Elopements, Weddings

Best Wedding Venues in Costa Rica: Luxury Settings for Your Destination Wedding (2026)

Where Luxury Meets Nature

Choosing among the best wedding venues in Costa Rica starts with the setting. Here you can say “I do” facing an active volcano, deep in a misty cloud forest, on a private Pacific beach at golden hour, or on the quiet Caribbean coast at sunrise.

Forbes, Condé Nast Traveler and the Michelin Guide have all recognized properties on this list. They include an 8-suite hideaway Forbes named the most romantic resort in the country, the first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central and South America, and a property awarded two Michelin Keys.

After 8 years and 650+ couples photographed across Costa Rica, we know these venues from behind the camera: where the light falls at sunset, which ones have a real rain plan and which stay truly private. This guide compares 16 luxury wedding venues across 8 regions, from elopements for two to 500 guests, with capacity, setting and who each one suits best.

  • 16Luxury venues
  • 8Regions
  • 2–500Guests
  • 650+Couples photographed

COMPARE AT A GLANCE

Costa Rica Wedding Venues at a Glance

Use this table to compare the 16 wedding venues in Costa Rica side by side: region, setting, guest capacity, privacy and price level. Once two or three stand out, jump to their full profiles below.

Venue Region Setting Capacity Privacy Price
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Guanacaste Beach · dry forest Up to 200 Full buyout $$$$$
El Mangroove Guanacaste Beach, Gulf of Papagayo Up to 300 Resort (shared) $$$
Andaz Costa Rica Resort Guanacaste Beach · tropical forest 30–500 Resort (shared) $$$$
Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas Guanacaste Coastal hillside · adults-only 2–30 Boutique (adults-only) $$$$$
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica Guanacaste Beach · cliffs 2-450 Resort (shared) $$$$$
Casa del Río La Fortuna & Arenal Riverside · volcano view Up to 300 Boutique hotel $$$
Arenal Kioro La Fortuna & Arenal Rainforest · volcano view 20 – 120 Resort (shared) $$$
El Establo Mountain Hotel Monteverde Cloud forest- Sunset view 90–200 Hotel (shared) $$$
Villa Punto de Vista Manuel Antonio Rainforest · ocean view Up to 100 Fully private $$$$
Arenas del Mar Manuel Antonio Beach · rainforest Up to 30 Resort (shared) $$$$
Tulemar Resort Manuel Antonio Rainforest · private beach 2–40 Residential Resort (shared) $$$
Villa Caletas Hotel Jacó Mountaintop · ocean view 20–350 Hotel (shared) $$$
Villa Wanderlust Jacó Jungle · near the ocean 20–50 Private retreat $$
Le Caméléon Caribbean Rainforest · Caribbean beach Elopements & small groups Boutique hotel $$$$
El Silencio Lodge & Spa Bajos del Toro Cloud forest · waterfalls 2 to boutique groups Boutique lodge $$$$
Kura Boutique Hotel Uvita & Osa Coastal mountain · adults-only 2–16 Full buyout $$$$

Price levels are relative, from $$ (most accessible) to $$$$$ (ultra-luxury). They compare the venues on this list with each other and are not quotes. Final cost depends on season, guest count and package, so always confirm directly with the venue.

NOT SURE WHERE TO START?

Let Us Help You Narrow Down Your Venue

We’re a team of wedding photographers and a wedding planner based in Costa Rica, and we know these venues from real wedding days. Tell us your guest count and your dream setting, and we’ll suggest two or three venues that truly fit, then plan and photograph the day with you.

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16 VENUES   |   8 REGIONS

The Best Wedding Venues in Costa Rica by Region.

Every venue here has a dedicated wedding team and a setting that feels unmistakably Costa Rican, from 300+ guest resorts to boutique hotels and private villas you can book out entirely. The guide runs by region: the luxury wedding venues of Guanacaste, Arenal Volcano, the Monteverde cloud forest, Manuel Antonio, Jacó, the Caribbean coast, Bajos del Toro and the Osa Peninsula. Start with the region that fits your vision, then compare capacity and privacy to build your shortlist.

Bride and groom admiring Arenal Volcano beside a tranquil pond during their wedding ceremony in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

BEACH & TROPICAL DRY FOREST

Guanacaste Wedding Venues

Couples here usually stay three days or more, so guests have time for the hot springs and mud baths of Rincón de la Vieja, Llanos de Cortés waterfall, surf lessons in Tamarindo, snorkeling at the Catalina Islands and a sunset catamaran to close the wedding weekend.

Nekajui, a Ritz- Carlton Reserve

Beach    Tropical dry forest    Up to 200 guests

The first Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Central and South America sits directly on the Pacific in Peninsula Papagayo.

Spaces range from the historic La Capilla Ballroom to the ocean-view Wedding Lawn and La Casona Lawn, and the resort welcomes couples of every background and tradition — Indian, Jewish, same-sex, and interfaith ceremonies included. Reserving your date 6 to 12 months ahead is recommended.

Photographer's note: The sun sets right in front of the resort, and the golden light that filters into the architecture is incredibly romantic. If it rains, the interiors are so beautiful they make a perfect Plan B for portraits.

Ocean view of Culebra Bay and its islands from the hillside at Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Guanacaste

Location

Papagayo Peninsula, Guanacaste — beachfront resort, open year-round.

Access

~40 min from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • Full resort buyout required for weddings — the entire venue becomes private for your group
  • Minimum 12 rooms booked

Ambar

Treetop bar · up to 15

Brisa Deck

40 seated / 50 cocktail

Adult Pool

50 seated / 60 cocktail

La Capilla

Garden & terrace · 120 ceremony / 90 reception

Courtyard

up to 200

Gran Casona Lawn

up to 200

Rates

Room per night

From $1,350 – $9,850 + resort fee & taxes

Event space fee

From $4,000 – $20,000

Wooden suspension bridge through the tropical dry forest canopy at Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Papagayo Peninsula
Gran Casona hacienda building with a courtyard of trees and hanging lanterns at Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Costa Rica
Terracotta-roof hacienda with tropical garden and bougainvillea at Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Guanacaste
Hacienda-style courtyard with lounge seating and hanging woven lanterns at Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Beach wedding ceremony with a circular floral arch facing the Gulf of Papagayo at El Mangroove, Costa Rica

El Mangroove, Autograph Collection

Beach    Gulf of Papagayo    Up to 300 guests

El Mangroove is a boho-chic, contemporary beach resort on Playa Panamá, facing the calm waters of the Gulf of Papagayo. Among the beach wedding venues in Guanacaste, it's one of the easiest to size to your guest list, with a ballroom, a garden and an oceanfront terrace.

