Costa Rica Wedding Traditions: Infuse Your Luxury Wedding with Local Flair
In Costa Rica, a wedding day is more than just a ceremony — it’s a celebration of two families, two cultures, and the deep-rooted traditions that make love so universal. Against a backdrop of lush rainforests that make the wife to be shine in her white dress, sweet plantains sizzling on the grill, and the sound of waves echoing your vows, the rich culture behind Costa Rica wedding traditions helps your wedding come alive.
Here are just a few ways we love to help our clients at Villa Punto de Vista in Manuel Antonio infuse the cultural richness of unique wedding traditions from our home country into their beautiful big day!
Honor Traditional Costa Rican Wedding Customs
If you want to infuse your luxury destination wedding with Costa Rican culture, start by embracing the warmth and simplicity of Costa Rican wedding traditions. Costa Ricans have rich cultural wedding traditions that include dancing, gifting, and family involvement, making their celebrations vibrant and filled with joy and cultural significance. While some customs mirror Western ceremonies, others are deeply tied to family, faith, and local symbolism.
Incorporate The Arras Ceremony
During the arras ceremony, the couple exchanges 13 gold coins, usually presented in a decorative box or tray, often made of silver or carved wood. These coins represent Christ and his 12 apostles in a traditional sense, but more broadly, they symbolize a promise to share not only material wealth but also responsibilities, values, and a life built on mutual support.
In a Costa Rican wedding, the arras are passed from the groom to the bride or, in a more modern take, between both partners to signify trust, generosity, and shared abundance.
How to Make it Your Own
Even if you’re infusing Costa Rica wedding traditions into your wedding day, you can still make them your own. Here are a few ways to consider:
- Commission a local artisan to make a keepsake box for your coins using sustainable Costa Rican hardwoods like guapinol or cedro. Engrave it with your initials or wedding date for a modern heirloom. Your wedding venue or wedding planner should be able to help you find an artisan.
- Choose coins that reflect your love story. Consider heirloom gold for a touch of opulence, antique Costa Rican colones incorporate the local culture, custom-designed medallions that symbolize every step of your shared journey, or eco-conscious wooden tokens crafted by a local artisan, representing shared values of sustainability and intention.
- Traditionally, a coin bearer (often a child or padrino, Godparent) presents the coins during the ceremony. You can personalize this by inviting both mothers to present the coins together, symbolizing the union of two families, or having an elder from the family bless the coins.
Try the Money Dance
In many Costa Rican weddings, the baile del billete — or money dance — adds a playful, heartfelt layer to the wedding reception. Guests line up to dance with the bride or groom, pinning bills onto their clothing as they take a quick twirl on the dance floor. It’s a symbolic gesture of abundance and support from loved ones as you begin your life together.
How to Make It Your Own
Provide decorative pins in your wedding colors or include personalized money envelopes as part of your table settings. It’s a joyful way to get close friends and family up and dancing while embracing one of the most cherished Costa Rica wedding traditions!
Weave Local Flavor Into the Menu
In Costa Rica, food is more than just sustenance — it’s a way of showing love, celebrating life, and bringing people together. Adding traditional dishes to your wedding menu is a beautiful way to share that spirit with your guests.
Most caterers in Costa Rica — especially here in Manuel Antonio, where Villa Punto de Vista is located — offer a mix of local favorites and international fare. Whether you want just a taste of Costa Rican flavor at your wedding reception or going all in on a weekend full of traditional bites, your caterer can help bring your dream menu to life.
Here are a few options that all Costa Rican people love to indulge in at weddings:
For cocktail hour bites:
- Ceviche de Pescado: Fresh white fish is cured in lime juice with cilantro, red onion, and sweet peppers. For a coastal touch, serve in coconut shells or mini glass cups.
- Chifrijo: A local favorite: crispy pork, black beans, rice, and chimichurri layered in a bowl. Serve in small cups with plantain chips for dipping.
- Yuca Fritters: Golden, crunchy bites of cassava with garlic aioli or chimichurri. Comfort food meets cocktail chic.
- Patacones: Twice-fried green plantains topped with black beans, avocado, or shredded beef.
For the main meal:
- Gallo Pinto: A traditional rice and bean dish seasoned with onion, sweet pepper, and Salsa Lizano. Earthy, hearty, and so satisfying.
- Carne Mechada: Slow-cooked shredded beef in a savory tomato-based sauce. A rich, rustic option for family-style dinners.
- Grilled Mahi Mahi or Snapper: Light, flaky, and marinated with tropical herbs and citrus.
