Adventure honeymoon guide - When to go where

Best for: Independent travellers

If you’re the kind of couple who runs a mile at the idea of a beach holiday, we think you’ll love road tripping in South Africa. This is the place for serious adventure – hiking, biking, elephant-spotting, no-two-days-the-same kind of honeymoon.

At this time of year, you’ll want to stick to the south – January is the perfect time for the Garden Route, one of the greatest road trips on the planet. You can ride horses along the coast, pause for whale-watching boat trips and press on to the Eastern Cape for safaris. You’ll travel in a rental car and explore the route at your own pace, so it’s brilliant if you’re not great at sticking to itineraries…

Don’t fancy South Africa? Why not sip on wine from the source, see incredible mountains of Patagonia and soak up romantic tango beats of Argentina.

Best for: Curious castaways

Thailand’s tropical islands and white-sand beaches are the stuff of desert island dreams. If you fancy the full Robinson Crusoe experience, try south Thailand early in the year. The weather varies hugely across the country, but for beach weather, you’ll want to avoid April to October on the west coast; September to December on the east.

If your feet get itchy after a few days on a sun lounger, never fear – there’s more to Thailand than the sandy stuff. We offer community-based experiences that properly introduce you to the communities you’re visiting, for a more meaningful Thailand experience. You can even choose a homestay with a local family, to learn all about Thai village life and traditions. Or if you’re more interested in wildlife, spending some time at the Kui Buri National Park, with a chance to meet elephants and monkeys!

Fancy something a little more lively? February is carnival season in Brazil, so why not see the vivid sights and sounds of Rio, then venture into the incredible Amazon rainforest?

Best for: Chilled-out city slickers

This is a city break with a difference. Spend your honeymoon soaking up the old-world glamour of Havana, take a spin in a Cadillac, drink in Hemingway-approved bars and follow the sound of rumba through the tutti-frutti streets. For the sake of your wardrobe, December through to April is a good bet in Cuba for dry, sunny weather in the mid-20s.

If you want to get further afield, our travel specialists can make it easy to venture deeper into the vibrant Cuban countryside. Otherwise, you can try a ready-made itinerary like Cuba Highlights & Hammocks (don’t worry, we can tweak any of our itineraries to suit your schedule too!). If you’re in the market for cigars, venture out into Viñales region. Not only can you get to know the locals a little (and learn how to roll a few cigars of your own), it benefits the local community to buy directly from the farmers – not to mention they’ll be the best quality out there!

Fancy heading east? Vietnam is coming into the dry season, the central region and Palm Island are particularly beautiful this time of year for a more relaxed adventure.

Best for: Eco-adventurers 

Costa Rica is a little country with a big heart; there are thick jungles, brooding volcanoes and deserted beaches packed into a surprisingly small space. If you and your partner-in-crime are all about going toe-to-toe with nature in the most sustainable way possible, this one’s for you.

Travelling in April is the tail-end of the dry season, when the crowds will start to empty out. You can dive straight into a visit to the volcano in La Fortuna and stay in an observatory park in the Arenal National Park, where the sounds of the jungle are your wake-up call.

Costa Rica is serious about its sustainability efforts and keen to share it with visitors. Locals are involved in tourism here, to best benefit the communities, and the incredible wildlife and biodiversity here are carefully protected (check out our Ultimate Costa Rica guide for more tips!).

Looking for a spiritual honeymoon? Nepal is a perfect alternative, April is quieter as it’s not peak trekking season yet (and it’s a bit cooler!). You can also go to Bhaktapur to celebrate Bisket Jatra, the Nepalese New Year!

Best for: Adventurous pioneers

Don’t know much about Bhutan? That’s the beauty of it. Half-hidden in the Himalayas in the shadow of India and China, time doesn’t seem to move in this fascinating corner of Asia. If you love discovering new places, a trip to Bhutan makes a honeymoon you’ll never forget. You can see ancient Buddhist monasteries, stay with local families on a Bhutanese farm and hike up to the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, an icon of Bhutan balanced 3,000 metres above the Paro Valley.

This isn’t a where-the-wind-takes-you kind of holiday; travelling in Bhutan requires planning, with local guides and drivers in tow. Don’t worry – that’s where our travel specialists come in. Bhutan blooms in spring, but chances are you’ll be visiting the Inner Himalayas, where temperatures swing between day and night. Pack layers, befriend your guide and prepare for a proper adventure.

Prefer festivals and parties? Head to Laos for something a little different! Although the weather will be less dry, the Bun Bang Fai festival will make it worthwhile as the people of Lao embrace the rains for nurturing their crops (resulting in some pretty incredible revelry!).

Best for: First-time adventurers

Keen on adventure, but don’t know where to start? Borneo promises an exciting, active and yet accessible introduction to the wild side, so it’s brilliant if you’re new to this part of the world. Think jungle trekking, sleeping in riverside lodges and visits to orangutan sanctuaries, as well as meeting an Iban tribe to gain an understanding of local life.

June in Borneo is hot (a 30°C average) but it’s a good time to dodge the rainy season. Pack something waterproof anyway, as well as sturdy footwear – especially if you’re jungle-bound (read our Borneo Travel Tips post here). If it’s your first holiday of this kind, we’d recommend you finish up with a few days to recuperate. Try our ready-made Great Apes & Beach Escapes itinerary, which ends in a beautiful seafront bungalow on the white sands of Lankayan Island.