Couples can choose between two oceanfront ceremony spaces, then move to the ballroom or the open-air Garden Plaza for the reception. A dedicated event planning team handles the details, and groups of 10 or more rooms get special wedding rates. It's a strong choice if you want a modern beach wedding with an elegant edge, and a price point well below the peninsula's ultra-luxury resorts.

Photographer's note:  Sunset light over the Gulf of Papagayo is perfect for golden-hour portraits.

Location

Playa Panamá, Gulf of Papagayo, Guanacaste — beachfront resort, open year-round.

Access

~25 min from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • 6 event spaces · 257 m² (2,744 sq ft) of total event space
  • Group wedding rates for 10+ rooms

Union Ballroom

Indoor · up to 120 seated

Garden Plaza

Outdoor · up to 300

Ocean Terrace

Beachfront · up to 100 recommended

Rates

Room per night

From $310 – $360 (standard rooms) + taxes

Group rooms

Wedding rates from 10+ rooms

Long banquet tables set for a garden wedding reception under tropical trees at El Mangroove, Guanacaste
Round tables with white linens for an outdoor wedding reception in El Mangroove's tropical garden
Aerial view of Playa Panamá and the Gulf of Papagayo, the beach setting of El Mangroove resort in Guanacaste
Garden Plaza wedding reception with stage, string lights and wooden tables at El Mangroove, Playa Panamá

Andaz Costa Rica Resort

Beach    Tropical dry forest    30- 500 guests

Set on a forested hillside above Bahía Culebra in Peninsula Papagayo, Andaz is built for multi-day destination weddings rather than one-night events. It has the widest capacity range among the luxury wedding venues in Guanacaste. You can go from a 30-guest studio dinner to a 500-guest reception in El Jardín, a garden you enter through a whale-shaped sculpture, with views over the bay and the forest.

Couples can say "I do" under breezy trees at Casa de Playa, then host the reception in the garden or under the covered Patio as a rainy-season backup. The wedding program covers civil, LGBTQ+, Indian and Jewish ceremonies, and the culinary team builds menus around family recipes. With 25 villas that each have a private pool, full kitchen and laundry, it's a strong fit for a destination wedding in Costa Rica with big families who want residence-style stays.

Photographer's note: At sunset the light falls beautifully across El Jardín and the bay.

Infinity pool and sun terraces surrounded by tropical forest at Andaz Costa Rica Resort in Guanacaste

Location

Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste — hillside resort above Bahía Culebra, open year-round.

Access

~35 min from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • Multi-day weddings with minimum stays and room blocks (see seasons below)
  • 25 villas with private pool, full kitchen and laundry — ideal for large families

El Jardín

Garden · bay & forest views · up to 500

Casa de Playa

Beachfront ceremony · up to 300

El Patio

Covered terrace · 50–200

Studios 2, 3 & 4

Bay view & private terrace · up to 30 each

Rates by season

Peak · Jan–May

4-night min · 30–40 rooms/night
$579 – $799 per night
F&B min. $15,000 – $30,000

Shoulder · Jun–Aug, Nov–Dec

3-night min · 20–25 rooms/night
$449 – $599 per night
F&B min. $10,000 – $25,000

Low · Sep–Oct

2-night min · 10 rooms/night
$329 – $449 per night
F&B min. flexible

Long wooden banquet table with greenery for a beachfront wedding dinner at Casa de Playa, Andaz Costa Rica
Red and white floral wedding arch at the whale-shaped sculpture entrance of Andaz Costa Rica Resort
El Patio covered terrace with rattan lamps and cocktail tables at Andaz Costa Rica Resort, Guanacaste
Indoor event studio set with rows of wooden chairs for a wedding ceremony at Andaz Costa Rica Resort
Wedding ceremony arch in El Jardín overlooking Bahía Culebra at Andaz Costa Rica Resort, Peninsula Papagayo
Bride and groom sharing a moment at sunset on the beach in Costa Rica. Costa Rica Wedding Photographer. Monteverde, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo, Uvita

Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas

Coastal hillside    Adults-only   Elopements 2- 30 guests

Casa Chameleon  is an adults-only, five-star boutique hotel perched above Las Catalinas, a pedestrian-only beach town on the Guanacaste coast, surrounded by 400 hectares of protected forest. It recently earned two Michelin Keys for service, design and location. Its 21 villas each have a private saltwater infinity pool.

Among the intimate wedding venues in Costa Rica, this one is made for elopements and small weddings rather than big receptions. You can say "I do" on the open-air rooftop, the zero-edge pool deck or a jungle viewpoint over the Pacific. Every evening the hotel holds a sunset ritual: a gong sounds as the sun touches the sea, then torches are lit around the infinity pool. It's one of the most photogenic moments for a Costa Rica elopement.

Photographer's note: At sunset, we love walking the town's pathways, where the golden light hits the walls and gives every frame a magical touch. If you'd rather have the beach, we head down to the sand for the sunset itself. If it rains, we shoot at Casa Chameleon, with the ocean view as your backdrop.

Location

Las Catalinas, Guanacaste — cliffside boutique hotel within 400 hectares of protected forest.

Access

~1 hr 15 min from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • Adults-only · 21 villas, each with a private saltwater infinity pool
  • Awarded two Michelin Keys
  • Minimum 2-night stay for group packages

Rooftop

Open-air · panoramic ocean views

Infinity Pool Deck

Zero-edge · sunset ceremonies

Jungle Viewpoints

Forest-framed · ocean views

Catamaran

At sea · up to 12

Wedding packages

Just the Two of Us

Elopement · 2 people
$4,188 taxes included

An Intimate Celebration

Up to 20 guests · 2-night min.
$13,972 taxes included

Small Gathering

Up to 30 guests · 2-night min.
$17,900 taxes included

Bride and groom at a wooden ceremony arch under a red flame tree with guests and Spanish-colonial buildings behind them in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
Wide view of a lawn wedding ceremony with a wooden arch, guests and golden-hour light in Las Catalinas, Costa Rica
Couple at their wedding ceremony under a red flame tree with Las Catalinas' Spanish-colonial arches behind them
Bride and groom seated during their garden wedding ceremony in Las Catalinas, Guanacaste, surrounded by tropical trees

Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica

Beach    Peninsula Papagayo     Up to 450 guests

Two private beaches meet dramatic cliffs above Bahía Culebra at the tip of Peninsula Papagayo. It's the classic top-tier luxury wedding resort in Costa Rica. It works as well for a quiet ceremony for two as for a multi-day celebration with guests flying in from around the world.

