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Playa Cabuyal: Costa Rica’s Hidden Gem for Intimate Wedding Ceremonies

Silhouette of a couple holding hands and walking on a beach at sunset in Cabuyal, Costa Rica, with a twisted piece of driftwood in the foreground—an idyllic setting for romantic moments or unforgettable weddings.

Playa Cabuyal remains one of Costa Rica’s best-kept secrets for couples seeking a truly intimate wedding experience. I’ve found this secluded beach offers something uniquely special for elopements and small ceremonies.

Why Choose Playa Cabuyal for Your Wedding

Unlike more popular beaches in Guanacaste that attract crowds of tourists, Cabuyal offers privacy and tranquility. The wide, crescent-shaped beach is framed by lush tropical forest that creates a natural cathedral for your ceremony. The volcanic sand contrasts beautifully with the turquoise waters of the Pacific, creating a stunning backdrop for wedding photos.

Perfect Timing

For the most magical light, plan your ceremony for the late afternoon when the sun begins its descent. The golden hour at Cabuyal bathes everything in warm, flattering light that makes wedding photography truly spectacular. As the sun sets, the sky transforms into a canvas of pinks, oranges, and purples – nature’s perfect wedding gift.

Accessibility with Privacy

Located just 30 minutes from Liberia International Airport, Cabuyal offers convenience without sacrificing seclusion. Several boutique accommodations nearby provide comfortable options for you and your guests while maintaining the intimate feel of your celebration. Even if you are staying in a big resort in Guanacaste, you can take a taxi to Cabuyal and have a intimate ceremony on the beach instead of on the grounds of the resort.

  • Four people stand together on a sandy beach near the ocean in Cabuyal, Costa Rica, holding hands in a semicircle. The sky is mostly clear, trees border the right edge, and the calm, sunny scene hints at intimate weddings by the sea.
  • A woman in a long, sleeveless, taupe dress walks barefoot along the beach near the water’s edge at Cabuyal, Costa Rica—smiling as gentle waves roll in—perfect for intimate beach weddings.
  • A man with short hair and a beard, wearing a white short-sleeve button-up shirt, stands outdoors smiling—perfect for weddings in Cabuyal, Costa Rica. The background is out of focus with green foliage and sunlight.
  • A woman in a sleeveless dress smiles while holding hands with a man in a white shirt outdoors, set against the blue sky and blurred landscape of weddings in Cabuyal, Costa Rica.
  • A couple holds hands and smiles at each other during their weddings Cabuyal Costa Rica ceremony, with an officiant standing beside them, all dressed in light clothing under a sunny sky.
  • Five people stand together on a sandy beach at Cabuyal, Costa Rica, some holding hands, under a clear blue sky with trees to the right and the ocean in the background—an idyllic scene perfect for weddings.
  • A close-up of a person placing a ring on anothers finger during a weddings Cabuyal Costa Rica ceremony, with an officiant holding a book in the softly blurred background.
  • A close-up of one person sliding a wedding ring onto another’s finger during a ceremony, with a blurred background and a smartwatch on one wrist—capturing intimate weddings in Cabuyal, Costa Rica.
  • A couple kisses on the beach during weddings Cabuyal Costa Rica, while a smiling girl holding a dog stands nearby and an officiant watches, with the ocean in the background.
  • Three people stand outdoors at weddings in Cabuyal, Costa Rica, sharing a close group hug and smiling warmly. The background is filled with green foliage and sunlight, creating a peaceful, natural setting.
  • A family of four poses barefoot on a sandy beach at Cabuyal, Costa Rica, dressed in formal attire perfect for weddings. Three women in navy dresses stand beside a man in a white shirt and gray pants, framed by trees and blue sky.

Weather Considerations

Guanacaste enjoys some of Costa Rica’s most reliable weather, with a dry season from December through April that’s ideal for wedding planning. Even during the green season, mornings at Cabuyal are often sunny and clear.

  • A couple walks barefoot on Cabuyal Beach, Costa Rica, at sunset, holding champagne glasses and smiling—an idyllic scene often chosen for weddings, with gentle waves completing the romantic backdrop.
  • A woman in a sleeveless beige dress and a man in a white shirt smile at each other, holding hands as they walk along the shore at Cabuyal Beach, Costa Rica—an idyllic setting for weddings with gentle waves in the background.
  • Two women in dresses hold hands and run along the shoreline, smiling, as gentle waves roll in on a mostly empty, tree-lined beach in Cabuyal, Costa Rica; the photo is in black and white, capturing a moment perfect for weddings.
  • Two women in matching navy blue dresses hold hands and run barefoot through shallow ocean water at Cabuyal, Costa Rica, smiling and splashing on a sunny beach—an unforgettable moment perfect for tropical weddings.
  • A smiling couple stands close together outdoors at weddings Cabuyal Costa Rica, with the man in a white shirt and the woman in a sleeveless gray dress. They are embracing and looking happy, surrounded by greenery and soft sunlight.
  • Large tree branches stretch over a sandy beach in Cabuyal, Costa Rica, where four people walk by the water’s edge—an idyllic spot for weddings, with gentle waves and a clear, sunny sky.
  • A couple stands close together on a sandy beach at sunset in Cabuyal, Costa Rica, smiling and looking into each others eyes—perfect scenery for romantic weddings with gentle waves and soft golden light in the background.
  • A couple stands close together on a sandy beach at sunset in Cabuyal, Costa Rica, looking at each other and smiling. The ocean and soft light create a warm, romantic atmosphere—perfect for dreamy weddings.
  • A smiling man in a light shirt stands in front of a woman who is hugging him from behind and laughing, both outdoors at weddings Cabuyal Costa Rica. The black and white photo features blurred trees in the background.
  • Four people stand on the shore with arms outstretched, silhouetted against a colorful sunset over the ocean at Cabuyal, Costa Rica—a perfect scene for unforgettable weddings. Tree branches frame the image as gentle waves touch the sand.

Planning Your Cabuyal Wedding

While Playa Cabuyal offers natural beauty in abundance, its remote nature means bringing in your own vendors. As someone who’s worked extensively in the area, I can attest that this extra planning creates a truly personalized experience that’s impossible at more commercial venues.

  • Four people walk along a sandy beach near the shoreline, dressed in formal attire—perhaps for weddings. A large driftwood log lies in the foreground, with lush greenery covering the coastline of Cabuyal, Costa Rica, in the background.

For couples dreaming of a barefoot ceremony with waves providing the soundtrack, or an intimate exchange of vows bathed in golden light, Playa Cabuyal offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, privacy, and authentic Costa Rican magic for your wedding day.

Want to learn more about my favorite beaches in Costa Rica? Check out my resource page: Best Beaches for Photos in Costa Rica

Planning a wedding in Costa Rica? Check out my Ultimate Guide to Getting Married in Costa Rica