A Costa Rica wedding under $3,000 is the kind of celebration that blends Caribbean and Pacific coastline, lush rainforest, and beachfront ceremonies at a price point that’s surprising for the country. The Guanacaste coast has direct flights from most U.S. hubs into Liberia International (LIR), with quick transfers to the all-inclusive resort cluster around Papagayo Bay. Pacific sunsets, howler monkeys waking you up, and ceremony venues that range from beachfront gazebos to private terraces overlooking the bay.
The average cost of a destination wedding in Costa Rica is around $10,025 per couple, according to DestinationWeddings.com data, which is well below the $36,000 U.S. wedding average. A package under $3,000 leaves real budget for the ziplining excursion, the welcome dinner, or a longer honeymoon stay exploring Costa Rica’s volcanoes and cloud forests after the wedding.
The 3 resorts below are all clustered on Guanacaste’s Pacific coast within 30 minutes of LIR airport. Packages start at $1,099 (complimentary with the right room block) and top out at $1,599. The mix runs adults-only, family-friendly, and couples-only with several complimentary triggers and intimate elopement-style 10-guest packages. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists can help you compare and book the one that fits your celebration.
At-a-Glance Comparison: Costa Rica Wedding Packages Under $3,000
| Resort | Package | Price | Guests | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planet Hollywood Costa Rica | PH Free | Comp or $1,099 | 10 | Guanacaste |
| Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica | Wedding in Paradise | $1,299 or comp | 10 | Papagayo |
| Riu Guanacaste | Classic | $1,599+ | 10 | Guanacaste |
Top Costa Rica Wedding Packages Under $3,000
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton: PH Free
PRICE: Complimentary or $1,099 GUESTS: 10
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton offers one of the easiest comp packages in the Caribbean and Central America at this tier. The PH Free Wedding converts to complimentary with just 35 paid room nights, or 14 nights in STAR Class room categories. Adults-and-family-friendly setting in Guanacaste with a personal wedding consultant, Celebrity VIP welcome, “Getting Ready” refreshments, ceremony with sound system and tropical centerpiece, a 2-hour semi-private dinner, and a 1-tier wedding cake.
Includes:
- Personal wedding consultant and onsite coordinator
- Celebrity VIP welcome for the couple
- Wedding couple complimentary STAR Class status (based on availability)
- “Getting Ready” refreshments and fruit platter for the couple
- 10% discount on spa services for the entire wedding group
- Symbolic ceremony with seating for guests
- Sound system for the ceremony
- Bridal bouquet and groom’s boutonniere
- Ceremony table with linen and tropical centerpiece
- Sparkling wine to toast the newlyweds
- Semi-private dinner at one of the resort’s chic a la carte restaurants (2 hours)
- 1-tier wedding cake
Learn more about Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton and get a free quote today >>
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica: Wedding in Paradise
PRICE: $1,299 or complimentary GUESTS: 10
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica is the adults-only AMR Collection pick on Papagayo Bay with stunning views across the Pacific. The Wedding in Paradise package converts to complimentary when you book at least 7 nights in the select room category or higher, or 5 rooms (any category) for 3 nights, an easy threshold for most groups. The boutique-resort feel and Secrets Unlimited-Luxury program make it a Certified Destination Wedding Specialist favorite for intimate Pacific-coast ceremonies.
Includes:
- Symbolic ceremony
- On-site wedding coordinator and attire prep
- Complimentary pre-wedding room (subject to availability)
- Bouquet and boutonniere for the couple
- Wedding cake and sparkling wine toast (up to 10 guests)
- Special turndown service the night of the wedding
- 15% off spa treatments
- Newlywed Package (welcome letter, fresh fruit, sparkling wine, breakfast in bed)
- Late checkout for the couple
- Free anniversary nights
Learn more about Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica and get a free quote today >>
Riu Guanacaste: Classic
PRICE: $1,599+ GUESTS: 10
Riu Guanacaste sits on Playa Matapalo with the dependable Riu all-inclusive experience and adds the Classic package’s upgraded design elements. Upgraded aquamarine-colored ceremony decoration, recorded music, a bridal bouquet with matching boutonniere, a minister for the symbolic ceremony, a semi-private dinner at one of the restaurants, romantic room decoration on the wedding night, and a 10% spa discount for the couple, plus a spa gift.
Includes:
- Upgraded aquamarine-colored ceremony decoration
- Recorded music and bridal bouquet with matching boutonniere
- Minister for symbolic ceremony
- Semi-private dinner at one of the restaurants
- Wedding cake and sparkling wine toast
- Romantic room decoration on wedding night
- 10% spa discount for the couple plus a spa gift
Learn more about Riu Guanacaste and get a free quote today >>
What’s Typically Included in a Costa Rica Wedding Package Under $3,000
At the under-$3,000 tier, most Costa Rica wedding packages cover the ceremony essentials with a semi-private dinner attached. Expect to see these elements bundled at the base price:
- Ceremony venue: beachfront, oceanfront, gazebo, or garden location at a single resort
- Officiant: bilingual non-denominational minister for the symbolic ceremony
- Basic decor: ceremony chairs, ceremonial table, themed ceremony backdrop, or gazebo
- Personal flowers: bouquet and boutonniere for the couple
- Wedding cake: typically a one-tier themed cake sized for 10 guests
- Sparkling wine toast: after the ceremony for the full guest count
- On-site wedding coordinator: handles day-of logistics and vendor management
- Semi-private dinner: 1-2 hour semi-private dinner at one of the resort’s restaurants
- Honeymoon perks: romantic turndown, late checkout, anniversary nights
What’s Not Included (Common Add-Ons)
Even at the entry tier, a few line items frequently surprise couples. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists flag these add-ons most often:
- Photography: $500 to $2,500 per add-on; resort photographers are the most affordable option
- DJ or live music: $800 to $1,500 for reception entertainment beyond the basic ceremony sound system
- Lighting: $1,500 to $4,000 for a fully lit reception. A DW Specialist mentioned in April 2026 that lighting is the most under-budgeted line item at this tier.
