All Costa Rica Brides to be...

[molissa10]

Just 2 weeks ago we were married at Zephyr Palace in Jaco. It was a dream come true! The only complaint we have was the band we hired.

 

As for the all inclusive, we spent the last 3 days of our 16 day trip at Paradisius Playa Conchal and had a great time. The $45 hour massages on the beach were the perfect ending to our adventure honeymoon. We spent time in Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna and Guanacaste. We were very active and hit the canopy (zipline), waterfall rappelling, scuba diving, hike to Chato Peak, Tabacon hotsprings, horseback riding, kayaking, snorkling, boat tour in Jaco to see crocadiles, and hanging bridge tour. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have, as some of the activities can be a waste of money, but most were outstanding!

 

~M

[ksk336801]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kjw Yes, that was a big help. I think we've now narrowed it down to 4 places (which I think is a good start!!): Barcelo Langosta and Flamingo Beach Resort Paradisus Playa Conchal and Allegro Papagayo (which maybe a bit pricey so these might be out right away) Thanks again for your input!

I'm so sorry I'm just now seeing your earlier post asking about the Occidental, but I see that it's no longer on your list of options. It ended up working out well, but I'm not sure I would recommend it. We rented a car and drove south down the coast one day and stopped by the Barcelo Langosta b/c we had met people on our tour that were staying there. It's beautiful but much bigger and more "commercial" than the Occidental. The beach is really beautiful though - white sand and a perfect view of the sunset. It would be a wonderful place for a wedding. Have you made a decision yet?

[kmkucera]

I've just started planning my wedding in Costa Rica for May or June 2011. Still trying to find a venue for approx 50 guests. I was hoping for cliff views for ceremony and all-inclusive would be wonderful. Any suggestions? Right now I'm looking more into Occidental Grand Papagayo...

[Ask.CostaRica]

kmkucera,

 

Welcome. Occidental is a great location for a wedding. If I get your drift correctly, you want to have your wedding overlooking the ocean view? We have done several weddings at OCC and most wedding are down by the beach. Cliffside would not really have a view down towards the ocean. What I will suggest is, check the tides very well. If you have a high tide you will not be able to have your wedding on the sand. At high tide there is maybe 10 feet of sand (feet wet for sure).

Occidental: (notice very low tide) jennifer & donald occidental gran papagayo, playas del coco guanacaste, costa rica 2009

For cliffside locations look into:

Tangomar: sarah & henry tangomar hotel, nicoya costa rica 2010

Villa Caletas Zephyr Palace: jordan & adam zephyr palace, villa caletas herradura, costa rica 2010

Villa Caletas Amphitheatre: valerie & chris los altos, manuel antonio quepos, costa rica 2010

 

This place could probably work, Los Altos: valerie & chris los altos, manuel antonio quepos, costa rica 2010

[kmkucera]

Thank you for the pics and info. Recently I have found a couple villas in Manuel Antonio that are absolutely amazing. The only question is where would the rest of the guests stay and how hard would it be to pull everything together in a home? Are there any ceremony locations with cliff views in Manuel Antonio that you can think of?

[Whitewave]

Hello!  Earlier when I started planning, I wanted something a little more rustic and off the beaten track.  

 

Well, after considering the needs of my mother and other guests, ended up going with the Occidental Grand Papagayo.  It was a one-stop shop through Air Canada vacations for my guests and in a beautful location.  

 

Now I have to plan out the wedding:  to have the ceremony at the resort, or to find somewhere off the beaten track for a simple ceremony with closest friends and family and an officiant?

 

At least the resort is picked and booked, which actually was the hardest part.  I think I contacted almost every hotel in the country, I was starting to get really stressed out about the choice!  Now I've actually been having fun making the invitations and dress shopping etc!

 

[Amanda+Dave]

Hi everyone

 

We are just beginning to plan our CR wedding. It is a place the FI and I have always wanted to visit, so when it came time to decide on a destination, that's what we chose.

There are a few all inclusive resorts I am interested in, but I have also come across some all inclusive villas which look amazing and when you break down the price per person, it's not a bad deal.

Anyone go this route? I would love to hear from you.

[Ask.CostaRica]

Hey Amanda & Dave,

 

I was thinking about both of you yesterday while I was at a Villa with 16 rooms, great pool area and reception area. The place is perfect for a wedding your size. The place is AI (great prices) called Villa Cascada (http://villacascada.com/) in Ocotal (Playas del Coco). I spoke to the owner (Jack) he owns other small villas in the same place. Guillermo is the manager, speak to him. I will be posting some images of this last wedding soon (will let you know - you want to see them!). We even saw Humpback whales breaching after the ceremony! Amazing.

Here's a couple of weddings we did at the location:

 

http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/crystal_%26_jarret.html

http://web.me.com/elvelophotography.2/Site/sarah_+_ben.html

[Amanda+Dave]

That villa is beautiful, but I think a little bit out of the price range we are looking at.

 

I do have another question for you though. Do they do sea turtle releases in Costa Rica? And if so, what time of year? I saw wedding photos where someone did that and it looked really neat.

 

If you have info I would be so grateful.

[Ask.CostaRica]

We have a few species laying at diff times, so it is all year round (to see them). Releasing projects are in Samara/Nosara area and Corcovado that I know of. Best one is in Tortuguero (Archie Carr Foundation). I know some schools have participated in releases in Playa Grande but never heard of tourism participating in this area. Here is a good site to look at:

 

http://www.travelingcostarica.com/travel/costa-rica/turtles.htm