If you are looking for the most romantic, breath-taking wedding and a once in a lifetime experience, then Costa Rica is the place for you. This country has more to offer you than just the typical beach elopement package- you can get married in the tropical rainforest in front of a majestic waterfall, in a garden of rare tropical flora, in front of an extremely active, lava spewing volcano or even set the ambiance in a coffee plantation. There are endless options for your ideal wedding in Costa Rica, and the prices can be surprisingly decent.
Waterfall weddings are the second most popular genre of weddings in Costa Rica, second only to the typical romantic beach wedding. La Paz Waterfall Gardens offers very decently priced packages for those looking to elope, or for groups of four or more guests (up to 150 guests). Their prices do not, however, include the officiate or the photographer, and like almost any package, your airfare is your own expense. Cascades Farallas Waterfall Villas is just as beautiful, has decent prices as well, and is remote, tropical and very eco-friendly. Both La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Cascades Farallas have co-coordinators who will help you plan your wedding to make it as stress-free as possible.
Garden weddings are quite popular in North America; however the majority of weddings in Costa Rica are on the beach or by a waterfall. Because it is not as popular, you may find a great deal on a tropical garden wedding. Costa Rica Paradise Weddings will assist you in finding and planning your dream wedding, and they offer quite a few different locations for your Costa Rican garden wedding. One of their preferred locations is at a hotel called Lapas Rios located in the South Pacific coast in Costa Rica. At Lapas Rios you may see a plethora of wildlife including monkeys, macaws, toucans and sloths, not to mention amazing tropical flowers. A slightly more expensive option is at the Real International Costa Rica. This hotel is an upscale, less typical Costa Rican hotel. Real International will provide first class catering and will fulfill all of your needs, allowing you to distress before your big day.
Volcano weddings are a little less popular, but just as spectacular. At night you will see glowing red lava trickling down the side of Arenal Volcano, which is by far the most popular and ideal volcano in Costa Rica for a wedding. Arenal Kioro Suites and Spa will host your wedding and make it as pleasant an experience as possible. They have an amazing view of the volcano, and their facilities are exquisite.
Most couples looking to get married in Costa Rica are unaware that they can actually be married at a coffee plantation. There are quite a few different hotels that will put on a wedding: one hotel which is quite well known for their weddings is Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation and Inn. Costa Rica Paradise Weddings also recommends them for their special weddings. It is situated above the beautiful Central Valley of Costa Rica and is surrounded by towering “Higuerón” trees and exotic flora. Finca Rosa Blanca is quite popular because it offers spectacular views of volcanoes, cloud forests and coffee plantations. If you are not looking for a beach wedding, this hotel seems to have it all! Another good coffee plantation wedding spot is El Cafetal Inn; however there prices seem a bit steep. They offer a lot in terms of services and what is included, and they will cater to your needs and adjust the prices and services to fit your budget.
Regardless of what type of wedding you choose, you cannot go wrong with a wedding in Costa Rica. Most hotels offer amazing service for weddings, and will set everything up and clean up after the party to ensure your time before and after the wedding is spent peacefully.