Hosting Your Destination Wedding in Costa Rica: Three Wedding Itineraries That Redefine “I Do”
When it comes to places to host your destination wedding, few places rival the tropical allure of Costa Rica. You can legally marry here or hold a symbolic ceremony, enjoy year-round tropical weather, and choose between rainforests, beaches, and mountains as your backdrop.
Or, if you get married at a venue like Villa Punto de Vista, perched above the Pacific Ocean in Manuel Antonio, you don’t have to choose between the three, as you get it all, folded into one cinematic frame.
Another reason couples fall in love with hosting their destination wedding in Costa Rica is the freedom to transform what’s traditionally a single day into a full-sensory experience that lingers long after everyone’s gone home.
Yes, it takes orchestration. But after hosting hundreds of celebrations over the past two decades, Villa Punto de Vista’s team has elevated the art of hosting destination weddings.
Long weekends. Weeklong escapes. Whatever rhythm you envision, the team choreographs every moment so you can simply live it.
Behind the scenes, pre-arrival concierges Gloriela and Karla collaborate with your Costa Rica wedding planner to weave together each detail from ocean-view ceremonies and jungle-terrace rehearsal dinners to adventure days and farewell brunches.
To inspire your own celebration, we’ve gathered a glimpse inside our wedding vault: real itineraries for four-, five-, and seven-night stays that reveal how an entire week of connection unfolds at the villa.
How We Plan It (So You Don’t Have To)
Before we get into the itineraries, it’s important to share what happens behind the scenes when we plan a wedding at our villa in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Behind every seamless celebration is a quiet choreography of details you’ll never have to think about because our team already has. Here’s how it works:
Step One: Meet Your Pre-Arrival Concierge
From the day you reserve your wedding date with us, Gloriela or Karla, one of your pre-arrival concierges, will handle all the travel details.
You can either provide us with rooming lists and details yourself, or allow your guests to enter their own travel details.
From there, our team will use the information to help reserve transfers from SJO/LIR, schedule tide- and weather-timed excursions, record breakfast notes and preferences, allergies, and more.
Step Two: Hire Your Costa Rica Wedding Planner
Your pre-arrival concierge will also connect you with the best Costa Rican wedding planners so you can choose who to entrust with planning your big day, unless you’ve already done so!
Once you’ve selected your planner, they’ll work directly with Gloriela and Karla on the wedding side of things to ensure everything is coordinated to perfection.
Step Three: Finalize Your Dream Costa Rican Destination Wedding
While you work with your wedding planner to design the perfect wedding festivities, they’ll keep us updated so it all meshes seamlessly. We build accessibility and ease into every detail so you don’t have to worry about anything, including your guests’ needs.
Think elevator access, nap-friendly pacing for kids and grandparents with fun excursions to see the sights and explore Costa Rica, vetted childcare, and seamless dietary planning (from vegan and gluten-free to fully kosher with our dedicated consultant). Tide charts, whale-season sightings, sunset times, photo permits, transportation schedules, and room drops for your wedding favors (think locally roasted coffee and artisan chocolate—we always recommend buying your favors here rather than shipping them to add a little local flavor and ease) are handled in advance.
Step Four: Let Us Take Care of Everything
On-site, Raúl (GM) and Sergio (house manager) keep service seamless while a butler team you’ll remember by name—Jossue, Jackson, Erick, Sigrid, Jose, Fran, Pablo, Hugo—runs point via a group WhatsApp. Erick doubles as a certified sommelier for guided tastings; breakfast chefs Vera and Steven make mornings feel like bliss. Security is 24/7.
The estate is gated and buffered by 2.5 acres of pristine jungle reserve, so you’ll feel miles away from the world while celebrating in your own little bubble, even though you’re minutes away from Manuel Antonio’s beaches, boutiques, and nightlife.
Notes from a Bride…
“Our intimate wedding at Villa Punto de Vista’s Villa La Isla in Manuel Antonio was beyond anything we could have imagined. The setting—lush jungle meeting the Pacific Ocean—was stunning, but it was the people who made the experience truly unforgettable.
Our incredible pre-arrival concierges, Gloriela and Karla, helped us plan every detail for months with care, patience, and professionalism. Once on-site, Jackson and Erick, our lead staff, made sure we were cared for around the clock. Their warmth, attentiveness, and ability to make magic happen every day elevated everything.
The villa itself is a masterpiece—luxurious, serene, and seamlessly blended into nature. Our guests were in awe, calling it the “trip of a lifetime.” From monkeys on the deck in the morning to sunsets over the ocean, every moment felt special.