With 10 indoor and 9 outdoor event spaces, couples can choose a barefoot ceremony on a private beach, a reception on the Bahía Event Lawn or Nemare Golf Lawn, or an elegant ballroom dinner. Everything is on-site, from dining and pools to golf and spa, so guests can settle in for a full vacation without leaving the resort. It's ideal for a Guanacaste beach wedding where the whole weekend feels like part of the celebration.

Photographer's note: At sunset, the golden light plays across the architecture and the cliffs of Bahía Culebra.

Open-air restaurant terrace with rattan lamps and lounge seating under palm trees at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, Guanacaste

Location

Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste — two private beaches on Bahía Culebra, open year-round.

Access

~40 min from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • 19 event spaces — 10 indoor and 9 outdoor
  • From ceremonies for two to celebrations for 450 guests

Playa Virador & Armadillo

Private beach · up to 450

Guanacaste Ballroom

Indoor · up to 100

Arenal, Poás & Irazú

Indoor salons · up to 60 each

Bahía Lawn & Nemare Golf Lawn

Ocean-view lawns · receptions

Rates

Marpesia package

From $6,550

Greta package

From $10,300

Morpho package

From $14,300

Room per night

$1,170 (rooms) – $7,680 (villas) + taxes & fees

Sculptural wooden yoga pavilion overlooking the bay at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste
Bohemian tipi-style floral ceremony arch on the beach at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, Peninsula Papagayo, Guanacaste
Outdoor wedding reception table with white chairs on a lawn overlooking the bay at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, Guanacaste
Luxury wedding reception with long candlelit tables and stone columns at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica, Peninsula Papagayo

RAINFOREST & VOLCANO VIEWS

La Fortuna & Arenal Wedding Venues

Few backdrops rival saying "I do" with a volcano behind you. Around La Fortuna, wedding venues near Arenal Volcano sit inside the rainforest, with the volcano's perfect cone as the natural centerpiece: below, a riverside estate and a resort facing Arenal.

Guests can swim at the 70-meter La Fortuna Waterfall, cross the Arenal Hanging Bridges, hike the lava fields of Arenal Volcano National Park, kayak Lake Arenal or soak in Tabacón and Nayara Springs. Every Arenal wedding we shoot has two photographers and a timeline built around the volcano's changing light.

Casa del Río

Rainforest.   Riverside.   Up to 300 guests

This family-run boutique hotel sits on the banks of the La Fortuna River with Arenal Volcano in view, and it covers both ends of the spectrum. La Capilla is a hand-crafted wooden chapel framed by rainforest, made for intimate ceremonies, vow renewals and blessings. The open-air Amphitheater is set among century-old trees beside the river and seats up to 300, with a backstage green room.

Full wedding packages bundle ceremony and reception spaces, catering, décor and an on-site coordinator. There are bridal and groom's suites to get ready in, and guest rooms at wedding rates, so everyone can stay on the property.

Photographer's note: It rains often in La Fortuna, so the many covered spaces here make a reliable Plan B. The real magic is outdoors, though: lush gardens and the river, with perfect light at sunrise or sunset.

Bride and groom embracing at the door of a white wooden chapel at Casa del Río, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Location

La Fortuna, San Carlos — family-run boutique hotel on the La Fortuna River with Arenal Volcano views.

Access

~2 hr 43 min from Liberia and San José international airports.

Capacity

  • Multiple venue options · customizable packages
  • On-site wedding coordinator
  • Bridal suite and groom's quarters

La Capilla

Hand-crafted wooden chapel · up to 30

Amphitheater

Open-air · riverside · up to 300

Rates

La Capilla

Ceremony
From $2,000

Rooms

Per night
From $280

Family Villa

Per night
Up to $720

Large covered open-air event pavilion with a grass floor surrounded by rainforest at Casa del Río, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Aerial view of Arenal Volcano rising above the rainforest and Casa del Río grounds in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Paved garden path lined with palms and red heliconias at Casa del Río wedding venue in La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Bride and groom embracing at the door of a white wooden chapel at Casa del Río, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
White floral ceremony columns and glass aisle with Arenal Volcano in the background at Arenal Kioro, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Arenal Kioro Hotel

Rainforest.   Volcano view.   Up to 20 -120 guests

This 5-star, family-friendly resort in La Fortuna has 53 suites, each with a jacuzzi facing Arenal Volcano. Couples also get access to the resort's private Titokú hot springs. The volcano as a ceremony backdrop is a given here: we've photographed real weddings with Arenal standing right behind the couple.

Two event spaces handle the celebration: La Balsa (276 m², up to 60 guests) and El Pilón (204 m², up to 120). Wedding packages are built for 20 to 50 guests, which makes Arenal Kioro  the strongest choice for a mid-size wedding where the volcano view can't be left to chance.

Photographer's note: Sunrise and sunset are both stunning here. If it rains and you love the rain, we play in the gardens. After a downpour, the sky often clears dramatically to reveal Arenal Volcano.

Location

La Fortuna, San Carlos — 5-star resort facing Arenal Volcano, open year-round.

Access

~2 hr 40 min from Liberia International Airport · ~3 hr 30 min from San José (SJO).

Capacity

  • 53 volcano-view suites with private jacuzzi · family-friendly
  • Private Titokú hot springs for the couple
  • Wedding packages for 20 to 50 guests

La Balsa

Event hall · 276 m² · up to 60

El Pilón

Event hall · 204 m² · up to 120

Rates

Wedding package

From $15,966 for 20 guests

Wedding reception with hanging greenery and floor-to-ceiling windows facing Arenal Volcano at Arenal Kioro, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Cascading white and green floral ceiling installation over a wedding reception at Arenal Kioro, La Fortuna, Costa Rica
Hotel room with wicker chairs and a balcony framing Arenal Volcano at Arenal Kioro Suites & Spa, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Dreaming of saying "I do" with Arenal Volcano behind you? Explore our guide to La Fortuna wedding venues.

CLOUD FOREST

Monteverde Wedding Venues

Misty, quiet and wrapped in cloud forest canopy, Monteverde is for couples who want their wedding to feel held by nature rather than staged in front of it. We've lived in Monteverde since 2021, so we know wedding venues  inside out, from the viewpoints with the best sunsets over the Gulf of Nicoya to planning a timeline around the mountain's changing weather.

Your guests can hike the trails to El Tigre Waterfall, explore the cloud forest reserves, zipline above the canopy, go birdwatching for the resplendent quetzal and hummingbirds, and end the day watching the sunset from the mountains.