- Floral upgrades: $300 to $1,500 above the package’s basic decor
- Private reception upgrade: $50 to $150 per guest to convert from semi-private to fully private dinner
- Legal ceremony fees: Costa Rica legal marriage is generally straightforward but requires apostilled documents from the U.S. with Spanish translation, plan $500-1,000 for paperwork
- Outside vendor fees: $200 to $1,000+ per outside vendor
From Our Specialists: Best Picks for Tight Budgets
Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists consistently flag Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton as the best free-package pick at this tier; the PH Free Wedding converts to complimentary at just 35 paid room nights (or 14 nights in STAR Class categories), one of the easiest comp triggers in Central America. For adults-only intimate ceremonies, Secrets Papagayo’s Wedding in Paradise package converts to complimentary at the standard AMR threshold (7 nights in select category or 5 rooms for 3 nights).
For couples wanting the upgraded design touches at this tier, Riu Guanacaste’s Classic package at $1,599+ adds aquamarine-colored ceremony decoration, recorded music, a semi-private dinner, and romantic room decoration on the wedding night, the most “wedding day, not just ceremony” of the three options at this price point.
Tips for Staying Under $3,000
- Hit a comp trigger. Planet Hollywood Costa Rica needs just 35 paid room nights. Secrets Papagayo needs 7 nights in the select category or 5 rooms for 3 nights. For groups of 8-15, the math often tips in favor of the comp.
- Keep your guest list under 10. All three entry-tier Costa Rica packages cap at 10 guests; per-person overage fees of $50 to $150 add up quickly.
- Book a weekday in the off-season. Costa Rica’s green season (May, June, September, October) offers the best room rates with brief afternoon showers that don’t typically affect morning or evening ceremonies.
- Use the resort’s in-house vendors. Avoid the $200 to $1,000+ outside vendor fees by sticking with the resort’s florist, photographer, and DJ.
- Cluster around LIR airport. The Guanacaste resort cluster sits within 30 minutes of Liberia International, making it easier for guests to travel than the longer transfers to Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo from San Jose (SJO).
- Consider a symbolic ceremony. Most couples on this list opt for symbolic ceremonies and handle legal paperwork at home; it saves $500 to $1,000 in apostilled-document and translation fees.
Costa Rica Wedding Packages Under $3,000 FAQs
What’s the cheapest Costa Rica wedding package?
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton’s PH Free Wedding starts at $1,099 for 10 guests and converts to complimentary with 35 paid room nights (or 14 nights in STAR Class categories), the lowest entry point and easiest comp trigger in Costa Rica. For adults-only ceremonies, Secrets Papagayo’s Wedding in Paradise package is $1,299 or complimentary at the standard AMR threshold.
Which Costa Rica resort has a free wedding package?
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica converts to complimentary at 35 paid room nights or 14 nights in STAR Class categories. Secrets Papagayo’s Wedding in Paradise package converts to complimentary at 7 nights in select category or 5 rooms for 3 nights. Both packages cover 10 guests at the entry tier.
Can I have a legal wedding in Costa Rica?
Yes. Costa Rica’s legal marriage process is generally straightforward but requires apostilled birth certificates and IDs from the U.S. with a Spanish translation, plus a marriage license signed by a Costa Rican attorney. Plan $500 to $1,000 in paperwork fees. Most couples on this list opt for symbolic ceremonies and handle the legal paperwork at home, which can save time and money.
What’s the average cost of a Costa Rica destination wedding?
The average cost of a destination wedding in Costa Rica runs around $10,025 per couple, according to DestinationWeddings.com data. That figure includes the package, the couple’s room, airfare, and reception upgrades. Costa Rica is well below the $36,000 U.S. wedding average, with a tropical Pacific-coast celebration and built-in honeymoon stay.
What’s the best time to get married in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica’s dry season (December to April) is the most popular for weddings, with reliable sunshine on the Guanacaste coast. The green season (May to November) offers significantly lower room rates and lush rainforest backdrops, with brief afternoon showers that typically don’t affect morning or evening ceremonies. May, June, September, and October are the sweet spots for budget-conscious couples.
Plan Your Costa Rica Destination Wedding Today
A celebration in Costa Rica under $3,000 is the kind of math that lets you splurge on the moments you’ll actually remember, the ziplining excursion with your guests, the welcome dinner with howler monkeys waking up the canopy, the catamaran sunset cruise the day after. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists know which Guanacaste resorts deliver the best value at this entry tier, which sub-areas suit which guest lists, and how to layer in upgrades that turn a Pacific-coast ceremony into the celebration of your lives.
Fill out our online wedding planning form and let’s start designing the celebration you’ve been picturing!
About the Author
Maggie Sabin
Maggie started as the SEO Manager at DestinationWeddings.com in 2024, where she works to drive organic traffic and conversions while creating meaningful, SEO-optimized content for the website. Previously, Maggie's career spanned from Human Resources & Recruitment to teaching at international schools for almost 10 years. Maggie spends her free time traveling, learning new languages, reading non-fiction books, working out, going to the beach and spending time cuddling her dog, Lola!
