Costa Rica is a popular honeymoon destination for so many reasons – exotic tropical location, romantic boutique hotels, all-inclusive beachfront resorts, rainforests and cloud forests to explore, pristine white sand beaches, ocean sunset catamarans, exotic birds and wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, macaws and toucans, and so much more. If you are thinking about Costa Rica as your honeymoon destination, here are some of our top tips for the perfect pura vida honeymoon!
Begin planning about 8–12 months out. This is when you will find the best selection of rooms. Most hotels in Costa Rica take reservations this far in advance. You can use an app like Hopper to keep an eye on airfare rates so you are ready to purchase tickets when the rates are favorable.
When is the best time of year to honeymoon in Costa Rica? There are two “seasons” in Costa Rica, dry season and green season. Dry season is roughly December through April, and green season is May through November. June and July are often quite “dry” as well. Dry season is also called “high season” as it is generally considered the preferred time to visit, with little rain, and reliably good weather. Keep in mind that it is also when things are the most crowded, and when they are the most expensive. In green season there are sometimes brief rain showers in the afternoon, but much of the day is sunny (of course some days it rains much more). On the upside, the countryside is lush and green, wildlife tends to be more active, and the crowds lessen.
Plan for at least a one week vacation. The length of an average honeymoon is 8 days, 7 nights. If you are traveling from the US or Canada, we think this timeframe matches well with a honeymoon in Costa Rica. Of course, if you can stay longer, please do! But in our experience, 8 days is long enough to travel between at least two destinations, which means you could spend some time, for example, in the higher elevation rainforests, and also some time at the beach.
Plan your honeymoon together! Costa Rica offers so many different experiences, from jungle ziplining, to surf lessons, to river rafting, to sipping umbrella drinks on the beach. The best honeymoon is one where each of you contribute ideas about how to spend your time in paradise.
Consider how active you want to be. Costa Rica is one of the top adventure destinations in the world. With world class surf breaks, hidden waterfalls to explore, ATV beach tours, horseback riding, and ziplining over jungle canopies, an active honeymoon could be a dream come true. But Costa Rica also caters to those who prefer to spend their vacation relaxing by an infinity pool with spectacular views of the ocean. Our recommendation is to do both! We often front load a honeymoon with some adventure activities in the beginning and then take it down a notch so that you have a few days to relax and recharge before returning to your busy lives.
What type of hotel do you like? Are you a glamping kind of gal, or is the Four Seasons your jam? In Costa Rica you can have your pick of places to stay, from boutique hotels, to glamping, to private villas, to all-inclusive resorts. You will find abundant options in all of these categories. Let your travel agent know your preferences!
Set a budget and stick to it. Costa Rica is not inexpensive. The cost of living here is high, and that is reflected across the board in lodging, dining, and transportation. However, it is possible to have a romantic honeymoon no matter your budget. Working with a local travel agent is a great way to get the most bang for your buck. Can’t afford the glitzy seaside resort? Your agent probably knows of a quaint hotel with excellent customer service.
Spring for some romantic amenities! One way to amp up the romance on your honeymoon is to consider adding the following to your itinerary:
Couples massages – need we say more?
Take a soak in the hot springs – Costa Rica has many options, especially in the Arenal Volcano area, where the geothermal activity underground results in soothing, bubbling natural hot springs!
Set sail on a sunset catamaran cruise – these are available in most beachside towns, and there’s no better way to watch a classic Costa Rican sunset.
Hire a private chef for a beachside dinner – your travel agent can make a recommendation or ask your hotel staff for suggestions.
Have your paperwork in order. Upon arrival, the immigration officials will want to see that you have booked a return flight to your home country. They will also want to know where you are staying. It’s best if you print out your itinerary and be sure that it includes the names and addresses (or at least the names of towns) for any hotels, resorts, or Airbnbs in which you will be staying. Sometimes the immigration officials wave you through quite easily, and sometimes they are very thorough. It’s always best to be prepared.
Consider using a local travel agency. Of course we hope you chose the Costa Group, but there are many good and reputable travel agencies who can deliver the honeymoon of your dreams within your budget, and which ticks off all the boxes for you and your spouse. Travel agents can save you time and money, and they can act as a resource while you are here, answering questions and helping to fix things when something doesn’t go as planned. A good agency has working relationships with lots of hotels and service providers, ensuring that you get good pricing and excellent customer service. They can be an invaluable part of your honeymoon team.
Honeymoon vacation packages are a great place to start. We offer several packages that might be perfect for your honeymoon and they are all customizable to match your budget and interests. We also have a custom itinerary service where we build your honeymoon from scratch. Here are some packages to get your creative juices flowing – whether you book a package or just take note of some of the itinerary options for your own planning:
Costa Rican Honeymoon – featuring a stay at a premier glamping hotel on a small island, followed by a stay at a luxury resort and spa.
Adrenaline Seekers Vacation – for the couple who are outdoor enthusiasts looking to bond over thrill-seeking adventures.
Pacific Dreams Beach Vacation – a combination of beachside relaxation and fun water sports, such as beginner surf lessons, snorkeling, and kayaking.
Your Custom Vacation! Use our custom itinerary service to plan your romantic getaway, built from the ground up to ensure that every detail is perfect.
To learn more about all of ways in which we can work together to make your honeymoon exceptional, visit our homepage. Happy honeymoon planning!
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