Eloping in Guanacaste: How to Plan a Micro Wedding in Costa Rica
Costa Rica Elopement Guide
Thinking about eloping in Costa Rica? You’re not alone. More and more couples are looking to escape the traditional big wedding and do something a little more relaxed, more fun, and more them. Costa Rica is an amazing choice – the country is famous for its beautiful beaches, waterfalls, colorful sunsets, and lush jungles. And within Costa Rica, Guanacaste on the Pacific Coast stands out as one of the best destinations for a laid-back, intimate wedding or elopement.
The beaches in Guanacaste are stunning, the sunsets are epic, and the whole vibe is relaxed and friendly. If you dream of saying “I do” with your toes in the sand or beside a jungle waterfall, this region has you covered. In fact, many couples tell me that choosing an intimate wedding in Guanacaste was the best decision they ever made for their wedding – it allowed them to truly enjoy the moment without the stress of a huge event.
Why Guanacaste?
Guanacaste is a province in northwestern Costa Rica known for its sunny weather and beaches. It’s home to some of the best beaches in the country, and it’s famous for a long dry season (plenty of sun), unbelievably colorful sunsets, and tons of outdoor adventures. Unlike some other areas, Guanacaste sees very little rain from December through April, so you can plan a wedding in those months with almost guaranteed good weather. Even in the greener rainy season, mornings here are usually clear and rain tends to roll in later in the day.
What I love about Guanacaste for weddings is the freedom you have. You’re not stuck doing a cookie-cutter ceremony at a hotel if you don’t want to. There are miles of coastline and dozens of secluded spots. You can literally pick a beach you love and have your ceremony right there on the sand at sunset. The same goes for waterfalls – there are a few in this region that are easy to get to and absolutely beautiful. In other words, you have lots of choices to make the day uniquely yours.
Another big bonus: Liberia International Airport (LIR) is located in Guanacaste. That means if you fly in there, you can be at your hotel or Airbnb in under an hour after landing (depending on where you stay). No extra long drives or small planes needed – it’s super convenient and saves you a lot of travel time and hassle.
Finally, Guanacaste makes for an ideal wedding + honeymoon combo. You can have your ceremony at the beach one day, and the next day you’re off zip-lining through the rainforest, surfing, or just relaxing together under a palm tree. It really offers the best of Costa Rica in one place.
Best Areas for Your Guanacaste Elopement
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best towns and areas to consider for your elopement:
Remember, this page is micro-weddings and elopements. If you would like to see my recommendations for all-inclusive resorts where the food and drinks are all included for you and your guests, you should take a look at Best All Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica. Or if you would like to know about specific venues, you can check out my Best Wedding Venues in Costa Rica.
Hacienda Pinilla
Hacienda Pinilla sits on the coast of Guanacaste, Costa Rica, just 15 minutes away from Tamarindo Beach.
Hacienda Pinilla is a luxury beachfront community about 15 minutes from Tamarindo. It’s basically a gated ranch/resort complex with everything a couple might want for their big day. You’ll find gorgeous quiet beaches, green tropical gardens, wildlife, and amazing sunsets. There’s even a JW Marriott hotel on site, but you’re not limited to it – you can stay in a villa or house and still enjoy the area. This place gives you a mix of privacy and convenience: you have miles of beach to explore, but you’re a short drive from the restaurants and nightlife of Tamarindo if you want a celebratory dinner or drink after your ceremony.
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Tamarindo and Playa Langosta
Tamarindo is a popular beach town with a lively vibe, great restaurants, and wide beaches. It’s a great choice if you want to have a beach ceremony at sunset and then go out for drinks and dinner after. You’ll also find lots of places to stay, from beachfront hotels to quiet villas.
Just south of Tamarindo, Langosta is a quieter, more peaceful beach with tide pools and rock formations that look incredible in photos. You’ll feel like you have the place to yourself, especially at sunrise or sunset.
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Playa Grande
Playa Grande is a super long surfer’s beach. If you are not into surfing there are plenty of cool restaurants, bars and cafe’s.
The best thing about Playa Grande is the sunset. It’s such a cool time to be on the beach, there is always a great mix of people enjoying the last rays of the day.
