Does this sound doable?

SillyGirl · August 21, 2009

1. Arrive in CR, Go to AI

2. Go on outing to a nice place with cool scenery, have ceremony

3. Go back to AI, celebrate that night or next day

4. Go on 2-3 day tour (see the volcanoes, jungle, monkeys, lizards etc)

5. finish at an AI for 2 nights

in November??

Its it too much to do?

Will my guests (I have 8 - 14 of em) kill me?

I don't know where yet but I think I want to do something like this. I don't just want to hang at an AI for a week, but I know my guests will appreciate the luxury, pampering, lounging and the food.

I'm trying to rig it so I get some adventure, a wedding and luxury all in one.

Can it be done in a week to ten days?

Any help would be appreciated.

fernando · August 22, 2009

absolutely. doable, easy and adventurous.

(this is a long reply so make sure you have time before tackling it)

your guests shouldn't kill you, they should thank you (especially if you plan it right)

ideally more of the all inclusive crowd should be willing to venture out and see some of the road less traveled.

first and foremost you have to decide between your choices of all inclusive properties in the country. there aren't too many so that will make that decision process easier.

google the following:

1.) paradisus playa conchal. seems to be the most popular choice.

2.) occidental grand papagayo. i believe this is a close second.

3.) barcelo playa langosta. great beach location with happening tamarindo nearby.

4.) barcelo playa tambor. the farthest of all of them (assuming you're flying into LIR and not SJO) but actually a really good option for the more adventurous travel.

second thing to consider is weather. November is actually one of the very best months if you stick to the Pacific Northwest of Costa Rica. Your chances of nice weather for the day of your wedding are increased exponentially in the first three locations.

third is the trickier part: exact itinerary.

i could see it working like this:

At Barcelo Playa Langosta:

fly into Liberia (airport code: LIR) check in day 1, relax all day on day 2, have your wedding in Langosta or Pinilla on Day 3. Rent a big van or hire a driver to take you on days 4, 5, and 6 to Arenal and/or Monteverde. Return to Barcelo Langosta for days 7, 8, etc. fly out of LIR

example of wedding at the beaches immediately around Langosta (all within 5 to 10 minutes from their property):

Costa Rica Playa Tamarindo

At Paradisus Playa Conchal:

fly into Liberia (airport code: LIR) check in day 1, relax all day on day 2, have your wedding in Flamingo on Day 3. Rent a big van or hire a driver to take you on days 4, 5, and 6 to Arenal and/or Monteverde. Return to Paradisus Conchal for days 7, 8, etc. fly out of LIR.

sample of a few weddings in Flamingo:

Album View - Lifetime Digital Imaging

At Occidental Grand Papagayo:

fly into Liberia (airport code: LIR) check in day 1, relax all day on day 2, have your wedding in Ocotal on Day 3. Rent a big van or hire a driver to take you on days 4, 5, and 6 to Arenal and/or Monteverde. Return to Paradisus Conchal for days 7, 8, etc. fly out of LIR.

sample weddings at Ocotal:

Album View - Lifetime Digital Imaging

At Barcelo Playa Tambor:

Fly into San Jose (airport SJO). Check in day 1, relax all day on day 2, have your wedding in super fabulous remote and amazing Montezuma or Cabuya or Santa Teresa or Malpais. Do day drives to Cabo Blanco absolute natural reserve, Montezuma waterfalls, and Santa Teresa and Malpais for surf lessons and to see some of the really remote and spectacular parts of Costa Rica. Warning: this is for traveler's with a great attitude and a more refined sense of adventure. If your group can't be too far from the hotel amenities, has limited mobility, and is generally not adventurous don't consider this option.

Sample wedding in Malpais/Santa Teresa:

Album View - Lifetime Digital Imaging

Sample wedding in Montezuma/Cabuya:

Album View - Lifetime Digital Imaging

Of course you can just choose to get married at the all inclusive hotel and make your life easier (and just focus on your activities after without worrying about having a movable wedding as well).

In that case let me suggest the Langosta location because it is the perfect combination of a photogenic beach with all the conveniences of an all inclusive and all the activities of an interesting town adjacent.

hope this helps!

SillyGirl · August 22, 2009

Wow thank you so much for the information Fernando. It really did help us a lot.

I think I like the Occidental Grand Papagayo as an AI, the beaches are lovely and the resort itself looks very well put together.

My FI was browsing around and found Arenal Nayara Hotel and Gardens he fell in love with the volcano, 'The most awesome thing ever' to quote him. lol

So now I'm going to try and incorporate that into our travels some how . . .

We have for the most part decided against a beach ceremony, they are beautiful but we chose CR for its lush greenery not just its beaches. We are think a waterfall or other natural backdrop for our ceremony, tho the jagged cliffs near the Occidental are very pretty.

I saw some of your lovely photos of La Paz waterfalls. We're thinking something like that tho not necessarily there.

damn I think I have to find a good CR TA. There are too many factors I have to sort out atm... grrr 14 people, AI (maybe), or good hotel with inexpensive dinning options, waterfalls, volcanoes, hanging bridges, jungles, wildlife, and a Wedding . . . sigh lol