Many people dream of having an elegant and wonderful
honeymoon, but in today's economy, that seems like a challenge, mainly for one
reason: Cost.
Say you want to go on a honeymoon, and you find a trip that
looks great! That is, until you see how pricey it is. Being cost effective and
having an enjoyable honeymoon might seem difficult, considering the average
cost of a honeymoon is around $4000, even at the most affordable rates. All you
have to do though is get a little creative and sure enough, there are certainly
a few ways to cut expenses, so here are a few tips on spending as little as you
can (let's say $3000 or less) while still having a great time.
The basics
Though it seems like stating the obvious, having an emphasis
on budget and doing extra planning for your honeymoon is a great help. Planning
out where you're going, what you're doing and other questions all come into
play where budget is concerned. One of the biggest variables for cost is
location. Depending on where you're going can make a huge difference. But just
because you're on a budget doesn't mean you can't splurge, just so long as it
all fits within the budget.
Plan ahead
Planning a honeymoon weeks or even months in ahead can also
help tremendously. Knowing where you're going, what you're doing, and having a
basic idea in mind will put you at an advantage. Not only can you be on the
lookout for deals and cheaper prices, but if you're ever planning on buying
plane tickets, for example, often times you can get them cheaper when you buy
them earlier.
Where to stay
Hotels can charge high rates per night, which then becomes
another factor in one's budget. In Hawaii there are "hotel taxes"
which increase the cost even more. Rather than staying in an expensive hotel,
opting for a hostel is one alternative, with some private rooms as cheap as
twenty dollars. Renting condos, apartments, or even cabins for prices much
cheaper than retail hotel rates is also possible thanks to Hawaii vacation rental sites
like airbnb.com. You can find many places between $75-$100/night. A bed and
breakfast is also another idea for honeymoons.
Prices and cost
During vacation season, tickets to popular destination spots
are naturally more expensive, and going on a honeymoon during an off-peak
season can cut down the budget. Going during off season doesn't necessarily
mean that there won't be much to see; in fact, you might get to see more, as
off-seasons typically mean that there are less tourists and visitors, and
cheaper prices on plane tickets and hotel rooms. Purchasing an all-inclusive
honeymoon package at a set price also allows you to know how much you're paying
but the only downside would be considering the cost of airfare.
Tours vs Renting a Car
When on Hawaii you will need to get out of the city to see
the beautiful nature Hawaii has to offer. Upon arriving to Hawaii, we recommend
relaxing because almost everyone is jet-lagged. For your first full day, we
recommend taking a tour of the island and stopping by Pearl Harbor. There are
many Pearl Harbor tours you
can take while circling the island. The reason we recommend taking a tour 1st
is you can revisit the spots you liked later on. Also, the local tour guides
will give you excellent recommendations based on your likes. Most tour
companies will pick you up at select hotels in Waikiki. If you are on a super
tight budget, Hawaii has the best bus system ever as long as you are outside of
Waikiki.
Sightseeing and preparing your own meals
By doing research in advance, and a little exploring when
you're there, you might find great restaurants, locations, and more than what
you would see on a guided tour alone. It is also possible to save money by
buying groceries and making food yourself every few days and eating out on
others, rather than going to expensive restaurants every day. Preparing your
meals, especially in Hawaii, is a must if you want to save money. You will
easily spend $45 on a meal on every outing. If you need to stretch your dollar
even further (and I mean a lot further), go to the ABC stores and buy food
there for $5. ABC stores are a step up from 7/11's in USA.
With so many options available, it just goes to show that
there are many possible ways to stretch your budget and have a great honeymoon.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to ask in
the comments or you can reach us on on Facebook.
This post was written by Nick at Discover Hawaii
Tours. Here is their Facebook Page.
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