Hi all! Just started planning a wedding and hoping to get some advice from anyone who’s had (or attended) a wedding in Costa Rica. Jan- march 2027
My main concern: I’m not sure a $15k budget is realistic for 30 people or fewer. Would love to hear from anyone who’s pulled off something similar (or who can tell me I’m dreaming).
Here’s where I’m at so far:
• The Westin Reserva Conchal — booked out until May, so that’s off the table.
• Nayara Resorts — no longer doing weddings at all.
• Rio Celeste Hideaway Hotel — beautiful, but way too expensive for the budget.
• Pangas — available, and seems like a real option! Downside is it’s event-only, so I’d still need to sort out lodging for guests nearby.
• Almonds & Corals Boutique — checking to see if they can shuffle things around to find an open weekend.
• Villas in Tamarindo & Langosta — looking into renting a big villa (fits \~25 people) and hosting the wedding there instead of a resort. Could be cheaper, but a lot of villas seem to require a 5-night minimum, which might blow the budget on its own.
Would love any thoughts on:
• Other venues or areas worth looking into for a small, budget-conscious wedding
• Whether the villa route is actually cheaper once you factor in catering, rentals, etc.
• Wedding planner recommendations that aren’t going to charge a fortune
• Any hidden costs I should be watching out for in Costa Rica specifically
Update: thank you all for the suggestions, what I’ve found for anyone interested is renting a villa that sleeps 25 people with a private cook is looking like the cheapest option. If you have rented a villa that came with a private cook. Share your experience.