What an Elopement in Costa Rica Actually Feels Like (Hint: A Lot Like a Honeymoon)
An elopement doesn't have to feel as fleeting as just one day — at Macaw Experiences, your elopement starts the moment you step off the plane in Costa Rica. Picture this: your ride already waiting to take you to a stay with incredible views of Arenal Volcano in La Fortuna, or a villa with a jacuzzi tucked into the Monteverde jungle, maybe even an oceanfront hotel in Santa Teresa; a full day to unwind on a spa table while you sip champagne to celebrate a new beginning, or, if you're the adventurous type, a hike that takes you to a remote beach in Puerto Viejo, on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast?
Stay with us, because this is just getting started! As elopement planners in Costa Rica, we always get asked the same thing — where's the best place to elope? Costa Rica may be small, but it has so much to offer that if you're not local, you can easily end up in a tourist trap. Here's an example: on weekends, Ticos love heading to the beach to watch the sunset. Can you imagine planning your elopement at Playa Conchal or Manuel Antonio, two of Costa Rica's most famous beaches, only to find there isn't a single spot left for your private ceremony? For a lot of our couples, that would be their worst nightmare — which is exactly why at Macaw, we like to handle everything so you get real local guidance and an exceptional experience.
It all starts with a video call. We get to know each other, you tell us your story, and it's genuinely nice to connect and understand your vision — how you picture your elopement trip. From there, we get to work: finding transportation, lodging, the best spot and the best time for your elopement, coordinating a makeup artist, an officiant, decor. How would you like your bouquet? What tours are you dreaming of? What do you think about a spa day before or after the elopement? Would you like horses for beautiful photos during the ceremony?
And once everything is set, what comes next? This is where a lot of couples are pleasantly surprised — you don't go straight to saying "I do." You arrive first to enjoy. Maybe the first day is just for resting after the flight, feet in an infinity pool, watching the sunset. The next day, maybe a horseback tour along the beach, or those La Fortuna hot springs you've been wanting to try. And then, surrounded by the Manuel Antonio jungle or the Guanacaste coastline, the day of your elopement finally arrives — the one you've been picturing for months. Our photographer is right there with you the whole time, capturing every real moment — not posed, not rushed, just the two of you saying what you came here to say.
After the ceremony, do you head straight to the airport? Not at all. There are still days left to explore, to celebrate as newlyweds, for that toast that feels different now that you've said yes. That's why we say an elopement with us isn't just one day — it's your entire trip. And by the end, you won't even know the exact moment your elopement turned into your honeymoon.
