Planning your winter honeymoon? You’re in the right place – get ready to delve into the world’s most incredible destinations for your special trip and enjoy everything from snow-covered mountains to white sand beaches along the way.
Winter is the perfect time of year to plan your honeymoon. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend in the French Alps at Méribel or a week of splashing in the Caribbean Sea in Anguilla, the options are endless.
But where can you find the best hotel rates, uncrowded beaches, and action-packed city breaks? We’ve done our homework to help you find hidden gems and honeymoon hotspots around the world.
Plan the ultimate winter honeymoon with this handy guide.
Winter Honeymoon Destinations
Nevis
Best For: Caribbean Honeymoon
It’s not all snowy days and cuddling by the fireplace when narrowing in on the best honeymoon destinations in the winter. It’s also the perfect time to visit some of our favorite Caribbean Islands after walking down the aisle.
Head to our favorite tropical honeymoon hidden gem and visit Nevis when the weather is warm and dry.
Enjoy lush jungle hikes at Nevis Peak and then see why Pinney’s Beach, with its golden sands and azure waters, ranks up with the best beaches in the West Indies but with fewer crowds.
The Botanical Gardens of Nevis is one of our favorite ideas for honeymoon photos, with a stunning collection of tropical plants and noisy parrots ready to hop in on your honeymoon reels.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 7-10 Days
Suggested Stay: Golden Rock Inn
Akagera National Park, Rwanda
Best For: Safari Honeymoon
Because winter is the dry season in Akagera National Park, it’s the perfect time to schedule a safari honeymoon in Rwanda.
With over 400 square miles of grassy plains and wetlands on the border of Tanzania, the national park is home to lions, giraffes, zebras, and the elusive leopards.
Temperatures are pleasant at around 60°F to 80°F, and from December through February, you won’t see nearly as much rain as the rest of the year, making it a great time to see wildlife on a guided tour.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 5-7 Days
Suggested Stay: Mantis Akagera Game Lodge
The Maldives
Best For: Luxury Resorts
When we picture happy couples toasting to their future from a luxury suite overlooking blue-green waters and pillowy white sands, one place quickly comes to mind: The Maldives.
If you’re dreaming of an all-inclusive honeymoon with yoga lessons, fine dining, and long days lying on the beach, you can’t do much better than the private slice of paradise at Ithaafushi Island.
Imagine spa dates, snorkeling excursions, and epic sunsets all just steps away from your overwater bungalow. You’re welcome.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 7-10 Days
Suggested Stay: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
New York City, USA
Best For: Urban Honeymoon
You might have to deal with a blizzard or layer up to stay warm between sightseeing and dining, but winter is the perfect time to visit New York City. Hear us out.
Walk around Rockefeller Center in December, and the holiday lights, ice skating rink, and towering Christmas tree truly transform the bustling city into one of the most romantic places on earth.
A snowy Central Park is idyllic for romantic afternoon strolls before attending a Broadway play or dining at world-class restaurants like Le Bernardin or Via Carota.
You’ll find some of the lowest hotel rates during winter months, and it’s a perfect layover if you’re traveling to Europe from the western USA.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 3-5 Days
Suggested Stay: The Plaza
Tromsø, Norway
Best For: Seeing the Northern Lights
Few places embody winter quite as well as Norway. The sleepy villages, snowy nights, and hygge (the term for feeling cozy) are perfect for a romantic getaway with your partner.
Tromsø is one of our favorite winter honeymoon destinations for all these reasons, and you can also experience the most incredible northern lights anywhere in the world.
Located north of the Arctic Circle, any month is fair game for seeing the Northern Lights. But the winter months are especially vibrant, where you can take a guided tour to see them light up the Norwegian sky at night.
Other highlights include taking a reindeer sled ride, saying cheers from inside an ice sculpture at Magic Ice Bar Tromsø, or having a Michelin-recommended dinner at Restaurant Smak AS.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 3-5 Days
Suggested Stay: ÆRA Tromso
Merzouga, Morocco
Best For: Desert Honeymoon Escape
Merzouga, Morocco, is one of our favorite places for a winter honeymoon. Why? The temperatures rarely get warmer than 65°F with plenty of sunshine, and while cool, it’s perfect for hiking in the desert during the daytime.
Hike or ride on camelback through the dunes during the day, looking for wildlife like fringe-toed lizards. Then, relax and take in a gorgeous sunset at your luxury campsite.
You can’t get much more romantic than stepping out and stargazing on perfectly clear winter nights.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 5 Days
Suggested Stay: Sahara Desert Luxury Camp
Anguilla
Best For: a Beach Honeymoon
Get away from the crowds and enjoy some of the most idyllic beaches and luxury hotels at one of our favorite Caribbean Islands, Anguilla.
Spend an afternoon (or several) lounging on the white sand beaches at spots like Maundays Bay, and enjoy swimming or snorkeling in the crystal clear waters.
Later, lounge by the hotel pool, try local cuisine at a beachside restaurant like Da’Vida, or sail to Prickly Pear Cay for some of the best snorkeling in Anguilla.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 7-10 Days
Suggested Stay: Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla
Lake Tahoe, California, USA
Best For: Honeymoon Ski Trip
The ski resorts, charming villages, and (of course) dreamy blue waters at Lake Tahoe all make it a prime destination for love birds during all 4 seasons. But it transforms into one of the best winter honeymoon destinations in the USA from late November through February (sometimes even March).
