Having photographed hundreds of weddings across Costa Rica over the past 15 years, I will tell you when is the best time to get married in Costa Rica, because I’ve experienced firsthand how timing can make or break your wedding day photos. My formal training at Universidad Técnica Nacional in Costa Rica, combined with advanced studies with VII Masterclass and Documentary Photography Course with Magnum Photos, has taught me to not just work with our tropical weather patterns, but to use them to create extraordinary imagery. From sun-drenched beaches in Guanacaste to misty mornings in Arenal, I’ve learned exactly when and where to capture those perfect moments. In this guide, I’ll share my expertise to help you choose the ideal time for your Costa Rica wedding, ensuring you get those dream photos you’ve been envisioning.

As the recognized wedding magazine Brides says in their article “How to Choose a Wedding Date With the Best Possible Weather”

“When it comes down to it, there are actually very few things that are outside of your control on your wedding day. The one item that is definitively out of your hands, though, is the weather.”

Understanding Costa Ricas’ seasons

Picture this: exchanging vows with your soulmate while gentle tropical breezes carry the scent of plumeria blossoms, as the sun paints the sky in colors that seem to exist only in dreams. Planning your destination wedding in Costa Rica isn’t just about choosing a date – it’s about crafting the perfect moment when paradise itself becomes the witness to your love story.

In this magical corner of Central America, nature writes its own love story through two distinct seasons, each offering its own unique backdrop for your special day:

Source: Costa Rica National Meteorological Institute

Each season in Costa Rica tells its own love story, and you get to choose which chapter yours will be written in.

Regional Considerations for Wedding Photography

Weddings in Guanacaste Region

Where golden sands whisper promises and Pacific sunsets paint the sky in hues that mirror the warmth in your hearts:

• Beaches that stretch like endless aisles toward the horizon, waiting for your footprints

• The most reliable sunny weather in Costa Rica, as if the skies themselves are promising to smile on your union

• Venues that transform from sun-kissed paradise by day to starlit romance by night

• Sunset sessions where the sky performs a color symphony just for your love story

Weddings in Manuel Antonio & Uvita

Where jungle meets ocean in a passionate embrace, creating a backdrop as unique as your love:

• Morning ceremonies blessed by curious monkeys and exotic birds

• Afternoon light filtering through ancient trees like nature’s own cathedral windows

• Hidden beaches that feel like they’ve been waiting centuries just for your special moment

• Wildlife that adds unexpected magic to your wedding album, making every photo tell a story

Weddings in Arenal/La Fortuna

Where the majestic volcano stands as a testament to the power and permanence of true love:

• Dramatic backdrops that remind us that love, like mountains, can move heaven and earth

• Mystical morning mists that create ethereal wedding portraits

• Hot springs and waterfalls offering unique photo opportunities as magical as your journey together

• The raw beauty of nature reflecting the authentic beauty of your commitment

As the recognized wedding magazine Brides says in their article “What to Do If It Rains on Your Wedding Day”:

“Even though rain on your big day isn’t the ideal situation, some cultures see this as an omen of good luck.”

Weddings in Central Valley (San Jose)

Where modern convenience meets timeless romance:

• Year-round spring-like weather that mirrors the eternal springtime of love

• Elegant venues where colonial charm meets contemporary luxury

• Gardens bursting with tropical flowers, nature’s own wedding decorations

• The perfect blend of accessibility and escape, just like the perfect partnership

Investment Considerations

Your wedding investment is more than just numbers – it’s about choosing the perfect moment for your love story to take center stage:

• High Season (December-April)

  • When paradise is at its peak, though it asks for a premium to share its perfect weather

  • Your guests will find their own slice of heaven, even if travel costs reach skyward

  • Competition for dates means your dreams share space with others’ love stories

  • Mother Nature’s most reliable performance, as if she’s been rehearsing just for you

• Green Season (May-November)

  • When savings meet splendor, allowing your budget to stretch like the endless horizons

  • Vendors have more time to pour their hearts into your special day

  • Flexibility that lets you write your love story exactly as you’ve dreamed it

  • Photography that captures not just moments, but moods, emotions, and magic

Tourist Visitation Patterns

Understanding tourist patterns helps in planning your wedding date:

Source: Costa Rica Tourism Board

As the recognized wedding photographer Helen Lisk Photography says in her article “Wet Weather Wedding Planning: What If It Rains?”:

“What is one of the things that couples worry about most when planning their wedding? That ultimate British weather issue: what if it rains? Nobody wants a wet weather wedding day. But you’ll still have the best day ever, whatever the weather throws at you!”

Planning Your Perfect Moment

Every hour in Costa Rica holds its own magic. Consider these timing tips to capture yours:

Morning Ceremonies (8-10 AM)

• When the world feels fresh and new, like your love

• First light casting a gentle glow on your beginning

• Nature’s chorus of birds offering their own wedding songs

• The whole day stretches ahead, full of possibilities

Sunset Ceremonies (4-5 PM)

• When the day holds its breath to watch you say “I do”

• Golden light wrapping around you like a warm embrace

• The perfect moment between day and night, just as marriage is the perfect blend of two lives

• Stars beginning to peek out, ready to witness your first dance

As the recognized wedding photographer Mandi Mitchell says in her article “To My Brides | Wait to Check the Weather”:

“Your wedding day is the most important day of your life and you obviously want everything to go as perfect as possible, including the weather. Rain is not something you generally pray for or cheer about on your wedding day.”

Choosing your wedding date in Costa Rica

We just created this simple tool to check if your date and location are the right for the kind of wedding you dream with.

A Note on Weather

In Costa Rica, weather isn’t just a condition – it’s a character in your love story:

• Sunny days mirror the brightness of your future together

• Afternoon showers bring good luck and lush backgrounds

• Rainbow appearances feel like nature’s wedding gift

• Even clouds tell a story, adding depth and drama to your wedding album

Final Thoughts

Choosing when to get married in Costa Rica isn’t just about picking a date – it’s about selecting the perfect moment for your love story to become part of paradise’s eternal narrative. Whether you choose the sun-blessed dry season or the dramatically beautiful green season, remember that the perfect time is whenever you’re ready to begin your forever together.

Your love story deserves a backdrop as extraordinary as your journey together. In Costa Rica, every season offers its own magic, every location holds its own romance, and every moment carries the potential to become the perfect beginning to your next chapter.

Remember, as you plan your Costa Rica wedding, that time here moves to the rhythm of “pura vida” – the pure life, the good life. And what could be more “pura vida” than celebrating love in paradise?

The Best Time to Get Married in Costa Rica

If your weddind location was not mentioned, don’t hesitate to leave a comment telling me where and when are you getting married I we will be more than happy to give you the weather forecast.