How to Choose Your Wedding Venue in Costa Rica
Which are the best wedding venues in Costa Rica? Where is the best beach wedding venue in Costa Rica? How to decide on which Costa Rica wedding venue is right for us?
Questions feel familiar? In Costa Rica we are lucky that every corner of the country has a range of special wedding venues to offer. From boutique hotels to beachfront restaurants, luxury villas and cozy all-inclusives, it’s easy to feel spoiled for choice here.
Choosing your wedding venue is possibly the biggest decision in planning your destination wedding - and we know it can feel a little overwhelming.
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Here are 5 quick tips to help you narrow down your search and find a dream Costa Rica wedding venue that feels just right for you.
1. What Can the Venue Offer You?
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Every wedding venue in Costa Rica offers something different - and understanding what’s included can help you along the decision-making process.
For example, hotels and restaurants often have in-house catering, bar service and rental options for tables, chairs, glassware and decor. That convenience can be a huge plus!
Private villas or homes that can be rented as beautiful wedding locations, on the other hand, may not include amenities like these - but they offer a blank canvas to bring your full wedding vision to life.
Many wedding venues, especially hotels or villas, also double up as your accommodation, which can be a great way to simplify logistics and reduce costs for you and your guests for your destination wedding.
2. Wedding Budget
Your venue is usually one of the biggest investments in your Costa Rica destination wedding, so it’s important to make sure it aligns with your budget.
If you’re watching costs, look for venues that include more services (like catering or rentals), or consider getting married outside of Costa Rica’s high season - we might just land your dream spot at a better rate.
3. Wedding Event Fees
It’s common in Costa Rica for venues to charge an event fee on top of the rental price. This fee usually covers extra staff, cleaning, security, utilities, and maintenance during your event.
The fee is often determined by the size of your wedding party, so it’s something to keep in mind when comparing different wedding venue options in Costa Rica.
4. Guest Count
There are two ways to approach your guest list for a destination wedding: find the venue first and let it guide the number of guests, or set your guest list first and look for venues that can host everyone.
Keep in mind that in Costa Rica there are fewer venues that can accommodate larger wedding groups (150+) - so knowing your numbers can help you focus your search.
5. Location, Location, Location
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When choosing your wedding venue in Costa Rica, location matters. Would you like to be near the beach or the mountains? Close to an airport or a stone’s throw from activities like surfing or hiking?
Also, check what wedding accommodation options are nearby. Your wedding guests will have different budgets, so it’s important to make sure there’s a good mix of places for everyone to stay.