El Establo Mountain Hotel & Private Reserve

Cloud forest.   Sunset view.   90-200 guests

El Establo Mountain Hotel  sits at 1,440 m inside a 65-hectare private cloud forest reserve, and it's the Monteverde venue built for large weddings. Ceremonies are held on open-air terraces overlooking the forest, and the Honeymoon Suite is designed for the couple.

For the reception, Laggus faces a private lake with fine dining for up to 90 seated guests and sunsets from several angles of the property. Salón Las Riendas takes larger buffet-style receptions, and Green Leaf Spa is available for bridal getting-ready.

Photographer's note: The sunsets are breathtaking, looking over the Gulf of Nicoya with the Pacific in the distance. If it rains, you can enjoy the moment in the rain among the gardens.

Bride walking along a garden path through the cloud forest before her wedding in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Location

Monteverde, Puntarenas — mountain hotel at 1,440 m inside a 65-hectare private cloud forest reserve.

Access

~3 hr from Liberia International Airport · ~3 hr 30 min from San José (SJO).

Capacity

  • Weddings from 90 to 200 guests
  • Honeymoon Suite for the couple
  • Green Leaf Spa for bridal getting-ready

Forest Terraces

Open-air · ceremonies

Laggus

Lakefront fine dining · up to 90 seated

Salón Las Riendas

Buffet receptions · up to 200

Rates

Room per night

From $250

Bride walking along a garden path through the cloud forest before her wedding in Monteverde, Costa Rica
Couple embracing beside blooming hydrangeas at dusk in Monteverde, Costa Rica
Wedding Photography in Costa Rica: couple standing under a windswept tree on a misty mountaintop at sunset

Looking for more breathtaking places to get married in the cloud forest? Explore our guide to Monteverde wedding venues.

RAINFOREST & BEACH

Manuel Antonio Wedding Venues

Where rainforest meets the Pacific, Manuel Antonio's wedding venues in Costa Rica pair beachfront ceremonies with jungle privacy, monkeys and sloths included. Most venues are built into the hillside between Manuel Antonio National Park and the ocean.

You can say your vows on a cliffside terrace above the Pacific or on a private beach, then celebrate as the sun drops into the water. Guests can spend the days before the wedding on the park's trails and beaches or on a sunset catamaran from Marina Pez Vela in Quepos. 

Villa Punto de Vista

Rainforest.   Ocean view.   Full privacy

Designed by architect David Konwiser with destination weddings in mind, Villa Punto de Vista opens onto 180° views of the Pacific and the rainforest, with sloths, monkeys and toucans in the trees and a path down to the beach. It has won the WeddingWire Couples' Choice Award several times. During your stay, the only other people on the property are the staff, who take care of the meals, restock the rooms and arrange transportation for your guests. That leaves you free to enjoy a calm wedding day, from a ceremony above the canopy to a first dance under the stars.

Photographer's note: Ocean views from almost every corner, with the sunset right in front of the top-floor ceremony. Gardens are few, but the architecture makes indoor portraits just as stunning, and the villa can arrange a trip down to the beach for couple portraits.

Bride holding bouquet with ocean view in Costa Rica. Monteverde, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo, Uvita

Location

Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas — private 2.5-acre rainforest estate above Manuel Antonio Bay, exclusive use.

Access

~3 hr from San José (SJO) · ~4 hr from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • Events up to 100 guests · fully staffed
  • Villa Punto de Vista: 10 bedrooms, 10–30 guests · Villa La Isla: 8–9 bedrooms, 8–24 guests
  • Full estate (both villas): up to 54 overnight guests; nearby hotels arranged at no extra fee

Rooftop Deck

5th floor above the canopy · up to 100 seated

Events Terrace

Sunset view · 70 ceremony · 50 dinner · 100 cocktail

Ballroom

90 ceremony · 100 dinner · 100 cocktail

Pool Deck

Intimate · 40 event · 25 dinner · 50 cocktail

Beach & Rainforest

Outdoor ceremonies · no guest limit

Courtyard

Favorite spot for the first dance

Rates · Whale season (Sep – Oct)

4 nights

From $20,876

5 nights

From $26,095

7 nights

From $36,533

Woman with open arms on a rooftop terrace overlooking the rainforest and Manuel Antonio bay at Villa Punto de Vista, Costa Rica
Stone villa with balconies and a winding staircase in the rainforest at Villa Punto de Vista, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Wedding reception tables with pink napkins under a string-lit wooden pavilion at dusk at Villa Punto de Vista, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Long wedding reception table with orange flowers, candles and draped curtains at blue hour at Villa Punto de Vista, Manuel Antonio
Aerial view of the beach cove and rainforest-covered hillside at Arenas del Mar Resort, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Arenas del Mar

Beach.   Rainforest   Up to 30 guests

Arenas del Mar is one of the few luxury resorts in Manuel Antonio with direct access to the sand. Its two beaches sit between the rainforest and the Pacific, so you can say your vows on the beach with only your closest family and friends around you. Some suites have private jacuzzis, full bar service reaches your beach lounger, and the casual beachside restaurant serves local and gluten-free menus. Many couples add a welcome party or rehearsal dinner, which turns the wedding into a relaxed weekend by the ocean.

Photographer's note: Sunset portraits here are spectacular, and your ceremony can be right on Playitas Beach.

Location

Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas — beachfront luxury resort with direct access to Playitas Beach.

Access

~3 hr from San José (SJO), the recommended airport · ~4 hr from Liberia.

Capacity

  • Intimate weddings up to 30 guests
  • One wedding per day — yours is the only event
  • No minimum room block · nearby lodging recommended for guests

Playitas Beach

Beachfront ceremonies

In-house planner

Coordinates every detail

Booking window

6–12 months in advance

Woman in a white robe on a glass balcony overlooking the ocean at Arenas del Mar Resort, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Lounge chairs on a garden terrace overlooking Playa Espadilla at Arenas del Mar Resort, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Couple sitting on a hanging ring swing on the beach at sunset at Arenas del Mar Resort, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Aerial view of the beach cove and rainforest-covered hillside at Arenas del Mar Resort, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Tulemar Resort

Rainforest   Private beach 2-40 guests

Picture a ceremony on Tulemar's beach, then a sunset reception under the palms that runs on into a sky full of stars. Tulemar is a private residential resort tucked into the rainforest between Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park. As a residential community it isn't right for every group, but for a small beach wedding that feels completely secluded, it's hard to beat.

Photographer's note: The private beach is perfect for a sunset ceremony, with the golden light falling over the sand and the rainforest behind you.

Long candlelit wedding dinner table on the beach under a tree with string lights at sunset at Tulemar Resort, Manuel Antonio

Location

Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas — 33-acre private residential resort with its own beach, set in the rainforest.

