The complete guide for your Costa Rica honeymoon
If you have decided to tie the knot in Costa Rica, you should definitely spend a few more days there and enjoy a unique Costa Rica honeymoon. One of the main advantages of hosting your wedding in Costa Rica is that the country is already one of the most desirable spots in the world for holidays, which means sandy beaches, warm waters and exotic food. Either filled with adventure or just to relax, Costa Rica offers something for everyone for both a destination wedding and a beautiful honeymoon.
Your wedding guests and family members will enjoy the beauty and lush of the mountains, crystal clear water lapping at pristine beaches, and incredible volcanoes while they accompany you and your spouse in the ceremony. After the event, they can choose to stay a few days more and enjoy the beauty of the country without disturbing the newlyweds. There are so many beautiful beaches and locations that there is enough room for your guests and also privacy for the couple. The wedding couple can buy Costa Rica honeymoon packages with activities carefully selected to guarantee a balance of relaxation and adventure.
Where to go for a perfect Costa Rica honeymoon
Costa Rica is a geographically small country, but it has many unique and beautiful locations to visit and explore.The mountains, rainforest, volcanoes, and beaches are plentiful and full of activities, wildlife and amenities that make any holiday great.
Playa Avellanas/Tamarindo – 2-3 days
Located on the golden coast of Guanacaste, Playa Avellanas is a wide, long beach with perfect waves for surfers and relaxing sand. Locals call it “Little Hawaii” since it is very popular among surfers. Blue Zone Resort is 1 km away, where our friendly staff is ready to give you a hand in planning the best honeymoon Costa Rica can offer. Playa Avellanas is a romantic option for those couples who would like to go for a slow horse ride by the shore and watch the sunset. Blue Zone Resort is just steps away from the smaller, quieter, undeveloped Playa Lagartillo, and is also close to Playa Negra, Playa Blanca, and Playa Junquillal – some of the best beaches in Costa Rica. The eco-lodge offers simple luxuries and sustainable practices, with comfortable rooms, free breakfast and free bicycles, SUP boards, boogie boards and surfboards for guests to use. Blue Zone Resort and Playa Avellanas is about a 30 minute drive south of the bustling tourist town of Tamarindo, which is full of shopping, restaurants, nightlife, activities and more beaches.
Nosara – 1-2 Days
This relaxed town is known for its crystal clean coast, yoga and surf. It is located on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, 6 kilometers from the shore in the Guanacaste region. The environment here has been protected by the National Park system and through the efforts of the locals. There are three main beaches in Nosara: Guiones, Nosara, and Pelada. These are great options for sunsets since their National Park status has protected the area from large urban developments that could interfere with the view. It is also a great option to try local cuisine in small restaurants mostly run by local families.
Santa Teresa – 1 Day
This small town is located on the west border of the Nicoya Peninsula and has been growing in popularity in the last few years due to its fantastic waves that attract many surfers from around the globe. Besides surfing, there are also many other activities for visitors, such as canopy tours and hiking in the mountains. Cabo Blanco natural reservoir is a must for those couples who like to explore and be in touch with nature, it is only 5 kilometers away and there are plenty of animals to observe and enjoy such as pelicans, seagulls, and eagles that live peacefully in this sea bird sanctuary. Couples can rent a bike or an off-road vehicle to explore the town and nearby locations.
Manuel Antonio – 2-3 Days
This little coastal city is one of the most famous in Costa Rica thanks to its National Park. It offers many different places to stay – from small beach houses to luxury hotels and resorts. It is located in the central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, this makes the region an attractive spot for nature lovers due to its biodiversity and crystal clear waters. Couples can enjoy some hotels with a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean while enjoying local food in their restaurants. Couples can visit the National Park and enjoy the more than 100 different mammals and 184 birds that live there. Snorkeling and sunbathing will give this honeymoon a touch of flavor (and salt).
Arenal – 2-3 Days
There are plenty of volcanoes in Costa Rica and each of them has something special to offer to visitors. However, Arenal is the one that has the most perfect conal silhouette you can see while you approach the city of La Fortuna in Alajuela. There are many more things to see and visit in the Arenal area on your Costa Rica honeymoon. Let’s say that your wedding was in a white sandy beach with crystal clear water (as it should be), you can now have a honeymoon in an entirely different location.
La Fortuna de San Carlos is one of the many attractions to visit since it is the starting point for many tours that go to the volcano and also to thermal pools/hot springs and other sports activities. Couples could go trekking to Rio Fortuna waterfall and have a cold shower directly from the mountain. Lake Arenal sits in the shadow of the volcano – it is the largest lake in Costa Rica, formed when a hydro-electric dam was completed in 1979. It is probably the country’s best location for windsurfing. If you are planning to go there to enjoy your Costa Rica honeymoon, it is better to stay at least one night so as to rest from all the trekking and exploring before visiting another location.
Monteverde – 2-3 Days
Located north of Puntarenas province, Monteverde is home to one of the most fascinating habitats in Costa Rica, the cloud forest. This is the only forest in Costa Rica with constant fog, hence its name. Beautiful Resplendent Quetzals (the national bird of Guatemala) can be seen in this area so don’t forget your binoculars. This location offers a full day walking experience of 13 kilometers filled with well-kept trails that will let you explore the forest peacefully. Sloths and toucans roam wild and free here. One very romantic getaway for newlyweds is to visit the butterfly farms that will show you the many colors and patterns of Costa Rican butterflies and other insects. If you are not staying in Monteverde, remember to schedule the 2 or 3 hours car-ride from nearby cities such as San Jose, Jaco or San Carlos.
Osa Peninsula 2-3 days
Due to its bio-diversity and beauty, Osa Peninsula is a great destination for eco-tourism. Most eco-projects and initiatives are located in this area in Costa Rica. Plenty of activities are available that set you and your spouse in direct touch with nature: snorkeling, diving, swimming, kayaking, among others. The National Park Corcovado is a perfect place to see whales and dolphins. And here is a hotel tip: the further south you travel the more exclusive the accommodation options become. Osa is an awesome destination for those couples who are looking for pristine places to discover together.
Costa Rica honeymoon packages
These Costa Rica honeymoon packages may include some of the following: guided tours, domestic transportation, several nights split in different nearby locations, breakfast, hot springs, waterfall tours, safaris, horseback tours, and taxes. The prices can go from $2,500 to $4,000 according to the location and length of the selected package.
Honeymoon in heaven
One of the advantages of getting married in Costa Rica is that you don’t have to travel to enjoy your honeymoon. This will save you money because there is no need to buy more air tickets or pay costly reservations far from your wedding site. It is possible to keep your Costa Rica honeymoon budget within comfortable and enjoyable limits. The beauty and wonders of white sand and black sand beaches, the lush forests and grandiose mountains that paint Costa Rica’s beautiful topographic portrait are also some of the reasons why people return to Costa Rica and make it their home. After all, “Pura Vida” is not only about holidays, weddings or honeymoons, it is also a lifestyle.