belize is a destination that, “felt like a few different honeymoons in one.”

Costa Rica, the South of France and Tahiti were all incredible destinations these two also considered. But in the end it was the wide range of activities combined with the great deal on flights that sealed the deal for Belize. Melody says, “It seemed like a place where we could really get a lot for our money and time – and that proved to be true. Flights were inexpensive (less than $300 each, round-trip from New York) and only took a few hours.”

The incredible waters of Belize are what draws visitors to this spot. Melody and Kevin were amazed by the nurse sharks and stingrays they saw while snorkeling. When asked what they’d do if they went back, this was at the top of their list. Melody says, “There are so many world-class snorkeling spots right off Ambergris Caye, and we only took one snorkel trip during our time there. If we went back, we’d check out some of the other snorkel spots – especially around Lighthouse Reef.

These two absolutely loved Victoria House, the resort where they stayed. Our faithful readers will remember another Melody +1 couple who coincidentally stayed at the very same resort. Mel and Kevin say it, “was a fantastic value for the experience.”

What’s not to love about a country with friendly locals, gorgeous beaches and fun in the jungle?! Melody list some of their trip highlights: hiking, lazy cocktails on the beach, zip-lining, reading on their balcony and cave-tubing. And the weather wasn’t bad either. She says, “It was perfect! Sunny and clear but not too hot; only rained one day we were there.”

Sounds like absolute perfection to me!

As we said earlier this week, Oliver and Lisa didn’t have many firm plans when they arrived in Costa Rica for their honeymoon. Lots of their experiences were found along the way, including their best meal at Mi Lugar, better know as Ronny’s Place, a restaurant in Manuel Antonio. Oliver loved the “really good food and drinks” and says the place offers, “great view of the ocean.”

But that’s not all that Ronny has to offer his guests. His piña coladas made inside a giant coconut are what keeps locals and tourists coming back. The secluded location – it’s the only building on a 90 acre farm – means romantic sunset views. The menu includes fresh local seafood and also beef and pork dishes. It was a memorable meal for Oliver and Lisa.

Because they had a rental car, the honeymooners had freedom to stop at any local spot that tempted their palates. Pulling over for an afternoon snack and a beer was much better for them than reservations at a five-star restaurant. They made sure to imbibe the local brew, Cerveza Imperial.

Oliver and Lisa were ready for a bit of adrenaline on their Costa Rica honeymoons, so they signed up for a trip through the air with Sky Trek Zipline Canopy Tour in Monteverde. This highland “Cloud Forest” has nearly 100% humidity all year long, meaning the rain forest is almost constantly covered in cloud mist. Sky Trek’s system of zip lines run from mountain to mountain, and together have a distance of 2.5 miles of linear cable, reaching heights of over 500 feet off the ground.

Anyone questioning whether a zipline trip is worth it, only needs one look of Oliver’s incredible shots of the Monteverde treetops to know they need to go. He says the whole experience “was a blast, and had beautiful scenery.” These two also took at nighttime nature hike through the park to learn more about the diversity of the forest inhabitants.

I absolutely love the details Oliver captured along their honeymoon adventure.

While honeymooning in Costa Rica, Oliver and Lisa wanted to do things their own way. Having their own transportation allowed them to make their own schedule and go at their own pace. Oliver says, “We rented a car so we would have unlimited freedom, and it was probably the single more expensive part of the trip, but very worth it.”

He adds, “We flew into San Jose, and immediately drove out towards the Caribbean Coast to Puerto Viejo. After a two nights there we drove to Arenal. On our third day there, we drove to Monteverde, which was one of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on. After Monteverde, we drove to Manuel Antonio for a couple nights, and back to San Jose.”

Overall their travels by car were relaxed and easy. Cities were obviously a bit crazier then the country. He says, “Even thought it was the ‘rainy’ season the climate was still very tropical, so the typical afternoon rains did happen. But it was never overbearing… We live in Seattle, so a little rain never stops us.”

Being in the driver’s seat meant they could stop whenever and wherever they got the impulse. For example they stumbled upon this, “pretty neat wood carving shop where we bought two bowls.”

Avoiding tour groups may mean you miss some of the must-see spots, but it also gives you the opportunity to find those hidden gems along the way. Discoveries become accomplishments you remember forever.

And no matter where you go, making friends with the locals, like this guy above, will get you far.

Oliver and Lisa Hutton were married in Chico, CA and then headed south to Costa Rica for ten days. I fell in love with their trip as soon as I saw the first few images.

Oliver is a graphic designer, and spends his free time on photography. Lisa is a speech therapist. Though Oliver says, “our view of romance probably doesn’t fall in line with most other people’s,” he believes there was a romantic “spirit to the entire trip and the freedom we had to explore the country.”

At first I was a bit unsure at how their honeymoon would work on the site without the usual details of resort amenities and a week’s worth of great meals… these two can barely remember any of the places they stayed. But in talking to Oliver, I quickly realized those details were unimportant for them. Their trip was much more about exploring and finding great moments along the way.

Their trip was laid back and fun, with experiences centered around the untouched beauty of the country. Beds along the way were just a place.

So what if they have no memories of their hotels… we’re cool with that. Oliver says, “We never made any reservations… our plan wasn’t about the hotels. It was more about the places and people we met.” Travel along with these two every day this week as they discover the best spots of Costa Rica.

On the coast of Belize, Melody and Dave spent the day exploring San Pedro’s main part of town by bike and then hung out under a thatch umbrella at Victoria House’s beach.

They arranged a sunset sailing trip with George, of the Rum Punch II. He picked them up at around in the late afternoon and set sail towards the North. Melody says, “It was a beautiful sight to see the sun setting behind San Pedro, and the sail was nice and relaxing. George was great! We approached the Capricorn Restaurant which was all lit up and had a very dreamy glow from the sea.” The couple nabbed a table right next to the beach, enjoyed a romantic dinner, and then sailed back to Victoria House with George.

We love their trip to Belize because it had a little bit of everything. Relaxation and luxury. Action and adventure. And of course, a whole lot of love and romance.