Wondering about the best destination wedding locations? Well, let me introduce you to one of my favorite spots at: Costa Rica. With it’s gorgeous sunsets, picturesque landscapes, and beach-y vibes, it’s definitely the perfect place for people looking to tie the knot. Are you intrigued yet? Great. Keep reading! 

What to expect when eloping in Costa Rica

Now that you’re considering taking your elopement to Costa Rica, you’re probably wondering what you should expect during your ceremony and stay, exactly. While you’re there, you’ll experience all kinds of scenic beaches, lots of wildlife, the most beautiful venues, and so much more. Traveling to Costa Rica is both an opportunity for relaxation and the time for lots of exploring and interacting with the tropical landscape. You and your partner will have the most memorable time there. You can truly make your wedding day unforgettable. 

Costa Rica Wedding Planning

Now that you know what to expect, it’s time to start thinking about logistics. When creating your ideal Costa Rica wedding experience, you’re going to want to have every detail of your day covered. Which, FYI, doesn’t need to be all that hard! We’ve rounded up all the specifics of your travel for you, because why not make your life just a little bit easier? 

How to get legally married in Costa Rica

To get legally married in Costa Rica, you’ll need:

• A copy of your passport (and the real thing)
• Two witnesses
• A sworn statement that you’re not already married
• A form (from your lawyer/officiant) with the following information: your occupation, date of birth, names and nationalities of your parents

Don’t worry! The legal process for getting married isn’t super complicated. In Costa Rica, weddings are officiated by lawyer, like this one. The lawyer present will send you the information form about a month before your wedding and then handle the submission of all your legal paperwork after your big day. You should receive your official marriage license from Costa Rica in a little over a month. 

That said, to make sure your day is as stress-free as possible, I recommend doing the legal part at home before your Costa Rican wedding. This way, you can just celebrate and enjoy the day as newlyweds. 

And hey, no worries about any of this not-so-fun stuff—I’ll help you organize everything you need, this way there’s nothing that can get in the way of you enjoying this once-in-a-lifetime wedding experience. 

Costa Rica Wedding Decor

In Costa Rica, the scenery truly speaks for itself. Whether you want colorful, flowers in hand, a waterfall in the background of your shot, or a relaxed, beach-y vibe, Costa Rica has everything you could want in natural decor and more. If there’s something you’d like to consider outside of the natural landscape such as a small cake, music, a wedding arch, etc., just let us know and we can help organize the set up for your day. Trust! I gottchu.

Costa Rica Wedding Planners

If you do want a more elaborate set-up though, you might want to think about hiring a planner:

• Mae + Co Creative
• Mil Besos
• Heidy Quesada Co.

How much does it cost to get married in Costa Rica?

There are a lot of variables, but for an intimate elopement, you can expect to pay between $1,000 – $6,000.

Costa Rica wedding and elopement photographer

I know you’ll want to re-live your amazing Costa Rican wedding over and over again – you’ve come to the right place! But I’m so much more than your elopement photographer. I’ve traveled throughout Costa Rica, scouting some amazing elopement spots along the way. Hiring a photographer that has experience traveling in Costa Rica can be especially helpful if you’ve never been there before. No worries- I gottchuuu. My elopement packages include #alllthethings to helpcreate the epic, low-stress wedding you’ve been dreaming about.

Packing for your Costa Rican Wedding

First things first: pack a suitcase. Make sure it has all your grooming essentials and any hair, makeup, or skincare extras you might want for the big day. Include any athletic, explorative, or dress-up clothes you might want and then, most importantly, make sure you pack your wedding dress or suit, shoes, etc., if you’re wearing something special for your ceremony. (Including your rings!) Exchanging vows? Be sure to have those on hand (or on your phone), too. 

Costa Rica Wedding Venues + Locations

By now you know that Costa Rica is a lovely destination for your elopement. So what part of Costa Rica should you travel to for your wedding day, exactly? I’ve rounded up a few of the best locations for eloping in Costa Rica. If you need a little bit of travel inspo or some help narrowing down spots for your big day, see below. 

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca 

PSA: This town is located in the southeastern part of Costa Rica, and it’s really freakin’ beautiful. It’s known for its beaches with light, airy sand and bright blue seas, and it’s a favorite area for both surfers and people who just want to lay on their towel all day alike. For major vibes you’ll have to check out Salsa Brava, which is a favorite place of skilled surfers for it’s big waves and flourishing coral reefs. And don’t forget to head to Playa Negra, too, a beach that’s famous for its black, darkened sand. Puerto Viejo also has a gorgeous breadth of rainforest life, too, which will serve as a fun contrast to your days spent at the beach. 

Uvita

If you’re going for a more rustic, secluded look on your wedding day, you’re gonna want to check out the small town of Uvita. It has beautiful scenery and once-in-a-lifetime landscapes. One of the best places to visit in this South Pacific area is Marino Ballena National Park, a stretch of land that contains several hidden beaches—which is great if you want a quieter place for your little ceremony. This park is also home to the famous Whale Tail from which the park gets its name: When the water is at low tide, you can see a massive sand bar that extends from the beach into the shape of a whale’s tail. 

Quepos

The reason for visiting Quepos, Costa Rica? For the beautiful Manuel Antonio National Park. The town of Manual Antonio is known for its containment of the park, and it’s been a favorite place for tourists and locals alike. Since it’s a hot spot for tourists (especially Americans), there are a lot of amenities and tours, like fishing, ziplining, and parasailing. There’s also a ton of rich wildlife, photo-worthy beaches, and hidden waterfalls too (don’t worry – I know where to find ’em).

La Fortuna

People visit La Fortuna for all kinds of reasons, but the most popular is that it’s home to the massive Arenal Volcano. You and your partner can hike the volcano’s decades-old lava on your vacation days and enjoy the gorgeous rainforest views for your wedding’s photographic scenery. The town itself also has access to a mystic waterfall and calming hot springs that would be perfect for your ceremony destination or for an adventurous swim. 

Montezuma 

For those of you who are interested in a quiet ceremony free of tourists and crowds, you’re going to love the remote nature of Montezuma, a town located on the Nicoya Peninsula. Here, you’ll find small beaches and lots of animals and wildlife. There are also spots like waterfalls and hiking trails that’d be perfect for your wedding day. And if you’re looking for a place that also offers fun for the honeymoon days, you can check out Montezuma’s Isla Tortuga, which features a set of volcanic rock structures that are great for snorkeling. 

Are you ready to start planning your Costa Rica elopement wedding?

Odds are you don’t know everything when it comes to planning for your wedding day—no one does! That’s where I come in – I’ll be there to help the entirety of your elopement journey.

Costa Rica Elopement Packages

$4,000

Includes:
– 6 hours of photography
– Help finding the perfect spot within the park for your elopement
– My travel (yay to no surprise fees!)
– Vendor recommendations
– Online gallery + highlight slideshow so you can relive the day over and over (+ share it with loved ones!)
– Planning guidance every step of the way (accommodation suggestions, ideas for fun activities to include on your day…the whole shebang!)