On your Caribbean honeymoon, take a walk on the wild side and enjoy romance, adventure and pampering in these rich, tropical environments.
By: Jill FergusDominican Republic
All-inclusive resort areas like Punta Cana in the south and Puerto Plata in the north make a DR beach getaway super easy. However, the country’s interior offerings are just as rich. Be sure to explore the island’s national parks, replete with historic caves, Taino Indian sites and colorful tropical butterflies and birds.
Photo courtesy of the All Inclusive Collection
What to Do:
National Park Del Este near Punta Cana skirts the coast and boasts inland jungle terrain. Eco-tours take you to the remains of Taino Indian sites and unique cave systems including Cueva de Chicha with a large underground lake (check out the petroglyphs at the entrance). A Chavon River cruise through the jungle gorge in a traditional thatched-roof boat is another popular outing. On the northern coast, near Puerto Plata, you can zoom across the jungle valley on a zipline tour in El Choco National Park, which is also home to caves and lagoons that attract hikers and bikers.
Photo courtesy of Casa Colonial
Where to Stay:
It’s hard not to have fun at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Splash poolside (love those waterslides and underwater tunes piped in), dine in one of 10 restaurants, including a steakhouse, and party on in the club and casino. There are even guitar rentals for the rock ‘n rollers (room rates start at $200 per person, per night and are all inclusive; hardrockhotelpuntacana.com).
The posh Casa Colonial in Puerto Plata has stylish rooms with beautiful four-poster beds topped with Frette linens, and a rooftop infinity pool (room rates start at $295 a night; casacolonialhotel.com).