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Hacienda Pinilla Weddings: A Complete Guide from a Local Photographer

Hacienda Pinilla. A seaside wedding setup with rows of wooden chairs facing floral arrangements. Palm trees frame the scene, and two musicians with string instruments stand to the right. The ocean is visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
A wedding couple dances under string lights at night, surrounded by palm trees with a sunset sky in the background at Hacienda Pinilla in Costa Rica. The bride wears a flowing white dress, and the groom is in a white jacket, creating a romantic tropical ambiance.

After 20 years photographing weddings across Costa Rica, I can say with certainty – destination weddings at Hacienda Pinilla are amazing. It is the perfect place to have all your guests stay, and you can plan activities with them the days before the wedding. And then on the wedding day everyone is right there. It is real close to Playa Tamarindo which has a bunch of restaurants and night life. There is also great surfing along this part of the Coast.

What Makes Hacienda Pinilla Great for Weddings

Located in Guanacaste just a few minutes from Tamarindo, Hacienda Pinilla spans 4,500 acres of beachfront property. The venue combines beaches, tropical landscapes, and modern amenities that make it ideal for destination weddings.

  • Hacienda Pinilla. Aerial view of a coastal landscape with lush greenery and red-roofed buildings surrounded by trees. The ocean is visible in the background under a partly cloudy sky, with coastline stretching into the distance.
  • Aerial view of a large estate with several interconnected buildings featuring red-tiled roofs surrounded by lush greenery. A curvy blue swimming pool is visible among the trees near the buildings. Roads border the property.
  • Hacienda Pinilla Aerial view of a lush green landscape with scattered houses, surrounding a small lake with a tiny island. The area has abundant trees, winding roads, and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.
  • Aerial view of a Hacienda Pinilla featuring rocky shores and blue waves. Lush greenery and scattered homes line the coast, with mountains visible in the distant background under a partly cloudy sky.

Best Photo Locations at Hacienda Pinilla

The Spanish Colonial Buildings

  • A two-story house with a red-tiled roof, cream-colored walls, and wooden accents is surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees. The front yard is lined with bushes, and the sky above is clear and blue.
  • A group of people inside a room are holding a white sheet. The scene is reflected with an overlay of palm trees and balcony railings. The interior has large windows, wooden beams, and a chandelier. The atmosphere is warm and bright.
  • A black-and-white photo shows a woman holding a round mirror. Her face is partially reflected in it against a dark background. Her expression is focused, and the image captures a play of light and shadow.
  • Bride in a white gown ascends a curved staircase, holding a colorful bouquet. Warm light fills the space, highlighting the elegant staircase railing and decorative elements like a vase with sticks in the corner.
  • A bride in a white wedding dress with a strapless bodice holds a colorful bouquet of flowers. She has her hair styled in an updo and wears a pearl necklace. She smiles and waves, standing in front of wooden doors with frosted glass panels.
  • A man in a white tuxedo with a black lapel sits on a floral bench. He adjusts his sunglasses, looking to his right. A sign above reads 24 Pasa Dias Solitarios. Shadows fall across the wall and foliage is in the foreground. Black and white image.
  • A man in a white tuxedo jacket with a black bow tie leans against a cream-colored wall. He is holding sunglasses and standing on gravel, with shadows cast on the wall.
  • Usually the getting ready part of the day starts here. The houses make for a perfect background for this part of the day.
  • Historic architecture
  • Beautiful doorways and archways for framing shots

The Gardens

  • A bride and groom share an emotional First Look outdoors. The groom, wearing a white tuxedo jacket and bow tie, looks touched with closed eyes. The bride, in a strapless gown, holds a bouquet and stands with her back to the camera. Black and white image.
  • A black and white photo of a smiling man wearing sunglasses. Reflected in his lenses is another person, who appears to be making a surprised or playful expression. The background is blurred.
  • A bride and groom stand under a tree, gazing at each other lovingly. The groom wears a white tuxedo, and the bride is in a white dress with off-the-shoulder sleeves. Green leaves and a clear sky form the background.
  • This is a great place for a first look, or family photos before the wedding ceremony.
  • Tropical greenery for intimate portraits
  • Well-maintained paths and landscaping
  • Good shade for midday photos

