11 Best Caribbean islands & resorts for honeymoons (incl. overwater bungalows)

When most of us dream of a Caribbean honeymoon I think we typically think of a small and gorgeous island and staying in a small and private resort with a lovely beach and excellent service. The Caribbean has loads of great options that fit that description and we will list our favorites below.

Those with smaller budgets might actually be better off with a different strategy, however. Unfortunately, the type of resort described above tends to be very expensive, and choosing a lousy and neglected resort on a small island might turn into a disaster. If you can’t afford a great resort on a small island it’s probably better to choose a great resort on a busier island because you don’t want to take chances on your honeymoon.

We will start below with the best option for those on lower budgets and then list our picks for the dream islands and resorts for those who can afford them.

When you are going to the Caribbean with a big family or a group of people wanting to party, it’s pretty easy to choose an all-inclusive resort because they tend to offer the best value, especially for those who like to drink more than one or two alcoholic beverages each day. But on a honeymoon you might be better off staying at a resort where only breakfast is included.

In case you haven’t stayed an a Caribbean all-inclusive resort before, most of them offer an excellent buffet breakfast, a good lunch buffet, and then often a choice of a dinner buffet or a sit-down restaurant with a modest number of meal choices. They also include unlimited alcoholic beverages, but typically only house wine, local beer, and cheaper spirits and mixed drinks. If you want, say, a $20 or higher bottle of wine, you have to pay the full price for it. In other words, they aren’t the best romantic choice. If they sound good for you then you can check our list of the best luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.

Your budget will have a huge bearing on where you can afford to go on your honeymoon. Here’s the thing. If you’ve only got a budget of, say, US$200 per night, that will get you a run-down beach hotel on most islands, but it could get you a really nice and professionally run hotel in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, or in the greater Cancun area. If your budget is US$300 per night you can probably get an acceptable beach hotel on a smaller island, or an excellent beach resort in Punta Cana. With that kind of budget it’s worth looking around, but you’ll always get a lot more for your honeymoon fund in Punta Cana and in Mexico.

As mentioned just above regarding budgets, Punta Cana is a gorgeous beach area with dozens of professionally run resorts that offer the best value in the Caribbean. If you’ve only got US$300 per night to spend in total you can still afford a large and clean room at an all-inclusive beach resort with great pools as well as a lovely beach. Some of these resorts are specifically “adults only” so they attract romantic couples and have zero kids, which can be a great feature if you like a quiet pool area.

If you can afford US$400 or US$500 per night you can afford something really spectacular in Punta Cana, compared to something much more basic on the islands we have listed below. Especially if you and your future partner are drinkers, the all-inclusive resorts provide amazing value and keep your budget predictable.

Suggested resort: Barceló Bávaro Beach – Adults Only – All Inclusive

-High season rates from US$338 per night per couple, including all taxes-

Resort highlights

• 5 restaurants
• 2 Bars/lounges, 1 poolside bar
• 18 hole golf course
• 3 tennis courts and health club

One of the best of the larger adults-only resorts in Punta Cana, Barceló Bávaro Beach has wedding and honeymoon packages along with a spa, a gorgeous pool, a golf course, 3 tennis courts, and 5 restaurants. There are almost 600 rooms so this is not a boutique resort, but you’d probably have to pay almost double for a small place that offered this much and got excellent reviews.

If you can afford a smaller resort then keep looking because you might be at least a bit happier there. But if an all-inclusive resort like the Barceló Bávaro Beach is near the top end of your budget, it’s an excellent choice for a honeymoon.

>>Check rates at the Barceló Bávaro Beach
>>>Check Punta Cana resort deals

A bit similar to Punta Cana mentioned above, Cancun has hundreds of hotels in a large area and many of them offer excellent value along with some other perks you can’t find elsewhere in the Caribbean. Not only can you find fantastic all-inclusive beach resorts in Cancun (usually smaller than the ones in Punta Cana), but the Cancun area has by far the best nightlife and shopping in the Caribbean. Those aren’t usually top priorities on honeymoons, but we thought it was worth noting just in case.

The busy Cancun airport serves a large area that consists of the Cancun Hotel Zone, Downtown Cancun, Isla Mujeres (small island), Playa del Carmen, Cozumel (larger island), Tulum, as well as the long coastal area the encompasses all of them called the Riviera Maya. I put together a handy guide to help choose where to stay in Cancun to find the right place for your style.

Suggested resort: Grand Residences Riviera Cancun, a Registry Collection Hotel – All Inclusive

-High season rates from US$459 per night per couple including all taxes-

Resort highlights

• 3 restaurants
• Swim-up bar
• Full on-site spa
• 2 pools

With only 144 rooms, the 5-star Grand Residences Riviera Cancun is only of the smallest all-inclusive resorts in its price range, making it a potentially fantastic choice for honeymooners. The reviews of this resort are exceptional and it’s worth reading through them if this sounds like it might be a good option for you.

