Getting married in Costa Rica has never been easier! Here are 10 reasons why Costa Rica is the hot spot for destination weddings in Latin America!
Thinking of marrying abroad in a beautiful, tropical location? There’s never been a better time than now to have your wedding celebration in Costa Rica. Here are 10 great reasons why the Land of Pura Vida is an excellent choice for an unforgettable wedding:
1.Safety – While other countries are experiencing extreme violence due to drug cartels and having travel bans issued, Costa Rica remains a safe country for tourists to visit. You don’t need to worry about walking around a beach town on your own or leaving the hotel property. Of course, you still need to use common sense and not leave personal items unattended at the beach or in your rental car (just as you wouldn’t at home). Having no army since 1949, Costa Rica places a high value on peace.
2. You Can drink the Water – That’s right, it’s fine to drink the water and eat the salads without fear of Montezuma’s Revenge. Water is potable in all but the most remote areas of the country. If you have a sensitive stomach, it’s best to use bottled water but nothing to fear when order fruits or vegetables that have been washed in tap water.
3. No Visa – Visitors with passports from most countries (including the USA, Canada, the UK and the EU) will not need a visa (for a complete list, please check here http://www.costarica-embassy.org/index.php?q=node/51). You will be issued a 90-Day Tourist visa in your passport when you enter Costa Rica, allowing you to freely travel the country for those three months. Just be sure your passport doesn’t expire for six months from your entry date into Costa Rica (ie if you’re entering Costa Rica on January 1, your passport cannot expire prior to July 1). And you’ll need proof of an on-ward air ticket.
4. Choices – Marrying in Costa Rica doesn’t mean your wedding will be relegated to the white chair cover with the pink or the blue sash. There are a number of rental shops in the country with everything from custom made teak dining tables and chairs to sequined tablecloths rivaling the swankiest shops in LA, usually at prices far below what you’d pay in your home country. Whether your vision is Boho chic by the beach or an elegant affair in a luxury hotel on a rainforest mountain top or a sleek modern villa overlooking the ocean or a rustic lodge nestled under the shadow of a volcano, you’ll find the perfect setting in one of the 13 microclimates of Costa Rica. And our amazing rental shops have all you need to bring your vision to life.
5. Zika Isn’t A Huge Concern – Yes, we have Zika in Costa Rica, just as the USA does. Texas and South Florida both have the virus transmitted via mosquito and most of the USA has cases. In Costa Rica, the cases have been on the Caribbean coast, some in the Central Pacific (barrios in the Jaco area) and near Nosara in Guanacaste. To date, only one tourist has contracted Zika, while on a yoga retreat in Nosara in 2016. The Costa Rican government has been very aggressive in combatting Zika by identifying and fumigating hundreds of thousands of mosquito breeding grounds. There is also an on-going educational campaign in all the schools.
Costa Rica has the highest population of birds and bats in the Western Hemisphere, keeping the mosquito population in check. One bat can eat upwards of 10,000 mosquitos in a night. Having lived in Costa Rica for 15 years, I can honestly say I’ve had more problems with mosquitos in my former hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada than I’ve ever had here.
For more information: http://www.premiodmc.com/update-zika-virus-costa-rica-march-24th-2017/
https://www.cdc.gov/zika/geo/domestic-guidance.html
6. Ticos Love Gringos – Costa Ricans, or “Ticos” as they are affectionately known, love visitors! They are very proud of their beautiful country and are warm, hospitable hosts. Costa Rica has had a long and positive relationship with the USA (and Canada and Europe) so all “Gringos” are welcome. Here, the term Gringo is not a derogatory one – they simply use it for anyone who looks like they aren’t Latino. Try to speak a few words in broken Spanish and you’ll endear yourself to your hosts even more. And don’t worry if no hable espanol , as English is spoken by everyone working in tourism. Since English is taught in the school system, most Costa Ricans have some basic knowledge of the language. And if they don’t, they’ll do their best to find someone who does speak English or, failing that, help you out with hand signals and smiles.
7. No Shots – Travelers from most countries will not require any vaccinations before entering Costa Rica. Thanks to a high standard of living and universal healthcare, Costa Rica has a healthy population and low risk of infection. If you are traveling from or have been traveling in any of these countries that are experiencing a Yellow Fever outbreak, you will need a Yellow Fever vaccination 10 days prior to entering Costa Rica: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guyana and Venezuela.
The CDC recommends travellers have the Hepatitis A vaccine, as there is a low risk of contamination via food or water. For more information, see: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/costa-rica
8. So Many Flights – Traveling to Costa Rica has never been easier or more affordable! Every month it seems another airline is announcing direct flights to the capital of San Jose (SJO) or the northern Pacific airport in Liberia (LIR). Flights are available from all over North America, England, Spain, Germany and France.
9. Flower Power – Costa Rica is one of the major growers and exporters of flowers in the world! Orchids, hydrangeas, cala lillis, roses, freesias, birds of paradise, ginger – thanks to microclimates ranging from chilly mountain tops to humid rainforests, there is a wide range of flowers to choose from, all locally grown.
10. World-Class Locations & Services – Imagine having a triple-Grammy award-winning duo perform for your wedding ceremony or one of the top fireworks companies in the world set off an explosion of color and lights into the night sky to finish your wedding with a bang. Imagine white-gloved waiters serving fresh, locally-grown vegetables alongside a delicious red snapper filet that was caught out of the ocean that morning. There is incredible talent and stunning locations throughout the country, all more affordable than you’d think. And a fresh, never frozen wedding feast can be had for as little as $40 a person.
With so much to offer, do and see, Costa Rica has something for every age and activity level. No matter what your wedding vision is or your budget, you’ll find a dream location for a incredible wedding celebration.
Want more information on how to create your dream wedding in Paradise? Drop us an email at info@weddingscostarica.com
For more ideas on why Costa Rica is an amazing wedding spot, check out our article in Huffington Post!
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