You planned your wedding/elopement in Costa Rica and it all turned out perfectly, so now it’s time to start your honeymoon. But where should you honeymoon? You can stay in the same area where you exchanged vows to keep things low-key, relaxed, and simple. Or you can get a little adventurous and make your way to a new location, maybe even more than one! Either way, I’ve compiled a list of the top destinations for Costa Rica honeymoons!
I fell in love with Costa Rica when my husband and I spent our honeymoon traveling the county in 2022. We loved it so much, we decided we had to have our own little piece of it! My husband and I now own 6.5 acres in the jungle of Costa Rica, just minutes from two of the coolest waterfalls you will ever see (Diamante Falls and Nauyaca). We can get to the beach easily and we have our choice of a few different towns to visit for a great meal. It is genuinely paradise. Let’s dive into everything Costs Rica has to offer below!
Playa Samara
Playa Samara is situated on the Nicoya Peninsula in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica. It is known for its white sand, snorkeling and scuba diving, and even hiking. If you’d rather find a quieter beach, Playa Carrillo is just 5km (3 miles) from the Samara town. It’s also often more private and quieter than Playa Samara. Check out this stunning AirBnb space in Playa Samara, perfect for a newlywed couple here.
Playa Montezuma
If boho vibes are your thing, Montezuma is the place for you. Playa Montezuma is located on the eastern coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, just north of the Reserva Natural Cabo Blanco. Montezuma has a reputation with the locals for being a hippie because of its slow pace, making it a tranquil escape for couples on their honeymoon. In additional to relaxing at the beach, other activities include hiking to waterfalls, snorkeling at the Tortuga islands, horseback riding along the beach, and visiting Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve. There are both luxury and inexpensive lodging accommodations in Montezuma. Check out this small hotel, Amor de Mar, which has its own Honeymoon Suite here!
Playa Herradura
For the American couples that want an experience in Costa Rica that hits all the tropical notes while also feeling a little bit more familiar, Playa Herradura will suit you well. This area used to be a small village, its black sandy beaches kept a secret. But now its boasting with business and many fun things to do. At the beach, you can swim, fish, surf, or even parasail! There are also nearby zipline excursions and hiking. You can visit the Carara National Park for bird watching or go check out the famous Crocodile Bridge! Playa Herradura’s growth into a tourist destination is thanks in large part to Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, which is a great lodging option for couples that have loyalty points to use or want to gain some more.
Manuel Antonio
This destination holds a very special place in my heart because it was where I spent half of my honeymoon when I came to Costa Rica for the first time. Manuel Antonio is a stunning location that is about 4 or 5 hours south of the capital (San Jose) on the Central Pacific Coast. I was drawn to Manuel Antonio after reading about its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, the Manuel Antonio National Park, and all the different food and drink options located there. My husband and I absolutely loved staying in Manuel Antonio where we had fresh coconuts on the beach and were able to walk to all the activities and restaurants we planned!
There are an abundance of luxury, mid-range, and less expensive lodging options in Manuel Antonio, but I cannot recommend Villas Nicolas enough. This wonderful boutique hotel was quiet and offered incredible views of the ocean (you’ll love watching the sunset here). We even had monkeys join us one morning while we were reading on the balcony! Everything is within walking distance from Villas Nicolas making it very convenient, too.
Uvita
I can’t make a list of the best honeymoon destinations in Costa Rica without including the spot where I spent 8 nights of my own honeymoon. Uvita, Costa Rica is a smaller, quieter beach town that is south about 90 minutes from Manuel Antonio. There are many beaches here, both secluded and well known to the public, and it’s not hard to find one that is perfect for you. Fun fact, Uvita has one of the longest whale watching seasons of any place in the world!
You can also book a snorkeling excursion to Cano Island, which is considered one of the best diving locations in the world. And you have to check out the Whale Tail beach of Uvita, which is a natural phenomenon that takes thousands of year to complete. Bonus – Uvita is not far from my own private land, which is perfect for private elopement in the jungle.
