Advice for a large destination wedding needed

[paigepaper]

I am recently engaged but my fiance and I have known for some time that we want to have a destination wedding.  We are having a small ceremony in the states and would like to have a larger destination wedding (although technically a vow renewal) in Costa Rica.  We have set the date for our destination wedding for Memorial Day weekend 2012 in order for us to save and to give our loved ones plenty of time to make travel arrangements.

 

I have looked many places online for a place in Costa Rica that will hold about 100 guests.  We are not interested in an all-inclusive resort and are staying budget conscious.  We went to a friend's wedding in Isla Mujeres that had about 100 guests also (split between neighboring hotels) and only spent $1,000 a piece for a 6 day stay.  We would love our wedding to mirror this, both in the size and ballpark price per guest.  

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for places to look into, or any tips for vendors and wedding coordinators?  Any advice would be helpful.  Thanks! 

[TA Becky]

I have a friend that lives in Mal Pais, which is on the Pacific Side of Costa Rica on the Nicoya Peninsula. I really think the area is beautiful, great beaches for Weddings.

 

You might want to try: http://www.luzdevida-resort.com/index.htm

 

They have a variety of different types of accomodation and they can accomodate up to 100 guests. This would be a great option if you're looking for something that's not all inclusive.

 

For yourself, if you want to stay somewhere afterwards, I LOVE Casa Chameleon. It's only made up of 3 villas, but would be great for a few nights after your Wedding, or perhaps you stay there and your guests could stay at Luz De Vida?

 

http://www.hotelcasachameleon.com/

 

Good luck!! Let me know if you want to know anything else about Mal Pais/Santa Teresa.

[Ask.CostaRica]

paigepaper,

 

Hi there. Welcome. We have had several events at this location, Casa March. It has a really large green area in front of the house for a set up of 100. Take a look at this link. This wedding was about 80 guests, this will give you an idea of the location. 

http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/megan_%26_brent.html

 

There are so many places for your guests to stay at, I highly recc Villas Hermosas:

http://web.me.com/crwphotographystudio/CRW_&_El_Velo_Client_Websites/madi_%26_ben.html

[JenK]

I absolutely love the Santa Teresa area as well, I just discovered it. My only concern is that it may be difficult to get to for guests. Does anyone have thoughts on that?

[JenK]

ps-also is there a lot of choices for activities in that area, any nightlife???

[TA Becky]

When I went there, I flew into San Jose and drove to the ferry, then off the ferry and drove into Mal Pais/Santa Teresa. That was quite the mission!

 

I know that there's charter flights from Canada that go into Tambor Beach, which is fairly close to Mal Pais/Santa Teresa so it wouldn't take long to get there. They go from most Canadian cities.

 

For nightlife, I did go out quite a bit when I was there. Santa Teresa particularly had a few nightclubs, which I had so much fun at. I also really enjoyed the Sunday market at the beach, as it turned into a beach party with the sunset.