A Costa Rica wedding under $10,000 is genuinely surprising. With most of the country’s all-inclusive wedding resorts clustered on the Guanacaste coast within 30 minutes of Liberia International (LIR), every package at this tier is comfortably below the $10,000 ceiling. That means real budget left over for the rainforest excursion, the ziplining day with your guests, a longer honeymoon stay exploring Costa Rica’s cloud forests and volcanoes, or the lighting upgrade that turns an oceanfront reception into a glowing celebration.
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 at this tier delivers a fully bundled celebration with private cocktail hour, private 3-hour reception, photo and video coverage, and editorial-grade ceremony decor against Pacific sunsets.
The 3 resorts below all sit on Guanacaste’s Pacific coast within easy transfer distance from LIR. Packages range from $4,549 for adults-only 20-guest celebrations to $5,299 for 30-guest fully bundled wedding weekends. The mix runs adults-only and family-friendly, with private receptions, live music, and couples spa treatments bundled at a base price across every pick. 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 $10,000
| Resort | Package | Price | Guests | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica | Eternal Love | $4,549+ | 20 | Papagayo |
| Planet Hollywood Costa Rica | PH Love | $4,599 | 30 | Guanacaste |
| Riu Palace Costa Rica | Caprice | $5,299 | 30 | Guanacaste |
Top Costa Rica Wedding Packages Under $10,000
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica: Eternal Love
PRICE: $4,549+ GUESTS: 20
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica opens this tier with the AMR Collection Eternal Love package and one of the best photo-and-video values in Central America. 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. Adults-only setting with Papagayo Bay views and the Unlimited-Luxury program throughout.
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 covers 30 guests with a Celebrity VIP welcome, “Getting Ready” refreshments, breakfast in bed the morning after, a symbolic ceremony with sound system, Bridal and Bridesmaid bouquets, Groom and Groomsmen boutonnieres, 3 cocktail tables with white linens, 3 signature appetizers, 1 hour of standard open bar, AND a 3-hour private buffet-or-family-style reception with 3 hours of standard open bar. The Star-treatment positioning for the couple is a fun branded touch.
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 >>
Riu Palace Costa Rica: Caprice
PRICE: $5,299 GUESTS: 30
Riu Palace Costa Rica tops the tier with the Caprice package, the most thoroughly bundled celebration on this list. Upgraded lavender-shades ceremony decoration, recorded music, an additional small bouquet for the maid of honor and boutonniere for the best man, a private dinner at a select restaurant or location, a private after-dinner cocktail with optional rum or tequila tasting, room upgrade and late checkout, wedding-night turndown with chocolate-covered fruit and sparkling wine, $50 photo session credit, newlyweds’ breakfast in bed, a Beauty Parlor Package, AND a 60-minute couples massage.
The “wedding weekend, not wedding day” feel at this price point is hard to match.
Includes:
- Upgraded lavender-shades ceremony decoration and recorded music
- Bridal bouquet with matching boutonniere
- Minister for symbolic ceremony
- Additional small bouquet for maid of honor and boutonniere for best man
- Private dinner at a select restaurant or location
- Wedding cake and sparkling wine toast
- Private after-dinner cocktail with optional rum or tequila tasting
- Romantic room decoration and a surprise gift
- Room upgrade and late check-out (based on availability)
- Wedding-night turndown with chocolate-covered fruit and sparkling wine
- $50 photo session credit for pre- or post-wedding day
- Newlyweds’ breakfast in bed
- Beauty Parlor Package (hairstyle, manicure, and pedicure for one person)
- 60-minute romantic couples massage
- 10% spa discount for the couple and guests
Learn more about Riu Palace Costa Rica and get a free quote today >>
What’s Typically Included in a Costa Rica Wedding Package Under $10,000
At the under-$10,000 tier, Costa Rica wedding packages step up from layered receptions to fully bundled productions. Most of our top picks include these elements at the base price:
- Private ceremony venue: beachfront, oceanfront, gazebo, or garden location at a single resort
- Designer ceremony decor: themed chairs, ceremonial tables, tropical centerpieces, themed color palette (Eternal Love at Secrets Papagayo; lavender-shades Caprice at Riu Palace)
- Premium personal florals: themed bridal bouquet, boutonniere, plus party florals (Bridesmaid bouquet and Groomsmen boutonniere at Planet Hollywood; maid-of-honor bouquet and best-man boutonniere at Riu Palace)
- Wedding cake: themed one-tier or two-tier cake
- Private cocktail hour: open bar, hors d’oeuvres, signature appetizers
- Private 3-hour dinner reception: buffet, family-style, or Gold-menu options with 3 hours of standard or premium open bar
- Live music: trio or soloist set during cocktail hour at Secrets Papagayo
- Photography: 50 ceremony photos + edited video at Secrets Papagayo; $50 photo session credit at Riu Palace Caprice
- Spa and beauty services: couples massage, hair styling, makeup, manicure, pedicure (Beauty Parlor Package at Riu Palace Caprice)
- Honeymoon perks: romantic turndown, breakfast in bed, room upgrade, late checkout, anniversary nights
What’s Not Included (Common Add-Ons)
Even at this premium 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, even at this tier.
