How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Costa Rica?

Many people are now opting to for an elopement instead of a traditional wedding so that they can celebrate their love in a way that feels more special and more true to their personalities. One of the great benefits of an elopement over a wedding is often the cost is much less expensive, even if you are wanting to have an international destination in a completely different country from where you live.

In this blog, I will be giving you an idea of how much it might cost you to elope in Costa Rica in 2025. The cost breakdown you will see is based on the idea of a true elopement – just two lovebirds running away from the normal wedding so they can exchange their vows alone and in a way that is completely unique to them. Please keep in mind that if you plan to include guests, there will be additional costs to consider. Now let’s jump into the full breakdown below!

How to Elope in Costa Rica: Details Covered in the Blog

Timing and Transportation

I selected the dates of January 18 – 25, 2025 when researching the cost for an elopement in Costa Rica. As I have learned through my own experiences, the cost to travel to Costa Rica becomes exceptionally more expensive as the time between planning and arriving to your location decreases. I recommend beginning to book your travel plans around 9 months in advance. Start by choosing where you will stay and the dates, then book your flights and your car around that information.

Pro tip: book a car with 4×4 drive if you have any desire to explore the incredible beauty that Costa Rica has to offer. While Costa Rica is a developed country, not all roads are paved. And even if they are, the country is quite mountainous and you will need the 4×4 drive to go up and down some very steep hills.

Location Scouting to Elope in Costa Rica

When choosing a location to elope in Costa Rica, the country has several locations that make for a gorgeous vow exchange site that are completely free and full of wonder. There are options on the beach, beside a waterfall, or even in the jungle. However, if you want to have a more refined feel, consider booking your lodging stay at a place that also offers a ceremony location site. A great example of this is the Golden Pineapple Villas (as featured in this gallery).

Traditional or Nontraditional?

After you get past booking your flights, car, and lodging, the remaining costs for your Costa Rica elopement will largely depend on how you choose to elope. Not everybody wants to wear a traditional wedding dress or suit. You may choose to do your own hair and makeup. But if you hire someone that is not local, there may be travel fees associated with that cost. Some couples want to have a bridal bouquet and boutonniere, and some do not want any florals at all. I have researched these expenses and included a base price based on the information I found for these. But I do want you to know that the pricing can vary greatly or be non-existent, depending on each couple.

Different Seasons of Weather

A final note on my estimated cost for your Costa Rica elopement before the pricing breakdown. I am based in Kansas City, MO, and my husband and I own about 6.5 acres of land in the Costa Rica jungle. So we travel to Costa Rica at least once a year to check in on our land and have a little vacation while we are there. My husband and I prefer to travel to Costa Rica in January, which is winter in Kansas City and dry season in Costa Rica. Dry season is considered the optimal time to visit Costa Rica, as it rains less during this time. But that does mean that the cost to travel to Costa Rica during dry season can be more expensive than it is during rainy season. Dry season in Costa Rica is typically from December through April.

Pricing Breakdown to Elope in Costa Rica

Pricing below is based on the dates January 18 – 25, 2025, flying into and out of Liberia, Costa Rica, while staying in or near Uvita, Costa Rica. Wedding/elopement costs were researched under the assumption that only 2 people will be present – the couple getting married.

Flights: ~$500 – $2,000

The key to getting the best cost on flights to Costa Rica is to book them as far in advance as possible. When I traveled to Costa Rica in January 2024, flights were booked about 3 months before prior to our arrival date. They cost us $1300 per person. In 2022, we booked about 8 months in advance and paid around $650 per person. As we are planning our trip next trip to Costa Rica in January 2025, we booked our flights in April (2024) and paid ~$600 per person. The price will vary depending on where you are flying to and from (I recommend the Liberia airport in Costa Rica), the class of flights you book, how many (if any) bags you will check, and the number of stops/layovers.

Car: ~$500 – $1,500

Like booking flights, you will get the best prices for your car rental the sooner it is booked. Many car rental companies offer their services in Costa Rica such as Avis, Alamo, and Budget. I usually opt to rent from a local company, such as Adobe Rent A Car. In my experience, the local car rental companies typically offer more competitive rates. The total cost will depend on the number of days for the rental, the kind of car, and the size. I highly suggest making sure that you get a car with 4 wheel drive (4WD), due to the steep inclines of the roads and many of them not being fully paved throughout the country.

Lodging: ~$900 – $2,800

The cost of lodging when you elope in Costa Rica has the biggest range because of the wide array of facilities that are available. If you want to stay in a smaller, boutique hotel with minimal amenities, there are some places with options as low as $80 – $90/night. Most AirBnB’s or VRBO’s average around $125 – $325 per night. There are also luxury hotels that can cost upward of $500 – $700/night. When I travel to Costa Rica, I typically stay in an AirBnb that is within a comfortable drive (around 30 minutes) to a city where I can purchase groceries but also head out to a fun restaurant or bar when I’d like.

