Costa Rica Honeymoon: Packages, Tours and Itineraries
The path to the beach in Costa Rica.
If you’re looking for a trip that includes the perfect mix of romance and adventure, consider booking a Costa Rica honeymoon. With pristine beaches and lush rainforests, you’ll find lots of things to do on your honeymoon.
In Costa Rica you can swim under waterfalls, hike in the jungle or relax in the hot springs. For more adventurous couples, there’s lots of activities like ziplining, white water rafting and even surfing lessons for beginners.
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Where Should You Stay For a Honeymoon in Costa Rica?
Costa Rica offers accommodations in every style and price range. You’ll find luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and even AirBNB or VRBO properties to rent. Before you decide where you want to stay, think about the type of honeymoon you’d enjoy the most.
Do you want to spend most of your time at the beach? Are you interested in adventures, like ziplining or horse back riding? Do you want to practice or learn a new skill, like surfing? And most importantly - how much planning do you want to do?
Once you’ve decided what type of honeymoon you’d like, there’s four main options to choose from:
Stay at an all inclusive resort.
Stay in a boutique hotel.
Plan an independent tour.
Join a group tour.
The Pacific Ocean meets the jungle at the beach in Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica.
1. Stay at an All Inclusive Resort in Costa Rica
A honeymoon at an all inclusive resort is the easiest to plan. At an all inclusive resort, all your meals, snacks, drinks, and on-site activities and entertainment are included in the price. Most resorts also offer free water sports like kayaking and snorkeling.
You won’t need to worry about finding restaurants, bars, or things to do on your honeymoon. It’s all at your resort. Once you choose your resort and your flight, you’re all set.
Most couples will plan a few day trips off the resort, to see the local sites. You’ll find day trips or excursions for every interest, from food tours to zip line adventures. Popular day trips include:
Nature hikes
Bird watching
Horseback riding
Sailing
River tubing
White water rafting
Waterfall hikes
Hot springs
Ziplining
ATV jungle tours
Costa Rica All Inclusive Honeymoon Resorts
For a honeymoon in Costa Rica, look for a resort that offers honeymoon packages, or is adults only. You’ll find more activities for adults and couples. The pools will be quieter. And it’s easier to have a romantic dinner at an adults only all inclusive.
Occidental Papagayo Adults Only All Inclusive
The Occidental Papagayo All Inclusive is an adults only, beachfront resort on the Bay of Papagayo. The resort has a unique mountain view. With three restaurants, four bars and a full service spa, you can plan a romantic honeymoon at the Occidental Papagayo.
Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica All Inclusive
Although Dreams Las Mareas Costa Rica isn’t adults only, they offer fantastic honeymoon packages. The resort is a luxury beachfront property with seven restaurants, six bars and a nightclub. Plus a full service spa, where you can book a couples package that includes a couples facial, a couples massage and a soak in the hydrotherapy bath.
Complimentary Newlywed Package
Welcome letter.
Fresh fruit and a bottle of sparkling wine.
One special turndown service.
One breakfast in bed with mimosas.
15% off spa treatments.
Dreams Eternity Honeymoon Package
If you book a Preferred Club Junior Suite Tropical View or higher for 7 nights, this package is complimentary. Or it can be added to any stay for $1,100 USD.
Fresh fruit, sparkling wine and flowers in room.
One breakfast in bed with mimosas.
Couples massage (25 minutes).
Choice of one couples spa treatment.
One private, beachfront dinner.
Romantic turndown service with petit fours.
Free anniversary nights.
Visit the beach side spa for a couples massage at Pranamar Villas, Costa Rica.
2. Stay in a Boutique Hotel in Costa Rica
If you’re looking for a more unique stay in Costa Rica, you’ll find lots of boutique hotels. The main difference from a resort is that you’ll need to plan meals and buy your own food and drinks.
If you’re planning to travel around the country, you can find boutique hotels near all the best destinations. For a fabulous honeymoon, look for hotels near hot springs, the cloud forest, rivers and beaches.
Tabacón Thermal Resort and Spa
The Tabacón Thermal Resort and Spa is in the La Fortuna area, near Arenal Volcano National Park. The main attraction at the resort is the on site mineral hot springs. The property has 15 hot springs, plus a full service spa with couples treatments, massage and mud baths for the ultimate honeymoon pampering.
Gaia Hotel and Reserve
The Gaia Hotel and Reserve is adults only, and located in Manuel Antonio. This luxury hotel is a ten minute walk from the Manuel Antonio National Park. Where you can join nature walks, eco tours or spend the day at the beach. Hotel amenities include free breakfast, a poolside bar and a full service spa.
Honeymoon Day Trips or Excursions
From your resort or hotel you can travel to local sights on your own, or book day trips with a guide.
Costa Rica Canopy Tour
Ride ziplines through a Monteverde forest reserve and see the cloud forest from above. For a day of adventure, join The Original Canopy Tour Monteverde.
Costa Rica Chocolate Tour
The area near La Fortuna is perfect for growing cocoa that creates the best chocolate. Visit this organic cocoa plantation to see the process, from planting to harvesting and roasting. You’ll get a chance to grind your own beans and make some chocolate bonbons. For a fun and delicious excursion, join The Eden Chocolate Tour.