Where to stay in or near Uvita? I think Uvita luxury accomodations is the quintessential of a vacation that cannot be duplicated by anyone else, and there are great luxury villas and AirBnB’s / VRBO’s. For boutique luxury hotels, I highly recommend places such as Art Villas or Golden Pineapple Villas. For a luxury rental on AirBnB or VRBO, I recommend Casa Bella Mia or A Splash of Coastal Elegance.
Check out Kelly and Flaco’s beach couples photoshoot in Uvita, Costa Rica for even more inspiration!
Pavones
Pavones is THE place to go to get away from everyone and everything. It’s not the easiest location in Costa Rica to get to, but it still has lots to offer couples that are wanting to escape crowds and enjoy serenity. There are lots of eco-tours in Pavones and it is very close to the Parque Nacional Corcovado and Reservo Forestal Golfo Dulce. It is best known for it’s surfing, so you’ll want to seek out some surf instructions while you are there! It is also very close to the Costa Rica – Panama border, making a day trip to Panama a possibility. For Pavones, I would recommend staying in an AirBnB such as the Luxury Jungle Paradise house.
Limon
Heading over to the Caribbean side of the country, a stay in Limon would be a lot of fun for a couple that loves to indulge in unique cultural experiences. The capital in Limon has a lot of museums and great architectural features to see. It also has a big afro-caribbean culture and a grand Carnival festival each year! Limon is south of Tortuguero where you will have the ability to watch sea turtles, It is also north of Cahuita National Park which is a stunning place to visit. In Limon, I recommend staying in one of the hotels, as they are affordable and close to everything. Consider Hotel Playa Westfalia.
Puerto Viejo
Last, but most certainly not least, on the list of best destinations for Costa Rica honeymoons is Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. This one of the most popular destinations in all of Costa Rica. It has idyllic white sand and black sand beaches nearby like Playa Cocles and Playa Negra. Puerto Viejo has a great cultural scene with a mixture of Tico (Costa Rica natives), Afro-Caribbean, BriBri Native American, and ex-pats. There are many fusion restaurants and bars, and at night the discos come alive! Puerto Viejo is definitely a great spot for couples that are looking to have fun and be out and about. There is also great surfing in Puerto Viejo and a sloth sanctuary! For a bustling place like Puerto Viejo, I recommend staying in one of the SEVERAL hotels. Definitely check out Umami Hotel for a luxe experience or Shawandha Costa Rica.
Feeling Inspired by this List of Best Destinations for Costa Rica Honeymoons?
Imagine saying “I do” during your intimate, breathtaking ceremony amidst the lush landscapes of Costa Rica. Where you can choose to exchange vows atop the crest of a waterfall while the fresh water cascades below you, or on the beach at sunset while the sun sets below the horizon as you share your first kiss as husband wife. You can have an all day adventure with vows in the morning by the ocean, going from the jungle, to the beach, to a volcano, and back to your AirBnB for an intimate dinner and pool party to celebrate.
I have had the privilege to photograph beautiful, grandeur weddings, and have loved all of them, and now I am putting my heart where it belongs. I give my whole self to photographing weddings in a style that shows raw, intimate, emotional love. So let’s document yours next! Whether it’s an intimate elopement on the sandy shores or a getaway at one of these top locations for Costa Rica honeymoons, I’m ready to document it all! Check out this page for all the details on how to book your Costa Rica elopement and kickstart the planning process. Ready to take that next step and book your photographer? Connect with me here! And in the meantime, find all the Costa Rica wedding and elopement tips you need on the journal!
More Costa Rica Blog Posts and Resources
How Much Does it Cost to Elope in Costa Rica?
Best Beaches in Costa Rica for a Beachfront Elopement
Adventure Costa Rica Elopement Guide in Uvita
Photography by Sara Anne | Costa Rica Photographer
Best Costa Rica Honeymoons Featured Galleries Details
Elopement venue: Golden Pineapple Villas – @golden_pineapple_villas | AirBnB: Suenos Mariposas (AirBnB) | Diamante Waterfall Guide | Uvita, Costa Rica Beaches | Nauyaca Waterfall
