TOP 8 COSTA RICA WEDDING LOCATIONS
Costa Rica is home to a host of gorgeous beaches, incredible wildlife, serene waterfalls, and everything in between. The perfect surroundings for any Costa Rica wedding photographer! It is one of the most rich and biodiverse places on the planet, considering how small the country is – it really packs a punch! Between the Pacific and Caribbean Coasts, you can be saying your I Dos on white and black sand beaches, taking a creative wedding session shoot near active volcano, or wed in the jungle amongst waterfalls and nature.
With perfect weather, tons of activities and excursions to try and some of the best sunsets ever, there is no better place to tie the knot. Your wedding will be beautiful and romantic, and you are sure to have a blast on your whole vacation in this incredible place. The range of scenery and wedding venues means unparalleled possibilities for your Costa Rica destination wedding!
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Tamarindo
Tamarindo, with its long, sweeping beach and charming small-town vibe, is a fantastic place to have a wedding. The town is situated on a beautifully picturesque bay, with sailboats parked out in the bay. It is one of the busier areas in the Guanacaste region, so there is always something to do. The number of restaurants and bars is pretty incredible for the size of the town, and you can find food and people from all over the world!
Looking for a beach vibe that is still close enough to the lively town for a rockin’ bachelor or bachelorette party? This is the place! One of the main things that draws people to Tamarindo is, of course, surfing and the beach. It is pretty sweet to be able to get married and catch some waves all in the same trip! There are also tons of activities and tours to try, like zip lining, snorkeling, ATV’s, sunset cruises, and more. Your wedding guests will certainly not be bored! The beach is huge in both length and width, which means there is plenty of room for everything you might need. It is long enough to be able to have a private spot on the beach without a ton of people on either side, and wide enough that, especially during low tide, there is plenty of room between the top of the beach and the water. Also, Tamarindo is a hub for luxury to boutique hotels and many villas to rent with ocean views or beachfront. There are some amazing resorts as well as tons of beautiful condos and hotels.
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Playa Conchal
Playa Conchal is one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, with some of the whitest sand and bluest water. The beach is actually made up of millions of crushed shell pieces – hence the name (concha means shell in Spanish!). Because the beach is made of shells, the water does not get murky the way it does with fine sand. This makes for stunning colors and incredible photos. It is truly breathtaking! If a beach wedding is what you are after, this is a fantastic spot. There are a few amazing resorts in this area. Most notably the Westin and the W, as well as Reserva Conchal are all gorgeous with amazing views. Playa Conchal is a little less busy so there is less going on around the area, but that also means a little more quiet and less people than you will find in Tamarindo. However, it is easy to get transportation to somewhere like Tamarindo to go out for the bachelor party, have a big dinner, or see something different. Your Costa Rica wedding photographer will capture unbelievable photos that will seem like a fairytale for years to come!
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Playa Flamingo
Playa Flamingo is home to another whole host of incredible views and beautiful villas. Again, with its location slightly south of Tamarindo, it is also a bit more quiet. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t still plenty of delicious restaurants and things to do around the area. There is the opportunity for lots of fun activities, including a very popular snorkeling or scuba diving tour that leaves from the area. The newly opened Margaritaville in Playa Flamingo is a gorgeous resort. It is located up on a bit of a hill where most of the restaurants and things are that overlooks the beach and is a stunning place to watch the sunset. When you aren’t busy with wedding activities, you can eat dinner at the gorgeous beachfront restaurant Coco Loco, do a little shopping, check out the night market, and take in the views.
Playa Flamingo hosts a variety of large villas for rent in the hills overlooking the ocean or right on the beach which would be a perfect venue for a wedding. The beauty of Flamingo makes it s perfect place to have a quiet beach ceremony surround by loved ones and nature.
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Peninsula Papagayo
Located north of Tamarindo on the peninsula you will find Peninsula Papagayo. Situated in the Papagayo Gulf, it is home to incredible scenery. If you are looking for a location that still has prime access to stunning beaches but is a little more remote, Papagayo is a fantastic option. The resorts in this area are luxurious and exclusive, including the Four Seasons Resort and Andaz. They can provide everything you will need for your special day. Located in the hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, these resorts on the peninsula are some of the most unique places for a luxury wedding in Costa Rica. Because this is a sparsely populated area, it creates a scene where guests are constantly in contact with the nature, culture, and exotic creatures that Costa Rica has to offer.
It feels more isolated and private than some of the other spots previously mentioned, so for those who want to enjoy the scenery of sweeping beaches and have everything included in their luxury wedding experience, this is a perfect option.
