Who says honeymoons have to be all about lounging on a beach? For newlyweds who love spontaneity, adventure honeymoon destinations can provide an exhilarating start to married life. Imagine rappelling down waterfalls, trekking through jungles, or swimming among turtles and bright fish — those could be your first memories as a married couple. So if you’re the type who gets more hyped about adrenaline rushes than spa treatments, these stunning destinations blend thrilling outdoor excursions by day and romantic downtime by night.
Why Choose an Adventure Honeymoon?
Ditching the traditional resort experience can be one of the surefire ways to create an exciting start to your marriage. Here’s why honeymoon ideas for adventurous couples are gaining popularity:
- Make memories worth telling.
Sure, everyone’s got the standard lounging-in-a-jaccuzi honeymoon photos. But going on bucket-list-type outings will beat a typical resort getaway. You might just realize this as you take in breathtaking views on a helicopter ride over the jungle, or explore ancient caves, or swim with the sharks (with an experienced dive master, of course).
- Build relationship muscles.
Navigating challenges — whether we’re talking about skiing for the first time in Switzerland or communicating through a language barrier — strengthens your new partnership from day one. Want to build your relationship on a solid foundation? Make researching honeymoon destinations for adventurous couples a priority.
- Experience natural luxury.
Luxury can come in the form of a $37 amuse-bouche served on the patio of a resort perched above the Pacific. But it can also be paragliding through a golden sunset or diving into the inner sanctum of a waterfall where few people have ever been. Honeymoon destinations for adventurous couples offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences you’ll never find staying indoors.
- Treat yourself to some tranquility.
Bungee-jumping will give you the adrenaline rush of a lifetime, but after pulse-quickening daytime adventures, we recommend spending romantic evenings under a starlit sky. After all, this is still one part adventure — and one part honeymoon.
For more inspiration, explore this list of honeymoon destinations, featuring cold-weather escapes, beach getaways, and adventure-packed locales.
Best Adventure Honeymoon Destinations Around the World
Queenstown, New Zealand – The Ultimate Adventure Capital
“Adventure Capital of the World.” That’s how many people think of Queenstown, mainly because of its enthusiastically outdoorsy culture. People here love to ski, hike, sky-dive, and bungee-jump off the towering mountains above Queenstown. This is the birthplace of commercial bungee-jumping. So you better believe that, as one of the best adventure honeymoon destinations on the planet, Queenstown offers an unmatched variety of breathtaking scenery and outdoor expeditions.
Heart-Racing Highlights
- Free-fall from the original bungee site, Kawarau Bridge
- Hike the Routeburn Track and soak in the spectacular views
- Cut through the rapids on the Shotover River in a high-speed jet boat
- Soar through the skies over Lake Wakatipu on a tandem paraglide
Romantic Recharge
After an exhilarating day, unwind in a luxury lodge with stunning alpine views, soak in the Onsen Hot Pools, or enjoy a wine tour in Central Otago.
Costa Rica – Rainforests, Volcanoes, and Beaches
This Central American paradise packs amazing biodiversity and countless adventures into one compact country. Sporting both Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, plus volcanic mountains and rainforests, Costa Rica delivers endless honeymoon ideas for adventurous couples in a single trip.
Heart-Racing Highlights
- Take on the Class III and IV rapids of the Pacuare River
- Catch waves at world-renowned surf spots in Tamarindo
- Hike active volcano trails in Arenal Volcano National Park
- Zip-line over the treetop line of the Monteverde Cloud Forest
Romantic Recharge
The perfect finale to a day spent adventuring? Soak in natural hot springs beneath Arenal Volcano, indulge in a chocolate massage at an eco-lodge spa, or watch the sunset from a private beach dinner at Manuel Antonio. As one of the best adventure honeymoon destinations in the world, Costa Rica can balance both discoveries and downtime.
Patagonia, Chile – A Wilderness Adventure
Anyone here find solitude to be romantic? Patagonia, at the tip of South America, is famed as an otherworldly landscape of craggy mountains, massive glaciers, and pristine lakes that feel a world away from our modern lives. This adventure honeymoon destination rewards couples with scenery that feels lifted straight from a fantasy novel.
