In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know about planning or attending a destination wedding in Costa Rica.
Weddings in Costa Rica: What You Need To Know
For couples looking to escape the cold weather and celebrate their nuptials in a tropical paradise, Costa Rica is the perfect destination.
With its sandy beaches, lush rainforests, and stunning volcanic landscapes, Costa Rica offers something for everyone.
And with its friendly locals and convenient infrastructure, Costa Rica is also one of the easiest places to plan a destination wedding.
Whether you’re looking for an intimate ceremony on the beach or a grand affair surrounded by jungle foliage, Costa Rica has the perfect setting for your wedding.
And with countless resorts and hotels to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the perfect accommodations for you and your guests.
Whether you’re looking to explore the country’s many natural wonders or simply relax on the beach, Costa Rica is the perfect place to say “I do.”
But first: you need to know where in the world Costa Rica is…
Where is Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is located in Central America. It borders Nicaragua to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, and has a maritime border with Ecuador to the south of Cocos Island.
Area: 19,730 sq mi (51,100 sq km), Population: (2022 est.) 5,213,000, Capital: San José.
Costa Rica Facts To Know:
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Costa Rican colón (CRC)
- Airports: San José International Airport (SJO), Liberia (LIR)
- Official Tourism Website:https://www.visitcostarica.com/en
- Driving side: Right
Below you will find some more useful information about visiting Costa Rica for your special day:
4 Tips for Planning a Destination Wedding in Costa Rica
Planning a wedding can be stressful. Planning a destination wedding can be even more stressful!
But it doesn’t have to be. Here are some tips and things you need to know for planning a destination wedding in Costa Rica:
1. Choose a date that works for both you and your guests
Choosing a wedding date can be a daunting task, whether you are planning on getting married in Costa Rica or closer to home.
You want to make sure that you pick a date that works for both you and your guests.
Here are some tips to help you choose the perfect wedding date:
- How To Pick A Date For A Wedding?
- When To Send Out Save The Date For Wedding?
- How To Write Date On Wedding Invitation?
2. Decide on a budget
When it comes to having a Costa Rica wedding, there are a lot of different factors that come into play – from the guest list to the venue.
But one of the most important decisions you’ll make is how much you’re willing to spend.
Here are some tips on how to decide on a budget for your wedding:
- How To Plan A Wedding On A Budget?
- What Is A Good Wedding Budget?
- How To Decorate A Wedding Reception Hall On A Budget?
3. Find a venue that fits your vision and budget
No one ever said wedding planning was easy. In fact, it can often feel downright daunting.
Here’s some useful resources for finding a wedding venue in Costa Rica:
4. Hire a wedding planner to take care of the details
A wedding planner can take care of everything for you, from booking vendors to creating a timeline for the day.
Here are some tips on how to find and hire the right planner for your big day in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Weddings: Key Information
Getting married abroad is a big decision. There’s a lot of things you need to be aware of if you want your big day to run smoothly.
To help, we have put together some useful information about getting married in Costa Rica:
- What is the average cost of a wedding in Costa Rica?
- What are the marriage requirements for Costa Rica?
- What is the weather like in Costa Rica?
- What should you pack for a trip to Costa Rica?
- What things are there to do in Costa Rica?
- What are the best Costa Rica wedding venues?
Read on to find out more:
How Much Does a Wedding in Costa Rica Cost?
In Costa Rica a wedding is conducted by a lawyer.
Spanish speaking lawyers charge $60 – $100 to perform the marriage ceremony and file the necessary paperwork, while English speaking lawyers may charge anywhere from $500 – $1,000.
Legal Requirements for Getting Married in Costa Rica
When applying for a marriage license, you will need to provide the following documents:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months, and a copy of the passport.
- Certified and authenticated copy of the birth certificate.
- Provide the relevant documentation if one or both partners are divorced or widowed, and legal translation of the certificate.
- You will have to provide your occupation, your current address, and the names and addresses of your parents.
- A sworn statement notarized in Costa Rica that you are not currently married in any other country, and if you are marrying a Costa Rican you need a report from the Civil Registry stating that the Costa Rican citizen is not married.
- Certified and authenticated copy of the criminal record (potentially).
Other legal requirements are:
- To apply for a marriage license, one must be at least 18 years old.