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Llanos de Cortez
Moving away from the beach, Llanos de Cortez is a little oasis. Still in Guanacaste but located a little more inland east of Liberia, it is easily accessible by the Liberia airport but feels secluded and secret. Most notably, it is home to one of the most incredible waterfalls in the area. Scramble down a short trail to reach this incredible 12m high, 15m wide waterfall. The falls drop into a lovely pool with a where there is a sandy beach that is perfect for catching some sun and swimming. You can even relax on the rocks behind the waterfall curtain and of course, shower yourself in the water.
This area is as gorgeous as it is private. If you are looking for a more nature inspired wedding location, this would be the perfect one. It is not home to big, luxurious resorts. But if you want a true, absolutely gorgeous Costa Rica experience, this is a place that you absolutely have to visit. Llanos de Cortez is located north of Palo Verde National Park, which attracts a lot of visitors for lush forest, hiking trails, and amazing wildlife. Make sure to make time during your trip to explore the area! Picture a simple ceremony with the sound of the waterfall in the background, leaves rustling in the breeze, and all your loved ones standing around – it would be the most serene and beautiful wedding ever!
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Arenal (La Fortuna)
La Fortuna is a small town in Costa Rica, located more inland northwest of the capital, San Jose. It is known as the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park, which is home to two of the most amazing volcanos in Costa Rica. The active Arenal Volcano still has lava flows, and there is also the thermal Tablacon River and hot springs at the foot of the volcano. There are tons of rainforest trails, lakes, and beautiful pools. Again, this location is great for a nature-oriented ceremony. There are many striking backdrops to choose from – volcanoes, rainforest, waterfalls, and more. What is more epic than saying “I do” in front of an active volcano? That is certainly a moment you and your guests will never forget.
There is also the La Fortuna Waterfall, which is a gorgeous fall that dives into a deep pool, perfect for swimming, picnicking, and of course, getting hitched. The nearby hot springs are also worth checking out and provide the opportunity for a creative photo session in the warm water. Since Arenal is an area with slightly higher visitor traffic, there are some resorts in the area that provide the perfect, easy wedding location. If you would prefer something smaller that is not at a resort, there are also plenty of hotels and beautiful jungle villas for nice accommodation with a more relaxed feel.
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Poas (La Paz Waterfall Garden)
Continuing with the jungle and waterfall theme, La Paz is another incredible backdrop for a ceremony. It is less trafficked and a little more tranquil than Arenal, but still just as beautiful. Between the foliage and the water, it is lush and gorgeous – the perfect place to wed. When there is downtime from wedding activities, explore this incredible area with a fun hike or by relaxing by the waterfall. La Paz waterfall is located in the Poas Volcano National Park, which is another attraction more than worth checking out.
Of course, more wildlife. People say that it is kind of like going to the zoo – that is how easy it is to see the incredible jungle creatures that call this place home. La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge is a private nature park and animal sanctuary, so if you would like a wedding with a very natural feel, this would be a fantastic place. Peace Lodge can provide accommodation and incredible spaces with everything needed to have an incredible Costa Rica wedding!
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Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is located on the central Pacific coast, almost straight down from San Jose. First and foremost, it is worth a visit because it is another incredible National Park that has a little bit of everything – rugged rainforest, white-sand beaches, and coral reefs. It is known for its vast diversity of tropical plants and wildlife, from three-toed sloths, to monkeys, to hundreds of different species of birds. It is easy to explore the area on the hiking trails that can take you from the coast all the way up into the mountains. Needless to say, there are plenty of spots for a wedding here, that will all take your breath away. Another plus is that it is pretty much lush and green in Manuel Antonio all year round.
Sometimes in other parts of the country, summer can make things dry and brown. But not here! Depending on the style and feeling you would like your wedding to have, you can choose between a whole host of places to spend your special day. There are beachfront resorts, quieter jungle locations, and everything in between. Manuel Antonio is a great option if you can’t decide between jungle or beach since both are so accessible! If you are looking for luxury, Villa Punto De Vista is one of the most well-known and best equipped villas in the Manuel Antonio area for a wedding. There are also inclusive options for same sex couples!
It is clear that in Costa Rica, the options for a gorgeous and romantic destination wedding are endless. Whether you are looking for beachfront luxury, the epic backdrop of a beautiful waterfall, or a jungle scene with volcanoes and lush forests, there is something for every couple. Fancy and luxurious or barefoot beachfront, there is no better place to start the beautiful journey of marriage.
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(Playa Flamingo)