Since our property is located in San Isidro de General, my husband and I look for houses that are available to rent near Uvita, Costa Rica, or Savegre de Aguierre, or even San Isidro de General. Many of the homes available to rent in these areas are very cozy and would even make a beautiful location for an elopement, or just a great honeymoon spot. Here are a few of my favorite AirBnB’s:

1. Infinite Abundance in Savegre de Aguirre

2. The Cabin at Uvita

3. Casa Luz in San Isidro de El General

Ceremony Site / Venue: Potentially ~$0.00

With my husband and I owning property in the jungle in San Isidro de El General, you can exchange your vows in complete solitude without spending a penny (except for the cost of travel to get there). You can say “I do” with your partner, me as your photographer, and the toucans, parakeets, sloths, or maybe even monkeys as your witnesses. On a clear day, you can see the ocean from the end of our property. It’s the perfect place to exchange vows. Sunsets from the ceremony spot can’t be beat either!

The property is just a few minutes drive from Nauyaca Waterfall. It’s not far from Uvita where there are gorgeous beaches and lots of great restaurants. You can easily plan out your elopement ceremony, newlywed portrait locations, and celebratory dinner from our property. There is also the option to choose a beautiful AirBnB or VRBO where you can exchange vows. Or you can rent a designated wedding venue, too. Many venues require direct contact to obtain pricing information.

Wedding dress: ~$1,700 – $2,500

Google says that the average cost of wedding dress in 2024 is $1900. However, it’s worth noting that dresses can be found that cost less or more than this amount. In the digital age, we now have options to buy a wedding dress from fast fashion sites like LuLus for as low as $100. Or there are luxury designer dresses for as much as $5000. The choice of a wedding dress is very personal and will vary greatly from person to person. If you want to buy a dress locally in Costa Rica, you will have your best luck searching in a large city like San Jose.

Wedding Suit: ~$400 – $800

Google also says that the average cost of suit for a wedding in 2024 is around $400. Similarly to dresses, there are other options for obtaining a suit for a wedding that bring the cost down to as low as $200, or as high as $1000. There are even options to rent a suit. If you want to purchase or rent locally in Costa Rica, the most likely city for finding one will be in San Jose.

Bridal Bouquet: ~$100 – $250

Under the premise that we are planning a true elopement, a bridal bouquet may or may not be part of your plan. If it is, the average price of a bridal bouquet with local flowers in Costa Rica is between $100 and $250. The actual cost will depend on the flowers that are used, the size of the bouquet, and whether or not the bouquet will be delivered or picked up from the florist. If you want to add a boutonnière, you might be able to do so for a price between $20 – $30.

Hair and Makeup: ~$200 – $300

Hiring one or two persons to provide bridal hair and makeup services costs similarly to that of what you will find in the USA. If hair and makeup services aren’t needed for your elopement, this expense can be nixed all together. There is also the option for just bridal hair, or just bridal makeup. This estimate does not include the cost of a trial. But if that is desired, arriving up to one week before your elopement day is advised and booking as far in advance as possible is necessary.

Officiant: ~$200 – $1,200, or possibly FREE

Finding an officiant, or justice of the peace, to ordain your ceremony could be a daunting task that ends up costing more money than you may want to budget. One way to get around this cost is to make your elopement ceremony in Costa Rica symbolic and sign your marriage certificate in the USA so you won’t need an officiant at all. If you do want to have your legal ceremony in Costa Rica, the couple will need to be 18 years of age or older, have valid passports, birth certificates, and sworn statements of marriage statuses, two witnesses, and either a lawyer or judge to perform the civil ceremony.

Photographer: ~$3,000 – $10,000

The cost of an elopement photographer varies greatly depending on the photographer’s skill level, business and living costs, and photography style. As a professional wedding and elopement photographer myself, my elopement packages for Costa Rica include the cost of my own travel expenses, photography coverage on your elopement day, and my elopement planning services to help you plan your most perfect day. As a bonus, if you are not planning a legal ceremony in Costa Rica, my husband can be included as part of the package to ordain your elopement at no additional cost!

Add together the average the cost of each item listed above, and your elopement in Costa Rica could cost possibly cost a total of $14,425. On the lowest end of the estimates provided, the cost could be $7,500. On the highest end of the estimates, the cost could be $21,350.

Featured in the Blog: Ivonne and Issac’s Reviews

“Sara is amazing and her job is incredible 🤯😍. Me and my husband had a photoshoot 📸 and we enjoyed a lot. It was really funny but cute. She is an artist 😍❤️🥰” – Ivonne

“Loved the photos! Sara has such a great talent and professionalism! 100% recommend 👌🏼” – Isaac

Feeling Inspired to Elope in Costa Rica Next?

I’m eager to make your dreams a reality! I’m a Kansas City photographer who travels to our Costa Rica property for adventurous and tropical elopements like this one. I love to work with couples who want a wedding gallery that is an authentic reflection of their love for one another. Learn more about me and my mission here! Looking to elope in Uvita, Costa Rica, but don’t know where to start? Check out this Adventure Uvita elopement guide for a blueprint of an unforgettable experience! Let’s connect if you’re ready to take that next step and book your Costa Rica elopement photographer! In the meantime, discover more tips on how to elope in Costa Rica on the journal to kickstart the planning process!

Photography by Sara Anne | Costa Rica Elopement Photographer

Vendors to Help You Elope in Costa Rica

Photography – @photosbysaraanne | Couple – Ivonne @ivonne_ps14, Isaac @isaac_personal_trainer | Resort / Elopement venue – Golden Pineapple Villas @golden_pineapple_villas