All-Inclusive Costa Rica Weddings: Best Resorts and Venues
All-Inclusive Costa Rica Weddings: Best Resorts and Venues
An all-inclusive resort wedding in Costa Rica is one of the most popular ways to plan a destination wedding here. Everything is handled in one place — venue, catering, coordination, and accommodation for your guests.
For couples planning from abroad, that removes an enormous amount of stress. You’re not sourcing a florist, a caterer, and a venue separately — the resort packages most of that together.
But not all resorts are equal, and the choice you make matters more than most couples realize. This guide breaks down the best options honestly, based on years of photographing weddings at these properties.
For a broader overview of getting married in Costa Rica — including legal requirements, venues, and planning timeline — see my complete guide to getting married in Costa Rica. For non-resort venues in Tamarindo and Guanacaste, see my weddings in Costa Rica hub.
The biggest advantage is simplicity. Most resorts include a dedicated wedding coordinator who handles ceremony setup, vendor coordination, timeline, and logistics.
Whether you want a beach wedding at the Four Seasons Costa Rica or a luxurious ceremony at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica, the possibilities are endless.
What You’ll Discover in This Guide:
Why all-inclusive wedding packages simplify your wedding journey
The top Costa Rica All-Inclusive wedding venues for your dream destination wedding
Here’s how all-inclusive wedding packages in Costa Rica work.
Why choose an all-inclusive wedding in Costa Rica
The biggest advantage is simplicity. Most resorts include a dedicated wedding coordinator who handles ceremony setup, vendor coordination, timeline, and logistics.
There is one important tradeoff to understand before you commit. With a resort wedding, all your guests need to be staying at the resort. You can’t offer the flexibility of a non-resort venue — no mix of Airbnbs, boutique hotels, and different budgets.
The other question worth asking is what kind of vacation you want. If you and your guests are happy to stay on property and use the pools and activities, any of these resorts work well. But if your guests want to explore local restaurants, walk to a beach town, or experience Costa Rica beyond the gates — location matters enormously. More on that below.
Simple planning with one all-inclusive wedding package
All-inclusive amenities like dining, drinks, and resort experiences
Flexible wedding dates with support from on-site planners
Optional experiences like spa treatments, private dinners, and excursions
What’s included in a Costa Rica all-inclusive wedding package
Most all-inclusive wedding packages in Costa Rica include a dedicated wedding coordinator, ceremony and reception setup, basic flowers and décor, a wedding cake, cocktail hour, and a sit-down dinner for your guests. Some packages include music or a DJ. If you want a legally binding ceremony in Costa Rica, most resorts can assist with that paperwork. Same-sex couples are welcome at all the resorts listed here — same-sex marriage has been legal in Costa Rica since 2020.
One thing to ask your resort before you book is their policy on outside vendors. Some resorts charge outside vendor fees — it’s not uncommon and it’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a conversation to have early, before you have your photographer booked. Ask specifically whether outside photographers are permitted and whether there are any associated fees. Get the answer in writing.
A dedicated wedding planner to coordinate your day
Ceremony and reception setup at your resort venue
Flowers, music, and basic wedding decor
Wedding cake, cocktails, and reception dinner
Help with legal paperwork if you choose a legal wedding in Costa Rica
Average cost of an all-inclusive wedding in Costa Rica
All-inclusive wedding packages in Costa Rica vary a lot depending on the resort and your guest count. Budget-friendly resorts like Occidental start around $3,000 to $7,000 for a basic package. Mid-range resorts like Riu and Secrets run $10,000 to $25,000 depending on group size and package tier.
At the top end, the Four Seasons starts around $20,000 for a small wedding and can reach $45,000 or more for larger celebrations. Most resorts offer tiered packages so you can see your costs upfront before you arrive.
- Mexico & the Caribbean: $10,000 – $35,000
- Hawaii: $20,000 – $50,000
- Italy & France: $25,000 – $60,000
Costa Rica offers strong value compared to most other destination wedding locations. Most resorts are within a short drive of Liberia International Airport, making travel straightforward for you and your guests.
