Planning Your Costa Rica Destination WeddiNG:
A Regional Wedding Guide
There’s a reason so many couples choose Costa Rica for their destination wedding.
It’s a place where your wedding celebration becomes more than just one day. Your guests spend mornings exploring waterfalls or spotting sloths, afternoons relaxing by the ocean, and evenings celebrating together under the stars. The scenery is unforgettable, the people are incredibly welcoming, and everywhere you go, there’s a sense of ease that perfectly captures Costa Rica’s pura vida spirit.
The only hard part? Choosing the setting for the destination wedding you’ve been dreaming about.
From golden beaches and luxury villas to rainforest retreats and volcano views, every region offers something a little different. This guide will help you compare Costa Rica’s most popular wedding destinations, discover what makes each one unique, and find the place that’s the perfect fit for your celebration.
The Best Places to Get Married in Costa Rica
Here are some of my favorite wedding destinations across Costa Rica, along with what makes each one special.
Tamarindo & Guanacaste
If you’re picturing a classic beach wedding in Costa Rica, Guanacaste is likely what comes to mind. With golden sand, warm Pacific sunsets, and a laid-back surf town atmosphere, it’s easy to see why this is one of the country’s most popular destination wedding regions.
One of Guanacaste’s biggest draws is its consistently sunny weather. It’s the driest part of Costa Rica, making it a favorite for couples dreaming of an outdoor ceremony with blue skies and golden sunsets. Guests can also fly directly into Liberia International Airport, making travel easier and cutting down on long transfer days.
Beyond the wedding itself, there’s plenty to keep everyone busy. From beachfront restaurants and catamaran cruises to surfing, fishing, and sunset cocktails, it’s an easy place to turn your celebration into a full wedding getaway with family and friends.
Manuel Antonio
If you love the idea of getting married where the rainforest meets the ocean, Manuel Antonio is hard to beat. It’s one of the most scenic parts of Costa Rica, with lush jungle, dramatic ocean views, and wildlife around every corner.
Many of the area’s wedding venues are tucked into the hillsides, offering sweeping views of the Pacific framed by rainforest. It’s not uncommon to spot monkeys, sloths, toucans, or scarlet macaws, sometimes without even leaving your hotel.
Just a few hours from San José, Manuel Antonio is easy for guests to reach while still feeling like a true tropical escape. With the national park nearby, it’s also a wonderful choice for couples who want to turn their wedding into a week of adventure.
Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa has a relaxed, barefoot feel that draws couples looking for something a little less traditional. Think sunset ceremonies, ocean breezes, and celebrations that feel effortless rather than formal.
Getting here takes a little more planning than some other destinations, but that’s part of what makes it special. Tucked away on the Nicoya Peninsula, Santa Teresa has held onto its laid-back charm while becoming one of Costa Rica’s most sought-after wedding destinations.
If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels intimate, stylish, and connected to nature, it’s easy to see why so many couples fall in love with this corner of Costa Rica.
La Fortuna
If the beach isn’t your style, La Fortuna offers a completely different way to experience Costa Rica. Nestled beneath the iconic Arenal Volcano, this region is surrounded by lush rainforest, waterfalls, natural hot springs, and mountain views in every direction.
It’s an ideal destination for couples who want their wedding weekend to include a little adventure. Guests can spend their days hiking, soaking in hot springs, zip-lining through the forest, or exploring waterfalls before gathering together to celebrate.
For the wedding day itself, the Arenal Volcano creates a one-of-a-kind backdrop that makes La Fortuna unlike anywhere else in Costa Rica.
I’m currently finalizing my guide for La Fortuna, check back soon!
The Osa Peninsula
For couples looking to truly get away from it all, the Osa Peninsula offers one of the most remote and untouched corners of Costa Rica. It’s a place where rainforest, wildlife, and beaches take center stage.
Most guests arrive by regional flight, and while the journey takes a little more planning, the experience is well worth it. Eco-lodges blend into the jungle, the beaches feel almost untouched, and it’s not uncommon to spot monkeys, scarlet macaws, or even tapirs during your stay.
If you’re planning an intimate celebration and want your wedding to feel like a true escape, the Osa Peninsula is an unforgettable choice.
I’m currently finalizing my guide for the Osa Peninsula, check back soon!
A Few Other Favorites
While the regions above are where I photograph most often, they’re far from the only beautiful places to get married in Costa Rica. I’ve also had the chance to photograph weddings in places like La Paz Waterfalls, Hacienda Altagracia, Los Suenos, and Villa Caletas just to name a few; each offering its own unique setting and experience.
If you’ve already fallen in love with a venue that’s not featured here, don’t worry. I’d be excited for the opportunity to discover somewhere new.
Capturing Your Wedding Day
Once you’ve found the place that feels right, I’d love to help you tell the story of your wedding day.
My approach is simple: capture the beauty of every moment while making sure you never have to think about the camera. Some couples want a little guidance during portraits, others prefer to forget I’m even there, and most wedding days naturally fall somewhere in between.
The moments I love most aren’t the posed ones, they’re the hugs after the ceremony, the laughter during dinner, and the joy of celebrating with the people you brought all the way to Costa Rica.
Kind Words from Couples
“They are all breathtaking and perfectly capture all of the beauty of Costa Rica, the day, and how perfect it all was for us! You are seriously one of the most talented wedding photographers I’ve ever witnessed!!! The pictures are seriously a work of art. The details in all of the photographs are so special to us!”
“She made our wedding weekend so fun and sweet and was willing to get up before the sun to shoot our sunrise yoga session. Her ability to capture light and emotion is so moving, and we will cherish her extraordinary talent forever!”
“We didn’t want generic wedding photos, and she delivered pure art. She used the stunning backdrop of the Andaz beach and the Costa Rican lushness perfectly, playing with light and composition in ways we never imagined. The photos look like they belong in a magazine. When we received the full set, we had family members truly brought to tears.”
“I truly cannot recommend her enough. She’s incredibly talented at what she does in every way. She effortlessly capture the energy, emotion, and vibe of the day. Every photo feels alive, like it brings you right back to that moment. She didn’t miss a single detail—capturing all the key moments, the special shots I had requested, and the beautiful ceremony and reception décor that I’ll cherish forever.”
Let’s Start Planning
Whether you’ve already found the perfect setting or you’re still exploring your options, I’d love to hear what you’re envisioning. If Costa Rica feels like the right place to celebrate, I’d be honored to help tell your story.
