There is no better place for romance than Costa Rica. During your Costa Rica honeymoon or romantic getaway, you want the perfect balance of adventure, nature, and relaxation. Everyone is different, and these itineraries offer couples the opportunity to pick and choose the level of adventure that they would like to include on their special trip.
There will be plenty of time to relax on the beach and around the pool, but a trip to Costa Rica is not complete without an excursion or two to experience the rainforest jungle. Based on your desired level of adventure, we will make recommendations to ensure your activities are personalized.
We use small, personalized properties that are private and geared towards couples that want to have a romantic experience. Each property has spacious rooms with large bathrooms and even the occasional outdoor shower and/or private plunge pool.
Our Costa Rica Honeymoon & Romantic Itineraries
The following itineraries are meant for adventurous couples who want to fully experience the country of Costa Rica. These itineraries work very well for honeymooners, those celebrating anniversaries or any other special occasion like a birthday or retirement. The levels of activity and amounts of relaxation can be customized to your desire as a couple! Review our Costa Rica family honeymoon and romantic getaway itineraries below, or customize your own trip.
Tropical Honeymoon in Paradise
Arenal -> Manuel Antonio or Playa Hermosa
This is our most popular and inclusive Costa Rica couple’s vacation. This is great for a first-time trip to Costa Rica. With this itinerary, you will have the chance to experience the rainforest, cloud forest, and hidden beaches! During the day you can go rafting, take a canyoning excursion, go horseback riding or trek deep into the jungle. You will experience up-scale accommodations, soak in natural geothermal hot springs and relax on the beach as you take in the gorgeous sunsets that the Pacific Coast offers!
Cost Range: $1,675 – $4,450 per person
Itinerary Duration: 8-11 days (7-10 nights)
Couple’s Romantic Adventure
Drake Bay -> Turrialba -> Pacuare River
This itinerary is great for couples looking to get off the beaten path and experience a newer side of Costa Rica. There is a wide array of jungle environments offered on this romantic adventure itinerary, and you will experience various primary rainforest preserves as well as some of the countries most incredible national parks. The overnight Pacuare River rafting experience takes you deep into the jungle over thrilling class III and IV rapids for a romantic night in a private cabin deep within the rainforest. After rafting, you’ll take a scenic in-country flight to the gorgeous Osa Peninsula (Drake Bay). Your time here will be spent in a beautiful lodge overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Cost Range: $2,385 – $5,810 per person
Itinerary Duration: 8-11 days (7-10 nights)
Secluded Caribbean
Turrialba -> Pacuare River -> Puerto Viejo or Cahuita
Explore the less-visited Talamanca Mountains on the Caribbean Slope with this incredible Costa Rican adventure that explores the eastern side of Costa Rica. You’ll take time to explore the mountains before an amazing rafting experience towards the Caribbean Ocean on the world-famous Rio Pacuare. After your night spent in the jungle lodge in the rainforest, you will continue to the southern Caribbean Coast where you will take time to explore the hidden beaches and tide pools while soaking in the Costa Rican reggae and Afro-Caribbean culture.
Cost Range: $1,610 – $3,990 per person
Itinerary Duration: 8-11 days (7-10 nights)
What Our Clients Say:
Costa Rica Escapes did an excellent job of setting up our hotels and transfers for our 20th Anniversary celebration trip to Costa Rica. The accommodations were lovely and all of our pickups were right on time. Everything was clearly spelled out, which made things really easy. Thank you for a wonderfully planned trip. One of the best we’ve taken! — Elyce & Larry
Costa Rica Honeymoon Guide: Where to Go & What to Do!
When considering where to honeymoon in Costa Rica, newlyweds will find a variety of tropical, romantic honeymoon destinations and activities to choose from. Knowing your interests and priorities will help you narrow it down.
Is Costa Rica a Good Honeymoon Destination?
With white-sand beaches, vibrant rainforest, world-class luxury resorts, and secluded boutique hotels, Costa Rica is an excellent honeymoon destination offering adventure, romance, and relaxation for newlyweds. Its unique regional cultures, exuberant biodiversity, and natural beauty make it an ideal destination to create memories together to last a lifetime.
How Should I Plan My Honeymoon Itinerary in Costa Rica?
As it is a small country, roughly the size of the US state of West Virginia, a Costa Rican honeymoon can accommodate a varied itinerary from the mountains to the sea. A well-planned honeymoon itinerary should include a beach and a rainforest location plus thoughtfully selected activities throughout the country’s diverse tropical ecosystems to match the couple’s interests and pace.
Because no two couples are alike, there is no one-size-fits-all honeymoon. Rather, the flavor of a honeymoon should meld to the personality of the two individuals who make up the couple. For those looking for adventure, remote destinations offering all-inclusive boutique eco-resorts nestled deep in the jungle in some of Costa Rica’s most untouched regions can allow the couple to connect far from civilization. At these spectacular destinations, couples can fully immerse themselves in nature while exploring some of the country’s unique habitats.
