Is a Costa Rica Honeymoon Right for You? Let’s Find Out!

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Should you book your honeymoon in Costa Rica?

First off, congratulations on getting married! If you are considering a Costa Rica honeymoon, you’ve come to the right place! 

Costa Rica is the perfect mix of jungle and beach, relaxation and adventure, luxury and rustic. In other words, it is the ideal honeymoon destination.

We have lived in Costa Rica for several years and have taken many romantic getaways to both beach and jungle resorts. We now know exactly what to look out for when booking a place, the best activities, and more!

Alright, let’s get to planning your dream-worthy honeymoon!

The 6 Best Costa Rica Honeymoon Destinations

We love every part of Costa Rica, but there are definitely some spots that have more of a honeymoon vibe than others.

Here are our faves…

Papagayo Peninsula

Why We Like It

The Papagayo area is home to a few luxury resorts and villas….nothing else.

So, if you stay in this area you can guarantee that you will have luxury, well-manicured grounds, beautiful white sand beaches, and access to excellent restaurants.

Plus, this area is located within a 30 minute drive of the Liberia International Airport.

Suggested Resorts

Andaz Papagayo

The Four Seasons

Planet Hollywood

There are also villas available, but most are way too excessive for two people. I think for Papagayo your best option is to stay at a resort property. 

Suggested Activities

On Papagayo itself you can enjoy the resort amenities, visit the multiple beaches or go golfing at the 18-hole golf course. 

However, there are tons of day trip options within a short drive. We suggest:

– Visit Rincon de la Vieja Volcano for an adventure day

– Take a Sunset Catamaran Tour

– Go to La Leona Waterfall

– Hike at Santa Rosa National Park

– Go Deep Sea Fishing

Check out our Papagayo Peninsula Visitors Guide for more info

Las Catalinas

Why We Like It

Las Catalinas is a New Urbanist community designed to be car free and completely walkable. The community mostly consists of villas and a few select luxury resorts. 

There is a beautiful beach here and it is easy to get here from Liberia International Airport. 

The community has a beach club that you can pay for on a daily basis. At the beach club you can enjoy an adult-only pool, lounge chairs, fitness center, a private beach, bar and restaurant service, organized activities such as yoga, and so much more!

Suggested Resorts

​​Casa Chameleon: An adult-only hotel which has stunning ocean views, private plunge pools, and exquisite accommodations.

Santarena Hotel: The hotel features spacious and stylish accommodations, world-class dining options, and a wide range of amenities, including a rooftop pool, fitness center, and spa.

Suggested Villa/ Condo Rentals

One Bedroom Luxury Condo

Suggested Activities

Relax on the beach, go mountain biking on the 42 kilometers of trails, try snorkeling, go scuba diving, take a surfing lesson, go sea kayaking, enjoy the Las Catalinas Beach Club. 

Check out our Las Catalinas Visitors Guide for more info

Uvita

Uvita is located on the border of the Central and South Pacific coast. This area is known for its beautiful beaches that back up to jungle. A lot of the resorts here are located in the hills above the town.

Why We Like It

We like this area because it is easy to disconnect here, but there is still plenty of fun things to do nearby. Plus, there are several resorts that we are sure you will love.

Suggested Resorts

Rancho Pacifico: Our top choice for high-end accommodations in Uvita. Rancho Pacifico offers adult-only luxury stays at their world-class resort.

Unwind at their award-winning spa, enjoy the delicious cuisine in their restaurant, take part in fun tropical adventures, or relax by the pool and look out at the waves lapping to shore far below you.

In other words, Rancho Pacifico is a pure luxury paradise.

Use code: VIBES10 at checkout for a 10% discount on your stay!

Vista Celestial– Beautiful small resort in the jungle. Enjoy the infinity pool and delicious restaurant. All rooms also boast their own pool and small kitchenette. 

Kura– Adults-only resort with a ridiculous infinity pool. The rooms and restaurant are top-notch.

Oxygen Jungle Villas– A beautiful adults-only resort located in the jungle. There is an infinity pool, spa, and restaurant on the property. 

Suggested Activities

Take a whale-watching tour, walk the beaches, try surfing, hike to Nuyaca Waterfall, and explore Marino Ballena National Park

Check out our Uvita Visitors Guide for more info

Playa Langosta

Why We Like It

Playa Langosta is located just south of Tamarindo. We like it because it is easy to get into the action of Tamarindo, but has a much more relaxed luxury feel to it.

Suggested Resorts

Cala Luna Boutique Hotel – A very nice resort-style accommodation option. There is a shared pool, restaurant, lounge, massages services, and concierge located on the property.

Sueño del Mar Beachfront Hotel – This hotel is located directly on the beach. It is cozy and nice. Breakfast is included in the room rate. 

Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel – A stunning beachfront hotel. This place features an outdoor pool, spa facilities, an on-site restaurant, bar, and massage services

Suggested Activities

Walk the beach, visit Tamarindo, go beach hopping, try surfing, or take a horseback ride tour.