Access

~3 hr from San José (SJO) · ~4 hr from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • From elopements for two up to 40 guests
  • Dedicated external wedding planners (Destination Occasions)

Private Beach

Beach ceremonies · up to 40

Palm-lined beachfront

Sunset receptions

Luxury villa living room with floor-to-ceiling windows and a sunset ocean view at Tulemar Resort, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Private rainforest-lined beach with calm water and rocks at Tulemar Resort wedding venue in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Open-air villa terrace with lounge seating and ocean view at dusk at Tulemar Resort, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

MOUNTAIN OCEAN VIEWS & JUNGLE, CENTRAL PACIFIC

Jacó Wedding Venues

From a mountaintop palace above the sea to a jungle retreat, Jacó has some of the most dramatic settings for a Costa Rica wedding, just 1.5 hours from San José's international airport.

They can spot scarlet macaws in Carara National Park, watch giant crocodiles from the Tárcoles River bridge, or sail at sunset on a catamaran from Los Sueños Marina. There are surf lessons on Jacó's beaches and ziplines through the rainforest hills just behind town.

Villa Caletas Hotel | Zephyr Palace

Mountaintop   Ocean view.    20-350 guests

Villa Caletas Hotel is a Victorian-tropical boutique hotel on a mountaintop above the Pacific. Resident chefs design custom menus and in-house coordinators handle every request, making it one of the most romantic wedding venues on the Central Pacific.

Photographer's note: During the ceremony the sun sets right in front of you, over a sweeping ocean view. If it rains, the architecture is so striking that the indoor spaces become a Plan B you'll love just as much.

Golden sunset over the Pacific seen from the columns of the Villa Caletas amphitheater, a wedding venue in Jacó, Costa Rica

Location

Jacó, Puntarenas — Victorian-tropical boutique hotel on a mountaintop above the Pacific.

Access

~1 hr 30 min from San José (SJO) · ~3 hr from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • Weddings from 20 to 350 guests
  • On-site wedding coordinators · chef-designed menus

Caletas Amphitheater

Open-air · ocean & sunset views

Zephyr Palace

Iconic palace setting

Rancho Caletas

New event space

Private Beach

Beach ceremonies

Rates

Room per night

From $210

Aerial view of the Greek-style amphitheater and terraces at Villa Caletas Hotel overlooking the Pacific in Jacó, Costa Rica
Wedding reception set with round tables and a painted ceiling in the ornate indoor hall at Villa Caletas Hotel, Jacó, Costa Rica
Chairs set around the infinity pool framed by tall orange columns overlooking the ocean at Villa Caletas wedding venue in Jacó, Costa Rica
Pool glowing under string lights at night in front of the main house at Villa Wanderlust, a private wedding venue in Jacó, Costa Rica

Villa Wanderlust

Jungle   Ocean adjacent.    20-50 guests

At Villa Wanderlust, you say "I do" surrounded by jungle, birdsong and the distant sound of the waves. You can marry barefoot on the beach or under a green canopy. The retreat is built for experiences, not just a ceremony. Picture a candlelit jungle elopement under the stars with a cacao ceremony, or a wedding weekend of yoga, waterfall adventures and a bonfire every night.

Photographer's note: Between the jungle and the sound of the waves, every corner is photogenic.

Location

Jacó, Puntarenas — private jungle retreat near the ocean.

Access

~1 hr 30 min from San José (SJO) · ~3 hr from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • Beach or jungle-canopy ceremonies
  • Vow renewals & commitment ceremonies
  • Minimum 4-night stay

Elopement

2–10 guests

Intimate Wedding

Up to 35 guests

Retreat Wedding Week

Full takeover · 35–50 guests

Rates

Wedding stay

From $2,200 per couple · 4-night minimum

Open-air wooden jungle lounge with a hammock, hanging lanterns and turquoise chairs at Villa Wanderlust wedding venue in Jacó, Costa Rica
Balinese-style villa with a pagoda roof, lawn and turquoise pool at Villa Wanderlust wedding venue in Jacó, Costa Rica
Pool glowing under string lights at night in front of the main house at Villa Wanderlust, a private wedding venue in Jacó, Costa Rica

RAINFOREST & CARIBBEAN BEACH

Caribbean Wedding Venues

Costa Rica's Caribbean coast moves at its own pace: turquoise water, palm-fringed beaches backed by jungle, and Afro-Caribbean music and food. Around Puerto Viejo, wedding venues are boutique hideaways rather than big resorts, a natural fit for elopements and small, laid-back celebrations.

Your guests can snorkel the coral reef in Cahuita National Park, meet rescued sloths and monkeys at the Jaguar Rescue Center, swim at the calm, postcard-perfect Punta Uva beach, hike the rainforest trails of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, or join a traditional cacao and chocolate tour with the local Bribri community.

White villa living and dining area with rattan pendant lamps opening onto the pool at Le Caméléon, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Le Caméléon | Puerto Viejo

Rainforest.   Caribbean beach.    Elopements & small groups

Le Caméléon is a beachfront lifestyle resort on Playa Cocles, where the jungle meets the Caribbean. It's made for elopements for two or intimate weddings with close family. The hotel offers wedding services and plans each celebration individually rather than selling fixed packages.

Bërë Bërë Spa, tucked into the jungle, works for getting ready, and beachfront suites with private pools double as a honeymoon.

 

Photographer's note: On the Caribbean, sunrise is the golden moment: the sun rises over the sea behind you, which is perfect for an elopement. Sunset is just as beautiful for a different reason: instead of the backlight you get on the Pacific, the sun lights your faces directly. The beach is just 50 meters away, and if it rains, a small ceremony can move indoors.

 

Location

Playa Cocles, Puerto Viejo, Limón — beachfront boutique resort on the South Caribbean coast.

Access

~4 hr 30 min from San José (SJO) · ~7 hr from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • Elopements for two or intimate family weddings
  • Custom wedding services · no fixed packages
  • 11 room types · breakfast included · 3 pools (jungle pool with jacuzzi)

Beachfront Suites

Romantic Suite with private pool · direct beach access

Private Villas

Paparazzi Villa & Frida Villa

Gigi Beach & Gigi O

Oceanfront dining · Caribbean cuisine & seafood

Bërë Bërë Spa

Jungle spa · bridal prep & treatments

Rates

Villas per night

From $900

White villa living and dining area with rattan pendant lamps opening onto the pool at Le Caméléon, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Aerial view of Playa Cocles beach and the rainforest surrounding Le Caméléon Hotel on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica
Aerial view of the beachfront lawn, palm trees and pool at Le Caméléon Hotel in Puerto Viejo, Caribbean Costa Rica
White open-plan great room with a crystal chandelier and wood beam ceiling at Le Caméléon Hotel, Caribbean coast of Costa Rica

CLOUDFOREST

Bajos del Toro Wedding Venues

For couples who want their wedding entirely immersed in wild cloud forest, no location in Costa Rica goes further than Bajos del Toro. This remote valley sits between Poás Volcano and Juan Castro Blanco National Park, less than two hours from San José. It's a place of mist, rivers and dozens of waterfalls, where the only soundtrack to your vows is rushing water and birdsong.

