Costa Rica is on many people’s must-see list. But aside from being a bucket-list destination, it’s also become quite the popular place to create an unforgettable destination wedding experience.
Whether you want a picturesque beach wedding at sunset, a mountaintop celebration overlooking breathtaking vistas, or an off-the-beaten-path wedding by the base of a volcano, Costa Rica has what you’re looking for, and the Complete Getaways team can help!
The first question you might be asking yourself is how safe is Costa Rica as a destination wedding spot?
In fact, Costa Rica is one of the safest and most politically stable countries in all of Latin America. And, as it’s become a hotspot for tourism, the people there know exactly how to make you feel safe and welcome.
What you need to get married in Costa Rica
Around a month before your wedding (or earlier) you’ll want to send over basic information to your wedding planner (or us!), including what your profession is, your passport number, copies of your passport and your mailing address. You also have to provide a sworn statement attesting your civil status, date and place of birth and parents’ names. You don’t need blood tests, birth/civil status certificates or even a minimum stay.
All weddings performed outside the Catholic Church require a lawyer, who’ll file all legal documents with the Costa Rican Civil Registry and the U.S. Embassy.
These documents will be processed and mailed to you about three months following the date of your wedding, at which point your marriage will be officially valid (you can often have the documents rushed for a fee).
You’ll also need two witnesses who can’t be family members to the third degree (meaning no parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews, nieces, and in-laws).
When’s the best time of year to get married in Costa Rica?
The best weather typically occurs between January through April, but because that’s a popular time of year, you’ll also likely endure higher prices for your all-inclusive resorts.
The rest of the year is considered the rainy (or green) season. The benefit of going to Costa Rica during this green season is that you’ll get better travel deals and will encounter fewer tourists.
You should also consider avoiding major Catholic holidays (Christmas, Easter) because the country is usually focused on those holidays (and besides, alcohol sales are suspended the Thursday and Friday before Easter!).
The many sides of Costa Rica are all within reach
Costa Rica is one of the most diverse countries in Latin America and offers you a wide variety of sights and adventures to experience. Whether you prefer a leisurely stroll or a daring zip line, our team can help you create a unique destination wedding package that’ll help you soak in the culture and beauty of this amazing country.
Contact us today to learn more!