The Beach Club

  • Wedding ceremony set up at hacienda Pinilla. A wedding seating chart displayed on a wooden frame with colorful flowers at the base. The background shows a garden setting with tables, chairs, palm trees, and string lights, suggesting an outdoor tropical event.
  • Aerial view of a beachside venue Hacienda Pinilla with a sandy shore, green lawn, and palm trees. Two thatched-roof buildings are surrounded by garden paths, circular arrangements, and white chairs laid out, possibly for an event.
  • A tropical outdoor event setting with round wooden tables and chairs on grass. The tables are decorated with vibrant floral centerpieces and surrounded by a thatched-roof pavilion. String lights hang above, with palm trees in the background.
  • A heart-shaped arrangement of colorful flowers on a grassy area by the ocean, with two palm trees and a distant horizon in the background.
  • Hacienda Pinilla. A seaside wedding setup with rows of wooden chairs facing floral arrangements. Palm trees frame the scene, and two musicians with string instruments stand to the right. The ocean is visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
  • A bride in a white gown holding a bouquet walks down an outdoor aisle with two people, one on each side. They are on a grassy area with palm trees and thatched structures in the background. String lights are overhead.
  • A bride and groom stand together in a beach setting, surrounded by three people. The groom wears a tuxedo, and the bride has a veil. Palm trees are in the background, and the scene is set in black and white.
  • A bride in a white gown stands with bridesmaids in colorful dresses by her side, holding bouquets. They face a groom in a white jacket and groomsmen in black suits. Bright flowers and palm trees decorate the outdoor setting by the water.
  • A bride in a white dress smiles while holding a colorful bouquet of flowers. She wears a pearl necklace and has her hair in an updo. Behind her are bridesmaids in pink dresses, with green foliage visible in the background.
  • Hacienda Pinilla. A black and white photo of a wedding ceremony outdoors, with palm trees in the background. The groom, wearing a white tuxedo jacket, smiles at the bride, whos facing him in a veil and dress. Groomsmen stand beside the groom, wearing dark tuxedos.
  • Wedding ceremony at Hacienda Pinilla. Silhouetted figures are gathered outdoors under palm trees during a sunset. The sky is filled with dramatic clouds, and the scene has a peaceful and warm ambiance.
  • This is an amazing place for the ceremony. It is right on the water, and the reception can be outside.
  • Modern architecture with ocean views
  • Perfect for group shots and reception photos
  • Great sunset backdrop

The Beach

  • Hacienda Pinilla. A couple in formal wedding attire stands outdoors, holding hands and gazing at each other. The woman wears a strapless white dress and a pearl necklace, while the man wears a white tuxedo with a black bow tie. A tree and cloudy sky are in the background.
  • A black and white photo of a smiling couple. The woman is in focus with long hair and a pearl necklace. The man, slightly blurred, kisses her cheek, wearing a bow tie. They appear happy and close, with a soft background.
  • A couple in wedding attire embraces and leans in for a kiss against a scenic backdrop of a beach during sunset. The bride wears a strapless gown, the groom a white suit with a black bow tie. A veil gently drapes over them.
  • Three miles of shoreline
  • This is the place for your couple portraits. If you don’t want to go down into the sand, you can still have a view of the ocean from the grass.
  • Multiple secluded spots for private shoots

The Wedding Reception

  • Hacienda Pinilla. A couple shares a dance under string lights at an outdoor evening wedding near the ocean. Guests sit at decorated tables surrounded by palm trees, with a beautiful sunset sky in the background.
  • A man in a suit is giving a speech at an outdoor event in front of seated guests. The focus is on him, with blurred guests in the foreground. Soft lighting and floral arrangements create a warm ambiance.
  • Woman in a red dress joyfully dances under string lights, holding a drink and playfully sticking out her tongue. Other people are dancing in the background, creating a lively party atmosphere.
  • A group of people dancing energetically outdoors at night under string lights. The lively scene features individuals in casual and formal attire, with palm trees visible in the background, creating a festive atmosphere. The image is in black and white.
  • A group of people on a wooden dance floor celebrating under string lights. Theyre in a festive mood, posing with arms around each other. Palm trees are visible in the background, indicating an outdoor setting at night.

This usually happens at the beach house. In the dry season will be outside. In the green season there is a covered area that still looks great.

Beyond the Wedding Day

You can have your whole wedding week here. Hacienda Pinilla works great for:

  • Rehearsal dinner
  • Next-day beach sessions
  • Morning Brunch

Final Thoughts

Hacienda Pinilla offers everything needed for great destination weddings: diverse locations, ocean views and professional facilities. Its combination of easy beach access but great facilities for catering and set up make this an ideal venue.

For couples considering a destination wedding in Costa Rica, Hacienda Pinilla delivers a great guest experience with a Pura Vida vibe. The venue’s size, facilities, and natural beauty make it one of the best wedding locations in Guanacaste.

Want to learn more about wedding photography packages in Costa Rica? Check out my info page:

Wedding Packages in Costa Rica
Hacienda Pinilla. A seaside wedding setup with rows of wooden chairs facing floral arrangements. Palm trees frame the scene, and two musicians with string instruments stand to the right. The ocean is visible in the background under a cloudy sky.

Check out my Guide to the Best Wedding Venues in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is home to an incredible variety of wedding venues, offering couples the perfect setting to celebrate their love. Whether you dream of a romantic beachfront ceremony, a luxurious private villa, or a secluded rainforest retreat, there are options to match every wedding style.

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