Ask.CostaRica

Here are a couple of other well known officiates in CR Â http://www.marcelogalli.net/ http://www.costaricaweddingofficiant.com/ Â Prices depend on how quick you want your documents $400 - $1000

Hey there Amanda & Dave, A perfect place would be Casa Amarilla 10 min from beach (http://www.costaricapropertyinc.com/property/casa-amarilla---ayacucho---san-jose---dominical-98.htm). We have done a couple of weddings there. It is up on the hillside (like most places in Dom). We will fish out some links for you and post them later. There is also Rancho Pacifico (but about 30min from beach): Paradise Breezes are very cool rentals but about 25min from beach as well. Other places to look at are La Cusinga, Roca Verde has some budget cabins. Dominical town itself is very muddy and buggy. I would go with hillside. Nice restaurant to hold a reception would be La Parcela (great views) http://www.dominical.biz/laparcela Cuna del Angel has some rentals as well (Paso de Los Tucanes): Here are the photos I took of Riotico Safari Camp (15min from beach $40/nite- great waterfalls next to it): Hope this helps.

Just spent a few days in Dominical. It used to be an all day trip to get down there. Now with the new road just finished, it is 40 min. This part of the country is the old Costa Rica. Not over priced, less crowded beaches. Charming hotels, local seafood restaurants. We have done a few weddings in this area and always like coming back. This is a place to consider for those couples that want a more genuine experience of the country. Humpbacks whales are migrating, what an amazing experience. We stayed at Riotico Safari Lodge (just did a photographic makeover - the photos they have do not do the place justice - they will be up soon). We went with the advice of TripAdvisor and loved it. Other places in the area that are cute: Mono Feliz Cabinas Riomar (stop at the bridge to see the koati troop) Casa Amarilla pricier: Cuna del Angel Oxygen Stop and have lunch at Roca Verde and ask for one the best Arroz con Camarones (Shrimp n Rice) I have had! Â Â Â

Pualavieira,  Hello and welcome! In Manuel Antonio there are a few options for ceremony on the beach. The main beach (Playitas & Espadilla) are public, so count on people being around. Consider if you will have a high tide as well (check on that). On the south end (Espadilla next to the National Park): http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/michelle_%26_nicholas.html A little bit north (800 meters from the National Park is Hotel Karahe. We have had many ceremonies at this location: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/beth_%26_andrew.html Further North (1km) Playitas: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/lahryn_%26_brent.html  Beisanz Beach http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/penny_%26_jamie.html  Private Beaches (Los Altos,Tulemar, Buena Vista Villas, Casa de Las Furtas) http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/tiffany_%26_paul.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/valerie_%26_chris.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/leisa_%26_ian.html

I just checked this link, for some reason it did not load correctly. Here is the link: Â http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/nelly_%26_jack.html

MS, Â There is also Finca Rosa Blanca in Heredia. It is a beautiful location for a wedding. Here is the link to the wedding images. Â http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/melita_%26_thaddeus.html

MS, Â Hello and welcome. We recently did a wedding at Villa Hermosa (30min from SJ and religious ceremony). Beautiful location but it would be great to do in the mid morning (everything got really delayed in this wedding and we missed ambient light. This is the link to the wedding: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/sara_%26_diego.html

Hey Amanda & Dave, Â Here is the last wedding at Villa Cascada (the AI Villa). They had their ceremony at the beach, where at the end of the ceremony they had Humpback Whales breaching in the distance (they were scuba divers, imagine that!). Â http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_%26_El_Velo_Client_Websites/nelly_&_john.html

Hello clc134,  Welcome. Let us know what you are uncertain about to help clear things up a bit for you. For a wedding at Costa Verde you will be having ceremony by the adult pool (I assume - beautiful view BTW). You would then be heading to Espadilla Beach (Public Beach) for a photo session. The big rancho is a success for reception. Breezy, open and they will let you party it til late.  Here is a recent Espadilla Beach Wedding (ceremony at the beach):  http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/michelle_%26_nicholas.html  Here are some other sample weddings at CV: http://elvelophotography.bigfolioblog.com/month/apr08 (scroll down to lauren & iddo) http://web.mac.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_%26_El_Velo_Client_Websites/jessica_%26_marc.html http://web.mac.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_%26_El_Velo_Client_Websites/kim_%26_george.html http://web.mac.com/elvelowebsites/Site/lisa_%26_travis.html  Espadilla Beach Wedding & ceremony at terrace below CV adult pool (a few days ago):  http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/mairead_%26_lee.html

Prices vary per season but haggle, haggle, haggle. It works I promise. Â Ask to talk to Guillermo, we personally have known him for years, he will give you a good deal. Â

We have a few species laying at diff times, so it is all year round (to see them). Releasing projects are in Samara/Nosara area and Corcovado that I know of. Best one is in Tortuguero (Archie Carr Foundation). I know some schools have participated in releases in Playa Grande but never heard of tourism participating in this area. Here is a good site to look at: Â http://www.travelingcostarica.com/travel/costa-rica/turtles.htm