While outdoorsy, athletic couples will enjoy the challenge of rugged hiking and high-energy adventure, others prefer a slower pace. Couples who prefer luxury, relaxation, and seclusion can unplug lounging on the beach and unwind by soaking in natural mineral hot springs, heated by nearby volcanoes. High-end accommodations and services allow couples to enjoy a stress-free getaway without having to lift a finger.
Other itineraries can have it all by combining adventure with relaxation and high-end luxury amenities. Most importantly, the destinations and activities of a honeymoon itinerary should prioritize the enjoyment of both partners and opportunities to savor new experiences together.
Where Should I Honeymoon in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has a well-earned reputation as an undeniable tropical paradise. Costa Rican Escapes’ romantic getaway itineraries offer multiple high-quality options with variations allowing you to choose and customize from a variety of honeymoon themes.
The romantic tropical paradise itinerary is an excellent choice for newlyweds who are traveling to Costa Rica for the first time. It includes adventure and relaxation at Arenal volcano’s natural hot springs and then takes newlyweds to the pacific coast for a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park to explore its biodiversity. Accommodations are selected for romance in private bungalows and villas, some with plunge pools, outdoor showers and jungle or ocean views.
The secluded Caribbean itinerary allows couples to get off of the beaten path while incorporating the adrenaline of canyoning, canopy tour, and white water rafting on the Pacuare River in an indigenous reserve with the natural and cultural beauty of the Caribbean. The trip ends in the laid-back beach town of Puerto Viejo where you’ll find the rhythm of reggae and Afro-Caribbean cuisine abound.
The remote romantic adventure itinerary takes the intrepid couple into the wild frontier of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. It includes snorkeling, guided hiking tours in Corcovado National Park, snorkeling at Caño Island, downtime at Drake Bay and in-country flights with a birds-eye view of lush jungles and majestic volcanoes.
Is Costa Rica Romantic?
Costa Rica’s breathtaking waterfalls, steaming hot springs, stunning sunsets, and gorgeous coastlines offer a diverse array of romantic backdrops for honeymooners. It is no wonder that Costa Rica has become a destination at all steps and stages of marriage including romantic engagements, destination weddings, honeymoons and anniversaries. Whether you find yourselves swimming in a waterfall lagoon, hiking an awe-inspiring volcano, or stargazing on the beach, love is in the air.
In addition to the beautiful surroundings, Costa Rica’s culture also adds to the romance. Spanish is known as one of the world’s most romantic languages, so if you don’t speak it already, brush up on a few phrases in Costa Rica’s main language to surprise your beloved. Costa Rica’s popular music includes the sensual rhythms of salsa, merengue, cumbia, bachata. Many restaurants have live, local music in the evenings, Latin dance classes, and even local musicians who will serenade you over a candlelit dinner.
What to do on a Costa Rican Honeymoon?
A well-crafted honeymoon itinerary in Costa Rica will balance relaxing time in nature and a leisurely pace with well-selected activities tailored to create memories to last a lifetime.
Arriving in Costa Rica with a reserved and quality assured honeymoon itinerary with the right accommodations, transportation, and activities for your travel style and budget can prevent stressful disagreements, unfortunate surprises, and disappointments once in-country.
Rather than trying to plan the perfect honeymoon yourself, specialists at Costa Rica Escapes can help you select or even create a custom itinerary made just for you and your partner.
They can help you incorporate enhancements at various partner properties to make your stay a more romantic experience. You can enjoy a private cooking class together to learn how to make gourmet dishes with local tropical ingredients. If you prefer to skip the preparation and go straight to enjoying the food, a private 5-course culinary experience can be arranged.
A honeymoon is the perfect excuse to indulge in relaxing spa treatments, which take advantage of the natural surroundings and ingredients, such as a jungle-view couples massage or a purifying mud bath sourced from volcanic springs.
Incredible couples massages at Nayara. Photo credit: NayaraAlthough it may sound cliché, no Costa Rican honeymoon is complete without walking barefoot, hand-in-hand, in the sand as the sun sets over the ocean. Costa Rica has both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, each with their own cultures, spectacular vistas, and aquatic activities. Couples can explore the ocean habitats by sea kayaking, stand-up paddle, surfing, snorkeling, and even scuba diving.
How Long Should My Honeymoon Be?
9-day and 11-day itineraries are popular for honeymoons because they allow enough time to enjoy multiple destinations and experience several adventures, spa and cultural activities, and enough leisure time to avoid feeling rushed.
Does Costa Rica Have All-Inclusive Resorts?
Costa Rica Escapes can book amazing couples-only resorts on the coast that provide a more intimate experience and include plush amenities such as massages and outdoor jacuzzis surrounded by tropical nature. With luxurious accommodations, delicious meals, and excellent service, these locations allow the couple to focus on the most important aspect of their trip–each other.