Planning a Costa Rica wedding?
If you’re planning a destination wedding here, I can help with more than just the legal side. As a wedding photographer in Costa Rica, I photograph weddings across Tamarindo and Guanacaste and help couples understand how the day will actually flow, from ceremony timing to light and location.
Best all-inclusive wedding venues in Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers a wide range of all-inclusive wedding venues, from beachfront resorts to private villas.
Here are some of the best all-inclusive wedding locations in Costa Rica to consider.
Here’s where all these resorts sit on the map. Location matters more than most couples realize — some resorts feel remote while others are close to towns, restaurants, and other beaches. This gives you a sense of the geography before you start comparing properties.
A fun, all-in-one resort perfect for couples who love big, social weddings.
For larger wedding groups, Riu is the best option in Costa Rica. The property has the space, the capacity, and the infrastructure to handle a big wedding well. There are two resorts side by side — Riu Guanacaste and Riu Palace — which gives your guests flexibility in accommodation tier while keeping everyone in one location.
The beach at Playa Matapalo is genuinely good — a long stretch of open coast with solid sunset views. As a 24-hour all-inclusive with multiple restaurants, a full spa, and activities throughout the day, guests never run out of things to do.
You can choose from beach, garden, or terrace setups. Their staff handles everything from flowers to music. See my full guide: Riu Palace vs Riu Guanacaste — which is better for your wedding?
The Westin at Reserva Conchal
Brasilito, 30 minutes north of Tamarindo
A quiet mix of beach and jungle, with comfort and style built in.
Reserva Conchal sits on Playa Conchal, one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica — a natural shell beach with crystal clear water. The W brand brings upscale design and service, and the property has a quiet, polished feel.
You’ll find plenty of ceremony spots, from the beach to garden lawns and ballrooms. The grounds are perfect for golden-hour photos.
It is about 30 minutes north of Tamarindo near Brasilito. The property feels private and well organized.
A solid choice for couples who want comfort and polish with a genuinely spectacular beach. See my full guide: weddings at W Reserva Conchal.
JW Marriott Hotel Guanacaste in Hacienda Pinilla
Hacienda Pinilla, 15 minutes south of Tamarindo
A beachfront escape with local charm and laid-back elegance.
The property is in a beautiful part of the coast with strong sunset light and multiple ceremony locations. Once open, a JW Marriott brand all-inclusive in Hacienda Pinilla will likely be a top-tier option.
Weddings are fully customized at this hotel. You get a Marriott Certified Wedding Planner who will handle all the details of your day.
Four Seasons Resort Papagayo
Papagayo Peninsula
Read the full guide to Four Seasons Resort Papagayo weddings →
Where privacy meets luxury on Costa Rica’s most exclusive coast.
If budget is not the primary constraint, the Four Seasons Papagayo is my top recommendation for a resort wedding in Costa Rica. The property is exceptional — the service level, the food, the setting on the Papagayo Peninsula.
It is somewhat removed from everything else, but that is exactly the point. You arrive, you are pampered, and you do not need to leave. The kind of resort where just being there is the whole experience.
From a photography standpoint, Papagayo is stunning. The light in that part of the coast is incredible and there are multiple beautiful locations on the property for portraits.
It works well for weddings of most sizes. See my full guide to weddings at the Four Seasons Papagayo.
An adults-only hideaway for intimate, easy-to-plan weddings.
Secrets Papagayo is a fully adults-only, all-inclusive resort on the Gulf of Papagayo. It is a smaller, more intimate property than Riu — which makes it well suited to smaller wedding groups who want a more private, upscale experience.
Everywhere you go at Secrets, you feel like you are walking through luxurious gardens. That creates a real sense of intimacy — you do not feel like there are a whole bunch of other people around you. You do not have random guests walking by your ceremony. That matters a lot on your wedding day.
