Good honeymoon ideas, anyone?

famsearch says on Aug 12, 2006, 21:29:

other than taking turns checking out the paint on the ceiling? lol
dan

dan

0 funny, 0 helpful.

David in Idaho says on Aug 13, 2006, 11:55:

Certain things require no planning Dan, if you know of any places with particularly beautiful ceiling paint, please let me know. I'd be especially interested in hotels with mirrors on the ceiling.

But seriously, my query remains and I'm all ears ...

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 13, 2006, 12:21:

David in Idaho says on Aug 13, 2006, 12:59:

Gracias, I'll check it out Honestly, I hadn't even considered options outside of Colombia. Do these travel points help her in the visa process? I'm still frantically trying to collect all the evidence I can, although we're a year from the interview.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 13, 2006, 13:04:

adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 13, 2006, 13:08:

David in Idaho says on Aug 13, 2006, 13:38:

I like the way you think! And certainly, I intend to spend the rest of my life exploring South America with my soon-to-be Colombian wife.

For the honeymoon, sadly, the cost is pretty important, as I am just a teacher. (poor but happy) I could probably come up with about $2k to $3k to spend, and she'll have about a week off work. So, nothing grandiose. I'm leaning toward a San Andres / Providencia combo - she has never been there. And I haven't heard back from the yacht rentals, but a day or two at sea sounds like a good change of pace, after enjoying the beach for a few days. It may be bucks deluxe, but we'll see.

Dan, do you think they would understand if I asked to see pictures of the ceiling inside the berths? Perhaps a nice woodgrain finsish would be a good change.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 13, 2006, 14:25:

Make it easy on yourself Go to Cartagena, stay at the Santa Clara or Santa Teresa, eat dinner at Club de Pesca, drinks at Cafe del Mar, wander around after dark in the various plazas, maybe spend a night out at the Islas del Rosario. It's a very romantic place.

San Andres isn't that nice, to be honest, unless package tourism is your thing or you're into hardcore scuba diving.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

adrimm (☼Travelguide writer) says on Aug 13, 2006, 16:16:

Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 13, 2006, 17:09:

Sure Adrimm, I agree that an out of country luna de miel would be lovely but I didn't get the sense that was on the menu of options. If the choices were within Colombia, I'd say go for the old romance of walled Cartagena over San Andres, given that a honeymoon is usually more about romance than action sports (of the outdooor kind at least). Actually, if what they want is an isolated beach without much in the way of company or facilities, I'd also suggest Tayrona or, likely, Cabo de Vela, but that's a whole other thing.

The Dominican Republic is lovely as is Bocas del Toro Panama and any number of other Caribean spots.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

David in Idaho says on Aug 13, 2006, 17:27:

How do the DR and Panama compare cost-wise? Do you think we'll save significantly if we stay in Colombia (including the islands) or are these other Caribbean places pretty comparable? The one place I looked at in Punta Canas was a bit pricey, like over $200 a night. We could probably do half that. I wish I didn't have to be such a cheapo! Someday ...

Thanks for your good input.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

robi666 (Trustee board) says on Aug 13, 2006, 17:44:

Aviatur has got a new resort at Tayrona. Really beautiful. You could spend a week there. Price is 200.000 pesos (low season) per night for two persons with breakfast.
Check this out http://site.aviatur.com/opencms/export/Aviatur/galeriaproductos/tayrona.html#

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

0 funny, 0 helpful.

David in Idaho says on Aug 13, 2006, 18:32:

Gracias robi666 It looks beautiful, and affordable. However, the price quoted on the site doesn't quite agree with the one you mentioned. I'll have to look into it more, but I'm definitely adding it to my file. Thanks!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

robi666 (Trustee board) says on Aug 13, 2006, 18:54:

David, trust me, I was there two days ago, visited an hut, asked at the reception: price is around 200mil low season and 300mil high season! Now it's low season. You can book at any Aviatur agency in Colombia. It is quite expensive for Colombian standards, but it is absolutely gorgeous.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

0 funny, 0 helpful.

David in Idaho says on Aug 13, 2006, 19:34:

What season would mid December be? I confess, I don't really know what the seasons are.

Here in Idaho we have hunting season. Fishing season. Skiing season. When is the high season in Colombia?

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bufalo says on Aug 13, 2006, 19:54:

David, I posted in the other thread if you're interested. Here's my two cents on this.

Your fiancee is from Baranquilla I asume. If so, you guys will probably be going to Colombia a lot in the future (also assuming you'll be living in the states). My advice would be, If your going to be in Colombia a lot, take advantage of a honeymoon and go elsewhere. My wife and I went to Cuba. It is easy to get there since you'll get married in BQA. I know communist country and the whole US federal offense thing, but who cares. Havana is gorgeous and Varadero has really nice beaches to go to. It wasn't that expensive, but as a suggestion, pay for and book the resort stuff outside of Cuba, prices go way up if you are there. You can find rooms in Havana by walking around. REason we went there and I suggest it is that the beaches are good, the city is beautiful and, with reference to the other stuff we were discussing, there is little influence from the outside world there. That will last up until Fidel croaks, which could be any day now.

