Planning an adventure Costa Rica elopement is an exhilarating blend of luxury and excitement. It’s perfect for couples seeking a unique and memorable experience! I’ve decided to put together a comprehensive guide to help you plan your dream elopement in this stunning destination while showcasing the details of Torrie and Mac’s experience. Imagine exchanging vows in the rainforests, beaches, and breathtaking waterfalls, all while indulging in the finest accommodations and amenities Costa Rica has to offer. Whether you’re envisioning a single day of celebration or a week-long adventure, I’m here to ensure every moment is flawlessly captured. Let’s dive into how to make the most of your adventure Costa Rica elopement below!
Torrie and Mac’s Costa Rica Elopement Story
Torrie and Mac went to Costa Rica with my husband and I in January this year. They agreed to have their photos taken for me on our property and at the waterfalls so I could use them for my business! We all decided to act like it was their vow renewal to make it more fun, and the photos turned out so incredible!
It all took place on the private land that my husband and I own in San Isidro de General in Costa Rica, which is about a 30 – 40 minutes drive from Uvita, Costa Rica. Our property is situated just a 5 -10 minute drive from Nauyaca Falls where Torrie had some bridal portraits taken in her dress, and it is in the same neighborhood as Diamante Falls, which is the biggest waterfall system in the country. Taylor and I fell in love with this area of Costa Rica when we visited during our honeymoon in 2022. We loved it so much, we decided we had to have some of it for ourselves. The property is completely empty, but has 3 lots for building when we’re ready. We maintain the lots so that we can visit and use it for elopement locations until we’re ready to put buildings on them.
Costa Rica’s Breathtaking Waterfalls
Nauyaca Waterfalls
The Diamante and Nauyaca waterfall systems are easily accessible and truly beautiful. They are also just 2 of several waterfalls in the area that make the perfect backdrop for elopements or adventure sessions.
We started Torrie and Mac’s special day at Nauyaca Waterfall where Torrie had some bridal portraits taken in front of the waterfall. Getting to the waterfall requires paying for access and then hiking/walking about 30 minutes to the falls. The hike is in and out shade, offers a lot of views of the river that the waterfall feeds into, and passes by a small zoo that is home to some beautiful macaws and peacocks. Once you get to the waterfall there are two different levels with different viewing areas. We visited the top first and posed for a couple photos next to the Nauyaca sign where you can see the huge falls behind. We then made our way to the lower falls where visitors can swim when the waterfall isn’t flowing too hard. This is when Torrie put a dress on was able to get some amazing bridal portraits!
Private Vow Renewal
After Nauyaca, we headed to the private land my husband and I own where Torrie and Mac had their vow renewal. This was a very laid back occasion, but Torrie opted to wear a dress. They had photos taken at the end of one of the lots with the jungle surrounding them. They then walked the path to another lot to look out at the jungle and ocean beyond – on a clear day, the ocean is visible from the end of our property! And the lot is west-facing and has epic sunsets. To fit all of the plans in, we had to plan the elopement for mid-day, so we unfortunately did not get to see the sunset. After about 60-90 minutes at the property for the elopement, we went back to the AirBnB to rest by the pool for the rest of the day.
Diamante Waterfalls
We visited the Diamante Waterfall system the next day of this adventure elopement vow renewal. Diamante waterfall is located on private property and is only accessible through a guided tour hosted by Pacific Journeys. The hike to the waterfall is a bit intense. We hiked straight up for about two or two and a half hours. There was a break in the garden about half-way that was really beautiful. The guide showed us many of the different flora and fauna grown in the garden, all of which are native to Costa Rica. During the hike, we saw many local birds including toucans and a variety of humming birds. We even saw a howler monkey!
Once we got to the waterfall system, we were able to take in how grand the system is – it’s huge! We got to shower off our dirt and sweat in the falls, and swim in the natural pools. Torrie and Mac opted for photos amidst the falls when we got to the waterfall system. After photos, the tour included a meal behind the falls that was prepared in the cave for us onsite. It was so delicious! We then walked about 10 or 15 minutes farther to see the rest of the waterfall system and the overlook, which is a 700 foot drop to the bottom. You could see all the way to the ocean from there! It was nothing short of a natural wonder to see.
