He wants the glitziest, glammiest and poshest possible trip of a lifetime south of the border. You, however, have chosen the popular honeymoon destination for its wallet-friendly factor. (Hey, there’s a house to buy and a wedding to pay off.) But that doesn’t mean you are destined for separate vacations. Here, see our top picks for any budget.
Los Cabos
If desert landscape and infinity pools beat jungle humidity and snorkeling in your playbook, the resort towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo at the tip of the Baja Peninsula are ideal. Golfing, whale watching and adventure sports round out the fun, while spas and romantic dining turn up the passion.
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Stay: The new 72-room Hotel El Ganzo is an intimate hide-away with a cool artsy vibe in San Jose's Puerto Los Cabos Marina. The property features airy modern rooms and suites individually accented by an artist's touch and live musical entertainment most nights. There's also a rooftop infinity pool and sushi bar, plus a private beach club and two additional restaurants, as well as an artist-in-residence program (room rates start at $213 a night; elganzo.com).
Photo courtesy of Hotel El Ganzo
Do: Join the Thursday night Art Walk in historic San Jose del Cabo's Art District. You can peruse paintings and sculpture, while enjoying free entertainment.
Where to Eat: For a zesty Mexican feast at not-so-outrageous prices, head to Habanero's Gastro Grill and Tequila Bar, where you can easily make a meal of several shared appetizers. Tip: On Tuesdays, all tacos are discounted.
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Stay: A best-of-both-worlds location and inspired design make Capella Pedregal worthy of its rates. Set on a secluded beach yet located minutes from lively Cabo San Lucas, the resort pampers with a serene infinity pool, plus private plunge pools and fireplaces in all 96 rooms and suites. The three restaurants, including wildly romantic El Farallon perched on the cliff, and 12,000-square-foot spa also have the requisite wow factor (room rates start at $825 a night; capellahotels.com).
Photo courtesy of Capella Pedregal
Do: Sunset is the perfect time to literally drink in Los Cabos's scenery as you sip cocktails, nibble fresh shrimp and snap romantic selfies onboard Cabo Adventures' luxury sailboat as it skirts the photogenic El Arco landmark.
Where to Eat: With two superb eateries at Capella (El Farallon for seafood and Don Manuel's for haute Mexican), you'll be in foodie heaven, but it's also easy to venture to the marina for sushi at Hollywood favorite, the lively and casual Nick-San. For a one-of-a-kind splurge, reserve at Flora's Field Kitchen, a farm-to-table, alfresco gourmet dining experience.
Riviera Nayarit
The economical and the extravagant coexist on this Pacific coastline stretching 192 miles north from Nuevo Vallarta, past exclusive Punta Mita and the laid-back, surfer enclave of Sayulita. There's something for everyone, from golf to ecotourism, all mixed with colorful Huichol INdian craftsmanship.
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Stay: For all-inclusive ease at affordable rates, consider the Occidental Grand Nuevo Vallarta, a recently renovated resort in Nuevo Vallarta, making it convenient to explore both Puerto Vallarta and the less-developed coast. The 266 rooms have modern decor, while the four restaurants, beach bar, lounge bar and separate adults-only pool mean couples can enjoy quiet time (room rates start at $250 a night and are all-inclusive; occidentalhotels.com).
Photo courtesy of Occidental Grand Nuevo Vallarta Resort
Do: Schedule a day excursion by bus to the scenic city of Puerta Vallarta (30 minutes south) for shopping, romantic architecture or to the atmospheric fishing village of Sayulita (40 minutes north) for surfing and turtle watching.
Where to Eat: You'll be enjoying all-inclusive dining at your resort, but when in Mexico, you'll want to try a burrito. In Puerto Vallarta, head to Figueroa's Burritos for a wide array of fillings plus fajitas and salads. In Sayulita Burrito Revolution has giant portions and spicy sauces.
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Stay: If luxurious decor, locally-inspired dining, surreal sunsets, spa time (or even tea time) are priorities, Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita delivers on all counts. Featuring 173 rooms and suites, four restaurants, three bars, three pools, two Jack Nicklaus-designed golf courses (with oceanfront greens), a new surf school and a serene spa, this resort indulges every appetite — especially if you like tequila, since the property stocks 120 options (room rates start at $695 a night; fourseasons.com).
Do: The Bay of Bandera's biodiversity means nature-loving couples can whale watch (from December to March), enjoy a dolphin adventure or explore the rocky Marietas Islands, which are frequented be sea turtles and manta rays. Unwind afterward with a side-by-side signature Punta Mita massage, which incorporates tequila and sage.
