Costa Rica Elopement Tips | Destination Wedding and Elopement Photographer
Imagine a true paradise on earth: Your dream vacation.
Whether your dream vacation includes beaches, volcanos, tropical rainforests, waterfalls, or anything else, you’ll find it ALL in Costa Rica. And when looking around to chose where you want to plan your dream elopement, you want paradise.
I say go for it! And if Costa Rica is the place for you, I have some elopement tips that might help cement your choices.
Let’s talk about time of year!
When is the best time to elope in Costa Rica?
This will depend on what climate you are looking for and which part of the country you are most drawn to. As a general rule, it’s best to avoid the rainy season, so you might want to stay away from September or October.
I will point out that October is the cheapest month for flights. And just because it’s rainy season doesn’t mean you won’t be able to enjoy Costa Rica. So if rain doesn’t bother you, go for it (this is the most beautiful time to visit Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast)!
The dry season (late November through April) is the most popular time to visit Costa Rica, and usually the most expensive (though I did get cheap tickets in February). If your dream vacation consists of beach days and rainforest exploring, it might be worth going at that time!
If you have a strict budget you want to stick to and are open to exploring different aspects of the country, “green” season might be right up your alley. It runs from May through the middle of November. You’ll also have the benefit of less crowds and cheaper rates for hotels or Airbnbs.
During this time it rains a few hours a day, meaning you still have plenty of time to explore while avoiding the rain. But some roads leading to the rainforests do tend to get flooded at this time, so make sure you have a back up plan.
So whatever time of year you choose, choose wisely based on what you envision for your elopement!
What about elopement locations? While Costa Rica can seem “small” (it’s roughly the size of West Virginia) there is no shortage of stunning locations to see.
The Beaches
When it comes to the Costa Rica beaches, you really can't go wrong. They are all beautiful! But some couples like to chose their location based on the activity options for after their elopement, so I have a few Costa Rica elopement tips to share regarding this:
If you are looking to relax after your elopement and truly enjoy the tropical beach beauty, you might want to check out the beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula. A great one if you are including guests in your elopement is Playa Samara. Not only is it beautiful but there are tons of activities for your loved ones to do (Kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, and sport-fishing to name a few).
Another honorable mention is Montezuma Beach. It is astounding! And not far from the beach you’ll find impressive waterfalls you can hike to and explore.
And if you are looking for a surfing beach (beautiful waves and fun? Sign me up!) there are two beaches I recommend considering:
Tamarindo Beach in Guanacaste which is great for beginners! Plus the town of Tamarindo is full of fun things to explore. There is no shortage of beautiful places for your photos as well as fun to be had afterwards. The beach is stunning at sunset and there are incredible restaurants, rentals and activities to keep you busy and exploring!
Dominical Beach, which you’ll find in the South Pacific, is well known around the world for its surfing. The only downside is the crowds! So if you’d rather have a private location this one might not be for you.
The Rainforests
Manuel Antonio National Park - This is one of the most accessible and popular rainforests in Costa Rica. The fauna and vegetation are stunning and as a bonus, the National Park also has one of the most beautiful beaches! This is another location with no shortage of things to do. There’s everything from guided tours to ATV adventures to hiking and swimming (Check out the National Parks site here!)
Piedras Blancas National Park - This remote rainforest is a must see for the adventurous souls that want to reconnect with nature. This is a wild and untouched paradise set far off the beaten path, full of rainforest animals and vegetation. But remember to dress appropriately for the rainforest! This is one of those locations where you will get your dress muddied up, but the beauty is worth it.
The Volcanos
Arenal Volcano National Park - Personally I think this is the most beautiful volcano elopement location in Costa Rica. It’s tall, impressive and has a perfectly symmetrical shape making it a sightseer’s (and elopement photographers) dream. Plus it’s full of fun activities to check things off your list, like walking through the Hanging Bridges.
For the more adventurous couple, Cerro Chato is an extinct volcano that last erupted a little over 5,000 years ago. The hike to Cerro Chato is challenging and the last section from the rim to the lagoon is very slippery.
The Waterfalls
Llanos de Cortez - This waterfall is praised by some as Costa Rica’s most beautiful waterfall. With no entrance fees and a short (but steep) 10 minute hike to reach, it’s one of those “must see” spots. Llanos de Cortez is wider than it is tall with streams of water cascading over a rock wall. There is also a pool at the base of the falls which is beautiful and there is a white sandy beach not too far away!
La Fortuna - This waterfall can only be described as stunning. La Fortuna attracts people from all over the world who come to appreciate the natural beauty of the waterfall and the surrounding hot springs. It is a little bit of a steep hike to reach the waterfall but the hike is one of the most beautiful in the country and absolutely
worth it. This is near Arenal Volcano National park.
And I have to mention the remote Cocos Island
Cocos Island has been a Costa Rican National Park since 1978, and has no permanent inhabitants other than Costa Rican park rangers. You will need a permit to come on the Island but it is truly worth it! With lush greenery surrounding you, impressive sunsets, and vibrant blue water all around, it’s one of the most beautiful sights. And if you are an avid diver, you will not want to overlook this spot while you are in Costa Rica for your elopement!
So we covered time of year and location, what’s next on my list of Costa Rica elopement tips?
How do you get married legally?!
It’s easy but there are steps you must follow to the letter! First of all, at least one month before your elopement date, you’ll need to complete an application, and send scans of your passports.
Then, an officiant must legally marry you. Your officiant can be a judge or lawyer, or if you’re having a religious ceremony, a priest can officiate. You also must have two witnesses, and your officiant will file your marriage license after the ceremony! Costa Rica’s National Registry will issue you a marriage certificate (typically within 1-2 months). This can then be translated so you can file it in your home state, if necessary.
What if you don’t want to go through those steps?
Don’t worry! In this case you can always get married legally back home and conduct a commitment ceremony in Costa Rica where you read vows to each other and get some epic photos!
Costa Rica is a favorite because of how safe it is to travel and explore. In fact, in Central America and The Caribbean, Costa Rica is the number one most peaceful country. I know this from experience! I felt so safe the entire time I was in Costa Rica with my kids. And if you’d like to take it one step further, stay in Tamarindo, Puerto Viejo or Drake Bay; they are said to be the safest areas within Costa Rica.
While Costa Rica is safe, it’s not the cheapest country in Central America. But if you stay in areas that aren’t too populated by tourists and eat at local restaurants, you can get by without it being too expensive.
I have one last tip for you!
If you go to Costa Rica, be sure to explore to your hearts’ content!
There are so many things for you or your wedding guests to do!
Enjoy zip lining, walking through cloud forests, horseback riding, hot springs with volcano mud, sunset boat tours with bioluminescent, scuba diving, and more. Research the towns you plan to stay in and what they are known for and indulge in that, whether it’s food or an adventure.