A Costa Rica wedding under $5,000 is where the celebration steps up from an intimate ceremony to a layered wedding day. Private cocktail hours with open bar and signature appetizers. Three-hour private receptions with buffet or family-style menus. Designer ceremony decor with lavender-shades color palettes, themed bouquets, and a 2-tier wedding cake. Live music for cocktails. Costa Rica’s Guanacaste coast delivers all of this against Pacific sunsets, with quick transfers from Liberia International (LIR) and ceremony venues that range from beachfront gazebos to private oceanfront terraces.
The average cost of a destination wedding in Costa Rica runs around $10,025 per couple, according to DestinationWeddings.com data, well below the $36,000 U.S. wedding average. A package under $5,000 leaves real budget for the ziplining excursion, the welcome dinner, or a longer honeymoon stay exploring Costa Rica’s cloud forests and volcanoes after the wedding.
The 3 resorts below sit on Guanacaste’s Pacific coast within 30 minutes of LIR airport. Packages start at $3,199 for 20-guest intimate celebrations with the Riu Palace polish and top out at $4,599 for 30-guest fully bundled receptions. The mix runs adults-only, family-friendly, and adults-and-family-friendly, with private receptions and live music bundled at most picks. 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 $5,000
| Resort | Package | Price | Guests | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riu Palace Costa Rica | Royal | $3,199 | 20 | Guanacaste |
| Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica | Eternal Love | $4,549+ | 20 | Papagayo |
| Planet Hollywood Costa Rica | PH Love | $4,599 | 30 | Guanacaste |
Top Costa Rica Wedding Packages Under $5,000
Riu Palace Costa Rica: Royal
PRICE: $3,199 GUESTS: 20
Riu Palace Costa Rica is the adults-only Riu Palace pick on Playa Matapalo. The Royal package upgrades to light pink ceremony decoration, recorded music, a minister for the symbolic ceremony, a private dinner at a select restaurant or location, romantic room decoration with a surprise gift, AND a 25-minute couples massage. Plus a 10% spa discount for both the couple and wedding guests. The Riu Palace polish at this price point is genuinely hard to match.
Includes:
- Upgraded light pink-colored ceremony decoration and recorded music
- Bridal bouquet with matching boutonniere
- Minister for the symbolic ceremony
- Private dinner at a select restaurant or location
- Wedding cake and sparkling wine toast
- Romantic room decoration and a surprise gift
- 25-minute romantic massage for the couple
- 10% spa discount for the couple and guests
Learn more about Riu Palace Costa Rica and get a free quote today >>
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica: Eternal Love
PRICE: $4,549+ GUESTS: 20
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica brings the AMR Collection Eternal Love package to Papagayo Bay’s adults-only setting. 50 digital ceremony photos with a wedding album, an edited ceremony video, a private cocktail hour with Gold-menu hors d’oeuvres for up to 20 guests, a private Gold-menu dinner reception for up to 20, live music for cocktails, hair-styling or makeup or shave services for the couple, AND a couples spa treatment. Photo and video at this tier saves $2,000+ in add-on fees.
Includes:
- Service of judge or minister and semi-private rehearsal dinner for 10 max
- On-site wedding coordinator and attire prep
- Choice of hairstyle, makeup, or shave services for the couple
- Bouquets and boutonnieres for the couple plus wedding party florals (up to 4 members)
- Ceremony decor (20 chairs with white covers, ceremonial table, aisle runner)
- Wedding cake and sparkling wine (up to 20 guests)
- Private cocktail hour with Gold-menu hors d’oeuvres (up to 20 guests)
- Private dinner reception (Gold menu, up to 20 guests)
- Natural floral centerpieces for sweetheart and ceremonial tables
- Live music (one set, during cocktail hour)
- 50 digital ceremony photos with wedding album and edited video
- Choice of one couples spa treatment
- 15% off spa treatments and free anniversary nights
Learn more about Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica and get a free quote today >>
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton: PH Love
PRICE: $4,599 GUESTS: 30
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton‘s PH Love package tops the tier with the largest guest cap. 30 guests covered at a personal wedding consultant, Celebrity VIP welcome, “Getting Ready” refreshments, breakfast in bed the morning after, a symbolic ceremony with sound system, 3 cocktail tables with white linens, 3 signature appetizers, 1 hour of standard open bar, AND a 3-hour private reception with buffet or family-style menu plus 3 hours of standard open bar. Plus a 2-tier wedding cake and Bridesmaid/Groomsmen florals included.