Where to Eat: Four Seasons' four restaurants offer everything from Asian-fusion to Mexican-spiced burgers, but if you crave something along the lines of artichokes stuffed with lobster, foie gras and truffle, reserve a table at Carolina Restaurant in the nearby St. Regis Punta Mita Resort.
Cancún
No matter how many times you've been to Cancún, its Caribbean beach stuns with gleaming sands and clear turquoise water. Add loads of dining, shopping, spa and nightlife choices to an endless array of resort options and you've got the perfect place for party people at a range of price points.
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Stay: Check into a room or one-bedroom suite with whirlpool tubs at Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas & Spa for an ensuite kitchen and access to La Isla Shopping Village across the street. You can save by making some of your own meals (there are also onsite restaurants) and buying your favorite tequila or cerveza to sip on your balcony overlooking the large pools (one adults-only) and beautiful beach (room rates start at $259 a night; westin.com).
Do: Hop a ferry to Isla Mujeres, an unhurried five-mile-long island off the coast, where you can rent bikes to explore its boardwalk, beaches and shops or don snorkels and masks to spy on colorful reef fish and maybe a turtle or two.
Photo courtesy of Orient-Express Hotels, Ltd
Where to Eat: It's worth the bus or taxi ride to El Centro (downtown area) from the Hotel Zone (what locals call the strip of resorts on the beach) to sample the authentic and affordable Yucatecan specialities. At Labna, an unassuming thatch-roofed Mayan-themed eatery, savor lime soup, pork pibil (slow roasted pork) and pumpkin sauce.
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Stay: Enjoy a somewhat multicultural experience at The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun, which offers the elegance of an Italian palazzo, the warm hospitality of Mexico and the mystique of the Maya in its luxurious spa, all set on sugary Caribbean-washed sands. This 365-room property's opulent decor opens up onto 1,200 feet of dazzling beach. And the seven restaurants, bars and culinary center pulls out all the gastronomic stops. Don't miss a chance to savor the fine wine list and excellent Italian cuisine at Fantino (room rates start at $429 a night; ritzcarlton.com).
Photo courtesy of Ritz-Carlton
Do: Get your hearts racing on a guided two-person speedboat tour through mangrove-lined Nichupte Lagoon, followed by snorkeling at the Nizuk Coral Reef. Or travel back more than 1,000 years during an excursion to the Mayan pyramids at the sprawling Chichen Itza complex — it's a two and a half hour drive or you can upgrade and visit by air.
Where to Eat: For candlelit romance, reserve a private cabana at Casitas, The Ritz-Carlton's open-air oceanfront restaurant serving fresh grilled seafood and steak.
Riviera Maya
This gorgeous stretch of coastline south of Cancun is ideal for relaxation, adventure or both. Renowned for its talcum-white beaches and calm Caribbean water, the Riviera Maya offers an array of land-and-water activites and easy access tot he ancient Mayan cultural sites.
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Stay: You'll feel good about booking into Casa de Las Olas, where the sustainable philosophy means you'll not only save money, but also help save the planet. The five-suite, beachfront eco resort in Tulum is powered by solar energy, has slightly salty water in the showers and a no-blow-dryer policy. But it doesn't skimp on comfort — there are four-poster beds and kitchenettes. There's no bar or restaurant, but with a rental car or scooter you can stock up at a local organic market and crate your own healthy feasts (room rates start at $180 a night; casadelasolas.com).
Photo courtesy of Casa de las Olas
Do: When not swimming or sunning, get to know the local flora and fauna (103 mammal species and 336 bird species) at the adjacent 1.3-million-acre Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, or explore Mayan culture at Tulum's archeological ruins.
Where to Eat: Tulum has become a healthy gourmet mecca (with prices to match), but for fresh seafood, simply prepared and affordable priced, try local favorite El Camello Jr. The fish tacos and ceviche garner the biggest raves.
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Stay: Come nightfall, it's hard to imagine any place more romantic than the 63-room Maroma Resort & Spa, where flickering candles line pathways and dining nooks seclude couples beneath the moonlit sky. Perched on one of Riviera Maya's best beaches and featuring four restaurants and a spa, Maroma has a villa-hideaway vibe and superb service. Book an oceanfront one-bedroom suuite or master suite for a totally indulgent experience (room rates start at $575 a night; maromahotel.com)
Photo courtesy of Starwood Hotels
Do: Enjoy two hours of absolutely decadent relaxtion in Maroma's Kinan Spa during an aphrodisiac chocolate invigoration couples' treatment — and yes, there's mucho chocolate involved.
Where to Eat: After shopping along Playa Del Carmen's upscale Fifth Avenue, head to Yaxche for a journey into Mayan flavors. We love the moist corn tamales, cochinita pibil (shredded pork) and fish in a black Maya molé sauce.