The hotel has a children’s pool to go along with two large adult pools, but aside from that there are no family facilities so this place definitely won’t have many kids. They’ve also got a spa and yoga classes along with a health club, so this could be a good choice for those who like to pamper themselves on their honeymoon.

>>>Check rates at the Grand Residences Riviera Cancun
>>>Check Cancun resort deals

If you aren’t on a low budget or you don’t want big nightlife and shopping, then the smaller islands below are your best honeymoon options. We also pick one of our favorite honeymoon resorts on each island so you can see at least one great option.

St. Lucia

Considered by many to be among the most beautiful Caribbean islands, St. Lucia is one of the smaller English-speaking islands in the eastern Caribbean. The lush green mountains here are unusually dramatic, and a pair of peaks on the west coast called the Pitons are arguably the most photogenic sight in all of the Caribbean.

St. Lucia is known for great beaches and smaller resorts, so it’s popular with honeymoon couples looking for something more individual and mellow compared to the larger islands mentioned above.

Suggested resort: Sandals Grande St. Lucian

-High season rates: US$882 – $2,929 per night including tax-

Resort highlights

• 12 restaurants
• 7 bars (including swim-up bars)
• 2 included golf courses
• 5 pools, 3 whirlpools, 1 SCUBA pool

While they may not be fully perched over a turquoise bay like the Sandals resorts in Jamaica (see below), the Sandals Grande St. Lucian has 9 overwater bungalows in addition to a few hundred luxurious rooms and suites on the beach. The overwater bungalows are the most private accommodation they have here, and they are not cheap.

Sandals, in case you aren’t familiar with them, are a “Couples Only” resort that offers a Premium all-inclusive experience. This includes top-shelf liquor, wines, and high-end dining experiences that include specialty sit-down restaurants rather than just one buffet after another. Nearly all of the activities are included at Sandals as well, so most guests pay exactly the room rate and nothing more.

If you (like me) can’t afford the overwater bungalows then you still have lots of amazing choices including rooms that literally are attached to a pool. The St. Lucia location is the most beautiful of the three that offer overwater bungalows, and it’s probably the best choice for honeymoon couples who can afford it.

>>>Check rates at the Sandals Grande St. Lucian
>>>Check St. Lucia resort deals

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Jamaica

Honestly, Jamaica wouldn’t otherwise be a top choice for best islands for honeymooners if not for the fact that they have quite a few amazing high-end resorts including two Sandals locations that have the best overwater bungalows in the Caribbean. I don’t really recommend that most people set out to explore the island of Jamaica because there are quite a few annoying things about it, but if you want to go directly to one of its best resorts and stay there for your whole honeymoon, it can be perfect.

Jamaica is also a shorter and cheaper flight compared to most of those smaller islands listed below, and that is something else that should be considered when deciding which island to honeymoon on.

Suggested resort: Sandals South Coast Jamaica – Premium all-inclusive

-High season rates: US$742 – $3,234 per night including tax-

Resort highlights

• 9 restaurants
• 7 bars
• 4 pools, 4 whirlpools
• PADI-Certified SCUBA diving and equipment

Sandals has amazing overwater bungalows at two resorts in Jamaica. One is the Sandals Royal Caribbean near the Montego Bay Airport, and the other is at Sandals South Coast, which is south of Negril on the sunset-facing west coast beach. The South Coast resort is the better choice for most honeymooners because it’s more isolated and quiet as well as more spread out and luxurious.

Again, all Sandals resorts are Couples Only so they are very popular with the honeymoon crowd. They even offer beach weddings with great perks for the couple if a few friends book for the event as well. I’ve been to this resort and the overwater bungalows on their heart-shaped pier are stunning. If you can’t afford the overwater bungalows then the other rooms in the short towers are far cheaper and still include the premium all-inclusive experience.

>>>Check rates at the Sandals South Coast Jamaica
>>>Check Jamaica resort deals

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St. Kitts

While perhaps not as dramatic as St. Lucia, the smaller island of St. Kitts is my personal favorite Caribbean island and I’m not alone. With fewer than 40,000 residents, St. Kitts is as peaceful as it is gorgeous. Unlike so many other nearby islands where bush and jungles dominate the view, St. Kitts is mostly rolling green hills and very little development.

The island does have a cruise port so it can get busy one or two days a week, but generally things are calm and laidback here.

