Home / Latin America / Costa Rica
Written by Morten Andersen · Last reviewed November 25, 2025
Destination Guide
Costa Rica is the destination for couples who want jungle, ocean, and adventure in one wedding. The settings are spectacular and the wildlife is part of the show. The trade off is rain, real travel time within the country, and a dry season that books out fast. Plan it well and it is unforgettable.
Few places let you marry with the Pacific on one side and primary rainforest on the other. Costa Rica's best venues sit on the Papagayo peninsula in the dry northwest and in the lush hills above Manuel Antonio. Each offers a different version of the country. Here is where they shine and what couples tend to underestimate.
A short, honest list of real, working venues we have verified for setting and scale. Numbers move, so treat them as a guide and confirm at enquiry.
The flagship. A resort straddling a slim peninsula with two beaches, set among forest and ocean views, and more than a handful of distinct event settings. It pairs world class service with beachfront ceremonies and elegant terraces, and it sits in the drier northwest, which lowers weather risk. The benchmark for a polished, full service Costa Rican wedding.
A design forward resort on the Gulf of Papagayo that blends laid back Costa Rican spirit with sophisticated style. Beachfront ceremonies, hillside infinity pools, and terraces over the Pacific make it a strong choice for couples who want luxury without stiffness. Same dry northwest advantage, a slightly more relaxed register than the Four Seasons.
For couples set on jungle drama, the hills above Manuel Antonio deliver private villas with sweeping rainforest and ocean views, monkeys included. Villa Punto de Vista is a well known exclusive use estate for intimate, secluded celebrations. The setting is greener and wilder than Papagayo, with more rain to plan around.
December to April is the dry season and the prime window, especially in Guanacaste and the northwest, where Papagayo enjoys reliably sunny weather. This is peak season, so the best resorts and villas book a year or more ahead and rates are highest.
The green season runs roughly May to November, with the heaviest rain from September into October on the Pacific coast. The country is at its most lush and least crowded then, and many mornings are clear with afternoon showers, but an outdoor ceremony asks for a solid covered backup.
Microclimates matter here. The dry northwest and the wetter central and southern Pacific can have very different weather on the same date, which is one reason Papagayo is the safer bet for a fixed outdoor plan.
Time the ceremony for late afternoon to dodge midday heat and the typical pattern of afternoon rain in the green season, and you give your photographer the best light into the bargain.
As a 2026 guide, a well run celebration at a luxury resort or private villa for 40 to 100 guests typically runs from around 30,000 dollars into six figures, depending on venue, guest count, and how much is flown in. Private villa weddings can be more flexible on budget, while the flagship resorts sit at the premium end. Treat all figures as indicative ranges and confirm directly.
Internal travel is a real line item. The country is bigger and slower to cross than it looks, so factor transfers between the airport, the venue, and any excursions for guests.
A legal civil marriage in Costa Rica is performed by a notary and requires specific documentation, and the process can be slower than couples expect. Many opt to marry legally at home and hold a symbolic ceremony here, which planners arrange routinely. Requirements change, so confirm the current process with a local planner or notary well ahead of the date.
Share a few details and we will match you with resorts, villas, and a planner suited to your guest count, season, and budget. No fee to you, and no obligation.
Join free and get our season by destination cheat sheet, the best months to marry in each place.
Costa Rica rewards a strong local planner more than most destinations, because the weather, the internal travel, and the legal process all need a steady local hand. The flagship resorts have capable in house teams, while villa weddings depend entirely on an independent planner to coordinate suppliers and transport. A photographer used to rainforest light and fast changing skies is worth seeking out.
December to April, and it is most reliable in the northwest around Papagayo. The green season runs May to November, wettest in September and October.
Papagayo is drier, more polished, and better for a fixed outdoor plan. Manuel Antonio is greener and wilder, with more rain and more jungle drama.
Yes, via a notary with the right documents, though it can be slow. Many marry at home and hold a symbolic ceremony here. Confirm with a local planner.
Liberia airport serves the northwest and San Jose serves the central Pacific. Internal transfers take longer than the map suggests, so plan generously.
For a peak dry season date at a top resort or villa, twelve to eighteen months ahead is wise.