If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime wedding or vacation in Costa Rica, this is it. We left with full hearts and unforgettable memories.”
– Jane B., September 2025
4-Night Costa Rica Wedding Itinerary — The Long-Weekend Celebration
| Day | Experience |
| Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome Dinner | Arrive with your guests at the villa, greeted by staff with chilled coconuts ready for sipping.
After the team guides each guest to their room to settle in, laze over a relaxed dinner of local seafood (paired with rosé and bubbly, of course) as sun sets over the Pacific to mark the official start of wedding festivities. |
| Day 2 – Adventure & Rehearsal | Zipline through cathedral-high trees or sail along the coast on a private catamaran to sink into the pura vida lifestyle (maybe with some whale spotting in peak whale season).
Spend the afternoon napping in a rooftop hammock before a lantern-lit rehearsal dinner catered by Manuel Antonio’s best private chefs. |
| Day 3 – Wedding Day | It’s wedding day!
Wake up to your automatic curtains revealing a cloudless blue sky and mimosas ready to be poured just steps outside your door. White orchids, earth-toned bamboo lanterns, and the sound of waves form the backdrop as you exchange vows on the rooftop. Dinner flows into dancing in the ballroom with an epic DJ and light show, keeping the party going all night long. |
| Day 4 – Poolside Recovery & Farewell Brunch | The villa wakes slowly, with the monkeys being the first to rise.
Guests float between the pool and beach after brunch, which offers the most delicious post-celebratory nourishment. Think yucca hash browns, cheesy stuffed pupusas or empanadas, chia pudding or acai bowls, coconut water smoothies, and, of course, strong, locally roasted single-origin coffee. |
| Day 5 – Final Farewells | For those who have fully recovered from the wedding indulgences, walk the beach one last time at sunrise or have an instructor come to host a private Reiki-infused yoga class.
Then, it’s time for one last toast to love before departures after breakfast! |
5-Night Costa Rica Wedding Itinerary — Celebration with Room to Explore
| Day | Experience |
| Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome Dinner | Arrive at the villa to the scent of salt air and chilled glasses of sparkling wine waiting on the terrace.
After guests are shown to their rooms, everyone gathers for a family-style dinner of Pacific shrimp ceviche, grilled sea bass, and tropical salads prepared by the private chef you’ve hired for the night. The evening doubles as a rehearsal with a local guitarist serenading the group and toasts celebrating what’s to come. |
| Day 2 – Ceremony in Paradise | Wake to the sound of the rainforest coming alive and enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking the Pacific. Spend the morning lounging or getting pampered by the spa team before it’s time to say “I do.”
The terrace transforms into a natural altar with florals that complement the jungle backdrop. Dinner unfolds under the stars with a local DJ setting the tone for a night of pure celebration. |
| Day 3 – Recovery & Reconnection | The day begins slowly with Costa Rican coffee in hand and feet massaged by the jacuzzi jets after a day of heels before you kicked them off for dancing.
Guests can recharge with rooftop massages and a poolside hydration bar as they recount stories from the night before. For those who want to sweat, a private beach vinyasa yoga class could do the trick. By sunset, everyone’s revived enough for a relaxed beachside barbecue dinner and cocktails crafted by the villa’s bartenders. |
| Day 4 – Adventure & Indulgence | Split the group for the ultimate Costa Rican adventure day: some head into the jungle for canyoning or ATV rides, while others opt for a spa day or guided wine tasting with the villa’s sommelier, and others go meet the local wildlife with a naturalist guide in Manuel Antonio National Park down the street.
As night falls, the group reunites for a five-course chef’s dinner featuring local ingredients and international flair. The evening ends in laughter around the pool under a velvet sky of stars. |
| Day 5 – Full Beach Day & Dance Class | After breakfast, it’s time to hit the beach. You’re in Costa Rica, after all!
Some walk while others get a one-minute ride with Alfredo in the villa’s transportation. Beach chairs are already set up and ready, shaded by the palms, where you may catch a peek of a mom and baby sloth hanging out for the day. Let the rhythm of the waves lead you, and order lunch to the beach before heading back to the villa for a dance class to learn a bit of salsa. Then, take your moves into town and explore the nightlife after dinner out in Manuel Antonio. Your driver will pick you up whenever you’re ready to head back to the villa! |
| Day 6 – Farewell Brunch & Departure | The final morning calls for something light and joyful! Indulge in brunch featuring tropical fruit platters, coconut pancakes, gallo pinto with sausage, and guava pastries paired with fresh-squeezed juice and strong coffee. Hugs linger a little longer, and the villa team ensures every departure feels as warm as the welcome. Some guests linger by the pool just a little longer before finally saying pura vida and heading home. |
7-Night Costa Rica Wedding Itinerary — Celebration with Room to Breathe
| Day | Experience |
| Day 1 – The Couple’s Arrival | Some couples like to arrive before the guests and family make an appearance for one romantic night together before the celebrations. The villa feels like your own private sanctuary.