Suggested resort: St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino

-High season rates from US$327 per night per couple including taxes-

Resort highlights

• 7 restaurants
• Beach bar
• 2 pools, swim-up bar
• 18 hole golf course

If you take a tour of St. Kitts you’ll be taken to a ridge with stunning views on both sides of the islands, and the centerpiece of that view is the gorgeous St Kitts Marriott resort. Fortunately, the Marriott gets great reviews and is also more affordable than you’d think when you first see it. Unlike the resorts mentioned above, the all-inclusive plan is optional at the St. Kitts Marriott, so you can pay as you go if you aren’t big drinkers or prefer premium drinks instead.

The St. Kitts Marriott has 389 total rooms so it’s not a boutique resort, but it’s on a huge beach so it won’t feel crowded and it can be perfect for honeymooners. As a 4.5-star resort you won’t be surprised to learn that they have a spa, sauna, golf course and fitness center along with 7 restaurants.

>>>Check rates at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort
>>>Check St. Kitts resort deals

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Turks and Caicos

A British Overseas Territory made up of 40 sparsely populated islands, Turks and Caicos are just south of the Bahamas and are an up and coming destination for honeymoon couples in the Caribbean. The islands are known for white beaches and turquoise waters, as well as reef systems just off shore, making them prime scuba diving hotspots. Like the Bahamas, these islands are flat and yet very scenic.

Turks and Caicos islands so have a handful of larger resorts, but they are more known for smaller boutique resorts and developments. If you don’t want to fight the crowds, this could be a perfect honeymoon choice.

Suggested resort: Zenza Boutique Hotel

-High season rates from US$466 per night per couple including taxes-

Resort highlights

• 3 restaurants
• 2 bars
• Pool with sun loungers
• Free bike rentals

With only 26 total Marina-view and Ocean-view rooms, the Zenza Boutique Hotel gets amazing reviews and could be a perfect choice for a couple looking for a small boutique hotel on a gorgeous beach. This is not an all-inclusive hotel, but they do have 3 restaurants and 2 bars, which is pretty impressive for a resort with only 26 rooms.

Nearly all of the reviews point out the excellent service from the resort staff, which is exactly what you’d hope for at a smaller place like this. If you want a honeymoon resort with a long list of activities then this place is not for you, but if you are looking for a place with almost no distractions aside from a lovely beach and a pool this could be your place.

>>>Check rates at the Zenza Boutique Hotel
>>>Check Turks and Caicos resort deals

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Barbados

One of the more remote Caribbean islands being just off the coast of Venezuela, Barbados has a lot to offer honeymoon couples. While it isn’t widely talked about, Barbados is one of the most popular islands for vacations for the rich and famous. Along the western (sunset view) coast of the island, north of Bridgetown, are miles and miles of boutique hotels, beach villas, and high-end restaurants catering to the celebrity crowd.

There is also a wide variety of hotels south of Bridgetown that range from big chains to extreme luxury to boutique all-inclusives. There’s a Sandals in Barbados as well, which is always a popular honeymoon option being a Couples Only all-inclusive resort.

Suggested resort: The Soco Hotel – Adults Only – All Inclusive

-High season rates from US$709 per night per couple including taxes-

Resort highlights

• Only 24 rooms
• Outdoor pool
• Concierge services, wedding services
• All à la carte meals, snacks, and beverages included

With only 24 guest rooms, the Soco Hotel could be another ideal option for honeymoon couples who prefer a smaller beach resort. The Soco gets excellent reviews and evidently many return guests, which is always a promising sign.

One other notable feature of the Soco is that the restaurant service is all a la carte, so you won’t have to deal with buffets that are such a staple at larger all-inclusive resorts. They’ve got beach loungers, a pool, and a spa, so this is a small and simple place that could be perfect for romantic couples who don’t need jet ski rentals or a golf course.

>>>Check rates at The Soco Hotel
>>>Check Barbados resort deals

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St. Maarten/St Martin

Famously shared by France in the north and the Netherlands in the south, St. Maarten is another contender for most beautiful Caribbean island. The Dutch portion in the south has more development and even some casinos, while the French portion in the north is more beautiful, less developed, and has much better food (as you’d expect).

There are plenty of small and medium sized beach resorts in both portions, but most would agree that the French portion is probably a better choice for a honeymoon (unless you like casino gambling). Most of the beach resorts in the French portion also have west-facing beaches with amazing sunsets.

Suggested resort: Bleu Emeraude Hotel

-High season rates from US$657 per night per couple including taxes-

Resort highlights

• Only 11 rooms
• Fully equipped gourmet kitchen in each unit
• Private terrace in each room
• Soundproof rooms

The 11-room Bleu Emeraude Hotel is located on a gorgeous sandy beach overlooking turquoise waters with fantastic sunsets and in the French portion of St. Martin. The reviews are almost unbelievably strong, but there are enough of them that they have to be legit. Small resorts often get excellent reviews because the staff can get to know each guest, and that seems to happen here.