Check out our Playa Langosta Visitors Guide for more info

La Fortuna

Why We Like It

La Fortuna is a bigger town than some of the other places on this list. But, it is absolutely the best romantic jungle destination that also has tons of adventure options. Plus, you can’t beat the views of Arenal Volcano. 

Suggested Resorts

Tabacon Thermal Resort– A beautiful resort featuring natural hot springs, pools, a spa, multiple restaurants, and more!

Arenal Manoa– This hotel features hot springs, spa treatments, beautiful volcano views, and more!

The Royal Corin– Experience the amazing grounds with pools, spa services, a restaurant, a bar, and more! This is an adult-only resort.

The Springs Resort & Spa– This place is pure luxury! Enjoy the 28 hot spring pools, a spa, volcano views, and a fitness center.

Suggested Activities

Relax in a hot spring, go zip lining, try white water rafting, hike on Arenal Volcano, visit the La Fortuna waterfall, and so much more! Check out our list of all our favorite La Fortuna activities for more ideas. 

Check out our La Fortuna Visitors Guide for more info

Monteverde

Why We Like It

Monteverde is a cool, cloudy destination in the middle of the country. We like this place for a romantic getaway because it provides a different feel than being on the beach.

Suggested Resorts

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens– Beautiful rooms in a unique jungle setting. There is a restaurant and the staff are happy to organize day tours for guests. 

Chira Glamping– It is hard to describe this place because it is just so unique. Picture your own private yurt-like dome with a private bathroom and a beautiful jungle view. There is a shared kitchen on-site for guests to use.

Suggested Activities

Go hiking, try zip lining, walk on hanging bridges, take a wildlife night tour, and relax at a spa.

Check out our Monteverde Visitors Guide for more info

Costa Rica Honeymoon Resorts

Here are some other resorts we suggest for couples that are not in the towns we mentioned above. 

Secrets Papagayo located near Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste: An adults-only resort with tons of amenities. Secrets has locations throughout the world and is a popular all-inclusive resort option for honeymoons.

The property has four restaurants, one cafe, five bars, 24-hour dining services, a fitness center, spa, beach access, yoga classes, and so much more!

El Mangroove located near Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste: The property has two restaurants, spa, beach access, a beautiful pool, and more!

Also, the grounds here are beautiful. You will feel so secluded in luxury.

Punta Islita just south of Samara: Punta Islita is one of the only luxury places to stay near Samara. The resort features restaurants, multiple pools (including one for adults only), a fitness center, and spa.

W Costa Rica in Playa Conchal: This resort is located on one of the nicest beaches in Costa Rica. If you are interested in an all-inclusive resort with a gold course, this is one of the few options in Costa Rica.

The resort features two outdoor swimming pools, a fitness center, three restaurants, beach access, spa, an on-property golf course, and more!

The Retreat Costa Rica located in Atenas: This place has a boutique hotel feel to it. On-site there is a restaurant, pool, nature trails, spa, yoga classes, and more! All meals are included in the price.

Costa Rica Honeymoon Resort Map

We created a map of all the resorts we listed above. This will help give you a better idea of which resort is best for you based on your travel plans.

Keep in mind that the Liberia International Airport is located in the northwest corner of the country and the San Jose International Airport is centrally located near the capital city, San Jose.

All-Inclusive Resorts

We definitely suggest an all-inclusive resort if you plan to mostly spend your time relaxing, enjoying resort amenities, and eating delicious food.

Costa Rica does not have many all-inclusive resorts because most people come here to explore, but there are a few great ones.

We listed some all-inclusive resorts above (Secrets Papagayo, W Costa Rica, the Retreat Costa Rica).

We also have a guide to the 14 best all-inclusive resorts in Costa Rica for more ideas.

Costa Rica Honeymoon Packages

Some resorts offer honeymoon packages that include things like spa treatments, champagne upon arrival, candlelit dinners etc.

Sometimes these packages can be really great deals, so it is worth checking out before finalizing your booking. 

Should I Stay at a Resort for My Costa Rica Honeymoon?

I suggest spending half your time at a resort and half your time exploring on your own. This will give you a good balance between relaxation with your new spouse and and some adventure.

Honeymoon Villa Vacation Rentals

If you would like more privacy during your honeymoon, we suggest booking a villa. We love secluded places with private pools or easy beach access.

We also think it is nice to be somewhat near a town so that you still have access to nice restaurants. 

I went through VRBO and made a list of some suggested places for you. 

My qualifications were that the place needs to make sense for two people (you don’t really need a nine-bedroom place), there was a pool, the place is private, and there are enough nearby activities and restaurants nearby if you feel like getting out. 