Want to try a wildcard? Myanmar in June is a hidden gem, in the middle of the green season, expect vibrant colours, incredible scenery and stunning lakes (Oh, and cheaper flights avoiding the summer holidays)! 

Best for: Soulful explorers

If you’re full of post-wedding blissfulness, this is one to fall in love with. Sri Lanka is a colourful, welcoming and truly stunning country, wrapped up in a bow of emerald-green scenery. May to September is monsoon season in the south, but up in the north, skies are blue and the mercury soars.

It’s the perfect time to experience the country’s tea hills and rice paddies and hop on a jeep safari in Yala National Park, chock-full of birdlife, monkeys and elephants (you can even sleep at the edge of the park itself). Begin married life with a bang and try a homestay in the curry kitchen, to pick up a few tips to bring home. Sri Lanka honeymoons can be as active as you like; make the hike up Adam’s Peak for the most magical sunrise of your life, or tuck yourselves away beneath the shady palm trees of the east coast’s beaches (read a bit more about some Unique Sri Lankan facts).

Looking for a different spin on a beach holiday? July is a great time to visit the Moroccan coast, with cool breezes keeping the towns and beaches pleasant. 

Best for: Water babies

If you’re treating yourself to some beach time on your honeymoon, but don’t fancy staying in one place? Then island hopping is a great compromise. Malaysia’s beaches are something special, and at this time of year, head east for hot, dry beach weather.

The Perhentian Islands are the perfect place to unplug after the whirlwind of wedding planning – HD-colours, pristine white sand and nothing to do but take it easy. The underwater world here is something that has to be seen, and you can also grab a boat over to Pulau Lang Tengah, a tiny castaway-style island that still feels undiscovered. You can stay in beautiful beachfront accommodation (the bungalows here are a coconut’s throw away from the sand) but we always try to place you in traditional, locally-owned hotels. So you’ll still get an authentic feel for Malaysia, and a beach holiday with a difference.

Fancy a South American alternative? Try Bolivia in August, as it’s the mid-season you’ll have amazing sunshine for a visit to the salt flats or Copacabana.

Best for: Couples who want it all

We probably don’t need to tell you about Bali – the place has A-list name recognition when it comes to the beaches, and they’re as good as everyone says. But there’s another side to this world-famous island, and since a honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of trip, take the opportunity for a more meaningful experience. You need to be mindful of the monsoon season when it comes to Indonesia, but you’re on track for dry spells if you visit Bali between April and September.

Experience the temple-studded scenery of Ubud, surrounded by bottle-green rice paddies and known for its bohemian flair, and cycle through its traditional villages. If you’re tempted by those beaches, you can head south into sleepy Sanur, a laid-back beach village that’s the perfect place to round things off.

Alternatively, China has perfect weather in September, not too hot or cold and it’s quieter as the summer holidays have finished. Why not grab an ice cold beer and spend the evening overlooking the karst mountains?

Best for: Temple & Tea lovers

There are no two ways about it – India is vast, and choosing where to visit can be overwhelming. Climate is a factor, and October is a brilliant time to experience the mellow, mountainous northeast, from its world-famous tea plantations to the temples and valleys of the Tibetan border – it’s India at its untouched best.

Start among the crisp air peaks of Darjeeling (and let’s not forget it’s tea..!), with its scenic streets, monasteries and take the scenic toy train. To better absorb life in the north-east, our Tibetan Temple Trail trip departs from Darjeeling and includes a family-run farm stay in the little village of Rinchenpong, where you’ll be welcomed with characteristic north Indian warmth.

Want another chance to see Brazil? This time of year is a different beast, with the north islands still being warm, and great if you’re into scuba diving or finding wildlife in the Pantanal tropical wetlands. 

Best for: Serious trekkers

Let your first adventure as a married couple be one of the biggest on the planet (everything else will seem like a walk in the park after that, right?). Machu Picchu is one of the most incredible sights on earth; trek the Inca Trail in the misty foothills of the Andes, stand hand-in-hand as the sun peeks over the mountain tops and marvel at the Lost City – a serious couples’ bonding experience, but not one for the faint-hearted.

There are clear wet and dry seasons around Machu Picchu, and April to November promise the clearest skies for the best views from the top. November skirts the edge of the dry season, meaning fewer crowds, and the best chance of having the Lost City to yourself.

Fancy venturing to South East Asia? Cambodia has the best weather in November, as the wet season ends and Bonn Om Touk (The Water Festival) begins! Explore castaway beaches, clamber over ancient jungle ruins or see the colours of dawn reflected in the lake of Angkor Wat – you won’t be disappointed.

Best for: Couples that get bored easily

For honeymoon tales to tell the grandkids about, head to colourfully-chaotic south Vietnam. While the climate of the rugged north is a far cry from the sunny south, December is an excellent crossover month. Ho Chi Minh City is a whirlwind of colonial architecture, vibrant nightlife and fantastic food. If you fancy exploring the beaches of the south, you can bolt on a few days in Phu Quoc, a jungle-fringed stretch of coast in the Gulf of Thailand.

Vietnam is at its most rewarding when you dive in headfirst – wherever you visit, we recommend trying public transport. You can cover a lot of the country by train (just take the timetables with a pinch of salt), and rickshaws are a brilliant experience which benefits the local community (just shake on the fare before you hop in). You’ll start married life with one heck of a story…

Central America is another alternative, December sees the end of the rainy season in Nicaragua and people visit for some nature, culture and castaway islands.