 Originally Posted by vgeisler Hi Amcarter- where did you decide to have your wedding? At Pacifico Beach Club? We have narrowed down our list to a couple places and that is #1 for me right now. Have you decided where you are staying? I'm looking at the Octoal or Villas Sol. I loved the Flamingo Beach Resort, but heard it's quite far from Playa de Coco. I'd love to know where you and your guests are staying!  Vgeisler,  Flamingo Beach Resort will be an hour and 15 drive to Playas del Coco. We recently had a wedding at Ocotal beach Resort, some of the guests staying at Bahia Pez Vela (in Ocotal) and the reception at Pacifico Beach Club. Pacifico is a wonderful location, great food, classy looking place. Great, great service. There are other places in Ocotal worth considering. Villa Cascada is really nice.  Bahia Pez Vela/Ocotal Beach Resort/Pacifico Beach Club Wedding: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/veronique_%26_sebastien.html  Villa Cascada Weddings: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/crystal_%26_jarret.html http://web.me.com/elvelophotography.2/Site/sarah_+_ben.html  Pacifico Beach Club Wedding: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/tara_%26_domenic.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/samantha_%26_anthony.html

 Jocy, good luck in DR! I decided to post this response to help others planning for CR.   First, know that Cala Luna is tied up in a legal battle of owners. The place is closed down. Great place for weddings, we miss it. Cala Luna Point though, is still a great location for a wedding. Here's the last one we did. They stayed right next door to Cala Luna at Villa Marrakech: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/shana_%26_jason.html  Punta Islita is a phenom place for weddings. The service is top notch in CR. The hotel is mountainside with a rancho/restaurant (Borrancho) down at the beach. Usually ceremonies & reception are on the lawn of Borrancho. The beach is a pebble beach and dark sand. If it is high tide you would have to go with the lawn area. You can also have your ceremony up top next to the main restaurant with amazing views. Here are a couple of weddings we've had: http://www.elvelophotography.com/main.php#Galleries/Locations/punta%20islita/1 http://web.mac.com/crwphototwo/Site/greta_%26_eric.html  Paradisus is set on a beautiful beach and are now back to doing weddings on the beach again. http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/bonnie_%26_tim.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/briteny_%26_ryan.html

Hey Amanda & Dave, Â I was thinking about both of you yesterday while I was at a Villa with 16 rooms, great pool area and reception area. The place is perfect for a wedding your size. The place is AI (great prices) called Villa Cascada (http://villacascada.com/) in Ocotal (Playas del Coco). I spoke to the owner (Jack) he owns other small villas in the same place. Guillermo is the manager, speak to him. I will be posting some images of this last wedding soon (will let you know - you want to see them!). We even saw Humpback whales breaching after the ceremony! Amazing. Here's a couple of weddings we did at the location: Â http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/crystal_%26_jarret.html http://web.me.com/elvelophotography.2/Site/sarah_+_ben.html

Hello Kim, I would have to say that our answer would have to depend on weather you want elaborate wedding decor and planning or if you want to keep it simple. They do a nice job, most of their decor is with flowers from their own garden (it is a nice touch but some wilt). They have a strange way of setting up their ceremony sites (not facing the ocean but parallel to it). If you can look past these details then it is a good place. Like I mentioned before, they have poolside music blaring all the time, not too quiet of an atmosphere. The location is gorgeous, count on quite a bit of tourists since it would be high season.

Check out Hotel Karahe. Right on the beach, not too expensive and have had several wedding ceremonies there: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/beth_%26_andrew.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/sara_%26_ryan.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/tina_%26_steven.html Some nice budget accommo options: Hotel California Mono Azul Villa Mymosa

Hello WaterLili, Welcome. Costa Rica is full of charming boutique hotels. Tamarindo does get alot of traffic but it also has lots to do for your guests. You can have you wedding near Tamarindo. Bahia Sol is 20 min form Tama on a quieter beach. It is ideal for a wedding your size. The set up is easy. Here are a few weddings we recently had there, talk to Roxana, she is a sweetie! http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/nicole_%26_dan.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/corrie_%26_jake.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/linda_%26_ton.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/maria_%26_jerry.html Sugar Beach is a more private option. The beach is between to rocky points offering complete privacy. Sugar Beach is about 30 min from Tamarindo. http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/melissa_%26_andy.html You can also rent a villa and have your wedding in Langosta (adjacent to Tama but queiter). Cala Luna Point is quite intimate. These weddings are from villas next to each other: Villa Marrakech: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/hillary_%26_jason.html'>http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/hillary_%26_jason.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/hillary_%26_jason.html Casa de Las Tortugas: http://www.elvelophotography.com/main.php#Galleries/International%20&%20Casas/casa%20de%20las%20tortugas/1 Casa de Los Olivos: http://www.elvelophotography.com/main.php#Galleries/International%20&%20Casas/casa%20de%20los%20olivos/1 There is also Hacienda Pinilla (private entrance, therefore private beach: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/tia_%26_jonathan.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/nicole_%26_chris.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/amber_%26_seb.html The Caribbean side of CR. Keep in mid weather, this is what I always advise. Not too hard to get to, 3 1/2 hours to get to. It is really wet and the only time is is sunny, beautiful with calm seas is in Sept & Oct. Good Calypso bands, good food! Our favorites: Casa Viva Le Camaleon (brand new) Shawanda La Diosa Cariblue Azania Bungalows Let us know if you want more info on them. Let us know if you need any other info on CR!!

