Costa Rica Destination Wedding
Costa Rica · Central America
Costa Rica is for adventurous couples who want a wedding surrounded by extraordinary natural beauty, howler monkeys, tropical birds, active volcanoes, and jungle waterfalls, all minutes from pristine Pacific beaches. The Guanacaste and Nicoya Peninsula region (dry season accessible) is the most popular for destination weddings, with excellent resort infrastructure and stunning sunset views.
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Avg Cost
$10k–$35k
Best Season
November – December
Visa Required
Usually No
Legal Wedding
Yes — legal
Guest Score
7/10
Best time to get married in Costa Rica
January
73°–90°F
1 rain days (0.4")
February
73°–92°F
0 rain days (0")
March
74°–94°F
2 rain days (0.9")
April
74°–95°F
7 rain days (2.7")
May
75°–91°F
18 rain days (14.1")
June
73°–87°F
22 rain days (15.7")
July
73°–88°F
15 rain days (9.4")
August
73°–87°F
22 rain days (15.4")
September
73°–87°F
24 rain days (15.8")
October
72°–85°F
27 rain days (20.1")
November
72°–85°F
15 rain days (10.3")
December
72°–88°F
1 rain days (0.9")
Weather data: Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (2019-2023 averages). Hurricane risk: NOAA historical data. Last updated: 2026-08-26.
See how Costa Rica ranks against every destination in November, or the full Hurricane and Rain Risk Index.
What it costs your guests
Guest-Friendly Score
How easy and affordable it is for your guests to attend a wedding in Costa Rica.
Estimated per-guest cost: ~$1,200 (flight + 4 nights)
Legal requirements
Legal ceremony is straightforward
Costa Rica allows foreign nationals to legally marry. The ceremony must be performed by a licensed notary public or authorized religious celebrant. You need apostilled copies of birth certificates and, if previously married, proof of divorce. Two witnesses are required to sign the marriage deed. No blood test or residency requirement. Most wedding planners handle all document requirements and notary coordination.
Always verify current requirements with local authorities or your wedding planner before finalizing plans.
Full details: getting legally married in Costa Rica as a US couple.
Where in Costa Rica?
Each area has a distinct character — the right choice depends on your style and guest count.
Guanacaste
luxuryThe 'Gold Coast' — Pacific dry forest, world-class resorts, and the most predictable dry season in Costa Rica
Best for:Larger weddings where reliable weather and resort infrastructure matter
Nicoya Peninsula
bohoSurf towns, yoga retreats, and wild Pacific beaches — Santa Teresa and Nosara
Best for:Free-spirited couples who want a wellness-oriented, barefoot celebration
Manuel Antonio
adventurousNational park where rainforest meets the ocean — monkeys, sloths, and dramatic jungle-beach scenery
Best for:Nature-loving couples who want wildlife and jungle as their ceremony backdrop
Arenal
adventurousActive volcano, hot springs, and cloud forest — the most dramatic inland setting in Costa Rica
Best for:Couples who want a non-beach destination with volcano views and adventure activities for guests
Top resorts for Costa Rica weddings
Comparing resorts is the biggest early decision. We filter for 4-5 star properties rated 8.0+ by verified guests — the kind of places that actually host weddings well.
Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo
Five-StarTwo beaches on a private peninsula with rainforest ceremony sites and the country's deepest luxury wedding bench.
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Five-StarOpened 2025 on Peninsula Papagayo; cliffside ocean-view venues and Reserve-level privacy for smaller celebrations.
Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique
Five-Star188 rooms above Playa Penca, Guanacaste, ceremonial pavilion for 100 guests, event lawn, beach ceremonies, ballrooms to 382.
Nekajui Peninsula Papagayo, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Five-Star108 rooms, suites, tented suites and villa on clifftop Peninsula Papagayo site, ocean-view venues including La Casona lawn.
Andaz Costa Rica Resort
LuxuryHyatt's stunning clifftop resort with panoramic ocean views and a dedicated wedding team.
The five-star shortlist
4 verified five-star wedding properties in Costa Rica (Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Waldorf Astoria (Hilton), Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Marriott)), each linked to the resort's own wedding pages.
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Build my wedding planWhere will your guests stay?
Most Costa Rica couples have 20–50 guests traveling. We secure a group rate at the resort of your choice — locked-in pricing, a private booking link for guests, and complimentary perks based on your room count. Free to you — the resort covers our fee.
Trip Protection for Your Wedding Party
International flights, non-refundable deposits, and tropical weather all carry real risk. Cover your entire guest list with cancel-for-any-reason options designed for destination weddings.
A+ rated insurer. Group plans available for wedding parties.
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