The Most Romantic Valentine's Day Getaways In The Caribbean And Mexico

The key to an epic, unforgettable Valentine's Day getaway right now is remembering that it doesn't need to happen right now. Normally, if you're scrambling for an idea or destination for a last-second romantic getaway, your pickings might be slim, and that's when you're more likely to end up in a Clark Griswold motel than the Ritz-Carlton. Good thing there's nothing normal about this Valentine's Day.

Just as they have with Black Friday and holiday deals, resorts and hotels around the Caribbean and throughout Mexico are allowing a little more flexibility with experiences and packages based around this year's most romantic day. So, if you're looking to pack up and head out for a true Valentine's Day trip, you're good to go. But if you'd rather wait a little longer, you're also in luck.

You just need to be sure to check each resort's and destination's health and safety guidelines and bring your best matching masks to wear at all times in public. Feel free to bring the masks you wear in private, too. We don't judge.

The Place: Royalton Antigua Resort and Spa

The Experience: The more you learn about Antigua, the more you understand why people choose it over any other destination in the Caribbean for romance, relaxation, or a lot of both. For the sake of romance, however, it doesn't get much better than the island's first and only overwater bungalows, which serve as the centerpiece of Royalton Antigua Resort and Spa's incredible Cupid's Bungalow getaway.

This seven-day stay begins with VIP black car service from the airport, with dropoff right at one of the six Chairman Overwater Bungalows. Couples will be spoiled with daily yoga and fitness sessions, in-room massages, curated dinners, an on-call butler, and sunset mixologist service on the bungalow's private deck. This esxperience can be booked anytime between now and May 21.

The Place: Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection

The Experience: Everyone knows the five senses—sound, taste, sight, touch, and smell. But not everyone plans their Valentine's Day activities around them... at least not when it comes to choosing a resort. The experiences team at Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection, has not only created a concept that focuses on a different sense each day of the trip, but it also personalizes the vacation so that the couple could never possibly forget it.

For example, lovers might spend the evening under the stars at Playa Paraiso, where the sounds of the ocean pair well with champagne and s'mores. Or for taste, one of the resort's chefs could prepare dinner on a yacht using local Baja aphrodisiac ingredients. Those are just hypotheticals, however, as the entire experience depends on the guests.

The Place: Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan

The Experience: Ideal for the ultimate last-minute romantic getaway, the Love Lucayan deal runs now through February 6 for stays anytime in the month of February. With a two-night minimum stay, guests can arrive at Lighthouse Pointe at Grand Lucayan on Friday, spend the weekend enjoying life and love, and be back at work on Monday so everyone can wonder why they seem to be glowing.

Daily meals are included, and dinner will include a champagne toast, presumably to a day well-spent exploring the 7.5-mile stretch of beach, lounging by the pool, playing a round at the championship golf course, or maybe the joy of never actually leaving the room.

The Place: Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica

The Experience: Head to Peninsula Papagayo for four nights of A-list awesomeness that will not only leave couples feeling relaxed, rejuvenated and romanced, but also send them home with a souvenir of knowledge that'll keep the "Pura Amor" going for years to come. Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Costa Rica will provide guests with their own "agent" to ensure everything goes to plan, and that's a lofty promise with everything that is on this spectacular itinerary.

For starters, the "Date Night Delight" will feature dinner and drinks at the theater, followed by a dessert turn down service. Days will begin with sunrise yoga and a guided walk on the beach, and "Detox for Two" provides lovers with unlimited trips to the hydrotherapy pool, emotion showers, sauna, steam room and ice fountain for recovering from extracurricular activities. The region's incredible natural beauty and rich culture can be experienced through a visit to the incredible Rio Celeste, and also with the PH Spa's "Local Earth Treatment," which is inspired by the curative and restorative powers of the Chorotega Culture of Nicoya.

As for what you'll bring home, a private massage workshop will include expert lessons, so be sure to keep some oil in the bathroom cabinet. This experience is available now through May 21.

