Budget Honeymoon: Brazil's beaches offer romance and relaxation

The South Pacific is all the rage when it comes to Honeymoon getaways, but isn't a great value when you consider the long and expensive flights, high prices of hotels and dismal food.

For a less expensive but equally amazing honeymoon, head to the beaches of Brazil. They are among the best in the world.

>> Click on the slideshow for photos of Brazil's most romantic beaches!

Escape the everyday grind on the beaches of Fernando de Noronha (Photo: Leslie Koch)

Fernando de Noronha

The archipelago of Fernando de Noronha lies in the Atlantic Ocean and is accessible by plane from the mainland cities of Recife and Natal. The main island (referred to as Fernando de Noronha) is a Unesco World Heritage Site and contains beautiful beaches, hiking trails, inexpensive restaurants and family-run guesthouses (known locally as pousadas). Tourism on the island is tightly controlled by conservationists, who charge a nominal fee to tourists. As a result, the beaches are pristine and the ocean life is abundant. Don't be surprised if you spot a large sea turtle swimming right below you. Off-shore snorkeling is excellent, so remember to bring snorkeling gear. A public bus ferries locals and tourists down the main street for the length of the island, although the most stunning beaches are accessible only by hiking over rocky passes. The sunset is not to be missed (but don't forget to bring your insect repellent).

Praia da Pipa

Just a 2 hour bus ride from Natal, Praia da Pipa is a laid back beach town popular among European tourists. The beaches are within walking distance from town and are frequented by dolphins. If you want to swim with dolphins, this is your best bet in Brazil. The Ecological Sanctuary is a pleasant place to spend a few hours, with its shaded hiking trails and miniature labyrinth. Pipa probably won't be your main destination, but is a fun stop on a tour of the Brazilian coast.

Ilha Grande

Near the bustling city of Rio de Janeiro, the island of Ilha Grande is a calm oasis. Stay in a quaint family-run pousada or youth hostel on the hills above town, a good launching point to explore the winding, cobbled streets and restaurant-packed village center. There are no cars allowed on the island, making Ilha Grande a peaceful place to explore on foot. The swimming here is adequate (nothing compared to Fernando de Noronha), but is the best you will find so close to Rio de Janeiro. There are plenty of hiking opportunities, with paths leading to a natural swimming hole, an aqueduct and the crumbling relics of a colonial prison.

Morro de Sao Paulo

A thriving island with a festive party scene, Morro de Sao Paulo is a required stop on the Brazilian beach trail. Just a quick boat trip from the city of Salvador de Bahia, it has a totally different vibe: safe, laid back and friendly. As in Ilha Grande, cars are not allowed in the tourist village, so porters offer to transport your luggage on wheelbarrow taxis. An easy uphill hike leads to a lookout point, where you can opt to fly across the beach on a zipline. Several beautiful beaches are withing walking distance, and each has its own character; have fun exploring them all.

Fernando de Noronha, Brazil. (Photo: Leslie Koch)

Know before you go

Brazil requires US citizens to pay a hefty visa fee, in reciprocation for fees charged to Brazilians by the US. Make sure you secure a visa before you board your flight. Contact your local Brazilian consulate for updated information.

Check the current exchange rate before booking any hotels or flights listed in Brazilian reais (pronounced "hay-ice").

A basic knowledge of Spanish will make it easier to communicate with locals, who speak Portuguese and often do not understand English. However, the Portuguese pronunciation is quite different from Spanish, so you'll want to learn a few key phrases in Portuguese to help you get by. A pocket phrasebook or the language section of the Lonely Planet guide should get you through your stay.

Consider flying into Rio de Janeiro and then beach hopping up the northeastern coast, relying on regional airlines and long distance buses to get between your destinations. It pays to be adventurous and to book these internal tickets within Brazil, since prices are often inflated on US websites. (In one particularly egregious example of price gouging, I spotted the Brazilian version of an airline website quoting a price in Brazilian reais, and the US version quoting the same amount in dollars-- when the exchange rate is actually 2:1).

Flights to Brazil

Many American and international airlines offer direct flights to Brazil from New York City. Search Kayak.com for the best rates.

For travel within Brazil, consider the following regional carriers. They are members of global airline alliances, so you can earn mileage points with US airlines:

• TAM (Brazilian airline affiliated with United Airlines)
• Copa Airlines (Panama-based airline affiliated with Continental)
• Gol (Brazilian airline affiliated with American Airlines)

Related Articles:

Manhattan bachelorette parties for every type of bride

Honeymoon in Yellowstone National Park

Discover Uganda: Meet mountain gorillas on a primate safari

Where to find a cheap wedding dress in Manhattan

Olympics 2016 - The Best of Rio de Janeiro

My budget valentine: Cheap dates in NYC

Laid off? It's a great time to travel the world