- According to the law, 2 witnesses are needed who musn’t be family.
- There is no restriction for foreign people marrying in Costa Rica, provided that they are in the country legally and get the proper marriage license.
- All international paperwork has to be translated into Spanish by an official translator. It is mandatory that they be authenticated with an Apostille stamp from your home country first.
Before making any wedding or travel preparations, make sure you have all the paperwork needed for your marriage to be recognized in your home country by checking with the local county clerk or marriage official where you intend to marry.
What you need to have in your possession before leaving the country is a legal document that can confirm that your marriage is legitimate and has been registered – the marriage certificate.
What Is The Weather Like in Costa Rica?
From January until the middle of April, and particularly in the months of February and March, is the ideal time to go to Costa Rica, whether for a beach vacation or to explore the nation’s rich natural beauty. The lowlands are characterized by high temperatures, abundant sunshine, and very little precipitation, in contrast to the east coast, which, as was previously indicated, has consistent rainfall throughout the whole year.
December is also a great month to explore the nation’s capital.
If you want to avoid the heat that comes in the spring, to visit the northwestern region (the province of Guanacaste and the canton of Puntarenas), you should choose the months of December and January, moreso because there is already very little rainfall in December.
The best time to go to the south-west (southern part of the province of Puntarenas, see Quepos and Golfito, and Osa Peninsula) is from January to mid-April since it still rains frequently in December.
The months of February and March are good times to visit the Caribbean coast.
What should you pack for your trip?
To visit San José and the ‘tierras templadas’ pack light clothes to wear all year round, a sweatshirt or sweater for the evening, and a raincoat or umbrella between the months of May and November.
Bring light clothing for the plains and the coast; during the rainy season, you may also include a lightweight sweater and a lightweight raincoat for thunderstorms.
Bring some warm clothing, a jacket, and hiking boots if you plan on venturing into the high mountains.
Costa Rica Weather By Month
Below you will find some useful information and handy tables of weather information to help you pick the best month to visit Costa Rica:
Average Temperatures in Costa Rica
The table below shows the average temperatures in Costa Rica each month:
| Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
| January | 18.3 | 25.8 | 22 | 65 | 78 | 71.7 |
| February | 18 | 26.4 | 22.2 | 64 | 80 | 72 |
| March | 18.5 | 27.4 | 23 | 65 | 81 | 73.3 |
| April | 19.1 | 28.3 | 23.7 | 66 | 83 | 74.7 |
| May | 19.1 | 27.6 | 23.4 | 66 | 82 | 74 |
| June | 19.2 | 27.2 | 23.2 | 678 | 81 | 73.8 |
| July | 19.5 | 26.8 | 23.2 | 67 | 80 | 73.7 |
| August | 19 | 27.1 | 23 | 66 | 81 | 73.5 |
| September | 18.5 | 27 | 22.8 | 65 | 81 | 73 |
| October | 18.4 | 26.5 | 22.4 | 65 | 80 | 72.4 |
| November | 18.6 | 26.3 | 22.5 | 65 | 79 | 72.4 |
| December | 18.8 | 26.6 | 22.7 | 66 | 80 | 72.9 |
| Year | 18.8 | 26.9 | 22.8 | 65.8 | 80.5 | 73 |
Average Rainfall in Costa Rica
The table below shows the average rainfall in Costa Rica each month:
| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
| January | 15 | 0.6 | 2 |
| February | 5 | 0.2 | 0 |
| March | 20 | 0.8 | 2 |
| April | 45 | 1.8 | 5 |
| May | 230 | 9.1 | 17 |
| June | 240 | 9.4 | 20 |
| July | 210 | 8.3 | 20 |
| August | 240 | 9.4 | 21 |
| September | 310 | 12.2 | 22 |
| October | 305 | 12 | 22 |
| November | 145 | 5.7 | 13 |
| December | 40 | 1.6 | 4 |
| Year | 1805 | 71.1 | 148 |
Sunshine Hours in Costa Rica
The table below shows the average sunshine hours in Costa Rica each month:
| Month | Average | Total |
| January | 7 | 215 |
| February | 8 | 225 |
| March | 8 | 250 |
| April | 7 | 210 |
| May | 5 | 155 |
| June | 4 | 120 |
| July | 4 | 125 |
| August | 4 | 125 |
| September | 4 | 120 |
| October | 4 | 125 |
| November | 5 | 150 |
| December | 6 | 185 |
| Year | 5.5 | 2005 |
Sea Temperatures in Costa Rica
The table below shows the average sea temperatures in Costa Rica each month:
| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
| January | 28 | 82 |
| February | 28 | 82 |
| March | 28 | 83 |
| April | 29 | 84 |
| May | 29 | 84 |
| June | 29 | 84 |
| July | 28 | 83 |
| August | 29 | 84 |
| September | 29 | 84 |
| October | 29 | 84 |
| November | 28 | 83 |
| December | 28 | 83 |
| Year | 28.5 | 83.4 |
What To Wear in Costa Rica? (Packing Tips)
It can be difficult to know what to pack for your vacation. However, there are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing for your trip.