Hi there Amanda & Dave, Actually, the latest thing is a lot of hotels are going AI. I got news that Tamarindo Diria is about to. It is a nice location but the hotel is right in the middle of the public beach (lots od on-lookers). This wedding was in off season. We did Photoshop several people out of the shots but it gives you an idea (best to do lawn ceremony) http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/cher_%26_tim.html Or have the ceremony somewhere else while staying at the Diria: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/amber_%26_seb.html Flamingo Beach Resort is nice but make sure it is a low tide and not a weekend (lots of locals come out and park in front of the hotels and set up for the afternoon. Check the tide charts for your date. Here's a high tide wedding so you get and idea: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/shene_%26_micha.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/erin_%26_ryan.html Paradisus Playa Conchal had issues with the municipality and some vendors, they had stopped doing weddings on the beach but the has been resolved. The location is great, no problem with plan B's in case of rain and tides are not an issue. The only thing I advise is to be patient with your wedding planner. They handle so much volume and get so back up that it takes them time to get to your email requests (but they do). It is a beautiful beach and most clients we talk to (we do a lot of weddings there) come out very happy. http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/bonnie_%26_tim.html http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/candace_%26_mike.html Occidental Gran Papagayo only with a low tide: http://www.elvelophotography.com/main.php#Galleries/Locations/occ%20g%20papagayo/1 http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/jennifer_%26_donald.html Hope this helps.

Personally, we don't think that The Riu is a good representation of a destination wedding location in Costa Rica, too large. There are so many charming boutique hotels/unique rentals that would give you a more intimate experience. We recently had a wedding at Villa Marrakech with an intimate and quiet ceremony at Cala Luna Point in Tamarindo: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/shana_%26_jason.html Hotel Bahia Sol is also another fav of ours. Small cute hotel, great menu, great costarican hospitality and an easy location for a wedding. This location and wedding got us into Eco Beautiful Weddings Magazine: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/corrie_%26_jake.html The publication: http://www.eco-beautifulweddings.com/spring2010/ Sugar Beach Hotel is ideal for a wedding of over 60 guests. Great prices since you are taking over the hotel. Private cove, private beach and a great setting: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/melissa_%26_andy.html There are so many places. Once you investigate some more let us know, we would be glad to give you feedback on areas. Good luck & thank you for choosing Costa Rica!

Hi there. Welcome. Keep in mind that the most tropical part of our country in the Caribbean Slope. If you plan a wedding in the PV area do so in summer (end of aug, sept, oct. Houses in the area are on stlits for a reason, it floods when it rains. When the rest of the country is under the thick of the rainy season, PV is sunny w/ blue skies in this period (end Aug - Oct). I mentioned a few locations earlier in this thread, check them out. Cheers,

kmkucera, Hi there. Welcome. We do a lot of weddings at PPC. The hardest thing about the place is the planning of your wedding itself thru the back and forth emails with your coordinator. They handle so,so much volume, the wedding planners in the sales dept do their best in keeping up. You will not get immediate responses but you will get responses eventually. If you are willing to be patient, it is a great location. Guests are usually very happy with the outcome and do enjoy their stay. Let us know if we can be of assistance or if you have specific questions. We would love to be of help to PPC and you in any way possible.

paigepaper, Hi there. Welcome. We have had several events at this location, Casa March. It has a really large green area in front of the house for a set up of 100. Take a look at this link. This wedding was about 80 guests, this will give you an idea of the location. http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/megan_%26_brent.html There are so many places for your guests to stay at, I highly recc Villas Hermosas: http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/madi_%26_ben.html

Costa Rica has been getting quite a bit of rain this month (which is unusual since it should be our Indian Summer). We have had brides book morning photo session knowing on their wedding day that they would get rain. We had a bride last week that planned her honeymoon departure to Galapagos the very next day after the wedding. There was no chance for a post wedding session. This bride still had fun, rain and all: heather & todd sugar beach hotel, playa pan de azucar guanacaste, costa rica 2010 Another alternative is to have an early in the day wedding avoiding the inevitable afternoon rains. Here is a post wedding session at Bahia Sol. We did this at 11:00 am. maria & jerry hotel bahia sol, playa potrero guanacaste, costa rica 2010

The recent rains have changed the Hilton Papagayo Beach a bit (a little muddy in a short section). It makes it a little more difficult to maneuver bigger wedding dresses if it's a high tide. If you are a willing bride, you can still get some awesome shots without letting your dress get dirty. Here's the living proof, just last week! chrsitina & simon hilton papagayo, playas del coco guanacaste, costa rica 2010

Here's the first wedding on Paradisus beach ever since the issue started. We are so happy to be doing weddings on the beach again! bonnie & tim paradisus playa conchal guanacaste, costa rica 2010