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Playa Flamingo & Playa Conchal
Flamingo is known for its soft white sand and calm waters. There’s a new marina here with a few upscale restaurants, but the beach itself stays uncrowded. It’s a nice mix of scenic and serene.
Both beaches are calm and clear, and perfect for a relaxed ceremony. They’re also close to resorts and private villas.
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Playa del Coco
Playa del Coco (Coconut Beach) boasts a picturesque horseshoe-shaped bay with dark golden sand bordered by swaying palm trees and lush tropical vegetation. The beach stretches for 3 kilometers, providing endless possibilities for your ceremony location.
Whether you prefer a sunset celebration with the golden hour casting magical light across the water or a morning ceremony with the crisp ocean breeze, Playa del Coco delivers breathtaking natural beauty.
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Papagayo Peninsula
If you’re looking for something a little more secluded or luxurious, Papagayo is a good option.
It has several small coves and beaches, plus high-end resorts like Andaz and Four Seasons. Great for couples who want privacy and pampering.
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Llanos del Cortés Waterfall
This is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Guanacaste and is only about 25 minutes from the Liberia airport. It’s easy to access and has a nice sandy area at the base of the falls where you can hold a ceremony
If you want something totally different from a beach, this waterfall is a great choice. It’s easy to access, with a short walk from the parking area, and it’s a stunning backdrop for vows or for a Trash the Dress Session the day after the wedding.
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Arenal and La Fortuna
La Fortuna is up in the mountains in Guanacaste. It features the tropical cloud forest, an active volcano, great waterfalls, and a huge waterfall.
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Nauyaca Waterfall
Nauyaca waterfall is not in Guanacaste, but it is one of the top places for an elopement or micro-wedding in Costa Rica. Nauyaca is one of the best waterfalls in all of Central America.
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Elopement at Beach and Waterfall
Check out this video from an elopement at an out of the way beach and an intimate waterfall.
Elopement Ceremony Ideas
You really can make your elopement whatever you want it to be. Here are a few ways I’ve seen couples do it:
Simple beach ceremony at sunset. You and your partner, maybe a few guests, standing on the sand. A local officiant or friend performs the ceremony. Afterward, some champagne, maybe a dinner at a beach restaurant or back at your villa.
Waterfall elopement. Say your vows in front of a roaring cascade, then cool off in the pool below. It doesn’t get more adventurous than that.
Glamping or jungle retreat. Some couples stay at eco-lodges or glamping resorts in the hills and have their ceremony surrounded by trees. These spots are quiet, private, and super romantic.
Weather in Guanacaste
Guanacaste has the driest weather in Costa Rica, which is part of what makes it so appealing for weddings. The dry season runs roughly from December to April, and during this time, you’re almost guaranteed sun. Even during the rainy season (May to November), mornings are usually clear and any rain comes in the afternoon or evening.
I have shot weddings in every month of the year here, and honestly, you can get amazing light and beautiful conditions any time. Just be smart about timing—plan for early morning or late afternoon ceremonies to avoid the midday heat.
Planning Tips
Legal or symbolic? A Costa Rica wedding that is legal in your home country is very easy to do! You just need your passports and a legal officiant.
Further Reading: Check out my complete guide How to Get Married Legally in Costa Rica, for more info.
Keep it simple. The beauty of a destination elopement is that you don’t have to stress about the little stuff. No need for a big setup—just a beautiful spot, someone to marry you, and maybe a few flowers and an arch if you want.
Local Vendors – You’ll just need a few vendors for your elopement: Hair and Make Up, Florals, Legal Officiant. Make sure you work with vendors who know the area and are used to wedding challenges in the tropics.
Photography. Your photographs are what you’ll have to remember the day, so make sure to work with someone who knows the area and gets the kind of images you want.
Further Reading: Photography Wedding Packages in Costa Rica
Let’s Do This
If this sounds like your kind of wedding, I’d love to help make it happen. Whether you want to hike to a waterfall or run into the ocean after saying your vows, I’m happy to help plan how it can happen. Let’s chat about your plans and figure out the perfect spot for you two to get married in Costa Rica.
Contact me today to learn more about my elopement packages and how we can make your Costa Rica wedding as relaxed and memorable as it should be.
Ready to capture your perfect destination wedding? Click the button below. I’d love to hear your ideas for the wedding.
