Honeymoon in Latin America

Whether you choose Brazil, Mexico or Argentina, Latin America is a honeymooner’s treasure trove. You’ll find everything from buzzing big cities to the most beautiful beaches, a wonderful welcome, fantastic food, perfect weather and unbeatable breathtaking scenery! Here's our guide to honeymoons in Latin America...

Beautiful Brazil - Rio and Partay

Rio de Janeiro is known as the ‘Cidade Maravilhosa’, the marvellous city. Packed with over seven million inhabitants (called Cariocas), this eclectic melting pot has a strong European heritage. First tick the famous landmarks off the list, like Sugar Loaf Mountain, pictured right, (made famous in the 1980s Bond film Moonraker) and Corcovado, home to the gigantic figure of Christ the Redeemer. Arms outstretched, the statue overlooks the areas of Lagoa, Ipanema and Leblon from its perch 2,330 feet up. Don’t miss the marmoset monkeys who have adopted this tourist attraction as their own.

Erm, but what about the beach?
Rio boasts 45 miles of famous beautiful beaches dotted with gorgeous bodies in itsy bitsy bikinis. Then there are the lush green mountains and modern architecture, and of course the samba! Carnival time is early February when the streets come alive with glitter and sequins a go-go!

Where can we stay?
Stay at the legendary Copacabana hotel, which was built in 1923. This rococo wedding-cake style hotel is perched on Copacabana beach, the life and soul of Rio. It’s now the destination of choice for visiting celebrities such as George Clooney and Naomi Campbell. Or leave the big city behind for a while, drive a couple of hours south to find the tiny and absolutely stunning seaside town of Paraty. A favourite with Mick Jagger, Tom Cruise and Linda Evangelista, the 17th-century colonial town is perfectly preserved with its cobbled streets and colourful homes. Just a few minutes inland, in the dense rainforest, Gite d’Indaiatiba is the perfect hideaway, boasting its very own waterfall, sauna, cosy cabins and gourmet food.

Find out more: www.orient-express.com or www.legitedindaiatiba.com.br
   

Marvellous Mexico: Mexico City and Manzanillo

 
Mexico City is a huge, polluted metropolis with plenty to see and its quota of trendy hotspots. For a touch of culture visit Frida Kahlo’s blue house in Coyoacán, now a tribute museum. Or to get a better overall view, head to the Castillo de Chapultepec set in a huge National Park - home to the national history museum too. After traipsing around the city, take refuge in the spa’s Temazcal. The most ancient of Mexican rituals involves being greeted by a shaman in the round adobe cave-like pod. A session in the sauna, combined with massages and meditation, help relax the soul and cleanse the body so you can commune with nature’s elements and be reborn. All that in the heart of one of the world’s largest cities!

Where can we stay?
In the city’s Polanco district, at the corner of the ultra chic Campos Eliseos, is the W hotel, and the hottest nightspot in the city: the Whiskey bar. Without a doubt the city’s hippest and swankiest bar, it has an interior koi carp pond, sleek staff and clientele to match. As for the cherry red designer bedrooms, they have unusual bathrooms with views and hammocks to boot! Or get away from crowded Cancun and head to the west coast where it’s all about Mexican cool and getting away from the ‘rest of the world’.
At El Tamarindo, a hotel the size of a resort on the Pacific Coast, an hour south of Puerto Vallerta, it’s all about the sea, sun and sand. A ‘lost’ beach paradise, it’s the stuff brochures are made of!

What's the décor like?
The décor is modern Mexican: white walls and dark furniture with dashes of vibrant colour. Rooms come with all the little luxuries you need: double showers, signature coconut scrubs, mint shampoo, as well as the compulsory big fluffy bathrobes. At night, the turn-down service brings romantic tea lights to the terrace for a fairytale atmosphere. And we’ve not even mentioned the golf course, spa and palm-fringed infinity pool overlooking the white sandy beach and turquoise waters.

Find out more: www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels or  www.eltamarindoresort.com

Amazing Argentina: Buenos Aires and San Martin

Buenos Aires is undoubtedly romantic! The city that gave the world tango and has been dubbed the ‘Paris of South America’ is a must on any Latin American tour. As with any big metropolis, there are museums, historical buildings, shopping centres, and fantastic restaurants aplenty. Head downtown to the Hotel 562 Nogaro, a delightful boutique hideaway just yards away from the famous Plaza de Mayo. For shopping, head to Calle Florida, where the touts do their best to sell their leather goods. Remember to bargain as it’s very touristy!

Where do we get the 'real deal'?
San Telmo is probably a more genuine experience, where exotic boutiques are alive with colours in the cobble stone streets and you can kick off your shoes for a spot of tango too. Beware of La Boca; the tourist neighbourhood known thanks to the picturesque Caminito street home to artist Quinquela Martin is not only busy with tour buses but has a reputation as being unsafe. Don’t miss La Recoleta, the area is great for wandering around, while its famous cemetery is where the aristocracy lie.  And, before you leave the city, don’t miss a taste of Dulce de Leche (literally ‘sweet milk’), life is never quite the same again!

Oh and I heard something about cowboys...
To get some seriously fresh air, fly to San Martin de Los Andes in Patagonia, the land of the gauchos (cowboys) who ride in wide open spaces. San Martin itself is a charming ski resort where wood and stone cabins are de rigueur. Shops are crammed with skiing gear, fleeces and local handmade arts and crafts including delightful alpaga jumpers and scarves. These are the places to bring back souvenirs from: leather cowboy hats or lovely warm wool wraps. Hit the Seven Lakes route, which leads to Bariloche for some breathtaking scenery. The number of lakes has clearly been underestimated! At every turn a gigantic picturesque panorama of brilliant blue lakes, hills, waterfalls and snow-peaked mountains is uncovered. Stop at Villa La Angostura for a hearty meal by a warm fireplace as you sit amidst hanging smoked meats.

Where can we stay? 
There are plenty of places to stay along the route, from cosy no frills cabins to the luxurious Relais & Chateau-run hideaway, Las Balsas. A pristine hotel set by a quiet lake location, it’s hidden deep down a dirt track. In Barlioche check in to the perfect Epoque Hotel Design Suites, a designer’s dream come true amidst all Patagonia’s rustic charm! Simple neutral rooms come with contemporary chrome and wood showers and heavenly hot tubs overlooking the lake and mountains beyond.

Find out more: www.epoquehotels.com or www.lasbalsas.com.ar

Getting there?
American Airlines flies to Buenos Aires, Rio and Mexico City via Miami (from London Heathrow). Visit www.americanairlines.co.uk or tel: 0207 365 0777

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