Key Points:

• United States citizens can hold a legally recognized wedding ceremony in Costa Rica, but if you don't want to deal with the extra paperwork, you can also host a symbolic wedding in Costa Rica while handling the legal side in the U.S.
• Costa Rica offers a wide range of venues, accessible travel, and activities for every type of guest.
• Costa Rica has a very consistent climate alternating between a rainy and dry season. By planning your date around these patterns, you can choose the atmosphere that best suits your vision.
• Costa Rica is home to a wide range of beautiful venues, both indoor and outdoor, that suit all kinds of wedding styles. Many of these locations also offer logistical support, making it easier to plan your celebration from afar.

Top 4 Reasons Why You Should Get Married in Costa Rica

In the present day, there are as many kinds of weddings as there are engagements. Every year, new wedding trends arise, but through it all the destination wedding has remained consistently popular. Many couples interested in marrying abroad have chosen to get married in Costa Rica, and if you’re reading this article, chances are you’re thinking of doing the same.

With its pristine beaches and lush jungles, the nation continues to be an excellent spot for couples to tie the knot. But is it the right place for you? We’re here to share just four of the many reasons why it might be the perfect place to say “I do.”

Before diving in, we want to offer you our congratulations on your engagement. We wish you the very best, no matter where you say your vows.

1. Legal or Symbolic Ceremony: It's Up to You

You might assume that getting married in a foreign country comes with an excess of legal complications, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There is more than one way to host a wedding ceremony in Costa Rica, and the choice is entirely yours.

Holding a legally recognized ceremony in another country means you’ll need to follow the procedures to obtain a marriage license in both your home country and the country where the wedding takes place. However, you can skip this added layer of complexity by simply holding a symbolic wedding ceremony.

Holding a Symbolic Wedding Ceremony

The simplest way to get married in Costa Rica as a U.S. citizen is to hold a symbolic ceremony. To do so you will need to become legally married in the U.S., but you can choose to celebrate your union in Costa Rica.

Don’t worry—this doesn’t mean you have to host two weddings. You can easily have a quick, no-frills ceremony to officialize your marriage status at your local government office, and save the real celebration for your Costa Rica dream wedding.

The best part about going this route is that it gives you much more control over your wedding ceremony. Rather than worrying about legal requirements for a binding wedding ceremony, you can celebrate however you see fit.

Holding a Legally Recognized Costa Rica Wedding

Symbolic ceremonies make up the majority of destination weddings, but you can choose to have a legally recognized wedding ceremony in Costa Rica if you want to do it all at once. If this is your preference, you will need to ensure your wedding ceremony complies with local marriage laws, which can differ from the requirements expected in the U.S.

In addition, you’ll need to ensure that both you and your future spouse bring a valid passport, a valid birth certificate, and a statement that confirms that you are not already married. You’ll also need two adult witnesses outside of your family in attendance, who must either have Costa Rica citizenship or a valid passport.

If this is the route you choose to take, make sure you make the necessary preparations well beforehand to avoid unnecessary stress.

2. A Setting for Every Wedding Vision

Whether you want to get married indoors or outdoors; in a church, on the beach, or by a waterfall, Costa Rica has a place for you. Due to its incredible biodiversity, there are all sorts of natural sights to serve as the perfect backdrop for your wedding ceremony. No matter what your dream wedding looks like, you can probably have it here.

Guest-Friendly and Accessible

When choosing a location for your destination wedding, one major factor that can’t be ignored is your guest list. Guests with mobility issues, health concerns, or other disabilities may need specific accommodation.

Fortunately, Costa Rica is incredibly tourist-friendly, with something to offer for all kinds of groups and events. Thanks to comprehensive accessibility laws, the nation has been recognized as one of the best destinations for wheelchair accessibility. This reflects a commitment to welcoming travelers of all kinds, which can help you and your whole party to travel comfortably.

There's Something for Everyone

When you host a destination wedding in Costa Rica, there’s no shortage of activities for you and your guests of all ages. Whether your group includes kids, adults, or older family members, everyone can find something to enjoy. From thrilling adventures to peaceful moments in nature, Costa Rica offers a little something for everyone. Here are just a few of the experiences that make it such a memorable destination:

• Surfing, swimming, and relaxing on the beach
• Nature or waterfall hikes and guided tours
• Cliff diving, paragliding, and ziplining
• Whale watching off the coast
• Spiritual ceremonies, such as sound healing or cacao ceremonies

3. You Don't Have to Plan It Alone

One of the best things about getting married in Costa Rica is that you're not on your own when it comes to planning. Many venues throughout the country are built with destination weddings in mind, offering in-house coordination, logistical support, and full-service packages that make the process much easier—especially when planning from abroad. Here are a few ways many venues in Costa Rica make planning easier:

• Nearby Or On-Site Accommodations: Many wedding venues will offer lodging for those renting the space, saving you and your guests the trouble of booking and navigating to an offsite hotel.
• Shuttling & Travel Assistance: Most guests won't have a car while in Costa Rica, and while rental cars are available, they're not always the most convenient option. Many venues help by arranging transportation to and from the airport, nearby hotels, or local attractions, taking the stress out of getting around in an unfamiliar place.
• Personalized Planning Support: Even the most detail-oriented personalities can struggle with planning in a foreign country. To assist with this, plenty of venues in Costa Rica offer specialized logistical support with experienced planners. They can help you coordinate travel times, plan your schedule, and much more.

With this kind of built-in support, planning a destination wedding becomes a lot less overwhelming and a lot more enjoyable.

4. Predictable Weather Lets You Set a Date with Confidence

Rainy conditions don’t have to spoil a wedding and can even be pleasant at an indoor venue. However, many parties prefer sunny weather for the day of the ceremony, especially if they want an outdoor setting. In any case, local weather patterns are of critical importance when setting a date. The good news is that Costa Rica’s annual weather patterns are highly predictable, meaning you can confidently set your date without having to worry too much about unexpected weather changes.

Most of Costa Rica experiences one distinct dry season and one distinct rainy season per year, referred to as the high season and the green season, respectively. The high season, when rains are minimal and most places stay bright and sunny, starts in the winter months and continues into early spring. The green season, which is known for heavier rainfall, begins in the middle of spring and lasts through the end of autumn.

To learn more about weather in Costa Rica, check out our blog on the best times to visit.

Get Married in Costa Rica

Looking for a venue for your dream wedding in Costa Rica? Consider a Vajra Jahra destination wedding, where you can say your vows in view of the glorious 85-foot Diamante Waterfall. Our property includes outdoor and indoor spaces which immerse guests in the gorgeous jungles of Costa Rica, plus an al fresco dining area and cozy, modern villas that sleep up to 18 people.

That’s not all. At Vajra Jahra, we also offer comprehensive support to make the planning process a breeze. We can help you coordinate the ceremony, plan excursions and activities, and even provide catered meals with fresh, farm-to-table ingredients. At Vajra Jahra, we handle the details so you can focus on enjoying your special day in the beauty of Costa Rica.

Interested in learning more about our offerings? Send as an inquiry or schedule a discovery call today! We look forward to building a dream wedding together.