- Extended photography: $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 Premium Experience
Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists most often flag Riu Palace Costa Rica’s Caprice package as the most “wedding-weekend” feel at this tier, $5,299 for 30 guests with lavender-shades ceremony decoration, a private dinner with optional rum or tequila tasting after, room upgrade and late checkout, the Beauty Parlor Package, a 60-minute couples massage, AND a $50 photo session credit. For couples wanting bundled photo and video at the entry of the tier, Secrets Papagayo’s Eternal Love package at $4,549+ bundles 50 digital ceremony photos plus an edited ceremony video.
For adults and family-friendly groups, Planet Hollywood Costa Rica’s PH Love package at $4,599 covers 30 guests with a Celebrity VIP welcome and a 3-hour private buffet or family-style reception, a fun branded option that works for groups of mixed ages and energy levels.
Tips for Staying Under $10,000
- Pick a package with photo coverage included. Secrets Papagayo bundles 50 digital photos plus an edited video at $4,549. Riu Palace Caprice includes a $50 photo session credit. Even the smaller credits stack up if you also book the resort’s preferred photographer.
- 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 and Riu Palace Costa Rica both cover 30, Secrets Papagayo caps 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.
- Add a wedding-week excursion. Costa Rica’s location lets you bundle a ziplining day, rainforest tour, or hot springs trip with the celebration. Coordinate with the resort concierge for group rates.
Costa Rica Wedding Packages Under $10,000 FAQs
What’s included in a Costa Rica wedding package under $10,000?
Most Costa Rica wedding packages under $10,000 include a private ceremony venue, designer decor with themed color palettes, a private cocktail hour with open bar and hors d’oeuvres, a private 3-hour dinner reception (buffet, family-style, or Gold menu) with open bar, a wedding cake, a sparkling wine toast, a couples spa treatment, and a Beauty Parlor Package. Secrets Papagayo additionally bundles 50 digital ceremony photos and an edited ceremony video at the base price.
Which Costa Rica resort has the most thoroughly bundled package at this tier?
Riu Palace Costa Rica’s Caprice package covers 30 guests for $5,299 with the most thoroughly bundled inclusions on this list. Upgraded lavender-shades ceremony decoration, private dinner at a select restaurant with optional rum or tequila tasting after, room upgrade and late checkout, wedding-night turndown with chocolate-covered fruit, $50 photo session credit, newlyweds’ breakfast in bed, Beauty Parlor Package, and a 60-minute couples massage.
Does a Costa Rica wedding package under $10,000 include photography?
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica’s Eternal Love package is the standout, bundling 50 digital ceremony photos AND an edited ceremony video at $4,549. Riu Palace Costa Rica’s Caprice package includes a $50 photo session credit for pre- or post-wedding day. Planet Hollywood Costa Rica’s PH Love focuses on ceremony decor and private reception rather than bundled photography.
What’s the best luxury resort for a Costa Rica wedding under $10,000?
Riu Palace Costa Rica’s Caprice package is most often flagged by our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists as the most luxurious value pick at this tier, $5,299 for 30 guests with lavender-shades ceremony decoration, room upgrade, and late checkout, Beauty Parlor Package, a 60-minute couples massage, AND a private after-dinner cocktail with optional rum or tequila tasting. For adults-only celebrations with bundled photo and video, Secrets Papagayo’s Eternal Love is the strongest alternative.
How does a Costa Rica wedding under $10,000 compare to a U.S. wedding?
A Costa Rica wedding at this tier delivers a fully bundled celebration with private reception, photo coverage, and premium decor for roughly a quarter to a third of the $36,000 U.S. wedding average. Even adding guest flights, room nights, and reception upgrades, the average cost of a Costa Rica destination wedding still totals around $10,025 per couple per 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 celebration truly belongs to you and your guests, where the welcome dinner, the editorial-grade ceremony decor, the live music, the chef-curated reception, and the after-dinner rum tasting on the terrace all come bundled together. Our Certified Destination Wedding Specialists know which Guanacaste resorts deliver the best value at this premium tier, which sub-areas match different 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!