Costa Rica Volcano Tour
This day trip includes a rain forest hike and a swim at the La Fortuna Waterfall. Next, you’ll view the Arenal Volcano and enjoy a dip in the natural hot springs. Enjoy a full day of adventure on The Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Waterfall and Hot Springs Tour.
Ziplining at Canopy Mal Pais Del Pacifico
Personal pictures! Ziplining was never on my bucket list of things to do. But it was included in a tour I joined, so I sucked it up and tried it. The first leap was absolutely terrifying. And also a lot of fun! By the end I was flying upside down. If you’re thinking about ziplining, Canopy Mal Pais Del Pacifico is the perfect place to try it.
3. Plan an Independent Tour of Costa Rica
If you’d like to see all the best sights in Costa Rica, you can rent a car and drive yourselves. This is a great way to personalize your trip and plan the perfect honeymoon for the two of you.
You can plan a mix of active, easy or romantic activities that match your interests. The perfect honeymoon for you could include surfing lessons, a chocolate tour and a soak in the hot springs at the base of a volcano.
If you’re thinking of planning an independent tour, check out this video from Alex the Vagabond. He’s got great tips for arriving, renting a car, plus directions for a self driving trip: 12 Perfect Days in Costa Rica on YouTube
Things to Do On a Costa Rican Honeymoon
For a honeymoon in Costa Rica, most couples want to see beaches, volcanos, hot springs and waterfalls. You’ll find the best of these in three main areas: Manuel Antonio, La Fortuna and Monteverde.
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio is an oceanfront town with amazing beaches and a jungle backdrop. The area is home to the Manuel Antonio National Park. Visit the park for hiking trails where you’ll see tropical birds, wildlife and incredible views.
Manuel Antonio has four public beaches: Playa Manuel Antonio, Playa Espadilla Sur, La Playita, and Playa Teloro. You’ll find great spots for surfing, snorkeling and sea kayaking. For jungle adventures, you can book zipline canopy tours, horseback riding and river tubing.
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
La Fortuna is in the Northern Highlands and home to the Arenal Volcano National Park. The highlights include the inactive Chat Volcano, with a crater lake, and a rainforest hike that leads to La Fortuna Waterfall. At La Fortuna Waterfall there’s a natural pool at the base where you can go for a swim.
The Arenal Volcano is still active, and you can hike to lookout points in the park. At the base of the volcano you’ll find hot springs where you can spend the day. Or book one of the many hotels that offer hot springs right on their own properties, for a romantic overnight stay.
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Monteverde is located in the Cordillera de Tilaran mountain range, in central Costa Rica. The area is known for the Monteverde Cloud Forest. A unique and rare eco system where you’ll see low hanging clouds touching the forest. You can literally walk through clouds in a dreamy, jungle atmosphere.
Romantic sunset walks at the beach in Costa Rica.
4. Join a Group Tour of Costa Rica
Who wants to share their honeymoon with a group of strangers? Actually, lots of couples do! A group tour is a great way to see all the sights in an easy and affordable way.
Independent travel is great, but it takes a lot of planning. After spending a year or two planning a wedding, some couples would rather take it easy on their honeymoon.
With a group tour you don’t need to worry about car rentals, directions or where you’ll stay. You don’t even need to worry about your luggage. Your guide and driver will take care of all the details.
For the best experience, avoid giant, impersonal bus tours. If the group is too big, it starts to feel like a field trip from middle school. Look a for small group tour with a maximum of 16 guests. With fewer people, you won’t be stuck in a crowd. Or have to wait in lineups at every sight, restaurant and hotel stop.
On small group tours you’ll find fellow travelers that come in every age group. A mix of singles and couples who are friendly and fun. If you’re worried about having no alone time, the tours always include free time. You’ll have opportunities for dinner or exploring on your own during the trip.
Interested in a group tour? Join this 9 day trip to see volcanos, beaches and the Monteverde cloud forest: Costa Rica Experience Tour from Intrepid.
The Perfect Costa Rica Honeymoon Itinerary
There’s so much to do in Costa Rica, it might be hard to decide between a resort or a tour. Consider doing both. Book your first 3 nights at an all inclusive resort. You’ll get a chance to relax and enjoy your first days as newlyweds. Once you’re in vacation mode, you can meet up with a small group tour and have the adventure of a lifetime in Costa Rica.
One Last Tip: Booking Your Flights
If you’re planning your own honeymoon, double check before you book your flights. International flights to Costa Rica will arrive in San Jose. Be aware that there are two San Joses. One is in Costa Rica and one is in California.
Many travelers have chosen the wrong one when they’re choosing flights. When you’re traveling to Costa Rica, make sure you’re booking a flight to San José Juan Santamaria International Airport. The airport code is SJO.
Whether you choose a resort, a hotel or a tour, Costa Rica has something for everyone. With so many sights and activities, you can plan your days to include anything, from romantic hot springs to adrenaline pumping adventures. Choose your favorites and you’ll have honeymoon memories to last a lifetime.
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Tropical beach in Costa Rica.
