Marriage Requirements
One month before your wedding, couples planning to legally get married in Costa Rica should complete a form of key information, including you and your partners’ dates of birth (you’ll need to be at least 18 years old), addresses, parents’ names and also provide valid passports. In order for US citizens to be legally married in Costa Rica, a lawyer or judge must officiate the civil ceremony. You’ll also need two witnesses, and extra paperwork may be required if either of you have been married before.
Symbolic wedding ceremonies in Costa Rica are a more popular option for couples to choose, since they do not require any of the above. For more information, check with your Certified Destination Wedding Specialist.
Travel Information
Travel Documents
Passports are required for entry into Costa Rica. If you are a citizen of the US, visit travel.state.gov for more information on travel documents needed. For Canadian travelers, visit travel.gc.ca for relevant travel information.
Language
Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica, but English is widely spoken and understood at resort and tourist hubs.
Currency and Tipping
The official currency of Costa Rican is the colon, but US dollars are widely accepted.
Climate & Beaches
Climate
Costa Rica has a year-round tropical climate and an average temperature of 81 degrees F. Costa Rican summer is from December to April and the rainy season is May to November.
Beaches
Costa Rica has both Caribbean and Pacific beaches and sand that ranges from powdery and white to ashed, volcanic rock. Cahuita is a colorful Afro-Caribbean village that has calm and warm waters. In the south pacific region, Corcovado has virgin beaches on the edges of national park forests. If you’re looking to surf, Pavones is a legendary stretch on the Pacific with the world’s longest left-hand surf break.
Activities & Attractions
Activities
Many nature lovers choose to have a Costa Rica destination wedding because of the country's eco-excursions, such as hiking, surfing, zip lining, waterfall rappelling and horseback riding. The country also has a mind-boggling array of furry friends to mingle with in the rainforest, including over 900 species of birds. The Arenal Volcano is a sleeping giant nestled in the northern lowlands with beautiful views. Tamarindo is a laidback beach town with untouched beaches and sport fishing excursions, while San Jose is a bustling city with old Victorian mansions lining its cobbled streets. Jaco has verdant mountaintops and volcanic sand beaches for horseback rides and hiking.
Nightlife