We’ve put together some tips on what to wear in Costa Rica so that you can make the most of your time there.
- Pack light, airy clothing made from natural fibers like cotton, as the climate is warm and humid.
- Hat or sunglasses: The sun is strong in Costa Rica. Be sure to pack a hat or sunglasses to protect your eyes.
- Sunscreen: Don’t forget sunscreen!
- Beachwear: Costa Rica is all about beach life. Pack your swimsuit, beach towel, and any other beach gear you need.
- Costa Rica is also home to some of the best surfing in the world, so if that’s on your agenda be sure to pack a board wax.
- Insect repellent: Pack insect repellent, as mosquitoes can be a problem in some areas.
- A sense of adventure: There are plenty of opportunities for adventure in Costa Rica, from hiking and biking in the mountains to exploring the many caves and waterfalls. So, be sure to pack your sense of adventure!
- A camera: With its lush landscapes and abundance of wildlife, Costa Rica is truly a photographer’s paradise. So pack your gear and get ready to capture some amazing shots.
- Hiking shoes: You will need a good pair of hiking shoes. Whether you’re exploring the rain forest or trekking up a volcano, there will be plenty of opportunities to lace up your boots and hit the trails.
- Passport: Other essential items to pack include a valid passport and any necessary visas.
- Travel insurance: Make sure you have travel insurance that will cover you in case of any medical emergencies or lost baggage.
- Chargers: Also, be sure to bring along any chargers and travel power adapters you’ll need for your electronic devices.
- First-aid kit: It is also a good idea to pack a first-aid kit, in case of any minor injuries, and also any essential medications.
Things to Do in Costa Rica
There are many different things to do in Costa Rica, no matter what time of year you visit.
Here is a list of some of the top activities to enjoy during your stay:
- Teatro Nacional Costa Rica
- La Fortuna Waterfall
- Tamarindo Beach
- Playa Manuel Antonio
- Curi Cancha Reserve
- Jaco Beach
- Los Campesinos Reserve
- Arenal Volcano
- Corcovado National Park
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
- Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Best Costa Rica Wedding Venues & Hotels
With so many stunning locations to choose from, how do you know which is the best wedding venue in Costa Rica?
Here are our picks for the top spots to tie the knot, as well as hotels to stay in:
Wedding Venues in Costa Rica
- Villa Punto de Vista in Manuel Antonio
- Villa Caletas in Puntarenas
- Arenal Nayara in Arenal
- Copa de Árbol in Osa Peninsula
- Hotel Belmar in Monteverde
- The Westin Reserva Conchal in Guanacaste
- Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort in San José
- Andaz Costa Rica Resort at Peninsula Papagayo in Guanacaste
- DoceLunas in Jaco
- Parador Resort & Spa in Heredia
- Alma del Pacifico Beach Hotel & Spa in San José
- Zopango private Island in La Fortuna de San Carlos
Hotels in Costa Rica
- Isla Verde Hotel – San José
- Chillout Escalante Hostel – San José
- Hotel Casa 69 – San José
- La Leona Eco Lodge – Carate
- Eco Boutique Hotel Vista Las Islas Reserva Natural – Paquera
- Los Gallitos Eco Lodge – San Miguel
- Pura Vista Ocotal – Ocotal
- Cabana Luna – Jicaral
- La Terraza Guest House B&B – Grecia
- MECUMA Apartments – Matapalo
- Casas del Toro Playa Flamingo
- Sonora Jungle & Yoga Retreat – Puerto Viejo
