Top Wedding Resorts in Costa Rica for Large Weddings

Costa Rica’s Pacific coast has become one of the most popular destination wedding regions in Central America, and for good reason. The Guanacaste province offers warm, dry weather during peak wedding season, direct flights from U.S. cities into nearby Liberia airport, and a collection of large all inclusive resorts that know how to handle big groups.

When your guest list is substantial, you need large destination wedding venues in Costa Rica that can accommodate everyone comfortably. That means enough rooms to house your group, event spaces with the capacity for 75, 100, or even 150+ guests, and a coordination team that won’t be overwhelmed by the logistics. Costa Rica’s top resorts deliver on all fronts.

We’ve selected two resorts that are especially well-suited for large destination weddings. Both are located on the same stretch of Guanacaste coastline, which means your guests can even split between the two while attending the same wedding. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists can help you coordinate the details.

Best Resorts in Costa Rica for Large Destination Weddings

The ideal resort for a large destination wedding combines room inventory, venue capacity, and group coordination experience. Costa Rica’s Guanacaste coast is home to several major all inclusive resorts with hundreds of rooms and dedicated event teams. The two properties below are sister resorts that share a beach, which creates a unique advantage for large wedding groups.

Riu Guanacaste

Riu Guanacaste is one of the largest all inclusive resorts on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, sitting on Matapalo Beach in the Guanacaste province. The resort’s scale is its biggest strength for large weddings: hundreds of rooms, multiple pools (including a water park), a wide variety of restaurants, and entertainment programming that keeps guests of all ages busy throughout the trip.

Wedding venues include beachfront ceremony spaces and garden settings with tropical greenery. The resort’s wedding coordination team handles a high volume of celebrations and has the systems in place to manage large group logistics efficiently. The all inclusive format simplifies budgeting for your guests, and the RiuLand Kids Club keeps younger attendees entertained during adult-focused events.

Riu Guanacaste shares its beach with sister property Riu Palace Costa Rica, which means guests at either resort can attend your wedding. This effectively doubles your room inventory and dining options. For a large, well-priced Costa Rica destination wedding, Riu Guanacaste is a top choice.

Learn more about Riu Guanacaste and get a free quote today >>

Riu Palace Costa Rica

Riu Palace Costa Rica is the premium sibling to Riu Guanacaste, sharing the same Matapalo Beach but offering an upgraded experience. The “Palace” designation means more refined dining options, premium drinks, and accommodations with a more polished finish. For large wedding groups where some guests want a step up in quality while staying close to the rest of the party, this dual-resort setup is ideal.

Guests at Riu Palace have access to both resorts’ amenities, including the water park and kids’ club at Riu Guanacaste. Wedding ceremonies take place on the beach or in garden settings, and the reception experience benefits from the Palace’s upgraded food and beverage program. The coordination team also manages large groups with the same efficiency as the sister property.

Together, Riu Guanacaste and Riu Palace Costa Rica can house wedding groups well above 100 guests with ease. Plus, the combination of value-friendly rooms at Guanacaste and premium rooms at the Palace gives your guests options that fit different budgets while keeping everyone on the same beach for your celebration.

Learn more about Riu Palace Costa Rica and get a free quote today >>

More Information for Planning a Large Destination Wedding in Costa Rica

Planning a large destination wedding in Costa Rica is more straightforward than you might expect, especially in Guanacaste, where the resort infrastructure is well-developed, and the airport is close by. Here’s what to know about costs, packages, and travel logistics for your group.

Costa Rica Large Destination Wedding Costs

The average cost of a destination wedding in Costa Rica typically ranges between $10,000 and $45,000, depending on the resort, guest count, package tier, and add-ons. For large weddings, the per-guest reception cost becomes a significant factor. All inclusive resorts like the Riu properties offer strong value because meals, drinks, and activities are already included in the room rate.

Group incentives can include complimentary room nights, suite upgrades for the couple, and discounted group rates. The average American wedding costs $36,000, and a large Costa Rica wedding at an all inclusive resort often delivers a more complete experience at a similar price point.

Costa Rica Large Destination Wedding Packages

Wedding packages at Costa Rica’s large resorts include a ceremony venue, officiant, basic décor, cake, and a champagne toast. Upgraded packages add reception dinners, entertainment, photography, and enhanced floral design. Riu properties offer a complimentary base wedding package with qualifying room night bookings, with upgrades available.

For large groups, ask about the included guest count per package tier and the per-person fee for additional guests. Your Certified Destination Wedding Specialist can help you negotiate group rates and build the right package for your celebration.

Costa Rica Large Wedding Travel Information

Costa Rica’s Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia is the closest airport to the Guanacaste resorts, with direct flights from major U.S. cities on United, Delta, American, Southwest, and JetBlue. Flight times average 4 to 5 hours. The Riu resorts are approximately 30 to 45 minutes from the airport.

For large groups, send save-the-dates 9 to 12 months in advance. Many resorts can arrange group airport transfers. The dry season from December through April offers the most reliable weather for outdoor celebrations. Remind guests to ensure passports are valid for at least six months beyond travel dates.

Costa Rica Large Destination Wedding FAQs

What is considered a large destination wedding?

A destination wedding with 75 to 100+ guests is generally considered large. Events at this scale require resorts with substantial room inventory, larger venue spaces, and coordination teams experienced in managing complex group logistics, travel arrangements, and multi-event itineraries.

Can two sister resorts host one large wedding?

Yes. The Riu Guanacaste and Riu Palace Costa Rica share a beach and allow guests from either property to attend events at the other. This effectively doubles the room inventory and gives your guests budget options while keeping everyone together for your celebration. It’s one of the best setups for large destination wedding venues in Costa Rica.

Start Planning Your Large Destination Wedding in Costa Rica Today!

Costa Rica’s Guanacaste coast offers the perfect combination of accessibility, natural beauty, and large-scale resort infrastructure for big celebrations. Whether your group books entirely at Riu Guanacaste, upgrades to Riu Palace, or splits between both, your large wedding will be in experienced hands with stunning Pacific views.

Ready to start? Fill out our online wedding planning form to connect with a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist who’ll help you coordinate your group and build a celebration that brings everyone together in paradise.