We can set up a private wine tasting dinner for two on the terrace, a couple’s massage with the ocean as your soundtrack, and bubbly under the stars as you relax in the jacuzzi high above the canopy. |
| Day 2 – Guests Arrive & Welcome Party | As guests arrive throughout the day, the villa comes alive. Tropical cocktails and light bites flow freely while butlers carry luggage to assigned rooms.
By sunset, a festive welcome dinner unfolds on the rooftop, featuring a live band and a local tasting menu designed to set the tone for the days to come. |
| Day 3 – Wedding Day | Wake to panoramic ocean views and butterflies in your stomach. After a slow breakfast, hair and makeup stations pop up on the terrace while the staff perfects every detail.
Your beach ceremony takes place as the sun dips below the horizon, and everyone heads back to the villa for dinner on the rooftop and dancing all night long in the villa’s ballroom with craft cocktails and fireworks illuminating the night. |
| Day 4 – Poolside Recovery & Chill | It’s a slow morning at Villa Punto de Vista!
Everything from breakfast to dinner unfolds at an unhurried pace: naps, laughter, and massages. Come evening, the villa hosts a casual taco night or sushi bar, complete with margaritas and laughter that spills late into the night. For those who want to explore, the villa’s driver for the day can take you into Marina Pez Vela in Quepos or downtown Manuel Antonio to explore local shops. |
| Day 5 – Adventure & Cacao Experience | Time to explore!
Start with a sunrise ATV ride through rainforest trails or a guided waterfall hike, then return to the villa for a hands-on workshop or cacao ceremony with Mama Cacao, or take a trip out to Villa Vanilla Spice Farm to see where cacao is harvested and taste it for yourself. The day closes with a private wine-pairing dinner curated by the villa’s sommelier, served under candlelight on the terrace. |
| Day 6 – Beach Day & Town Night | A day for sunshine and spontaneity. Head to Playa Espadilla for paddleboarding or simply sink into a lounge chair with a chilled drink in hand.
In the evening, venture into Manuel Antonio for dinner and cocktails in town before returning to the villa for a nightcap overlooking the ocean. |
| Day 7 – The Grand Finale | For thrill-seekers, it’s a day of white-water rafting down the Savegre River; for others, a day spent lazing in the pool with a floating fruit tray and cocktails made by Jossue or Jackson flowing all day long.
As the sun sets, everyone gathers for an intimate tapas-style dinner perfect for mingling, with live acoustic music to close the week on a soulful note. |
| Day 8 – Farewell Brunch & Departure | Over a breakfast of cooked-to-order Costa Rican specialties, the villa’s signature coffee, and all the tropical smoothies, guests reminisce about the week that felt like a dream before heading to the next part of their Costa Rican adventure or their flight home. |
Now, these are just three of the limitless options you have for creating the perfect itinerary for your wedding experience filled with jubilant celebrations, adventure activities, relaxation, and local exploration.
We customize everything to your group; these are just a small sampling of inspiration.
Notes from a Bride…
“PHENOMENAL!!!
I don’t have enough kind words to describe our experience at this place!
Since the arrival of our wedding party (over 40ppl) until our very early departure, the staff at Villa treated us like royalty. The staff knows your name, anticipates your needs and is 100% available at all times. The food, provided by “WOW chef services” is delicious.
The villa itself is an outstanding work of art and architecture. Impossible to list all the small, curated details you find in every corner of this outstanding place.
If Costa Rica is in your list of places to visit, Punto de Vista is the place to stay at.
From the Perez Family, all our love and immense gratitude for having us on our destination wedding.”
– Diana R., October 2025
Frequently Asked Questions About Planning a Wedding in Costa Rica
Can you legally get married in Costa Rica?
Yes! Costa Rica recognizes legal marriages for visitors, and the process is straightforward. Most couples only need valid passports, birth certificates, and a few notarized documents.
Your wedding planner will coordinate the legal paperwork and arrange for a lawyer to officiate.
