Costa Rica destination weddings
Trusted by 2,500+ travellers
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Ready to start planning your Costa Rica destination wedding?
Tell us your guest count, budget, and ideal date and we will put together Costa Rica resort and venue proposals with wedding packages that fit. Completely free.
No other destination on this list puts jungle, volcano, and Pacific beach within an hour of each other. Guanacaste offers ceremony settings that range from open-air teak pavilions above the rainforest canopy to clifftop venues overlooking the Pacific. The photography possibilities here are unlike anything a resort corridor in Mexico can offer.
The Pacific coast dry season from December through April is one of the most reliable weather windows in Central America. Guanacaste receives almost no rainfall during this period. You are planning an outdoor ceremony with the same confidence you would have in Cancun, with a setting that looks nothing like Cancun.
The Guanacaste luxury resort market has matured significantly in recent years. The Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo, Andaz, and Dreams Las Mareas all offer wedding infrastructure comparable to the best all-inclusive properties in Mexico. The boutique end of the market has always been strong. The large-scale options have caught up.
How much does a destination wedding in Costa Rica cost?
Costa Rica spans a wider cost range than most destination wedding countries because the venue style varies so dramatically. Adventure-style weddings at smaller jungle lodges or boutique villas typically run $10,000 to $25,000. Luxury resort weddings on the Pacific coast (Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo, Andaz Costa Rica) run $30,000 to $80,000 or more.
The country does not have a significant all-inclusive resort culture. Most weddings are structured as venue rental plus catering, with accommodation booked separately. This gives flexibility but requires more vendor coordination than Mexico or the Dominican Republic, and most couples work with a local planner to bridge the gap.
Per couple stays run $250 per night at mid-tier Guanacaste properties to $2,000+ per night at the luxury end. The cost premium relative to Mexico or the DR buys you scenery and a level of natural drama those destinations cannot offer.
Which part of Costa Rica is right for your destination wedding?
Guanacaste on the northern Pacific coast is the dominant wedding region. It has the country's most reliable dry season weather (December through April is exceptionally consistent) and the best flight access through Liberia International Airport, which is closer to most resort areas than San Jose. The Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo and Andaz Costa Rica anchor the luxury end here.
Manuel Antonio on the central Pacific coast offers jungle-meets-beach scenery with smaller boutique properties. Flight access is via San Jose with a longer ground transfer, but the trade-off is some of the most photogenic settings in the country.
Arenal in the interior is for couples who want a volcano backdrop and rainforest setting, suited to smaller intimate weddings under 40 guests. Monteverde delivers cloud forest scenery for the most adventurous couples. Tamarindo is the surf-town option with a more casual vibe and significantly lower cost than Guanacaste's luxury cluster.
Trusted by 2,500+ travellers
4.9/5
30+ years of travel
What a gorgeous resort! From the swings at the bar to the numerous pools… Many thanks to Zandra and Vacationeeze for planning such a dream vacation to El Dorado Maroma in Playa del Carmen last November! It was a beautiful location and the organized events were perfect! We had a delicious dinner on the beach that was beautifully decorated with flowers and lights… just magical! Thank you Zandra, for picking such an amazing resort - we loved the Mexican night, the tequila tasting, and the mariachis! We will be returning for more advice from you in the future!!
5/5
We quickly decided we didn't want to do a local wedding, so we started looking up YouTube videos of destination weddings. We found Jack and fell in love with him. We loved how he was a no nonsense type of guy that wasn't trying to sell anyone on anything, he was just stating facts and his knowledge. We quickly decided that we wanted Jack to be the one to help us figure out a destination wedding for us.
5/5
I cannot recommend Jared highly enough. The trip surpassed my expectations, and I am grateful for the meticulous planning and personalized attention provided by Jared. If you're looking for a travel planner who combines expertise with a genuine passion for creating memorable experiences, look no further! Thank you, Jared, for making my trip truly unforgettable. I look forward to planning my next adventure with your expertise!
5/5
Arenal volcano hot springs
Pacuare River white water rafting
Monteverde cloud forest zip-line
Manuel Antonio National Park
Wildlife watching: sloths and monkeys
Coffee plantation tour
How far is Costa Rica from the US?
Liberia Airport in Guanacaste is approximately 3 to 4 hours from most US East Coast cities and major hubs by direct flight. Miami is under 3 hours. San José is similarly accessible but requires a longer transfer to the Guanacaste resort area. Delta, United, and American all operate direct routes from multiple US cities.
Do US citizens need a visa for Costa Rica?
No. US citizens can enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days with a valid US passport. No additional entry requirements for a symbolic or legal ceremony.
Is Costa Rica good for a destination wedding?
Costa Rica is a strong destination wedding choice for couples who prioritise dramatic natural scenery over large-scale resort infrastructure. Guanacaste on the Pacific coast has the best flight access and the most reliable dry-season weather, with properties like the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo and Dreams Las Mareas offering wedding infrastructure comparable to Cancun or Punta Cana.
What is the best area in Costa Rica for a wedding?
Guanacaste on the Pacific coast is the best option for most couples. It has the best direct flight access from the US, the driest weather window from December through April, and the strongest resort and luxury hotel selection. Manuel Antonio and Arenal offer more dramatic scenery but require longer transfers and have more rainfall.
Is Costa Rica more expensive than Mexico for a wedding?
Generally yes, particularly at the luxury end. The Guanacaste luxury properties like the Four Seasons and Andaz command higher rates than comparable Mexican all-inclusives, and the all-inclusive model is less prevalent in Costa Rica which means guests pay more per item. That said, mid-range Costa Rica options are competitive with Mexico on price.
When is the best time for a Costa Rica destination wedding?
December through April is the dry season across Guanacaste and the Pacific coast, making it the ideal window. The Caribbean coast is wetter year-round and is not recommended for outdoor ceremonies. May through November is rainy season on the Pacific side with afternoon showers common from June through October.
4.9/5Tell us your ideal date, how many guests you're expecting, and whether you're thinking adults-only or family-friendly, and we'll come back to you with resort proposals that fit.