The beach has an interesting mix of dark and white sand that photographs really well. The sunset colors over the water make it a beautiful spot for the reception when held outside. See my full guide: weddings at Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica.
A lively, photo-ready resort with Hollywood flair and tropical backdrops.
Planet Hollywood brings a fun, energetic vibe to the Papagayo area. Modern décor, upbeat entertainment, and comprehensive all-inclusive wedding packages. A good choice for couples who want a lively social atmosphere rather than a quiet luxury retreat.
The resort handles everything from ceremony to reception with full wedding coordination on site. There are rooftop spaces, beach setups, and a glass-deck venue over the water.
See my full guide: weddings at Planet Hollywood Papagayo.
It’s perfect for couples who want a lively, photo-ready wedding that still feels easy to plan.
Occidental Tamarindo in Langosta
Playa Langosta, Tamarindo
A cozy beachfront resort for smaller weddings with sunset views.
Occidental Tamarindo sits on Playa Langosta, just outside Tamarindo town. The sunsets here are warm and golden almost every day.
You can marry on the beach, under a gazebo, or in the gardens near the mangroves. Each spot gives a quiet, tropical feel.
It’s a smaller resort, so it works well for intimate weddings with fewer guests. The staff is friendly and used to laid-back celebrations.
For couples who want a real beach town experience wrapped around their resort wedding, this is the best option in Costa Rica. See my full guide: weddings at Occidental Tamarindo.
Dreams Las Mareas
Note: Dreams Las Mareas closed as a Dreams property in mid-2025. The same property is currently being converted into a JW Marriott All-Inclusive Resort, expected to open in 2026. I’m keeping this section up for couples who have been researching the property. Once the JW Marriott opens, it will be one of the first all-inclusive JW Marriott resorts in the world and worth watching closely for weddings.
A lush beach resort once known for dreamy weddings and full-service romance.
Dreams Las Mareas was one of the most popular all-inclusive wedding resorts in Costa Rica — a personal favorite. As of mid-2025 the property closed for renovation and rebranding and is expected to reopen as a JW Marriott. If you were considering Dreams, hold off until the reopening is confirmed.
Dreams sat on Playa El Jobo in Guanacaste, surrounded by forest and the Pacific Ocean. It had a genuinely beautiful setting with multiple ceremony spots — beach gazebos, terraces, gardens, and ballrooms.
Guests had excellent amenities: pools, multiple restaurants, bars, kids club, and activities throughout the day. The property felt tropical but accessible, with jungle, beach, and sunset views all nearby.
Once the new JW Marriott opens at this location, it will likely become one of the top options on this list.
Documentary Wedding Photography for Your Costa Rica Wedding
Most couples I work with don’t want to feel like they’re in a photoshoot. They want to be present with their people and actually experience their wedding day.
My approach is simple. I don’t direct or stage moments. I let the day unfold and document it as it happens, so your photos reflect how it felt to be there.
You won’t be pulled away from your guests for long portrait sessions, and you won’t be asked to pose in a way that doesn’t feel like you. You can focus on your wedding, and I’ll capture everything around you.
I’ve been photographing destination weddings in Costa Rica for over 15 years, and it’s always me behind the camera. No associates, no hand-offs.
If you are planning an all-inclusive wedding in Costa Rica and want photography that feels real, not staged, see my wedding photography packages or get in touch directly.
READY TO MEET YOUR
Let’s Make Your Dream Costa Rica Wedding Unforgettable!
I photograph weddings across all the major all-inclusive resorts in Guanacaste and Costa Rica. Every wedding is covered personally — no associates. My approach is documentary: I let the day unfold and capture it as it happens.
Want to see non-resort venues? Take a look at my guide to the best wedding venues in Costa Rica, or read about elopements and micro weddings if a resort feels like more than you need.
Ready to capture your perfect destination wedding? Click the button below. I’d love to hear your ideas for the wedding.
