Love, whether it is for one’s self or another person, is always worth celebrating. And it is our belief that there is no other way to nurture that lovin’ feelin’ than in the calming presence of the sun, sea, and sands. But since not all coastlines are created equal — some strands are more suited for people who’ve been coupled for years, while others are for the single and ready to mingle — here is a handy guide to the best beach getaway for every relationship status.
Single
If you are single, celebrate your freedom, newfound or otherwise, by hitting hip beach hot spots solo or with a gang of fun-loving friends. Best options in the Philippines are the nearby Puerto Galera — especially when they are having the Malasimbo Festival — or Boracay.
If you want to take the excitement a little further, head for Thailand’s Koh Pangan, which is known for its wild Full and Half Moon parties or, better yet, Bali in Indonesia. A beautiful island with incredible surf spots (hello, hot surfers!) and an amazing nightlife, the popular destination is another great option for the single crowd.
It’s complicated
For couples that are not quite sure where they stand or are not ready to put labels on it, keep the trip a little less complicated by heading somewhere that gives you a lot of options. Head to Koh Samui; a Thai island home to beautiful beaches, each with its own interesting personality. Watch the sunset on the quiet shores of Lipa Noi, explore the local food scene on Bophut, enjoy the nightlife on Chaweng, or hit the spas on Lamai if you decide you need a little alone time.
Newly coupled
So, you just became Facebook official? Congrats on finding new love and reaching that social media milestone. Revel in the early stages of your relationship by booking a beach getaway to a place that is at once lively and laid-back. For your first trip, consider Langkawi, a chain of Malaysian islands near the boarder of Thailand. Aside from the beachfront resorts, nightlife and duty-free shopping, it is also a one-hour speedboat away from Thailand’s Ko Lipe island. Hitting two countries and two beaches with one trip is certainly not a bad way to start your life of love and travel together.
Live-in partners
Now that you share the same roof, we’re assuming that you are officially past the getting-to-know-you phase. You are now experts of each other, knowing all the little details, pet peeves, quirks (and toilet habits). Twosomes at this stage of a relationship definitely share a stronger and deeper bond than the former, and are able to withstand more complex trips, longer flights and less than ideal cohabiting situations. Located 10 hours away by flight, Sri Lanka is an island country with a fascinating culture influenced by its Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial past and by Theravada Buddhism. Sri Lanak is home to stunning beaches, with Bentota being the closest to the capital of Colombo .
Just married
Ah, the honeymoon phase. Being the sweetest and most romantic stage of a couple’s relationship, it deserves to be celebrated in a beach destination that is equally sweet and romantic. Luckily for newly hitched Filipino couples, they won’t need to go very far, as perfect options are right on their doorstep. Pamalican Island (home to the exclusive Amanpulo resort reachable only via private charter flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport) and Coron are both island destinations perfect for newlyweds looking to spend some one-on-one time at world-class resorts amid long stretches of white sand, crystal clear waters, unspoiled tropical forests and well-preserved coral reefs.
Married for four to seven years
If you’ve reached the three-year mark, reward your relationship (and patience!) with an adventure a tad outside of your comfort zone, like the island of Flores. An isle in eastern Indonesia, tourists can swim, dive and hike the turquoise-colored crater lake on Mount Kelimutu or island hop to see Komodo dragons on Rinca and Komodo. While reaching Flores is not the most simple commute (daily flights and ferries to Labuanbajo or Maumere are only available from Lombok, Bali, and Kupang), that should be no problem for married couple with a tolerance tested by years of coupledom. And the reward of this off-the-beaten-path getaway will be well worth it.
Married for seven years or more
We suppose the sky’s the limit for couples who’ve made it past the seven-year itch unscathed. And that is definitely worth celebrating by indulging in a once-in-a-lifetime beach getaway to the Maldives or Fiji (both of which are visa-free countries for Philippine passport holders, by the way). Enjoy a cocktail on a secluded strip of beach and toast to your future (and all vacations to come).
What’s your favorite destination for a couple’s getaway?
Featured image: istockphoto/Pilin_Petunyia