- Tamales Ticos: Cornmeal dough filled with meat and vegetables, wrapped in banana leaves.
- Hearts of Palm Salad: Refreshing and light, with avocado, tomatoes, lime, and sometimes a hint of chili.
- Casado: A traditional dish often served at weddings, featuring sweet plantains, rice, beans, salad, and a choice of meat.
For dessert:
- Tres Leches Cake: Moist, creamy, and sweet with whipped cream and cinnamon. A beloved Costa Rican classic.
- Cajeta de Coco: Coconut fudge made with brown sugar and condensed milk—dense, rich, and utterly indulgent.
- Arroz con Leche: Creamy rice pudding spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and citrus zest.
- Costa Rican Chocolate Truffles: Infused with local coffee, chili, or tropical fruits for a decadent treat.
To sip on:
- Costa Rican Coffee: Smooth and bold, served black, as café con leche, or as part of a post-dinner espresso (martini) bar.
- Guaro Sour: The national cocktail made with sugarcane liquor, lime juice, and sugar. It’s refreshing and simple.
- Tropical Juice Bar: Offer fresh-squeezed juices like mango, passion fruit, pineapple, and tamarind for a vibrant non-alcoholic option.
- Aged Local Rum: Serve neat or in craft cocktails with cinnamon, ginger, or fresh fruit infusions.
- Tropical Signature Cocktail: When you’re having a wedding at Villa Punto de Vista, our in-house bartenders can cultivate a specialty cocktail menu that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Give them a few flavors you like; they’ll come up with clever delights you’ll be sipping all night long. Plus, it’ll always come with a fun, tropical garnish that’s perfectly photo-worthy.
Let the Music Move You
The sound of a Costa Rican celebration isn’t just heard — it’s felt.
As your guests arrive, the deep wooden tones of a live marimba band echo through the air. It’s the sound of tradition — earthy, joyful, completely captivating. Later, bring the party to life with a DJ who knows how to blend tropical Latin beats with the perfect first-dance ballad, creating a rhythm that flows from sunset sips to late-night revelry.
At Villa Punto de Vista, we have both indoor and outdoor event space so that once it gets later in the night, you can take the party and dancing inside all night long without worrying about noise levels. You can check out some real Villa Punto de Vista weddings to see how well this flows!
In Costa Rican weddings, the groom often performs a serenata, a romantic gesture where he serenades his bride with love songs, adding a deeply emotional and cultural touch to the pre-wedding festivities.
Want something even more traditional?
Consider a surprise performance by a comparsa, a high-energy street-style live band with drums, dancers, and full-on carnival energy to light up the celebration. These styles of celebrations are one of the most unique customs in Latin America and are also quite popular in Mexico, Cuba, and Colombia.
At the villa, we can have the band meet you at the villa and lead you down to the beach, depending on the time of day.
Don’t forget La Hora Loca (The Crazy Hour)
La Hora Loca, or “The Crazy Hour,” is a Latin American tradition that transforms your reception into a high-energy, joy-fueled fiesta. Think glow sticks, masks, confetti, live drummers, and nonstop dancing. It’s pure fun, and the perfect way to keep the party going. La Hora Loca usually kicks off around the last hour of the night, just when energy starts to dip, but after this, no one’s sitting down.
At Villa Punto de Vista, your wedding planner and the villa team know exactly how to bring this moment to life — with Costa Rican flair. From surprise performers to custom party favors and local beats, they’ll help get everyone on the dance floor and show your guests how to celebrate pura vida-style.
Include a Unity Ritual Inspired by Nature
While Costa Rica has its share of cultural wedding traditions, many couples are also drawn to the soulful, grounded energy of the land itself, including its lush rainforests, and choose to reflect that connection through unity rituals in their wedding celebration that feel more personal, symbolic, and aligned with nature.
These aren’t traditional Costa Rican marriage customs per se, but rather modern rituals inspired by the country’s deep respect for the earth, its rhythms, and its quiet spiritual presence. They bring a beautiful, intentional pause to your ceremony—one that honors your commitment not just to each other, but to a shared life that grows, evolves, and stays grounded in what matters most.
Here are a few ways to incorporate this energy into your ceremony:
Plant a Tree or Native Plant Together
During your ceremony, take a moment to plant something — perhaps a native flowering tree or a sapling that will eventually be replanted at home. It’s a powerful symbol of rootedness, shared growth, and nurturing something together. Plus, if you plant it on property where you are, you can come back for anniversary celebrations and see how it’s grown!