So, we’ve got:

Casa Olas Azul in Dominical

Casa del Mono Feliz in Playa Langosta

Villa Dalu located above Uvita

Villa Kaleo in Santa Teresa

Villa Blü in Uvita

Villa Guanacaste in Santa Teresa

Gorda Vista in Dominical

The Perfect Romantic Activities

Visit a Hot Spring

We definitely have to suggest visiting a hot spring in La Fortuna. It is the quintessential honeymoon in Costa Rica experience. 

We suggest visiting Tabacon Resort. You can get a day pass with two meals included for between $105 and $115 per person. 

They also have a spa package if you’d like to add a spa treatment to your day.

Take a Sunset Catamaran Tour

Along the Pacific coast, you can always find companies to take you on a sunset catamaran tour. There are several companies that offer this service. In fact, some even provide all inclusive alcoholic drinks and snacks. 

Visit a Spa

Almost all resorts in Costa Rica have a spa. You often do not need to be staying at the resort to take advantage of their spa services. In Costa Rica, you can try unique spa treatments like volcanic mud wraps and Costa Rican coffee scrubs. So cool!

Find a Secluded Beach

There are a lot of secluded beaches (especially in Guanacaste) where you can have the whole beach to yourself. Between Nosara and Tamarindo there are tons of empty beaches. In northern Guanacaste, we really like Playa Penca between Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa.

Watch the Sunrise/ Sunset

If you are on the Caribbean coast, you should definitely enjoy and early morning wake up to see the sunrise. It is always so peaceful and beautiful. On the Pacific coast, don’t miss the sunset. We like to bring a few drinks with us and sit on the beach to enjoy the Costa Rica sunset.

Enjoy a Sunset Dinner

On the Pacific coast, there are tons of great places where you can enjoy a nice sunset dinner.

One of our favorite spots for this is Manuel Antonio because there are a lot of restaurants in the hills. You can get a great high-up view of the sunset from here.

Is Costa Rica a Good Honeymoon Destination?

I think this really depends on what you are looking for. Costa Rica is a great honeymoon destination if you would like a mix of jungle and beach with the option of plenty of fun things to do.

However, if you are looking for an affordable all-inclusive resort with white sand beaches and turquoise waters; you are probably better off on a Caribbean island or in Mexico.

See, Costa Rica is not a budget-friendly destination as far as resorts go. It is 100% possible to travel here on a budget, but it is hard to plan a luxury stay here without spending a decent amount.

Plus, Costa Rica is known for its more raw natural beauty. There are white-sand beaches and turquoise waters, but there are also dense jungles.

Basically, it is the kind of place that deserves to be explored. If you want to relax on a beach for a week with cocktails, I don’t suggest Costa Rica.

Our Costa Rica Honeymoon Tips

Here are all the things you’ll wish you knew before visiting Costa Rica on your romantic getaway.

Opt for Adult-Only Places

There are a lot of adult-only resorts in Costa Rica. For your honeymoon, we suggest opting for one of these for maximum relaxation and activities geared toward adults. 

Check out our guide to adult-only resorts for more ideas.

Honeymoon Itinerary Tips

Costa Rica is a small country, but it can take forever to drive between locations. For your honeymoon in Costa Rica, I’m sure you want to keep stress to a minimum and just enjoy your time. 

For that reason, we find it best to spend at least three nights at each location you plan on visiting. 

This will give you time to relax and really enjoy a spot.

For a week-long vacation, we suggest one jungle and one beach destination to get a good feel for the country.

Transportation

Typically we always suggest renting a car for getting around in Costa Rica. However, if you plan on doing the whole resort relaxation thing, you really won’t need a rental car. 

You can depend on a taxi or private shuttle to get from the airport to your destination and book day tours for fun daily activities.

Travel Insurance

Don’t forget travel insurance! You are most likely investing a big chunk of money into your honeymoon.

Travel insurance covers you for medical, but it is also great to have if something happens and you need to cancel your trip, if your flight gets delayed if your luggage gets lost etc.

We suggest Heymondo for all your travel insurance needs.

Book Your Travel Insurance

Tell Your Resort That You’re on Your Honeymoon

I hate being showy and trying to get stuff for free, but hey, it’s your honeymoon! 

When you book your accommodations don’t hesitate to leave a comment on your booking along the lines of, “We are visiting your hotel for our honeymoon. Do you have any suggestions of things we can do to make it extra special?”

That way you are not asking for anything for free, but still letting them know that it is your honeymoon. 

You never know, they may at least put a free bottle of wine in your room.

Travel at Off-Peak Times

You probably would like to head out to your Costa Rica honeymoon right after your wedding, but you can potentially save a lot of money by traveling at off-peak times. 

Hotels all over the country have a peak season rate and an off-season rate. 

We like to travel between May and August because everything is cheaper. 

You will likely have afternoon rainstorms, but the mornings tend to be beautiful.

Conclusion

And that is everything for Costa Rica honeymoon planning! Hopefully, you have now found the perfect place for your romantic trip to paradise.

Please feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below. We are happy to help you out!

Also, if you had your honeymoon in Costa Rica and have tips for other travelers, we’d love to hear your advice!

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