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On the first morning, the mist slowly lifts over the forest and a toucan lands on the terrace railing. In the evening, you have dinner for two facing the Pacific, to the sound of the waves. Between volcanoes, cloud forests and the beaches of two oceans, Costa Rica offers newlyweds a trip that combines shared emotions and real moments of rest. Since 2014, we have been preparing tailor-made honeymoons; here is our advice for planning yours.
Why Costa Rica for a honeymoon
- Varied landscapes in a single trip: volcano, cloud forest, beach, canals.
- Intimate lodges, often small, with terraces opening onto the forest and sometimes a private pool.
- A balance between discovery and rest: a morning in the forest with a guide, an afternoon by the pool.
- Strong memories to share: a turtle on the beach at night, a whale offshore, a quetzal in the mist.
Five places for couples
Arenal and La Fortuna
The volcano, the waterfalls and above all the hot springs, best enjoyed in the evening. Several hotels, such as Nayara Springs, offer villas with a private thermal pool; Tabacón is known for its warm rivers in a tropical garden. See our La Fortuna guide.
Monteverde and the cloud forest
Waking up in the mist, walking the hanging bridges, heading out together, flashlight in hand, on a night walk in search of frogs and sloths. Not far away, in the Bajos del Toro area, El Silencio Lodge shows another side of the mountain forest, among waterfalls and rivers. See our Monteverde guide.
Uvita and the Ballena coast
Marino Ballena National Park owes its name to the whale-tail-shaped sandbar that appears at low tide. Humpback whales come mainly from July to October, and in smaller numbers from December to March. The coast between Dominical and Ojochal has intimate hotels with ocean views and good restaurants. See our whale watching guide.
Tortuguero
You arrive by boat along the canals. From July to October, a night outing with a guide sometimes lets you watch green turtles nesting, in silence and without light: a moment many couples tell us about when they come back. See our Tortuguero guide.
The Osa Peninsula
The end of the world, for two. In Drake, reached by boat from Sierpe, lodges such as Aguila de Osa welcome guests right on the beach; from there you can visit Caño Island or Corcovado. On the other side of the peninsula, Lapa Rios and Bosque del Cabo overlook the forest and the Pacific. See our Osa Peninsula guide.
Moments for two
- a dinner facing the sea or on a terrace in the forest;
- an evening in the Arenal hot springs;
- a treatment in a spa surrounded by nature;
- a private boat trip to watch dolphins and whales, in season;
- a swim at the foot of a waterfall, such as Nauyaca near Dominical;
- a night of turtle watching in Tortuguero.
A twelve-day itinerary
- Days 1 and 2: arrival and a night in a boutique hotel in the Central Valley.
- Days 3 to 5: Arenal, the volcano and hot springs.
- Days 6 and 7: Monteverde and the cloud forest.
- Days 8 and 9: Uvita, beaches and whales in season.
- Days 10 to 12: Drake Bay, then back to San José on a domestic flight.
Our honeymoons are often done with a rental car or a private driver-guide, and sometimes a domestic flight to the south. See our self-drive tours and our tours with a private driver-guide.
Budget
It depends mostly on the lodging you choose. As a rough guide, a night in a lodge often costs USD 100 to 125 and a night in a boutique hotel USD 100 to 250; the most intimate places, with a private pool, cost more. We send you a detailed quote, stop by stop. See our guide to the cost of a trip.
Our advice
Mention your honeymoon when you book: we pass it on to the hotels, and many prepare a small gesture for newlyweds. We can also arrange a private dinner or an outing for two, depending on what each lodge offers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to go?
December to April for sunshine on the Pacific; July to October for whales in Uvita and turtles in Tortuguero. See our guide to Costa Rica weather by month.
Should we avoid the rainy season?
Not necessarily: from May to November, nature is lush, lodges are quieter and showers often fall in the afternoon. September and October are, however, the rainiest months on the Pacific; the Caribbean coast is then often drier.
How long should we plan?
Twelve to fifteen days let you visit four or five regions without rushing. For a shorter stay, it is better to choose three stops.
Can you prepare a surprise?
Yes, contact us discreetly. Plan my honeymoon.
Tours to inspire you
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Let’s talk about your trip
Your dates, your wishes, the pace that suits you: a travel consultant based in Costa Rica will suggest a tailor-made itinerary within 48 business hours.