Includes:
- Personal wedding consultant and onsite coordinator
- Celebrity VIP welcome and complimentary STAR Class status (based on availability)
- “Getting Ready” refreshments and fruit platter for the couple
- 10% spa discount for the entire wedding group
- Breakfast in bed the morning after the wedding
- Symbolic ceremony with chairs and sound system
- Bridal bouquet, Bridesmaid bouquet, Groom’s boutonniere, Groomsmen boutonniere
- Ceremony table with linen and tropical centerpiece
- Sparkling wine toast
- 3 cocktail tables with white linen and 3 signature appetizers
- 1 hour of standard open bar service and cocktail hour sound system
- 3-hour private reception (buffet or family-style options)
- 3 hours of standard open bar for reception
- 2-tier wedding cake on cake table dressed with white linen
Learn more about Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton and get a free quote today >>
What’s Typically Included in a Costa Rica Wedding Package Under $5,000
At the under-$5,000 tier, Costa Rica wedding packages cover the ceremony essentials with a private cocktail hour and private dinner reception attached. Most of our top picks bundle these in 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 (Secrets Papagayo includes the service of a judge for legal ceremonies)
- Designer decor: themed bouquets, Bridesmaid/Groomsmen florals, aisle runners, ceremonial tables with tropical centerpieces
- Wedding cake: themed one-tier or two-tier cake sized for the guest count
- Private cocktail hour: open bar, signature appetizers (Planet Hollywood Costa Rica and Secrets Papagayo bundle this at base price)
- Private dinner reception: 3-hour private dinner with buffet, family-style, or Gold-menu options and open bar
- Live music: trio or soloist set during cocktail hour at Secrets Papagayo
- Photography and video: 50 digital ceremony photos and edited video at Secrets Papagayo
- Couples spa treatment: hair, makeup, or massage at Secrets Papagayo and Riu Palace Costa Rica
- Honeymoon perks: romantic turndown, breakfast in bed, late checkout, anniversary nights
What’s Not Included (Common Add-Ons)
Even at the mid-tier, a few line items frequently surprise couples. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists flag these add-ons most often:
- Lighting: $1,500 to $4,000 for a fully lit reception (uplighting, bistro lights, chandeliers). A DW Specialist mentioned in April 2026 that lighting is the most under-budgeted line item at this tier.
- Photography upgrades: $500 to $2,500 to extend coverage beyond what’s bundled
- DJ for reception: $800 to $1,500 for reception entertainment beyond the cocktail-hour set
- Floral upgrades: $300 to $1,500 above the themed package selection
- Legal ceremony fees: $500 to $1,000 for apostilled documents, Spanish translation, and a Costa Rican attorney for a legal marriage
- Outside vendor fees: $200 to $1,000+ per outside vendor
- Per-person reception fees: $50 to $150 per guest when guest count exceeds the package limit
From Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists: Best Picks for Mid-Tier Value
Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists most often flag Secrets Papagayo’s Eternal Love package as the best photo-and-video-bundled pick at this tier, $4,549+ for 20 guests with 50 digital ceremony photos, an edited ceremony video, a private cocktail hour, a Gold-menu private dinner reception, and a couples spa treatment. For couples wanting the largest guest cap, Planet Hollywood Costa Rica’s PH Love package covers 30 guests for $4,599 with a 3-hour private reception, Bridesmaid/Groomsmen florals, and an open bar throughout.
For Riu Palace loyalists, the Royal package at Riu Palace Costa Rica is $3,199 for 20 guests with light pink ceremony decoration, a private dinner at a select restaurant, a 25-minute couples massage, AND romantic room decoration with a surprise gift, the most “wedding-day-not-just-ceremony” feel at the entry of this tier.
Tips for Staying Under $5,000
- Pick a package with photo and video included. Secrets Papagayo’s Eternal Love package bundles 50 photos + edited video at $4,549. That’s $1,500+ you don’t have to add back.
- Budget for lighting upgrades. Plan $1,500 to $4,000 for uplighting, bistro lights, and pathway lighting for a glowing reception.
- Watch the guest cap. Planet Hollywood Costa Rica covers 30, Riu Palace and Secrets Papagayo cap at 20. Exceeding the cap adds $50 to $150 per guest.
- Use the resort’s in-house vendors. Avoid the $200 to $1,000+ outside vendor fees by sticking with the resort’s florist, DJ, and photographer for upgrades.
- Book the green season. May, June, September, and October offer the best room-rate negotiating room in Costa Rica, with brief afternoon showers that don’t typically affect morning or evening ceremonies.
- Cluster around LIR airport. The Guanacaste resort cluster sits within 30 minutes of Liberia International, making it easier for guests to travel than longer transfers from San Jose (SJO) to Manuel Antonio or the Caribbean coast.
Costa Rica Wedding Packages Under $5,000 FAQs
What’s included in a Costa Rica wedding package under $5,000?
Most Costa Rica wedding packages under $5,000 include a private ceremony venue, designer decor, a private cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres and open bar, a private 3-hour dinner reception (buffet, family-style, or Gold menu) with open bar, a wedding cake, a sparkling wine toast, and a couple’s spa treatment. Secrets Papagayo’s Eternal Love package additionally bundles 50 digital ceremony photos and an edited ceremony video at the base price.
Which Costa Rica resort has the largest guest cap at this tier?
Planet Hollywood Costa Rica’s PH Love package covers 30 guests for $4,599, the largest cap at this tier. The package includes a 3-hour private buffet or family-style reception, 3 hours of standard open bar, a 2-tier wedding cake, Bridesmaid and Groomsmen florals, and the Celebrity VIP welcome.
Do under-$5,000 Costa Rica packages include photography?
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica’s Eternal Love package is the standout at this tier, bundling 50 digital ceremony photos AND an edited ceremony video at $4,549. Riu Palace Costa Rica’s Royal package and Planet Hollywood Costa Rica’s PH Love focus on ceremony decor, private reception, and couples spa rather than bundled photography.
What’s the best season for a Costa Rica wedding?
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.
How does a Costa Rica wedding under $5,000 compare to a U.S. wedding?
A Costa Rica wedding package under $5,000 is dramatically less than the $36,000 average U.S. wedding cost. Even adding flights, room nights, and reception upgrades, the average cost of a destination wedding in Costa Rica runs around $10,025 per couple, according to DestinationWeddings.com data, with a tropical Pacific-coast celebration and built-in honeymoon stay.
Plan Your Costa Rica Destination Wedding Today
A package at this tier is the kind of starting point where the day starts to feel choreographed without feeling stiff. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists know which Guanacaste resorts deliver the best mid-tier value, which sub-areas suit which guest lists, and how to layer in the 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!