If you prefer to keep logistics simple, many couples choose a symbolic ceremony here and handle the legal side at home, freeing the celebration to be purely about the experience.
When is the best time of year to get married in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is a year-round destination with two main seasons: dry (December–April) and green (May–November).
The dry season offers endless sunshine and vibrant sunsets, while the green season brings dramatic cloud-forest skies, lush foliage, and quieter beaches—ideal for those who crave intimacy and softer light for photos.
Villa Punto de Vista hosts weddings every month of the year; it all depends on the atmosphere you want to create. For a month-by-month breakdown of what to expect when getting married in Costa Rica, give this blog a read!
How far in advance should we plan a destination wedding in Costa Rica?
For the best villa and vendor selection for your destination wedding in Costa Rica, we recommend booking 12–18 months in advance, especially if your date falls during peak travel months (December through April) or holiday weekends.
Smaller elopements and intimate gatherings can sometimes be planned within six months, thanks to the villa’s in-house concierge and long-standing relationships with top local planners.
How many guests can Villa Punto de Vista accommodate?
Between our two luxury villas—Villa Punto de Vista and Villa La Isla—the estate can comfortably accommodate up to 54 overnight guests, with additional space for up to 100 for ceremonies and receptions.
Many couples choose to host their core group on-site and arrange nearby boutique hotels or villas for overflow guests, all coordinated through our concierge team.
Is Costa Rica easy to reach for international guests?
Absolutely. There are two major international airports—Juan Santamaría (SJO) near San José and Daniel Oduber (LIR) in Liberia—with direct flights from most major U.S. cities and daily connections from Canada and Europe.
From either airport, our team arranges private transfers directly to the villa (about 2.5 hours from SJO or 3.5 from LIR), ensuring a seamless journey for every guest.
You can also charter small planes from LIR or SJO to Quepos Airport (XQP), which is our local airport, if you don’t want to spend the time on ground transportation. It’s a quick 30-minute flight from San Jose or a 1.5-hour flight from Liberia!
What kind of experiences can we plan around the wedding?
Sunrise yoga sessions overlooking the Pacific, private catamaran cruises, jungle hikes with naturalist guides who know where to spot all the creatures in Manuel Antonio National Park, private beach barbecues, horseback riding by waterfalls or on the beach, ATV tours, or chef-led tasting menus paired by our sommelier.
Couples often book an entire week to blend wedding festivities with a true Costa Rican vacation that’s equal parts adventure and ease. Explore favorite guest excursions.
What makes Costa Rica ideal for multi-day destination weddings?
The country’s small size, natural diversity, and hospitality culture allow you to combine ocean, rainforest, and adventure in a single itinerary, something very few destinations can offer.
What makes a private villa better than a hotel for a destination wedding?
Privacy, personalization, and presence.
A villa allows you to design your entire experience—your menu, music, activities, and schedules—with no competing events or crowds sharing spaces or services.
Every staff member knows your name, and every space is yours alone, from the rooftop terrace to the infinity pool. It’s the difference between renting a venue where you may feel more like a number and creating your own little bubble of bliss for one of your life’s most significant moments.
Your Costa Rica Wedding Starts Here
A wedding at Villa Punto de Vista isn’t defined by a timeline or checklist.
It’s an experience that lingers in your memory forever, long after the last champagne glass is cleared.
Every detail here is deliberate yet effortless, designed to make you feel fully present in the most beautiful week of your life. From welcome cocktails to farewell hugs, it’s the kind of celebration that binds people closer—the kind that becomes family legend.
We’d be honored to host you and your family for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Explore availability and speak with our team today to begin planning your destination wedding in Costa Rica. Your luxury wedding villa in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, awaits, perched between the rainforest and the sea.
Christien Johnson is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Villa Punto de Vista Estate, an award-winning private resort in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. With nearly 20 years in luxury hospitality, he has helped make the estate a benchmark for private villa experiences, earning 700+ five-star reviews, 13 consecutive WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Awards (an achievement only secured by the top 3% of venues worldwide) and a vote as the #1 wedding venue in Costa Rica, as well as recognition from Architectural Digest, Condé Nast Johansens, and the Global Choice Awards as the Best Villa in Central America.
Christien also founded and manages Vista Destinations Luxury Travel Agency, Costa Rica Weddings, and Costa Rica Chefs, and advises brands worldwide on automation and AI in luxury hospitality, shaping the next era of high-touch, personalized travel as a trusted voice in private-estate and transformational travel.
