Getting Married In Costa Rica
San José
overview
Ruggedly beautiful Costa Rica is a nature lover’s dream. From its protected rainforest to the sandy shores of Playa Grande, via the wealth of wildlife and biodiversity within it’s shores, getting married in Costa Rica is like tying the knot in an earthly paradise.
the lowdown
For most couples there really is only one wedding venue in Costa Rica: the beach. It’s here that the fantasy barefoot beach wedding is beautifully brought to life. Warm breezes, sand underfoot, turquoise waters, shady palms – think billowing sundresses and armfuls of tropical flowers and you get the general idea. You might even get a migrating sea turtle or two in your wedding photos if you’re lucky. Costa Rica enjoys a consistent 12 hours of sunshine a day, which makes it ideal for al fresco weddings. Although it’s a country of many microclimates you’re generally likely to get the best weather during dry season (usually December to April). Getting married in Costa Rica means a choice of stunning locations, such as the Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste (Costa Rica’s “Gold Coast”) and the Manuel Antonio National Park.
The island has both Pacific and Caribbean coasts with a slight variation in local culture between the two. A destination wedding in Costa Rica could take you to an exclusive resort, a charming boutique hotel or an eco project (Costa Rica was voted Greenest County in the World and scores highly in the Happy Planet index). Traditional Costa Rican bridal dresses are often black silk, as opposed to white or cream (the groom still wears white) so for brides not keen on the big white dress there are none of those expectations to fulfill. After the ceremony, most couples opt for a seafood BBQ on the beach for the wedding feast but a high end dining experience is also easy to arrange. Either way, expect tropical fruit cocktails and dancing until dawn.
For nature fans, eco dreamers and beach lovers, getting married in Costa Rica couldn’t be any more ideal. Very few other locations can compare to it’s wild beauty and natural charm.
insider note...
As your friends and family are putting in the mileage to see you get hitched, make your wedding in Costa Rica more than just a day. Many couples feel they don’t get enough time to spend with guests on a wedding day but the laid back pace and easy celebrations in Costa Rica mean you can dedicate several days, even a week to the festivities –as long as you don’t mind delaying your honeymoon until everyone has gone home.
Flight Duration
15 – 17hrs, usually with at least one stopover.
Currency
Costa Rican Colón.
Language Spoken
Costa Rica is Spanish speaking.
English is fine in the bigger resorts.
Vaccinations
Anti - malarials are required for Costa Rica.
The WHO recommends visitors ensure they are up to date with, or have for the first time: Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, Rabies, Meningitis, Polio, Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis), Chickenpox, Shingles, Pneumonia and Influenza.
Transportation
Buses and taxis are the main local transport options in Costa Rica. The terrain here also makes for easy cycling, whether on a traditional bike
or a motorcycle.
Public Holidays
Catholicism is the dominant religion in Costa Rica so Christmas, Easter, Holy Week and other religious holidays are celebrated. Other public holidays include Independence Day (15th September), Juan Santamaria Day (11th April) and Labour Day (1st May).
Good Time to Go
Dec - April (Dry Season)
good to know
Costa Rica enjoys a consistent 12 hours of sunshine a day, which makes it ideal for al fresco weddings.
