When thinking about planning your destination wedding I bet you want it to be something that your friends will be talking about for years to come. Not only was the wedding beautiful and exotic but everyone had a blast and got to relax while sharing in your special day. Planning group activities that everyone can be involved in is one of the best ways to majorly step up the fun factor and make for an adventurous destination wedding. With so much to see and do, Costa Rica is a land just brimming with possibilities of things that you can do as a group and forge memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.
1. Ziplining/ Canopy Tour
What better place to enjoy an adventurous zipline tour than in the beautiful rainforests where it all began? Ziplining is a great group activity that is great for all ages and almost everyone will absolutely love. If you’ve got people in your group with a fear of heights you can choose a zipline that keeps their cables relatively close to the ground and if your group is full of daring adventurers then you can go for one of the higher, faster ziplines where you can soar like a bird high above the rainforest floor.
2. Horseback Riding
Another awesome group activity in Costa Rica is to take your wedding party on a horseback riding tour. You can either carouse on the beach or take to the rainforest trails to explore hidden gems that can’t be reached by car. Many tours will take you to a relaxing jungle escape complete with an impressive waterfall and a refreshing pool for a nice break from the heat of the tropical sun.
3. Mountain Biking
If someone in your group has a fear of riding large equines you can opt for a biking tour instead. It’s also a great way to explore the rainforest and you get the added bonus of some brisk exercise. A great plus when you are on vacation indulging in Costa Rica’s delicious culinary options.
4. Catamaran Tour
Here’s an excellent activity that everyone is sure to enjoy. Take your group on a catamaran to enjoy exquisite cuisine and drinks and if you’re lucky spot some fantastic marine life like dolphins, turtles or whales. Costa Rica’s waters are generally smooth so it’s less likely that people will suffer from seasickness. Many catamarans will stop in a good spot to snorkel and some even have big waterslides that the more adventurous can enjoy. Take one in the afternoon to enjoy a spectacular sunset cruise.
5. White Water Rafting
While this may sound like an adventure too extreme for some it really is all in which river you choose. Some tours take you on gentler rivers with just a little bit of rapids fun that is suitable even for kids and others will give you a heart pounding exciting ride. Check out what’s available in your chosen destination and choose the one that’s right for your group’s adrenaline level.
6. Mangrove Tour
You can choose to go on a mangrove tour either in a boat or by kayak and it’s a great way to get up close and personal with some fascinating wildlife. The guide will offer interesting tidbits of information about the Costa Rican rainforest and it’s inhabitants. Often you will spot monkeys playing in the trees and lucky ones might see a sloth or a crocodile! Plus there are a myriad of beautiful tropical flowers and other interesting flora to see.
7. Beach Day
It goes without saying that one of the best parts of coming to a tropical area for your destination wedding is that you get to relax on a beautiful beach and listen to the sound of the waves crashing in. It doesn’t cost a thing and your whole group will love lounging on the shore or diving into the waves. The water is warm in Costa Rica so you can spend the whole day enjoying this great wonder of the world.
8. Cooking Lessons
A fun way to spend your night with your wedding party is a Costa Rican cooking lesson. You all can can have a hands on lesson of how to make tortillas, tamales, or any kind of world food that sounds interesting. Sushi is always a popular option too. If you are staying at a private villa, this will be super easy to set up. Most villas come with a chef who would be more than happy to plan a night for a cooking lesson. Even if the house doesn’t have it’s own chef, the concierge would sure know who to recommend for a fun culinary lesson.
9. Yoga Lessons
Yoga lessons are a perfect morning activity for your group. It can be done really early, even at sunrise, which is a great time to be on the beach, or on a deck overlooking the ocean or volcano. This is also one of the coolest times of the day, and therefore the perfect hour to get a sweat going.
10. National Park Tour
A tour of a national park is a great way to see the diverse wildlife in Costa Rica. And if there is one thing Costa Rica has, it is biodiversity. Costa Rica accounts for only 0.03 percent of the earth’s surface (has only 51.100km2). However it contains nearly 6 percent of the world’s biodiversity. Its natural wealth, both in species and ecosystems. Because of it’s unique place on the globe, it gets a lot of rain and sunlight. There are national parks all over Costa Rica and each one has a unique ecology.
This by far is not an inclusive list of everything that you can do in Costa Rica, but at least it gives you some ideas to get started. The beauty of the country and the warmness of its people make this an awesome destination for adventure and relaxation and a stunning backdrop for one of the most important days of your life.
Looking for tips on traveling around Costa Rica? Check out my top travel tips here!
Want to know what are the best wedding venues for Costa Rica? Check out my complete guide below!