The FH and I are working hard to save $ to buy a place in about a year. We are both dying to go to Hawaii but fear it may be very expensive. Is there another place that compares, but thats not as $$?
stinenandy2010
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
I really hate to say this but I'm being honest, nothing compares to Hawaii. I've been to a lot of carribean islands, mexico, etc, and they are all different and all beautiful. I think no matter where you choose to go, it will be amazing.
sjr385
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
What about Hawaii makes you die to go there? Are you looking for a beautiful beach to sit on or places to go hiking/adventuring or something else?
Having been to Hawaii and travelled plenty, I'd recommend Panama. We went over Christmas -- actually got engaged there! -- and absolutely loved it. The culture's different from Hawaii but it's cheaper and the country is GORGEOUS.
cherish83
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
For our HM, we went to Atlantis and then on Princess cruise that stopped in Jamaica, Cozumel, and Grand Cayman. I've also been to PR and St. Martin.
In March we went to Hawaii as a late 1st year anniversary trip. None of the caribbean islands compares to Hawaii. We didnt do Hawaii for our HM because we thought it would be to expensive. If you do your research you can go for pretty cheap!
We only stayed on Oahu which helped keep the cost down. Maui is a lot more expensive. We stayed 5 days in Waikiki on the beach so it was more convenient to do the touristy things and then we went to the north shore and stayed at the Turtle Bay Resort (where Forgetting Sarah Marshall was filmed). We stayed in one of their beach cottages (the one from the movie actually!!) and we got an awesome deal!
Airfare and hotel only cost us about 2700. Depending on what you do when you are there, it can be cheap. There were nights when DH and I ate cheap and others where we splurged. We probably spent another 2000 while we were there.
Honestly Hawaii was cheaper than my HM!
alli3131
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
having been to Hawaii......while its beautiful its def not the end all be all of vacation places.
DH & I went to Belize, and I would also recommend Costa Rica or Panama and maybe even parts of Guatemala.
silyss
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
Well we want to go to Maui and Kaui. I heard/read that there is no place like it.. we want something with amazing views and fun activities. We don't just want to sit on a beach all day...
alli3131
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
Posted by silyss
Well we want to go to Maui and Kaui. I heard/read that there is no place like it.. we want something with amazing views and fun activities. We don't just want to sit on a beach all day...
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I think the places I mentioned have way better views that Hawaii and they all have tones of different water activities and tours.....Some places you can visit Mayan ruins, zipline...
sjr385
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
Posted by silyss
Well we want to go to Maui and Kaui. I heard/read that there is no place like it.. we want something with amazing views and fun activities. We don't just want to sit on a beach all day...
Hawaii's definitely pretty, but it's not necessarily prettier than some of the other places mentioned. Belize, Costa Rica, and Panama offer pretty much anything you want to do in any combination of beach/jungle/volcano/mountain setting.
If your heart is really set on Hawaii, go in the off-season. Prices are really seasonal there, so you can find some great deals at off times.
silyss
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
Thanks.. we'll look into some other options as well
Susan2010
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
Look into Costa Rica- I know several couples who have gone there and had a great time- lots of activities- surfing, zip lining, boat rides, jungle tours, etc. Definitely a more adventurous trip.
bride2be1012
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
Have you considered a cruise? FH and I might go on one next summer and it is pretty reasonable. You can a 12 day cruise for $1500 per person for an outside stateroom. Even if you factor in airfare and excursions you could probably do it for around $5000. That's not much worse than a Caribbean island.
wickedwedding16
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
Posted by silyss
Well we want to go to Maui and Kaui. I heard/read that there is no place like it.. we want something with amazing views and fun activities. We don't just want to sit on a beach all day...
We are going to Costa Rica because we arent beach bums and need activity. Its beautiful and lush. There is plenty to do.
We are jumping around to 3 parts of the country for our honeymoon.
2 nights we are staying in the rain cloud forest at the Monteverde Lodge where we can walk hanging brigdes, zipline, wildlife/reserve tours, see some of the most beautiful and exotic things in the world. This place is a little on the less extravagant side but it suits the purpose for these two nights.
3 nights we are staying at an AWESOME resort called Nayara Hotel Spa & Gardens (Google it, it looks amazing). It's overlooks an active volcano (a little taste of hawaii right there..lol) right from our balcony which includes a jacuzzi and an outdoor shower. It's out own personal cottage.
3 nights at an all inclusive resort call Paradisus Playa Conchal. CR dosen't have many all inclusive places but we figured this would be a great place to finish out HM.
Some of the places include meals or activities. All of our transfers from place to place are included. Getting from the first place to the second is a van and boat which is cool we will get to see so much that way too.
Estimate cost is $4K
If you want more details, let me know.
ETA: Flight included in those prices and we are going for 8 nights
Michy2009
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
i was going to suggest belize...never been there but have researched and it looks amazing!
can73110
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
Hey wickedwedding16 We are going to Costa Rica also! We are staying at the Arenal Nayara we will be there on August 2nd:) I cant wait!!
rtbene2
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
I think you should consider why you want to go to Hawaii, then use that to help you decide where to go. We are going to Maui and Kauai for our honeymoon, but pretty much because about 7 other couples I know had the same honeymoon and convinced us to go and we figure when will we ever go again! That said, about half of those other couples didn't go to that many other places where they would have a good basis for comparison. I've been to Costa Rica and Puerto Rico and they were both very beautiful if you go to the right places. They certainly won't have the cultural feeling of Hawaii though. Thus, consider the reason you want Hawaii.
Also- we booked our honeymoon through Costco travel, believe it or not. FH is an accountant and is crazy for a deal- called all over- they were the best (not the cheapest but the best overall value).
Also- one of the things that makes Hawaiiu unique is that it is an archipelago- a string of volcanic islands-and you won't find that in a lot of the other places people are mentioning on the board- although Costa Rica (does have some volcanos). Then again, you can honestly go to southern Italy for the same price as Hawaii, and my oh my that was incredible- had its volcanos and islands all!
Good luck!
LMEL1223
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
US virgin islands!
JACK808
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Re: Similar places to Hawaii?
St. Lucia has a volcanic landscape very similar to Hawaii.
wickedwedding16
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wickedwedding16
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Posted by can73110
Hey wickedwedding16 We are going to Costa Rica also! We are staying at the Arenal Nayara we will be there on August 2nd:) I cant wait!!
We are most excited for Nayara!! Where else are you going and what are you doing??! FM me!! I would love to chat CR!
