Seeking Costa Rica Venues

[ShanelleLoraine]

Does anyone have any information on Hotel Parador? Their website pics look amazing but i've yet to find any outside info or pics with regards to weddings.

 

I'm also considering Villa Caletas... any pros/cons would be very appreciated!

 

We are expecting 50+ guests and are hoping to create the best vacation ever!

 

Any other highly recommended venues out there?

 

Thanks a bunch!

[Dmitri_Markine]

I've heard some good feedback about Hilton Papagayo, if you are staying in that province

[Ask.CostaRica]

Take a look at Los Altos as well in Manuel Antonio, it's a new location, great pool area for reception and a private beach. Since they are new, they have been very receptive to weddings. In case of rain they also have Karolas Restaurant, also a great option for a wedding reception. Here are some sample weddings (both at Karolas and the pool area).

valerie & chris los altos, manuel antonio quepos, costa rica 2010

tiffany & paul los altos, manuel antonio quepos, costa rica 2010

rebecca & dave los altos, manuel antonio costa rica 2010

 

My only comment about Parador is having the ceremony next to the main pool, if it is planned to take place there consider that there will be other guests in it talking in the background or looking on. Otherwise, the place has spectacular views and a nice option for a reception. Make sure your dinner is served on time to have ample time to dance and before music has to be turned down due to other guests. Here is a sample wedding (start ceremony on time,this wedding ran late and they did not get a chance to do sunset photos, we did a free session with them in San Jose afterward so they could have some nicely lit photos:

davis & glen hotel parador, manuel antonio quepos, costa rica 2009

Villa Caletas is a spectacular venue, you have the option of the Zephyr Palace or the Amphitheatre. This place has a lot of experience serving weddings and not much of a time limit on dancing time (specially at the Zephyr Palace). It is ideal for a wedding your size. A bit of advice, be patient when it come to getting info, they are extremely busy but will get back to you. Please feel welcome to ask us any questions you may have about the place, we have done many weddings at this location. Here is a sample of the Zephyr and Amphitheatre.

sue & jeff villa caletas amphitheatre, herradura, costa rica 2010

ioana & rolfe

[molissa10]

We will be married at Zephyr Palace May 10th, and will be holding our reception at Villa Caletas Mirador Terrace. I can let you know at a later date how it goes, but it has been an amazing experience. We can't wait for our wedding day!

[Ask.CostaRica]

This small wedding had the ceremony at the Zephyr Palace indoors (it rained but then stopped) and then had the reception at Terraza Mirador. Here are some photos to get an idea:

andrea & juancarlos zephyr palace, villa caletas costa rica 2010

[LilyRose]

I was in Costa Rica for Spring Break and my fiancé and I visited few locations for our wedding. We decided to get married in St. Lucia but I would love to share my thoughts with you about different locations.

 

For each visit, we were welcome by the event or wedding coordinator and were able to do a complete tour of the resort.

 

 

 

We stayed @ Hilton Papagayo.

We visited Four Seasons Papagayo

and Marriott Guanacaste.

 

Hilton :

 

+ Great spa

+ Rooms are in small bungalows

 

- We saw a wedding and the decor was really really simple and not to much private

- Their wedding packages are quite limited. But you can build your own;

- Rooms are in need of updates, specially bathroom.

 

It was a great stay for a week but I do not think I would like to get married there. The beach has nothing special...but it's lovely for a great vacation.

 

Four Seasons

+ Unbelievable manicured grounds with fantastic golf course

+ Beautiful location, on a peninsula

+ One wedding per day only

 

- Very very modern feel (could be a plus for someone not looking for a Costa Rican experience)

- Expensive

- 2 choices for wedding location (not our tastes)

 

This resort did not had the ambiance we were looking for.

 

Marriott Guanacaste

 

+ Wonderful location, quiet

+ New resort (1 year old)

+ Biggest spa in Central America (very nice but can feel unpersonalized)

+ Beautiful "ranch look" with lot of antique feel

+ Pristine Beach

+ Food is really good and well presented

 

- They can book as many as 5 weddings for the same day (no, no, no!)

- Roads to get there can be a challenge

- The beautiful but busy pool can be a problem for your ceremony (lack of privacy)

 

 

I have all the brochures at home, let me know if I can be useful,

 

LilyRose

[M_Morales]

Wowzers! Villa Caletas looks like a page right out of Heaven!

 

..Good luck with your decision! Costa Rica is an AMAZING place!

[thebubs]

For those that got married at Zephyr palace, can you tell me more about your experience. We want to do a destination wedding to save some money but get the same high end look. How did you feel about costa rica and zephyr palace?

[ShanelleLoraine]

For those that got married at Zephyr palace, can you tell me more about your experience. We want to do a destination wedding to save some money but get the same high end look. How did you feel about costa rica and zephyr palace?

[ShanelleLoraine]

I absolutely LOVED everything about our wedding! The Zephyr Palace and Villa Caletas as well as their staff was Amazing! Everyone stayed at Villa Caletas. The views and ambiance is like no other (it truly is breath taking)! We held a welcome cocktail event at sunset at the villa caletas amphitheater on Thursday (Not to be missed)! Friday hosted rehearsal dinner in Jaco. Saturday, was the ceremony and reception at the Zephyr palace. The night was topped off with surprise fireworks for our guests. I would love to do it all over again and would not change a single thing. Larissa Banting was our coordinator, she was soo helpful. I highly recommend El Velo photography and Juan Carlos. I love our pics and the edited video!! If you are staying for your honeymoon check out Rio Celeste and do the hike to the waterfall. Nayara at arenal has beautiful views of the volcano w do much to do. And on your way out of SJO stay at Hotel Grano de Oro (delicious food) make dinner reservations! Hope that helps! Congratulations and enjoy every moment!