Your guests can hike down to Catarata del Toro, a nearly 90-meter waterfall plunging into an ancient volcanic crater. They can swim in the turquoise pools of the Blue Falls of Costa Rica, or look into the steaming crater of Poás Volcano. The untouched trails of Juan Castro Blanco National Park are close by, and on the way back to the airport there's time to stop in Sarchí, famous for its hand-painted oxcarts.

Covered wooden ceremony pavilion with a white floral arch and aisle at El Silencio Lodge & Spa in Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica

El Silencio Lodge & Spa

Cloud forest.   Relais & Chateaux     2 to  boutique groups

El Silencio Lodge is a luxury eco-lodge and a member of Relais & Châteaux, where high-end service meets the authentic charm of Costa Rica's cloud forest. It works just as well for a ceremony for two as for a boutique wedding with family and friends. The wedding feast is farm-to-table, cooked with fresh local ingredients to your taste. Couples' spa treatments and guided nature walks turn the celebration into a full cloud forest experience for you and your guests. For the adventurous, the team can even set up a ceremony on the zipline platforms above the canopy.

Photographer's note: Mist and greenery in every frame give the lodge a rustic, intimate feel.

Location

Bajos del Toro, Alajuela — 500-acre private cloud forest reserve near Poás Volcano.

Access

~1 hr 45 min from San José (SJO) · ~3 hr 30 min from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • From just-the-two-of-you ceremonies to boutique weddings
  • Ring exchange, proposal & vow ceremonies · custom décor
  • Relais & Châteaux member · farm-to-table dining

La Promesa Waterfall

Outdoor · waterfall backdrop

Hummingbird Garden

Outdoor · topiary garden

Gorrión River

Outdoor · riverside

Las Ventanas Restaurant

Indoor · elegant dining room

Toro Bohemio Bar

Indoor · lounge setting

Esencia Spa

Forest-surrounded · intimate

Rates

Room per night (2 guests)

From $220 – $770

Wedding party gathered under an open-air wooden pavilion in the cloud forest at El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica
Covered wooden ceremony pavilion with a white floral arch and aisle at El Silencio Lodge & Spa in Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica
Wedding reception table with yellow orchids, amber glassware and green napkins at El Silencio Lodge & Spa, Bajos del Toro, Costa Rica

COASTAL MOUNTAIN & TROPICAL FOREST

Uvita & Osa Peninsula Wedding Venues

Where the coastal mountains drop straight into the Pacific, on the doorstep of the Osa Peninsula, Uvita is home to the most private, elopement-scale wedding venue on this list. This stretch of the South Pacific, known as Costa Ballena, is still wild and uncrowded, with rainforest-covered ridges above empty beaches and some of the most dramatic ocean views in the country.

Your guests can walk out onto the famous whale-tail sandbar in Marino Ballena National Park at low tide, or spot humpback whales on a boat tour during migration season. They can swim beneath the two-tiered Nauyaca Waterfalls, explore the sea caves at Playa Ventanas, or take a day trip to snorkel the crystal-clear waters of Caño Island.

Aerial view of Kura Boutique Hotel with green roofs and infinity pool in the rainforest mountains of Uvita, Costa Rica

Kura Boutique Hotel

Coastal mountain.    Adults-only.    2-16 guests

Kura sits high in the mountains above Uvita, looking out over the Pacific and the Marino Ballena National Park. Forbes has called it the most glamorous and romantic resort in Costa Rica, and it's part of the Cayuga Collection. It works as a hideaway for two or as a private retreat for your closest family and friends. The chefs cook your favorite dishes, the spa therapists take care of pre-wedding relaxation, and the concierge plans adventures to discover the hidden corners of Uvita.

Photographer's note: Set high above Uvita, Kura frames the ocean, the forest and the sunset in a single view.

Location

Uvita, Puntarenas — adults-only mountaintop hotel above Marino Ballena National Park.

Access

~3 hr 30 min from San José (SJO) · ~5 hr from Liberia International Airport.

Capacity

  • 8 suites · adults-only
  • Private stays and weddings for 2 to 16 guests
  • Cayuga Collection member

Full Buyout

All 8 suites · up to 16 guests

Hideaway for Two

Elopements · ocean-view suite

Rates

Suite per night

From $650

Aerial view of Kura Boutique Hotel with green roofs and infinity pool in the rainforest mountains of Uvita, Costa Rica
Infinity pool with a lone tree and ocean view at Kura Boutique Hotel, a wedding venue in Uvita, Costa Rica
Aerial view of Kura Boutique Hotel surrounded by rainforest and mist above the Uvita coastline, Costa Rica
Woman in a white dress walking along the infinity pool with ocean views at Kura Boutique Hotel, Uvita, Costa Rica

SEEN IT FIRSTHAND

Real Weddings at Costa Rica's Best Wedding Venues

Photos tell you more than any list ever could. Here are a few real Costa Rica weddings I've personally photographed at some of these venues — genuine couples, real moments, and the exact light and atmosphere you can expect on your own day.

Wedding Photography in Costa Rica: bride veiled in a sheer wedding veil, standing before a dark tropical forest in a black and white portrait

Arianna & Roberto's Wedding at Belmar Hotel

We shoot here often — Hotel Belmar is one of our favorite venues in Monteverde, just a few minutes from our own studio. Its cloud forest light and lagoon mist create some of the most atmospheric wedding photos in Costa Rica.

View Gallery
A married couple shares a deep gaze as the sun sets behind the calm Costa Rican waves. Costa Rica Wedding Photographer. Monteverde, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo, Uvita

Melissa & Jason's Wedding at Secrets Papagayo Resort

Secrets Papagayo Resort is one of the few venues here we've personally photographed, not just researched. Its oceanfront site and golden sunset light over the Papagayo Gulf make it a standout for couples wanting resort luxury.