Expect plenty of snowfall at ski resorts like Heavenly Village or nearby local favorite Kirkwood in the winter months.
Pro tip? Warm up with an old-fashioned Lobster Angelotti while watching the sunset from Edgewood Restaurant in South Lake.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 5 Days
Suggested Stay: Edgewood Tahoe Resort
Bay of Islands, New Zealand
Best For: Island Hopping
We love a secret vacation spot, but sometimes can’t help but share. Bay of Islands might not be the first place tourists think of when planning a winter honeymoon, but it should be.
There are over 100 islands on this stretch of northern New Zealand, so where should you start?
Spend the warm afternoons on Paihia Beach (highs average between 70°F to 75°F) before taking a ferry from Paihia Wharf to snorkeling hot spots in Maunganui Bay or Urupukapuka.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 5-7 Days
Suggested Stay: Paihia Beach Resort & Spa Hotel
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Best For: Nature and Wildlife
Looking for one of the best winter honeymoon destinations in Central America? Manuel Antonio is a perfect choice for couples who want to escape the hustle and bustle and explore the jungle and beaches.
The small national park is home to an abundance of wildlife, where you’ll see spider monkeys, sloths, and colorful toucans.
But Manuel Antonio offers a lot to do outside of the park, too. Be sure to check out the open-air restaurants in Quepos, take a day trip to walk the hanging bridges through the jungle at Rainmaker, and lounge at stunning beaches like Playa Espadilla.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 5-7 Days
Suggested Stay: Makanda by The Sea Hotel Adults Only
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Best For: Honeymoon for Foodies
When you think of a honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta, you may picture mornings hiking or zip lining through the Sierra Madre Mountains and afternoons lounging at an all-inclusive resort by the pool.
You aren’t wrong. And the winter weather is typically perfect, with highs around 80°F.
But Puerto Vallarta is quietly one of the best food destinations in Mexico. Trust us. Even in bustling tourist districts like Los Muertos Beach, you can find delectable seafood like octopus tacos or the legendary zarandeado-style grilled fish at La Palapa Restaurant.
Walk the winding cobbled alleys in Zona Romántica and discover incredible taco stands, weekend farmer’s markets, and rooftop bars where you can try agave spirits from nearby Tequila, Jalisco.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 5-7 Days
Suggested Stay: Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort
Valletta, Malta
Best For: European Honeymoon
Couples looking for an urban escape will be happy to hear that Valletta, Malta is one of Europe’s best winter honeymoon destinations.
The capital city is slowly becoming a huge hit with travelers, offering plenty of culture and cuisine to entice the most discerning couples. Walk around Valletta to discover incredible architecture like the 16th-century St. John’s Co-Cathedral before exploring Maltan art at MUZA.
You can stay in the capital or nearby Sliema, which boasts dramatic rocky beaches like Exiles Beach and a beautiful waterfront hotel district.
It might be just a bit too cold to swim at Malta’s beautiful beaches for some, but the weather is gorgeous in Malta in the winter, with highs frequently topping 60°F.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 5 Days
Suggested Stay: AX The Palace
Méribel, France
Best For: Honeymoon in the Mountains
Many couples head to the Alps for a weekend of skiing and relaxing after their big day. Méribel, France, is part of the 3 Valleys, which many consider the best place to hit the slopes in all of Europe.
Méribel features over 300 runs (the most in the world) and terrain for beginners or expert couples.
In the charming villages surrounding the resort, there are also many boutique shops and cozy restaurants, like the bustling Galacian bar Copiña.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 3-5 Days
Suggested Stay: Madame Vacances Hôtel & Spa Le Mottaret
Roatán, Honduras
Best For: Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Central America is an excellent winter holiday destination, when the weather is sunny, dry, and perfect for splashing around in the warm waters.
Roatán is the most famous of the Bay Islands in Honduras and a perfect place to experience the beautiful clear blue Caribbean Sea.
Head to West Bay Beach, and you’ll see why the white sand beaches backed by lush jungle vegetation are becoming a favorite of honeymooners around the world. From here, head out on a guided tour to one of the largest barrier reef systems in the world, the Roatan Barrier Reef.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 7-10 Days
Suggested Stay: Naboo Resort & Dive Center
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Best For: Mini Moon
While famous for extravagant elopement packages, you can also plan a wonderful Las Vegas honeymoon after you walk down the aisle.
The casinos on The Strip and on Fremont Street (we love the newish adults-only Circa Resort & Casino) offer plenty of excitement, and don’t sleep on the world-class dining scene.
After you carb up at Carbone or Esther’s Kitchen, plan a honeymoon road trip to Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon. The hiking trails (you can snowshoe or cross-country ski in the winter) are some of the best in the USA and far easier to access without the peak-season crowds.
Suggested Honeymoon Duration: 3-5 Days
Suggested Stay: Bellagio
Practical Tips for Planning Your Winter Honeymoon
Winter Travel Can Save You Money
If you can fit it into your busy schedule, traveling shortly after the December holiday season can save you a ton on your honeymoon fund.
Talk to the Hotel About Upgrades
It never hurts to ask, right? And you may just be surprised about your chances of getting a room upgrade when you travel during the off-peak season in January or February to a few places on this list.
Consider Travel Insurance or Free Cancellation
You might want to add travel insurance because winter is unpredictable in many locations on this list. You never know when a snowstorm will shut down roads or cancel flights. Do yourself a favor and plan ahead.
Best Places to Honeymoon in Winter: Map
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