Considering Costa Rica for a destination wedding

[*tinkertoy*]

We've been thinking we would get married in the Riveria Maya Mexico but are wondering if CR would be less "artificial."

 

We'd like something more natural and less "man-made" if that makes sense?!

 

Thoughts?

 

What made you all decide to get married in CR?

 

Thanks so much!

[keng31]

Hi Tinkertoy,

 

I originally wanted to get married in Costa Rica, but after looking at the price of flights, we decided that we didn’t want to ask our guests to pay that much. You may have better rates flying out of Texas.

 

I understand what you mean by artificial. Costa Rica looks absolutely beautiful and I've heard wonderful things from my friends who have been. We decided on the Riviera Maya for our wedding, since I think most of our guests would prefer the all-inclusive setting. Lost of things to think about!

 

Costa Rica is now on my list for future vacations!

 

Good luck!

[Ashley*]

LOVE Costa Rica, we traveled there last year to Bahia Azul in Jaco Beach. It was soo amazing and the vegetation is awesome. The Jaco locals were sooo friendly. The flowers you could get there would be nothing short of beautiful. When we booked in January for our end of April trip, I don't recall our flights being the expensive part, actually they were cheaper than flying to Florida (from Michigan). I think if you stayed in an AI it may get pricey.

[*tinkertoy*]

Thanks ladies! I personally like the "less natural" AI resorts in Mexico, it's the FI that dislikes them so....here we are.

 

I think I'm going to do some more digging on pricing and see how it compares. It's hard to beat Mexico's "bang for your buck"

 

Thanks!

[NaM]

We compromised an got married in RM and then went to travelling in Coasta Rica for our honeymoon.

I think for the wedding an AI in Mexico was a good decision...it was cheaper, closer and an AI, everyone loved getting to the resort and locking up their wallets. Costa Rica was not cheap!!

There are advantages to doing it both ways, I guess you should just sit down and thinking about what you guys want. There are smaller boutique hotels in Mexico too that aren't "artifical" but quite charming and authentic. Again, just decide what you want and then research from there. And on the other hand...not everything in Costa Rica is eco chic or "natural". A lot of the hotels on the coast are the same chains as the ones in Mexico. All things to think about.

 

Good luck!

[Ask.CostaRica]

Tinkertoy,

 

Hi there. Not to try to much on making a "sales pitch" for Costa Rica, but you will definitely get a less artificial experience here. We have a long list of boutique hotels that offer a more unique and memorable experience as opposed to what I have heard of the conveyor belt weddings in Mex and the Caribbean (that is why CR is a hot destination). Yes, more bang for the buck in Mex, that's because there is so much and so much competition "more coca cola weddings - cookie cutter".

Look at Small Distinctive hotels, Bahia Sol, La Posada and the best rated boutique hotel in trip advisor: Villas Hermosas (we just had a wedding there and will be posting it shortly-will advise you).

[Ask.CostaRica]

Tinkertoy,

 

Malpais and Santa Teresa are the furthest from a "cookie cutter" wedding. It is less touristy and visited by celebrities (that's how much it is liked).

Here's the link to the wedding we just did:

madi & ben villas hermosas, santa teresa nicoya, costa rica 2010

[JenK]

Hi Tinkertoy!

I've pretty much decided on CR. It is meaningful to my FI and I (we went there together a few years ago and loved it) and my FI really wants something unique. He feels that everyone goes to Mexico. I too was thinking Mayan because it has so many activities and is cost effective. My FI is adamant on 'no mexico' though! We are thinking CR because it has the elements we are looking for-it's unique and has TONS of activities (and it's beautiful!). I find deciding on the location and resort vs boutique hotel has been such a difficult decision!

[molissa10]

Hi there,

 

We just got married in Jaco a few weeks ago. Costa Rica has such a natural beauty you really won't miss the resorty thing. It's really not roughing it and the locals are very accomodating and it is safe (unlike Mexico). I think if you gave it a try you would fall in love with CR. We love Tabacon Resort & Spa, Villa Caletas/Zephyr Palace (which is where our wedding was held) and for the perfect intimate place to gather in Jaco we loved Canciones Del Mar. It is small with only 15 rooms, yet clean and directly on the beach. Oh, and the food was amazing too! I did a lot of research and I did not find CR to be much more expensive than MX. Good Luck!