9 cost-saving and exotic honeymoon destinations to check out now

Morocco

1/9

Arabian exoticism, fragrant spices - and lovely low prices. Morocco's hard to beat for bargain romance. Marrakesh, Fez, and Essaouira offer time-warp medinas chock-full of character and cheap cafes. 

Eschew your sense of direction to get lost in the maze of souqs - the shopping possibilities are plentiful, with everything from carpets to babouches to be snapped up. 

Converted riads (traditional courtyard houses) offer accomodation with oodles of atmosphere; some are pricey but many are astonishingly reasonable, enabling palace-like stays on a pauper's budget. 

Traditional Moroccan architecture. Image: Syahreil Hafiz Samsudin/123rf.com

India

2/9

India might be more expensive to visit now but it's mostly still affordable. 

For instance, the opulent Palace on Wheels train might be dear, but even budget 'mooners can afford first-class on India Rail - a Delhi-Udaipur overnighter costs around US$20 second-class, and only US$10 more int he first-class sleeper. 

Taj Mahal, India. Image: Boris Stroujko/123rf.com

Vietnam

3/9

You could get by for less than on US$10 a day in Vietnam and stil eat like a king - it's street food heaven. 

Make sure to sample the city's signature dishes: beef pho, bun cha (barbequed pork with rice noodles) and chow a banh mi (baguette) as you wander. 

A mid-range trip won't break the bank either, but will buy more characterful guesthouses, a better Halong Bay cruise and memorable experiences (a cookery class, a cycle around Hoi An) with change left for a beach stay on beautiful Phu Quoc island. 

Halong Bay, Vietnam Image: Luciano Mortula/123rf.com

Portugal

4/9

Portugal is liberating. The little anxieties - is that cafe too posh for us? Can we afford another coffe? - don't exist here. 

Even in fancier establishments, espressos usually cost less than US$1, beers no more than US$2. You find yourself ordering a second pastel de nata (divine Portuguese custard tart), because why not? 

There are cute casas and converted farmhouses oozing charm for under US$100 a night, too.

Azenhas do Mar, Portugal. Image: Sean Pavone/123rf.com

See also: 4 tips for taking great travel photos during your honeymoon

 

Indonesia

5/9

Numbers are high but costs are low in Indonesia. Rooms might start from a startling-sounding 350,000 rupiah but that's only US$25. 

It's easy to be a millionaire here, so even couples on a budget can afford plenty of fun. 

Obvious-choice Bali has great beaches, boutique stays, culture in Ubud, cracking surf. But Indonesia has 17,000 isles! Consider Lombok and the Gili Islands, culture and volcanoes on Java and jungle adventures in Sumatra. 

Ubud Palace Bali. Image:  lcchew/123rf.com

See also: Beach honeymoons! 5 unspoilt island getaways to check out

Cambodia

6/9

Cambodia is a happy marriage of world-beating sights and budget-friendly prices. It's home to Angkor Wat, for which a seven-day entry ticket costs US$60- ridiculously expensive compared with everything else in the country' ridiculously cheap for a week's worth of exploring the vastness of the site's Unesco-listed temples and jungle. Cheap beers (US$1), meals (US$2) and ever-improving low cost accomodation ice the cake. 

Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Image:  SANCHAI LOONGROONG/123rf.com

Bulgaria

7/9

Not the most obvious honeymoon choice, but an inexpensive option whatever the season. Capital Sofia has enough to interest urbanites. 

Sun-lovers can loll by the Black Sea; soft sand, beers for US$2 - what's not to love? 

Wintermooners can Europe's best value-skiing: Bansko and Borovets have slopes for all levels, plus family-run pensions, hearty taverns and (thanks to cheap beers) lively apres-ski.

Sofia, Bulgaria. Image: denis29/123rf.com

See also: 3 secret places to visit during your honeymoon in Paris

South Africa

8/9

Safaris aren't usually budget options, but in South Africa you can save by self-driving Kruger National Park's 2WD-friendly roads, staying at rest camps en route. 

Right across the country, food prices are good and accomodation plentiful, ensuring there's something for all budgets - the winery hotels on the Western Cape are particularly good value compared with those in rival wine regions around the world. 

The best bargain? The Shosholoza Meyl Sleeper Train runs virtually the same scenic route, between Johannesburg and Cape Tow, as the luxurious Blue Train but costs a twenthieth of the price. 

Kruger National Park, South Africa. Image: mezzotint123rf/123rf.com

See also: How to get cheap airfares for your honeymoon or overseas wedding

Puerto Rico

9/9

The Hispanic islands tend to offer the best value in the paradisiacal-but-pricey Carribean. 

Puerto Rico has affordable inns and resorts, plus super sand and more history than most - capital San Juan is one of the America's oldest cities. 

For extra honeymoon magic, kayak at night with glowing plankton in Bioluminescent Bay. 

For extra savings, go in May: prices are up to 40% cheaper May to early December because of hurricane season (June-November), but in May, it hasn't begun yet. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico. Image: sorincolac/123rf.com