Contact us to Plan a Costa Rica Honeymoon
Steps to Secure Your Honeymoon, Anniversary or Romantic trip to Costa Rica
There are numerous ways to collaborate with Costa Rica Escapes and secure your couple’s romantic itinerary. The bulleted points outlined below can give you an idea of what you need to do in order to move forward in the process. Throughout the process, you can always call or email your Costa Rica Escapes’ Itinerary Designer; (s)he is a resource to you throughout this process and should be contacted as questions and feedback arise.
1. Call (314) 808-7232 or Contact Us via Email
Review our itineraries. Let us know within an email or phone call what you like and want to learn more about. Tell us about your desired travel experience: Who is going? What time of year? Duration of your travels? We can begin discussing ideas to personalize the vacation itinerary to your needs.
2. Itinerary Design Procedure
A telephone call is an integral part of the communication process at the beginning. We understand these trips are a big deal and large investments. We want to personally speak with you to ensure that our upscale services are a good match for your perceived travel style. Our itinerary design team is available as your schedule dictates and can speak on the weekends and into the evenings. Once a 10-15 minute introductory phone call has happened, your Itinerary Designer will begin to work and send you a recommended preliminary itinerary and price range to review.
3. Sample Itineraries & Revisions
After follow-up discussions, our itinerary design team will continue to personalize the vacation’s inclusions and price point. Our itinerary design team will continue to create and email samples and revised itineraries to you for follow-up conversations. This process continues throughout the time leading up to your trip. You will be notified of due dates and deadlines for your itinerary’s inclusions.
4. Flight and Airline Info
Costa Rica Escapes does not package airfare into our itineraries for the travelers that we work with. We can pass along advice and suggestions on how to secure the best airfare during the process, but it will be up to you to purchase and send us this information. You do not have to have your airfare purchased before or after you contact us. You can call us after or before the airline tickets have been purchased. We are flexible and will tailor the trip around your flights’ schedule.
5. Deposit and Applications
When you are comfortable moving forward with an itinerary and price we will request a deposit and application to secure the elements included in your itinerary. We will arrange for a deposit schedule and request an amount sufficient to move forward. Once a deposit is sent and received, the details for your itinerary can be shared with you for your personal review.
6. Confirmation of Reservations for Accommodations
When a deposit has been received, CRE will verify availability and share the details of the accommodations with you. At this point, you can reconfirm and review these accommodations. We’ll expect you to give us feedback. This gives all of us a chance to follow-up on the accommodations and make changes, if necessary. CRE takes a lot of time and energy to research the accommodations that we use as partners. We almost always exceed expectations in this regard. If not, we have alternative ideas to present and discuss.
7. Detailed Itinerary Emailed One Week Before Your Trip
Seven days (one week) before your trip’s departure date, you will receive a day-to-day, detailed, Costa Rica vacation itinerary, which outlines and gives you all of the information and instructions that you need to go on your self-guided, Costa Rica vacation trip.
Common Questions from Couples Traveling to Costa Rica
- Is Costa Rica a safe place to visit? – Yes, Costa Rica is extremely safe for couples. Costa Rica continues to grow in popularity with honeymooners and couples looking for a romantic escape. Hospitals, Healthcare facilities and private clinics with professional and bilingual staff are widespread and located in most areas of the country. There is no military in Costa Rica and almost no violent crime exists. Travel insurance policies and providers are easily available and quite reputable. Adventure suppliers, transportation companies and other outfitters and are well regulated. Guides and hosts of tourism activities and adventure sports are well educated and resourceful. As is the case with most things, it is crucial to use appropriate resources to assist you to connect you with appropriate and best available services.
- Is it safe to drive in Costa Rica? Yes, but it is recommended that you use professional drivers and utilize private, semi-private or public transportation in order to decrease stress and level of responsibility on your vacation. We strongly recommend that you do not rent a car to navigate on your own. Rules of the road and driving habits in Costa Rica are very different than other places. Signs and lights on roads are not reliable and roads are quite narrow.
- Should we purchase airfare before contacting CRE? This is not required but is fine if you have done so. Airfare can be purchased at any time during conversations with CRE. We will help you in the airfare purchasing process with industry related advice and suggestions, but we do not purchase airfare for our travelers.
- Which airport(s) in Costa Rica should we travel to and from? There are two major international airports in Costa Rica. There are options to use one airport or both on your travels. This is based on the type of experience that you want to create for your trip. We have some creative ideas and thoughts on this that we can share with you in the planning process.
- LIR, Liberia, Guanacaste: located in the Pacific Northwest portion
- SJO, San Jose, Juansantamaria located in the center of the country just west of the capital
- Do you offer travel insurance? Yes, based on years of experience traveling to Costa Rica, we have a suggested provider that we promote for travelers to Costa Rica. We can share this with you in the planning process.
- Is there an emergency, in-country contact? Yes, along with an in-country contact, you will have all the information for all of the suppliers that you will be working with during your travels.
Want Help Planning a Romantic Trip to Costa Rica?
Complete the form below to initiate the vacation planning process with our itinerary designers. Contact us below with any questions that you have. We’re happy to talk through your interests and considerations in order to see if we’re a good fit to help plan your romantic getaway!