When we left Diamante, we stopped at a small, local restaurant just down the road (and on the same street) as the meeting spot for the hike. The restaurant served amazing smoothies and delicious meals that replenished us after the extensive hike back from the waterfall.
Lodging Options for a Costa Rica Elopement
Infinite Abundance
There are a lot of lodging options near Uvita and San Isidro de General. During our honeymoon, my husband, Taylor, and I stayed at Infinite Abundance which is situated within the mountains and overlooks a stunning valley. It has 2 master bedrooms that each have a king size bed, a pool with an infinity view over the valley, and a spa/hot tub that is perfect for the cooler evenings. The house is situated at the end of a road by itself and offers complete privacy. The experience at Infinite Abundance feels luxurious and is a perfect place for couples wanting to relax and take in the beautiful scenes of Costa Rica with complete privacy.
During our second trip to the area, Taylor and I stayed at Sueños Mariposas with Torrie and Mac. This stunning place is situated on the same mountain as Infinite Abundance and managed by the same host. Sueños Mariposas has a different set up from Infinite Abundance. It has 3 “gabinas” or cabins set up that are all solely used by/for the renters. One “gabina” is where renters sleep, one is the kitchen, and then there is a dining room/living room gazebo. There is also a pool on the property that overlooks the beautiful valley. The host of Sueños Mariposas also lives on the property, but it in a separate building, and is often not present during the day. We did feel that Sueños Mariposas was more for the adventure-seeking couple that do not plan to spend much time where they are sleeping.
Golden Pineapple Villas
During the second trip to Costa Rica, I had the opportunity to also visit Golden Pineapple Villas. This is an adults-only, luxury resort in Uvita. Golden Pineapple Villas is nestled is at the top of a mountain in Uvita. Each villa has a panoramic view and defines luxury. The property has a small pavilion space that is perfect for elopements and wedding ceremonies alike. There is a private restaurant and bar onsite that is only accessible to guests and offers a truly wonderful experience. Golden Pineapple Villas is the perfect place to stay for couples that want to have their adventure elopement in Costa Rica and start their honeymoon immediately so they can have their adventures and indulge in luxuries all at once.
Exploring Costa Rica’s Scenery
The rest of the week in Uvita was spent exploring the fun things to do. We snorkled off Caño Island where we saw exotic fish and a sea turtle. Then we visited Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary and saw lots of exotic wildlife native to Costa Rica. We drove to Dominical where we visited local shops and the farmers market, and where we watched some surfers catching waves. Then we made time to go to Playa Uvita and walked out to the “whales tale’ beach – which is a really cool natural phenomenon happening that everyone must see!
The beaches of Uvita are simply stunning. I have another blog post featuring Kelly and Flaco on a beach in Uvita that really shows how amazing the beaches here are! Check out all the details from their romantic session here! Bonus detail: Kelly owns a salon in Uvita and often does bridal hair for weddings and elopements.
Ready to start planning your own adventure Costa Rica elopement?
Let’s do this thing! I’m a Costa Rica elopement photographer and can’t wait to make your dreams a reality! My soul craves adventure and deep connections. I give my whole self to photographing weddings in a style that shows raw, intimate, emotional love. You can learn all about me here! If you’re ready to kickstart the panning proicess and book your Costa Rica photographer, then let’s chat! In the meantime, head on over to the journal for more inspiration, tips, and tricks for your special day. Kelly and Flaco’s beach couples photoshoot in Uvita, Costa Rica is one you definitely don’t want to miss!
Costa Rica Elopement Vendors
Photographer: photosbysaraanne.com @photosbysaraanne | Couple: @torriefischer | Dress: Lulus @lulus | Diamante Waterfall experience: Pacific Journeys | Nauyaca Waterfall: @nauyaca_waterfalls | Lodging options: Suenos Mariposa, Infinite Abundance, Golden Pineapple Villas: @golden_pineapple_villas