You have to pay for a visa, they won't stamp your passport.

Actually the first time we got married, it was on the beach there.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

0 funny, 0 helpful.

David in Idaho says on Aug 13, 2006, 20:13:

That's a very cool suggestion And I've wanted to go to Cuba for a loooong time.

Do you think her traveling there would jeapardize her visa process? I know, it sounds paranoid, and these days I'm just very focussed on doing EVERYTHING right to get her here. I knew a girl in Ecuador who was denied a visa to the US because she had spent six months in Cuba. Our lovely government policy at work: all she was doing was volunteering to help some poor folks. That makes her "undesirable" here. What a load. Anyway, if anyone wants to relieve my overworried mind, go ahead. Give me shit, I can take it!

In the meantime, I'm going to do some looking into Cuba. Very intreaguing concept! Thanks buf (and sorry for the namecalling lol)

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 13, 2006, 20:53:

Cuba is a good idea but I think you raise a good point about your fiancee's visa.

I know a church in the US that is getting prosecuted right now for simply giving money to another church in Cuba. The Bush administration is NUTS about the embargo. Right now, with your pending domestic situation, war on terror, etc, might not be the best time to test those limits.

The Dominican Republic shares a lot of those same characteristics and you could easily find a place for $50-$100 a night. The flight from Colombia is actually what's going to nail you, but you'd face the same issue with Cuba.

Panama is doable within your price range, I think, and the airfare isn't that bad.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

miamimike says on Aug 13, 2006, 20:55:

I would try these two places,,, The Pocanos(pennsylvania mountains)Honeymooon capital of the eastern usa-grab the Honeymoon suit(heart shaped jacuzzis) or check out Niagra Falls another popular honeymoon destination. Check these places good for hidden webcams haha

Avatar Legend: Bush "If any of you Reporters are wondering, it was a Size 10"

0 funny, 0 helpful.

David in Idaho says on Aug 13, 2006, 21:08:

She wouldn't be able ... ... to come to the states until after the honeymoon. LONG after the honeymoon. Jeez, by then we'll be ready for another one!

As for Cuban and Dominican airfare ... yeah, I just did some research and it looks like quite a bit more than staying within Colombia. Score another point for San Andrés & Providencia. Maybe I'll have to go find out for myself how lame these islands are, because they sure look nice in the pictures!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 13, 2006, 21:17:

FWIW Providencia is a lovely island but all the lodgings are a bit rustic by normal honeymoon standards.

San Andres is just overdeveloped. It's a beautiful island but groans under the weight of all the tourism. The main town is SCUZZY. But you could have a good time there with the right attitude. Just don't go there convinced it's some undiscovered paradise. More like Waikiki for middle class Colombians.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

utopiacowboy says on Aug 14, 2006, 07:27:

Absolutely dead on, Mr. H.
Absolutely dead on, Mr. H.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

David in Idaho says on Aug 14, 2006, 09:43:

well dang I really respect your experience and your points of view. And I sure don't want to take my bride somewhere scuzzy!

I am a backpacker and very comfortable with whatever. But this is my honemoon! The last thing I want is some gnarly cockroach joining us in bed. It's a private party!

Sounds like I really need to think hard about this. Maybe find some way to afford out-of-country travel.

Thanks for making me think! You guys rock.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aztec says on Aug 14, 2006, 10:09:

David in Idaho, been to Providencia. It is not like a resort on Jamaica but it is still romantic. Be prepared that it is rustic like perhaps you would have found in the 50's on other islands. To some that might be an attraction.

We were fortunate to be on Providencia when the baby crabs(slightly larger than a pin head) were returning from the ocean. The whole island was red. They were every where!

0 funny, 0 helpful.

aztec says on Aug 14, 2006, 10:15:

Oh, forgot one more thing... ...the walls of the rooms at the lodgings are very thin. So if either of you create much noise in the throes of coitus then every one there will know.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

Mr. Hollywood says on Aug 14, 2006, 10:27:

Scuzzy equals... Just to be clear, by scuzzy I mean over-urbanized with a lot of touts trying to sell you junk. The town beach is great if you think middle-aged European men in g-strings are sexy.

Down the island a bit is San Luis, which has a nice beach but the hotels aren't so great.

If your bride is backpackerish, I say go for it in Providencia or Tayrona.

0 funny, 0 helpful.

bufalo says on Aug 14, 2006, 10:36:

We asked at the US embassy while in Uruguay if there would be any problem, he assured us there wouldn't be. First off, the cubans don't stamp your passport, they stamp your cuban visa, when you leave cuba you hand it in (don't lose it!). Therefore, when the US guys look at your passport, there is no proof you were ever in Cuba. After we went, we moved to Colombia where my wife got her US residency from the embassy in Bogotá. Easier there than in the US. I even mailed my friends cuban cigars and postcards from havana, I always thought there was no mail from there. I bought a guayabera and got married in it.
We rented a motor scooter in Varadero and then looked for a priest who met us on the beach the next day. It wasn't a legal wedding, we did that later in Armenia. US citizens can and do get married in Cuba all the time, it does take like 2-3 weeks for the paperwork to get processed and we just didn't have the time.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

0 funny, 0 helpful.