THe Bleu Emeraude has studio rooms and 1-bedroom suites that each come with a fully equipped gourmet kitchen. The hotel also offers a free grocery shopping service so this could be a good option for a couple who likes to prepare a meal or two for themselves. There is no swimming pool, but it is on a gentle bay so swimming looks easy.

>>>Check rates at the Bleu Emeraude Hotel
>>>Check St. Maarten resort deals

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Antigua

Yet another small and stunning English-speaking island, Antigua is known for its yacht culture and high-end beach resorts. Antigua does have a few medium-sized all-inclusive resorts, but most accommodation here are smaller boutique places on the beach or overlooking the gorgeous harbor.

An island tour could be a good way to spend a few hours, but like so many other Caribbean islands, the most popular option is to find a resort that has everything you need and plan on spending most or all of your time there. Every December you can get a look at some of the super yachts that come for the annual show, and that tells you a bit about the kind of island Antigua is.

Suggested resort: COCOS Hotel – Adults Only – Caters to Couples – All Inclusive

-High season rates from US$843 per night per couple including taxes-

Resort highlights

• Only 35 rooms
• Outdoor pool with sun loungers
• Restaurant and 2 beach bars
• Full service spa

Fully rejuvenated in 2020, COCOS Hotel is a popular option for honeymoons in Antigua because it’s adults only, catering to couples, and a boutique all-inclusive resort. As with the other suggestions on this page, the reviews here are outstanding and most guests rave about the treatment by staff.

As you cans see in the photos, the turquoise beach is the star here and yet they also have a lovely pool. This could be a great option for a couple who likes to enjoy some drinks in the evening without worrying about the price, and also get proper restaurant service instead of just a buffet.

>>>Check rates at the COCOS Hotel
>>>Check Antigua resort deals

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Anguilla

Located just a few miles north of St. Maarten, Anguilla is a small and flat island with amazing beaches and very good diving and snorkeling. With a total population of only about 15,000, Anguilla is known as a place to relax and get away from crowds. The majority of the beach resorts here are expensive and exclusive, so it’s not a great option for those on even medium budgets.

There are a few direct flights into Anguilla out of Puerto Rico and other larger airports, but most people come through St. Maarten by either taking a 7-minute charter flight or a short ferry ride. Again, this one feels remote even for the Caribbean.

Suggested resort: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla

-High season rates from US$1,802 per night per couple including taxes-

Resort highlights

• 3 outdoor pools with cabanas
• 5 restaurants
• 1 poolside bar and 1 bar
• Full service spa

If you are familiar with the Four Season hotel chain you will have a pretty good idea of what to expect here. And when you look at the room rates, you’ll have an even better idea. This is a classic 5-star resort with 166 rooms and amazing service for every guest. The oceanview suites start at over US$3,000 per night in high season, but the studio rooms are only a bit more than half of that.

Obviously they have a full service spa here as well as beach yoga, sailing, and 3 tennis courts. If you are in a position to stay at a place like this for your honeymoon you’ll be happy to know that the Four Seasons in Anguilla also offers wedding services.

>>>Check rates at the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla
>>>Check Anguilla resort deals

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St. Barts

Speaking of lifestyles of the rich and famous, French-speaking St. Barthelemy, also known as St. Barts, is truly the Caribbean king of destinations for celebrities and the idle rich. I’ve never been there myself, but I hear it’s nice. The total population is only around 10,000 so it’s one of the least populated of the famous resort islands.

There are no large chain hotels on St. Barthelemy, so this is truly an exclusive crowd. The coves and beaches are dotted with a variety of boutique hotels and villas, and some are perched in the hills for even more privacy. Apparently most celebrities rent private villas for a stay here, so you probably won’t into many of them even at an expensive beach resort.

Suggested resort: Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa

-High season rates from US$2,366 per night per couple including taxes-

Resort highlights

• An outdoor pool with sun loungers
• 2 restaurants
• Poolside bar
• Full service spa

With 44 guest rooms, the Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa is one of the larger beach hotels on this island. It was voted #1 Resort in the Caribbean and among the Top Best Resorts of the World in the 35th annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, which is something that not many other resorts can boast.

The views out of the guest rooms are stunning with the gorgeous pool in front of the calm bay behind. I’ve never stayed in a hotel like this one and there isn’t much I can tell you about it aside from the fact that the reviews are excellent and those who can afford it seem to be extremely happy about staying here.

>>>Check rates at the Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa
>>>Check St. Barts resort deals