Heart-Racing Highlights
- Conquer the iconic W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park
- Paddle through icy waters on a kayaking expedition through remote fjords
- Buckle crampons over your shoes to make your way across glacial terrain
Romantic Recharge
Return from outings into this famously isolated region to luxurious eco-lodges where you can savor Chilean wine next to a roaring fire, while watching snow fall on mountain peaks outside of your window. For honeymoon destinations for adventurous couples seeking the splendor of a vast and wild region, Patagonia’s adventure honeymoon destinations are tough to beat.
Brazil – Thrilling Honeymoon Adventures
As South America’s largest country, Brazil offers newlyweds plenty of fun and thrilling adventures. From Amazon rainforests to windswept sand dunes, this best adventure honeymoon destination promises unique experiences that are hard to find anywhere else on earth, making it perfect for coming up with new honeymoon ideas for adventurous couples.
Heart-Racing Highlights
- Rappel into the crystal-clear underground lake of Abismo Anhumas
- Test your surfing skills at Florianópolis, home to 42 beaches and professional surfing competitions
- Trek through the subtropical forests and waterfalls of Aparados da Serra National Park’s Itaimbezinho Canyon
- Swim in the surreal, rain-filled lagoons nestled between 130-foot-tall sand dunes at Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
- Snorkel alongside sea turtles and dolphins in the waters of Fernando de Noronha, a protected archipelago with limited visitors
For more details, visit this guide to Brazil’s adventure honeymoon spots.
Romantic Recharge
Spend days exploring the best adventure honeymoon destinations in Brazil. Get your daredevil on. But then treat yourself to Brazil’s legendary hospitality at boutique pousadas, savor beachfront dining, or samba to irresistible local rhythms. When in Rio, right?
South Africa – Safari And Beyond
Few honeymoon journeys match the exhilaration of witnessing sub-Saharan Africa’s magnificent wildlife. South Africa elevates these outings with luxury accommodations and diverse terrain, making it one of the most sought-after honeymoon destinations for adventurous couples.
Heart-Racing Highlights
- Float over the savanna at sunrise in a hot air balloon
- Head to the top of Table Mountain for panoramic views of Cape Town
- Spot the “Big Five” animals (lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and African buffalos) on game drives through Kruger National Park
- Come face-to-face with great white sharks on a cage-diving expedition
Romantic Recharge
South Africa’s renowned wine regions provide a refreshing change of pace after safari outings. Sip award-winning vintages in Stellenbosch or retreat to a luxury safari lodge with private plunge pools overlooking elephant watering holes. Rarely do adventure honeymoon destinations offer such a balance between rugged outings and refined opulence.
How to Plan the Perfect Honeymoon Adventure
Transform your adventure dreams into reality with these planning tips.
Work with a Certified Travel Agent
Planning your honeymoon should be stress-free and exciting. Our travel agents at Celebration.com are here to help you craft the perfect itinerary tailored to your preferences. Start planning your honeymoon today at Celebration.com!
Match adventures to abilities.
Choose the best adventure honeymoon destinations with activities that both partners are comfortable with. After all, one person’s challenge shouldn’t be another person’s nightmare.
Pack strategically.
To make the most of your next adventure honeymoon, get specialized gear. Research the activities you want to do and pack accordingly, from hiking boots to underwater cameras.
Schedule downtime.
Plan rest days between outings so you can bask in the bliss of simply being newlyweds. Even the most adventurous couples need some R&R now and then.
Consider a honeymoon registry.
Your friends and family may be looking forward to contributing to traditional wedding gifts for you. That’s understandable, but it’s okay to ask them to help fund your once-in-a-lifetime adventures through Celebration.com’s honeymoon registry. This modern approach to gift-giving helps pay for your dream honeymoon ideas for adventurous couples without maxing out your credit card.
Cheers to the Adventure of a Lifetime
Adventure honeymoons offer the ultimate start to married life. Yesterday you made it official. Today you’re conquering challenges in some of the world’s most spectacular settings. Whether you’re diving through Brazil’s crystal caves, tracking lions in South Africa, or free-falling in New Zealand, these adventure honeymoon destinations offer a healthy dose of excitement and romance.
Remember, the greatest adventure you’ll ever go on is the one you’re beginning together, as a couple. Why not start it with an unforgettable trip? Explore more ideas and start a honeymoon registry at Celebration.com.