Light a Beeswax Candle
Use a hand-poured candle made with Costa Rican beeswax as a symbol of your shared light and intention. The warm, golden glow represents the clarity, energy, and care you bring into your relationship. You could even have custom candles made as keepsakes or guest favors.
Blend Two Sands
Gather sand from your hometown or a place meaningful to your journey, and blend it with sand from one of Costa Rica’s iconic beaches — perhaps the soft white sand of Manuel Antonio or the dramatic black sand of the Pacific coast. As you pour the grains together into a single vessel, it becomes a visual reminder that once joined, your lives are inseparable and ever-changing, just like the tides.
These unity rituals are simple, grounding, and deeply symbolic, perfect for couples who want to honor the sacredness of their union in a way that feels more natural than formal.
Incorporating Costa Rican Colors, Plants, and Natural Elements Into Your Wedding Design
So many couples spend eons purchasing tropical-themed wedding decor. But, hosting in Costa Rica, it’ll all be right at your fingertips. The country provides the best natural inspiration for wedding designs that play off the lush jungles, pristine beaches, lush greenery, vibrant tropical blooms, and earthy textures that Costa Rica is known for. Here’s how to bring the essence of pura vida into your celebration.
Color Palette
Design your wedding around these colors that define Costa Rica:
- Jungle greens and deep emeralds from the rainforest canopy
- Hibiscus red, papaya orange, coral, and golden yellow from tropical flowers and sunsets
- Ocean blues and sandy neutrals from the coast and beaches
- Bright fuchsia, deep indigo, and magenta for bold modern pops of color
- Earthy tones to ground the palette and reflect natural materials like wood and stone
Here are a few color palettes we love from Pinterest!
Native Plants and Tropical Flowers
Use local flora to create lush arrangements that feel fresh, dramatic and rooted in place:
- Birds of paradise
- Red and pink ginger flowers
- Heliconia and anthurium
- Orchids
- Monstera leaves, palm fronds, and banana leaves
- Bougainvillea
Natural Textures and Handmade Details
Add natural elements and local craftsmanship to your space:
- Woven chargers and rattan accents
- Wooden tables and carved details
- Linen or cotton napkins
- Handmade ceramics
- Coconut shells and driftwood
- Pressed flower paper goods or botanical illustrations
It’s Up to You to Decide What You Want Your Special Day to Look Like
Your wedding in Costa Rica will be a moment you remember forever. As will the planning process! So, most of all, make it fun. Hire professional vendors like live bands, photographers, and videographers to enhance your wedding experience. Embrace the rich heritage, and enjoy the stunning backdrop that will shape your destination wedding.
For those looking for a villa to host their special day, we’d love to have you at Villa Punto de Vista. Our team of professionals works with you to cultivate a memorable experience you’ll be sharing for generations. Reach out to our villa wedding planning team today to explore dream dates and start planning your destination wedding in Manuel Antonio.
Costa Rican Wedding FAQs
Can foreigners get legally married in Costa Rica?
Yes! Foreigners can legally marry in Costa Rica. The legal requirements are pretty simple. You’ll need valid passports, a sworn statement of your single status, and two witnesses. That said, many couples opt for a legal ceremony at home and a symbolic one in Costa Rica to simplify the process. It’s a more straightforward option that allows you to focus on celebrating, not paperwork.
Do we need to be in Costa Rica for a certain amount of time before the wedding?
No residency or waiting period is required. You can arrive just a few days before your wedding ceremony, though we recommend coming earlier to acclimate and finalize any last-minute details and simply enjoy your wedding week in Costa Rica!
What are popular wedding destinations in Costa Rica?
Manuel Antonio is a top choice as a wedding destination for its quintessential Costa Rican vibes. You have beaches, jungle views, and luxurious villas like Villa Punto de Vista that make the perfect wedding venue for both your wedding ceremony, reception, and wedding weekend events. Other favorites include Tamarindo, Arenal, and the Nicoya Peninsula.
Is it easy for guests to get to Costa Rica?
Yes! Costa Rica has two major international airports — San José (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) — with direct flights from many U.S. cities, making travel convenient for wedding guests. Most wedding guests fly into San José for weddings in Manuel Antonio and take a scenic 3-hour drive or a short domestic flight to the coast.
What makes Villa Punto de Vista a great wedding venue?
Aside from the jaw-dropping ocean and rainforest views? It’s fully staffed, ultra-private, and designed with destination weddings in mind—think multiple event spaces, luxury accommodations for your group, and a team that treats you like family.