The Place: Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun

The Experience: Just like its Costa Rican sister property, this resort pampers couples with star power. In this case, it's an extravaganza based on some of Hollywood's all-time greatest romantic dramas and comedies, as the personal agents at Planet Hollywood Beach Resort Cancun are taking from the best, most endearing aspects of these iconic films to create a Valentine's Day experience like no other.

Want to kick off your day like Ally and Jack in A Star is Born? Fluffy robes and breakfast in bed are on the itinerary. Always dreamed of cutting loose like Baby in Dirty Dancing? Enjoy the Latin ballroom dancing lessons. Want to introduce your loved one to some adorable marine life like in 50 First Dates? Enjoy a fish-slap-free trip to the Aquarium Cancun. And obviously there will be a culinary experience on par with Eat, Pray, Love, as a personal chef will use your distinct tastes to create meals like you've never imaged.

And that's just the tip of the iceberg. All of these incredible romantic activities can be enjoyed now through May 21.

The Place: Hotel Esencia

The Experience: Obviously, we are all about privacy and physical distancing right now, but unless you're visiting Hedonism II, Valentine's Day is the official holiday of privacy and physical distancing. So, what better way to travel under these circumstances than by private jet?

The private aviation company XO makes this process easier than ever by allowing travelers to instantly book private charters or individual seats on private jets, but for this occasion the service comes with a special deal for a romantic getaway to Hotel Esencia, a stylish boutique hotel located in the Mayan Riviera. For this experience, guests will enjoy 25 percent off best published rates and complimentary round-trip ground transportation between Cancun International Airport and the hotel.

The Place: Grand Velas Riviera Maya

The Experience: If you're looking for truly over-the-top experiences that were curated to think of everything and somehow still surprise you, you cannot go wrong with any of Mexico's Velas Resorts properties. But for anyone looking to use Valentine's Day as an excuse to pop the question, Grand Velas Riviera Maya has a concept that will ensure everyone will be talking about your big "Will you..." moment for many years to come.

Not only will you and your partner for all eternity enjoy an incredible dinner on the beautiful Caribbean beach, but you will also enjoy champagne and flowers after the ring is delivered by a magician. Abracadabra! Your life is now complete. And if you're looking for a fun way to top it all off, there's also a mini golf tournament for showing all the other guests which couple owns the small links.

The Place: Sandals Royal Caribbean

The Experience: When it comes to curating the ultimate romantic experience, you can't go wrong with any of the Sandals properties throughout the Caribbean. At Sandals Royal Caribbean, for example, couples can do anything from popping the question with the help of the Engagement Concierge Program, which helps the question-popper dream bigger than ever, to packing the wedding and honeymoon into one amazing WeddingMoon that takes place in one of the most romantic settings in the Caribbean.

One of the aspects that makes Sandals so great is convenience. Guests can take advantage of virtual wedding planning services to pick and choose the elements of a dream destination event from the comfort of their own home, and they can also even "test drive" the honeymoon with a one-day trip. And if the Over-the-water Private Island Butler Villa doesn't immediately seal this deal, then the exclusive private offshore island will probably do the trick.

The Place: Oil Nut Bay

The Experience: Located on 400 acres of tropical perfection, Oil Nut Bay is already an ideal destination for romance. But when it's this time of year, this luxury community cranks the romance up to 12, since the private villas and incredible views already had it at 11.

In addition to the private chef meals available in those villas and the romantic picnics that can be enjoyed almost anywhere, the Romantic Getaway package boasts a 60-minute couples massage, champagne breakfast, candlelit four-course private beach dinner and much more.

The Place: Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas

The Experience: For most couples, a romantic retreat to Cabo is enough said. When it comes to Valentine's Day, however, you can do better than just a sunset on one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico. For example, at Grand Solmar at Rancho San Lucas, guests can enjoy a Valentine's Day dinner that will be difficult to top ever again.

The Luxury Balinese Dinner tales place nightly at sunset and includes a private Balinese cabana, gourmet candlelit four-course meal, and a very special bottle of wine chosen by this luxury community's resident sommelier. It's an incredible way to end a day spent relaxing on the beach and floating in the lazy river.