View Gallery
Wedding Photography in Costa Rica: Laura and Esteban's wedding at Las Catalinas

Laura & Esteban's Wedding Las Catalinas

Las Catalinas offers some of the most dramatic beach light in Costa Rica, turning an ordinary sunset into a cinematic backdrop. We leaned into the moody sky for Laura & Esteban's ceremony capturing real emotion instead of a postcard pose. 

View Gallery

FROM BEHIND THE CAMERA

We Know Where the Light Falls at Every Venue

From the sunset terrace at Villa Caletas in Jacó to the misty gardens of El Establo Monteverde, we plan every timeline around the light, and around the rain. Photography and planning, handled by one team that knows these places by heart.

Check our Availability

PLANNING GUIDE

How to Choose Your Wedding Venue in Costa Rica

Three questions narrow down the best wedding venue in Costa Rica for your celebration: how many guests you're inviting, which setting pulls at you, and which type of property delivers that experience.

By Guest Count

Size determines the type of venue you can book, the settings open to you and how private it feels.

1

Elopement

2–10 guests

Just the two of you, or a handful of your closest people — opening up venues that wouldn't work for a large wedding, like a private mountaintop suite or a waterfall in the rainforest.

2

Intimate Wedding

10–40 guests

The most popular size for a Costa Rica destination wedding — small enough to keep a private villa or boutique hotel exclusive to your group.

3

Medium Wedding

40–100 guests

Where full-service resorts start to make more sense — built to handle catering, seating, and logistics at scale.

4

Large Wedding

100+ guests

Best suited to resorts and estates with dedicated ballrooms or amphitheaters — like Villa Caletas, El Establo, or Andaz Costa Rica.

By Setting: Beach, Rainforest, Volcano, or Cloud Forest

Costa Rica's biggest advantage as a wedding destination is variety: you're choosing between entirely different atmospheres.

Beach · Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, Caribbean

Golden-hour ceremonies with the ocean as backdrop, and a more relaxed, resort-style celebration.

Rainforest · Manuel Antonio, Jacó, La Fortuna

A lush, immersive jungle feel — ideal if you want the wedding with wildlife all around.

Volcano View · La Fortuna & Arenal

A dramatic, singular focal point — Arenal Volcano becomes the centerpiece of your ceremony photos.

Cloud Forest · Monteverde, Bajos del Toro

The most atmospheric and misty of the four — quiet, intimate, and visually distinct from a typical beach wedding.

Resort vs Private Villa vs Boutique Hotel

This is the choice that affects your experience the most, and it's rarely explained clearly by the venues themselves — so here's the honest version.

Shared Space

Resort

Even a luxury resort is still shared — other guests checking in and out, other events possibly happening the same day. You get a full team, multiple venue options, and established packages, but not full privacy.

Fully Private

Private Villa

The entire property is yours — no other guests, no other events. The right choice if privacy matters more than resort-style amenities, and you'd rather have the place to yourselves.

The Middle Ground

Boutique Hotel

Small enough — often under 20 rooms — that booking it out makes it private too, without the scale or cost of an entire resort. Privacy with a hotel team handling the details.

BUDGET GUIDE

How Much Does a Wedding Venue in Costa Rica Cost?

Venue cost in Costa Rica depends on four things: your guest count, the season, how many nights the venue requires, and whether you need the property to yourselves. These ranges come from the published rates of the venues in this guide.

2–10 Guests

Elopement

$2,000 – $6,500

Casa Chameleon elopement: $4,188

10–40 Guests

Intimate Wedding

$14,000 – $21,000

Arenal Kioro, 20 guests: $15,966

40–100 Guests

Medium Wedding

$15,000 – $40,000+

Four Seasons Morpho: from $14,300

100+ Guests

Large Wedding

$30,000+ + room block

Andaz peak F&B minimum: up to $30,000

Good to Know

What Drives the Cost

Most resorts set a food & beverage minimum and a room block: a required number of rooms for 2 to 4 nights. At large resorts, the room block can cost more than the event itself. Dry season (December to April), full buyouts, and 13% VAT plus a 10% service charge raise the total. September and October are the most affordable months.

Your Full Budget

Beyond the Venue

Also budget for a planner, an officiant, décor and guest transfers. Our wedding photography packages start at $2,250, and our elopement photography packages at $1,450, always with two photographers.

Rates as published by each venue. Always confirm directly.

GOOD TO KNOW

Legal Requirements & Beach Wedding Permits

Every beach in Costa Rica is public by law. The Maritime Terrestrial Zone Law keeps the first 50 meters from the high-tide line open to everyone, so no venue can give you a beach all to yourselves. Whether you need a permit depends on the size of your setup, not on the beach.

Legal or Symbolic Ceremony?

A legal wedding in Costa Rica is performed by a Costa Rican lawyer who acts as a notary. Many couples marry legally at home and celebrate here with a symbolic ceremony instead, with no paperwork and full freedom to personalize every ritual. We work with trusted legal and symbolic officiants and can connect you with the right one.

Photographer's note: Because beaches are public, you may share the sand with surfers or families at sunset. We plan the ceremony spot and the timing so your photos still feel private.

Planning Ahead

Best Time of Year for a Wedding in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a small country with many microclimates, so the right time for your wedding depends on where you say "I do." Costa Rica is small but full of microclimates, so the right time for your wedding depends on the region: beaches are usually drier, while the mountains are cooler, cloudier and rainier.

Pacific Coast | Dry Season Dec – April

Guanacaste, Nicoya and the Central Pacific have the country's most dramatic sunsets, which makes them ideal for golden-hour ceremonies on the sand. December to April brings sunny, predictable days. From May on, afternoon showers become common.

Caribbean Coast | Sunrise Weddings

Puerto Viejo and Cahuita face the sunrise, so this coast is perfect for early-morning ceremonies and relaxed, jungle-meets-sea vibes. Its weather runs opposite to the Pacific: when the west coast gets rain, the Caribbean often enjoys its driest, calmest weeks.

Mountains & Cloud Forest

Monteverde, La Fortuna and the Central Valley are cooler and greener, and they tend to be rainier or misty. Mist rolling through the trees creates moody, romantic images unlike anywhere else. Even in the dry season, a light drizzle is part of the experience.

Our Advice | Always Have a Plan B

If rain isn't part of your dream day, plan your wedding for the dry season of your chosen region. If a little rain doesn't worry you, any month can work. Just choose a venue with a covered or indoor backup space so your celebration goes on, rain or shine.

COSTA RICA WEDDING VENUES

Let's Plan Your Costa Rica Wedding

Once you've found the venue that feels like yours, the next step is documenting it. Tell me about your celebration and I'll help you plan the day, and photograph it, together.

