South America’s Best Honeymoon Destinations

Trancoso, Brazil

On Brazil’s Bahian coast, Trancoso offers a gloriously slow pace of life. By day, stroll its wide stretches of sand, kayak through mangroves alive with birdlife, or ride horses along the beach. The village itself has a rhythm of its own. At dusk, the Quadrado, its historic square, fills with the sound of live music, al-fresco dining, and local artisans selling their wares from pastel-coloured houses. It’s a place where doing very little feels entirely natural, but the option for adventure is always at hand.

For those that want seclusion without feeling cut off, the lush oasis of Pousada Tutabel sits just steps away from serene Itapororoca beach. Seventeen spacious suites are hidden around the tropical gardens, with airy interiors furnished in typical Bahian style. Couples can spend entire days here in hammocks or by the water, before heading into the village as evening falls. The pousada also has its own private reserve for gentle hikes among native flora and fauna.

Torres del Paine, Chilean Patagonia

For couples seeking a honeymoon adventure, Patagonia is hard to beat. Torres del Paine is a landscape of granite peaks, glaciers and windswept steppe, with a sense of space that feels almost otherworldly. Kayak across turquoise lakes, mountain bike through monkey puzzle forests and traverse vast glaciers – always with an expert guide to set the pace. Wildlife here is part of the landscape, as pumas, guanacos and condors share the park with only a scattering of travellers.

Our favourite stay is Awasi Patagonia, where fourteen cabins stand alone on the steppe, each looking out towards the Torres massif. Interiors take inspiration from traditional Patagonian ranching outposts, with local woods, soft leathers and colourful Andean textiles. Meals are exquisite and feature fresh produce from the lodge’s own garden. After each day of exploring, soak in your private outdoor hot tub as the last light of day casts long shadows across the open grasslands and granite massif.

Yucatán Peninsula, Mexico

The Yucatán brings together coastline, culture and history in one journey. Honeymooners can swim in cenotes, wander Mayan sites such as Uxmal and Chichén Itzá, or spend slow days on the beaches near Tulum. Inland, 19th-century haciendas have been reimagined as retreats that combine privacy with easy access to the region’s highlights.

Chablé Yucatán is a favourite. Its casitas and villas sit within tropical forest, each with a private pool. The spa is built around a cenote, while the kitchens source much of their produce from local farmers and fishermen.

Placencia, Belize

Belize is known for its reef and coastline, where small cayes and sandy peninsulas offer a classic castaway setting. Couples can spend days snorkelling with turtles and rays on the barrier reef, sailing between islands, or simply taking it slowly on the beach. Inland excursions are easy to arrange too, from Mayan ruins to jungle hikes, but the coast is where honeymoons tend to linger.

One of our favourites is Turtle Inn in Placencia, part of Francis Ford Coppola’s small hotel collection. Set on a stretch of beach looking out to the cayes, it has individual thatched cottages, two swimming pools, and easy access to reef and mainland adventures. For those who want even more privacy, Gladden Island — a private island just offshore — can be taken exclusively, with hammocks strung between palms and nothing but the sea around you.