Ziplining through cloud forests. Soaking in volcanic hot springs. Toasting to your new marriage with cocktails on the beach. Costa Rica serves up plenty of “pura vida,” local slang for seize-the-day optimism and gratitude for the simple things in life. Although it’s smaller than West Virginia, Costa Rica packs a wallop of nonstop adventure, pure relaxation, and that sweet spot between tree sloth spotting and actual slothing next to a pool. Ready to find out why everyone who visits can’t stop talking about it? Let your Costa Rica honeymoon begin.
Picking the Perfect Season
Timing your honeymoon in Costa Rica starts with understanding the country’s two seasons:
Dry Season (December–April)
Say hello to sunny skies, and every other tourist who had the same idea to visit this time of year. Get set for hotels to charge peak prices and for crowds to swarm popular spots. The tradeoff? The weather’s so perfect that it’s guaranteed to be worth it.
Green Season (May–November)
Afternoon showers turn the landscapes lush and wet. Yes, it rains, but usually just in the afternoon. The upside is lower prices, fewer tourists, and stunning rainforests. Surfers, rejoice: The Pacific swells are at their best this time of year.
Choosing Your Dream Region
Arenal and La Fortuna
Head northwest from the capital and you’ll find La Fortuna, a small town and a well-known departure point into Arenal Volcano National Park. Anyone interested in waterfall rappelling and crossing hanging bridges can satisfy their adrenaline junkie side in this part of the country.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
The eco-lodges in Monteverde Cloud Forest nestle into canopy-level platforms where you’ll wake up eye-to-eye with toucans and fall asleep to the chorus of tree frogs and distant howler monkeys. Just you, your partner, and a thousand shades of green.
Manuel Antonio
One part beach bliss, one part wildlife encounters, Manuel Antonio is a resort district on the Pacific coast offering everything from boutique hideaways to luxury properties. The neighboring national park means you’ll probably spot white-faced capuchins swinging through the trees and three-toed sloths ambling just yards from your balcony.
Nicoya Peninsula
What’s not to love about Nicoya Peninsula? After all, it’s one of five places worldwide considered to be a “Blue Zone,” where locals live measurably longer, often past 100, largely because of their laidback lifestyles. Samara offers protected, reef-ringed waters perfect for families and beginner surfers, while Montezuma draws bohemian artists who hike near its waterfalls and explore its tide pools. Nobody here is in a hurry except to catch the next wave. Pura vida, indeed.
Top Resorts And Packages
Boutique Jungle Lodges
Immerse yourself in the heart of some of the richest biodiversity on the planet. Think open-air suites that excel at personalized service you won’t find at bigger resorts.
Honeymoon Packages
Costa Rica honeymoon packages often include airport transfers, daily breakfast, and a few tours, taking the guesswork out of planning.
All-Inclusive Options
Our advice? Look up beachfront resorts in Guanacaste. Places like Secrets Papagayo or Andaz Peninsula Papagayo specialize in crafting a Costa Rica all inclusive honeymoon, serving up meals, drinks, and activities all in one.
Costa Rica Honeymoon Resorts
Pricewise, a resort can range from $150 per night for charming eco-lodges to $800+ for luxury properties. Mid-range boutique hotels around $250–$400 balance romance, comfort, and an authentic dive into the country. Consider splitting your stay between different regions. Start with an adventure in Arenal, then decompress at a beach resort.
Activities And Adventures for Every Couple
Start With The Classics
Ziplining through cloud forests gives you the same exhilarating, I’m-really-flying feeling as being married to that person you love. Manual Antonio’s canopy tours blend heart-pumping fun with ocean views that stretch all the way to the horizon.
Wildlife Watching
Hire a guide who’ll spot quetzal, an emerald bird with tail feathers that trail like a cape, that you’d otherwise walk right past. Or wait for a prehistoric-looking Baird's tapir (think pig meets anteater meets elephant) to lumber out of Corcovado’s jungle for its afternoon bath.
For Water Lovers
Go snorkeling in Cahuita where you'll see elkhorn coral, angelfish, parrotfish, and maybe a stingray gliding beneath you. Take surfing lessons along the Pacific coast in Tamarindo where you can playfully embarrass yourselves together. (Bonding!) Catamaran cruises come with open bars and, if you’re lucky, views of dolphins frolicking in the waves.
Slow Down and Savor
Start your morning watching the sunrise from a hot air balloon over coffee plantations. Spend the afternoon getting a couples’ massage at a spa. Take a chocolate tour where you’ll pretend to follow the bean-to-bar process while really just sampling everything in sight. Then schedule a private beach picnic where your biggest decision is whether to open the wine now or wait for sunset.
Budgeting And Planning Tips
- Book flights and hotels 3–6 months ahead of time for the best rates.
- Consider traveling during the green season to enjoy 20–30% savings.
- Costa Rica honeymoon packages often include deals like free nights or spa credits. Ask hotels about honeymoon perks. Many upgrade rooms or include extra romantic touches at no extra cost. Be sure to mention it’s your honeymoon approximately 17 times during the booking process.
- Create a honeymoon registry through Celebration.com and let your guests fund your adventures. Think about allocating your budget to your priorities: 30% accommodations, 30% food and drinks, 25% outings and activities, 15% transportation and miscellaneous.
Packing & Travel Essentials
- Pack light, breathable clothes that dry quickly. You’ll save on luggage space and reduce the stress of finding a place to do laundry.
- Bring a rain jacket, and an umbrella.
- Because regular sunscreen damages coral reefs, it’s banned in many eco-sensitive areas. So pack reef-safe alternatives. Embrace bug spray with DEET as your new signature scent. The mosquitos here mean business.
- Other essentials: A passport with six months still left on it before it expires. A driver’s license, if you’re renting a car. And cash for tips.
Create Your Costa Rica Honeymoon Registry
For a country this compact, Costa Rica is home to an incredible range of bioregions and microclimates, letting you hammock on the beach or zipline through a mist-shrouded canopy all on the same day. Ready to turn pura vida into your honeymoon mantra? Let Celebration.com help you create a registry that’s one part relaxation mode, one part nature documentary. Because the best discoveries happen when you have a plan and a partner.