WRITE YOUR INQUIRY

EXPERTS IN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY & PLANNING

Meet Your Costa Rica Wedding Photography & Planning Team

We're a Costa Rica–based team of two photographers and a dedicated wedding planner, with 8+ years photographing destination weddings in nearly every region, from Guanacaste and the Central Pacific to Monteverde and the Caribbean. That first-hand experience lets us recommend the venues that fit your vision, guest count and budget, then cover the day with a second shooter, drone and seamless planning.

Joice Dahianna. Portrait of a smiling woman photographer indoors with warm decor. Monteverde, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo Costa Rica. Uvita

Joice Dahianna

Lead Photographer & Founder

Joice works exclusively as a destination wedding photographer in Costa Rica, guiding every couple with genuine care from first consultation to final delivery. She's your main point of contact throughout.

Portrait of a man standing with arms crossed, smiling at the camera. Costa Rica Wedding Photographer. Monteverde, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo Costa Rica. Uvita

Diego Ramírez

Second Shooter & Drone Pilot

Diego is the second photographer on every wedding, capturing key moments from a different angle so nothing gets missed. He's also the drone pilot behind every aerial shot.

Wedding Photography in Costa Rica: portrait of wedding planner Ceilyn Castro smiling on the phone while holding yellow flowers

Your White Wedding

Experience Planner

Ceilyn Castro designs and coordinates proposals, elopements and weddings, handling planning, logistics and personal touches so couples can stay fully present while every detail unfolds seamlessly. From planning and logistics to personal touches, she creates the ideal environment for unforgettable moments — the kind meant to be beautifully captured.

RECOGNITION

Award-Winning Costa Rica Wedding Photographer with an Authentic Approach

AS SEEN IN

Delfino.cr news logo, featured press mention for Joice Dahianna Wedding Photography
Costa Rica wedding photographer Joice Dahianna — 3-time World Photographic Cup semifinalist for best wedding photo in Costa Rica
Joice Dahianna, top-rated Costa Rica wedding photographer, member of the MyWed international photography community for 8+ years
Joice Dahianna, member of Fearless Photographers, an invite-only global community of top wedding photographers

3

National Award Wins | World Photography Cup

Fearless

Photographers — Featured

650+
Couples — US, Canada, México & Europe

GOOD TO KNOW

FAQs

The questions couples ask us most, from booking and legal paperwork to what to ask your venue before you sign.

How far in advance should we book a wedding venue in Costa Rica?

We recommend booking your venue 6 to 12 months in advance. If your date falls in the dry season (December to April), or you've chosen a popular venue in Guanacaste or Arenal, aim for the full 12 months, since peak-season dates go first. Once your venue is confirmed, book your photographer and planner right away, because the best vendors tend to be reserved around the same dates as the most sought-after venues.

How much does a wedding venue in Costa Rica cost?

Venue costs range from about $2,000 for an elopement to $30,000 or more for a large resort wedding, before room blocks. The final price depends on guest count, season, minimum stays and whether you book the whole property.

Do we need a wedding planner if the venue has a coordinator?

The venue coordinator manages everything on-site: setup, catering and timing. A wedding planner handles everything else: vendors, guest travel, welcome and farewell events, and your budget. For multi-day weddings or remote venues, a planner is what keeps the whole trip running smoothly.

Will our Costa Rica wedding be legally recognized in our home country?

In most cases, yes. A legal ceremony performed in Costa Rica by a Costa Rican lawyer-notary is registered with the Civil Registry, and the marriage certificate can then be apostilled for use at home. Many couples find it simpler to sign the paperwork at home and celebrate here with a symbolic ceremony.

What documents do foreigners need to get married in Costa Rica?

You'll need valid passports and two witnesses at the ceremony. If either of you has been married before, you'll also need proof of divorce. Your officiant will confirm the exact requirements for your nationality and how long the certificate takes to process.

Do Costa Rica venues host same-sex, Jewish, Indian, or interfaith weddings?

Yes. Costa Rica wedding venues are inclusive and welcome couples of every background, faith, and love story. Same-sex marriage has been legal in Costa Rica since 2020, the first country in Central America to recognize it. Resorts like Andaz Costa Rica and Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, openly host LGBTQ+, Jewish, Indian, and interfaith ceremonies. Whether you're planning a chuppah under the rainforest canopy or a multi-day Indian celebration by the Pacific, you can have a spectacular wedding here that fully reflects who you are.

Do venues charge a fee for outside photographers?

Some hotels allow any photographer to work on their property at no extra cost; others charge a fee — sometimes a significant one — for bringing in a photographer who isn't on their preferred vendor list. Always ask this upfront, especially if you already have a photographer in mind.

What happens if it rains on our wedding day?

Costa Rica is a tropical country, and rain is part of the deal, even in the dry season. Make sure your venue has a real Plan B — a covered or indoor space that can host your ceremony if the sky doesn't cooperate — not just a vague promise that "it usually doesn't rain."

Can we have the venue all to ourselves?

This ties directly back to the resort-vs-villa-vs-boutique decision above — confirm exactly what "private" means at that specific property before you assume anything.

Are drones allowed at wedding venues in Costa Rica?

Not every venue allows drones, so ask about the venue's drone policy before you book. Some resorts restrict drone flights to protect the privacy of other guests. Venues inside or near national parks and protected reserves may also have extra restrictions. If aerial footage matters to you, confirm it with the venue early. Our drone pilot, Diego, coordinates directly with the venue so your ceremony and the landscape around it can be captured from above wherever it's permitted.

Which airport should our guests fly into?

Liberia (LIR) is closest to Guanacaste: most resorts on Peninsula Papagayo are 25 to 45 minutes away. San José (SJO) is the better choice for Jacó, Manuel Antonio, Bajos del Toro, Uvita and the Caribbean coast. For La Fortuna and Monteverde, both airports work, about 3 hours either way.

Can we get married at a waterfall or in a national park?

Yes, with planning. National parks require authorization from SINAC, Costa Rica's national system of conservation areas, and have fixed opening hours. Waterfalls on private land need the owner's permission. For elopements, private reserves and lodges with their own waterfalls are the easiest option, with no crowds.

 

KEEP EXPLORING

Plan Every Detail of Your Costa Rica Wedding

From dreamy venues to real elopement stories, here are a few more guides to help you plan every detail of your Costa Rica wedding.

GET IN TOUCH

Yes, Let's Do This!

Tell me a little about your celebration and I'll get back to you personally to start planning your wedding photography in Costa Rica.

  • +(506) 8312-3826

  • photo@joicedahianna.com

  • Based in Monteverde, Costa Rica. We travel to La Fortuna, Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, throughout Costa Rica, and around the world.


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