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If you are looking for a tropical destination wedding idea and Costa Rica just happened to come to mind, look no further. Getting married in Costa Rica doesn't have to be hard, especially if you work with companies who make things stress-free for couples (Hiii, Costa is also my 2nd home) So, I want to share with you a few things to consider when planning your destination wedding in Costa Rica!
Things to consider when getting married in Costa Rica:
1. The Regain
Costa Rica is filled with many different landscapes it is not all just beaches. Although that is the most popular for destination weddings it doesn’t have to be the only one. You can choose from two main landscapes when planning your wedding in Costa Rica – Beaches or Jungle- and each comes with different pros and cons to consider. There is a lot, so I've done up a whole different post to help.
2. What month you are wanting to get married
Even though Costa Rica is a micro climate they do have different seasons and months that are less desirable for an outdoor wedding. Typically this has always been the rough breakdown of seasons/weather in Guanacaste.
Dec - March: High season, weather is beautiful, mid 20's with cool breeze, no rain and starts to get hotter near the end of March.
April - Mid May: Hot Hot Hot. This is their hottest time of the year reaching mid to high 30's, which is less enjoyable for everyone to be outside - you want to live in a pool, but even those turn into hot tubs. haha Things are very brown and dry.
End of May - June: Start of a mini rainy season. Temperatures start to get more manageable and there is some rain, personally, I love June when things start to turn green again.
June - August: Temperatures are mid to high 20s and August is typically the start of the rainy season (which is still warm in comparison to when we get rain in Canada)
August - Mid-November: Rain Rain Rain, We are talking tropical storms some days and limited sunny days, while the temperatures are still beautiful, don't expect to stay dry if you are planning an outdoor wedding during this time.
November - December: Personally, my favorite months. The temperature is beautiful, you still have the cool breeze in the evening, some rain showers mid-day to cool things off for 10 minutes and everything is green and in bloom.
3. Location, Location, Location
Where you are flying into. - There are two main airtports in Costa Rica LIR and SJO. San Jose is the capital and the main hub of Costa, however, Libera (LIR) is a rapidly growing popular option as it is much closer to many people’s final destinations and saves you a 5 hour drive. Most main companies fly into LIR now so it is a great option if you want to explore the northern part of Costa Rica or even take a trip up to Nic.
4. Getting around
Renting a car in Costa is fairly simple and there are tons of car company options to choose from, depending on what season you are headed there in, it could get a bit pricey – plus it depends on how many guests you have attending your wedding. You might be better off hiring a private shuttle if you are not staying at a resort that offers one. We are partnered with a phenomenal local company down there – Sibu Tours – My dear from Deigo owns the company, he is a local and one of the nicest most knowledgeable people you will meet. If you are on the hunt for a private and safe shuttle to get you to your destination or for any other awesome tours, please reach out to him. Let him know Krystal from Fly Free sent you! You are in good hands!
Wedding Venues in Costa Rica
Honestly, there are very different wedding venues, depending on what you are on the hunt for. I could break a bunch down for you, however, Wedding Wire has done a great job of listing them all out. Plus then you can contact them for pricing as well. Here is an awesome list of different venues. Keep in mind when it comes to venues, they do often charge to bring an outside vendor on, however, in my experience, it is often cheaper and you get a better experience by doing so. For example, everything in Costa Rica is in US dollars, which is already a hit if you are from Canada with the exchange rate. However, if you hire a Canadian company, like Fly Free, you pay in Canadian, so you don't have to worry about the exchange rate.
Plus, Costa being my second home, I can hook you up with my friends who are tour guides, if your guests want to do something more than just stay at a resort. Alternatively, we can also go off the beaten path for epic photos like the two above! Trust me when I say it's worth it! Here are 5 fantastic reasons you should get married here.
Costa Rica Wedding Photographer
Ever wonder why Fly Free Photography could be your secret ingredient for a dreamy Costa Rican elopement? It's about more than just capturing moments; it's about connecting cultures, understanding your love story, and bringing a touch of home to a paradise setting. Whether it's embracing the unexpected weather or finding those hidden gems only a well-traveled eye can spot, I'm here to make your elopement unforgettable.
Let's chat about making magic together in Costa Rica - why does a destination elopement speak to your heart? Reach out here today and let's co-create your stunning wedding day!
Till next time friend,
xo Krystal