Want to tie-the-knot in Costa Rica? This Central American country has it all! Between lush rainforests and tropical beaches, the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, and a rich culture make getting married in Costa Rica complete heaven. And it when it comes to romantic getaways, unexpected adventures, and breathtaking outdoor ceremonies, it doesn’t get more perfect than a Costa Rican destination wedding.
Getting Married in Costa Rica
Need more perks to having a destination wedding in Costa Rica – or more information about the logistics of getting married here? We’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know if you hope to tie the knot in this dreamy country:
How to Get a Marriage License in Costa Rica
Before you start planning your destination wedding, make sure you understand the local marriage requirements. Costa Rica all inclusive wedding events offer only symbolic ceremonies (meaning you would have to finalize the marriage in your home country). However, if you’re looking to legally get married in Costa Rica, here are the steps you’d have to take:
- Take a pregnancy test – This required test for women happens at the Forensic Medicine Office, and if it’s negative, there’s no waiting period for the marriage license
- Secure two witnesses – Enlist two friends or family members to sign your marriage statement, along with you and an attorney
- Sign and submit the statement – Your signed marriage statement will be processed by the Civil Registry of Costa Rica
- Wait 10 weeks – Costa Rican marriage certificates usually arrive within 10 weeks of the ceremony, after your Consulate translates and authenticates it for your local marriage records office
RELATED: Real Wedding: Ashley & Nicholas’ Garden Wedding in Costa Rica
Where to Stay in Costa Rica
Some of our favorite places to stay – and get married – are all-inclusive resorts with plenty of natural beauty, from cliff-side waterfront views to beaches surrounded by rainforest. If you’re getting married in Costa Rica, pick a resort truly makes the most of its location, like one of these fan favorites Costa Rica wedding resorts:
Riu Palace Costa Rica
Tour a volcano, dive into the Pacific, or watch cowboys round up their herds during your stay at this Matapalo Beach resort with multiple restaurants and swimming pools.
Book your wedding at Riu Palace Costa Rica
Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Surrounded by mountains on a black sand beach on Papagayo Bay, this Secrets has a private terrace or patio in every suite and a nearby village with breathtaking gardens and walkways. There’s nothing better than a Costa Rica beach wedding!
Book your wedding at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica
Need more information on our Costa Rica wedding venues? Click here!
Hotel Costa Verde
Get married on a lush, tranquil bluff, complete with monkeys, cliffside pools, and romantic views of the untouched rainforest and clear blue Pacific Ocean.
Book your wedding at Hotel Costa Verde
Romantic Spots You Can’t Miss in Costa Rica
Of course, untouched natural beauty is one the best reasons to have a destination wedding in Costa Rica. Whether you like waterfalls, volcanoes, rainforests, or cliffs, this country is teeming with unique ecosystems and ways to enjoy them. Don’t miss Manuel Antonio National Park, a small but diverse space with coves, trails, forest, beaches, and so many animals they have their own suspension bridge. And head north if you want to experience some of the country’s world-famous volcanoes, like the lush Volcano Irazu. A vivid green lake fills in its biggest crater, trails are stunning and easy to navigate, and you can see the Pacific and the Atlantic from its summit.
Need more information on how to get married in Costa Rica? Check out our website and Pinterest for more information and inspiration!
