Is It Legal for US Citizens to Get Married in Costa Rica 2026. Yes, absolutely. Marriages performed in Costa Rica are legally recognized worldwide, including in the United States, Canada, and throughout Europe. This is one of the most common concerns for destination wedding couples, but the process is more straightforward than most people expect.

Legal requirements for wedding in Costa Rica

Costa Rica welcomes foreign couples with relatively simple documentation. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Valid passports for both partners
• Birth certificates (original or certified copies, translated to Spanish by an official translator)
• If previously married: Divorce decree or death certificate of former spouse (also translated)
• Tourist visa: Most US citizens receive a 90-day tourist stamp upon arrival, no special visa required

One major relief: No blood tests are required, unlike in some US states. This outdated requirement doesn’t exist in Costa Rica, simplifying your timeline considerably.

Getting married in Costa Rica US citizens

The ceremony itself must be performed by a licensed Costa Rican attorney or a Catholic priest. Most wedding planners and venues have trusted attorneys they work with regularly. The attorney will handle the legal paperwork, and you’ll receive an official marriage certificate (in Spanish) that you can then translate and authenticate for use back home.

Processing time is typically 2-3 months after the ceremony for the final certificate, so plan accordingly if you need it for legal name changes.

Documents needed for marriage Costa Rica

Your wedding planner or attorney will provide a complete checklist, but having your documents translated before arrival saves valuable vacation time. Expect to spend $300-$500 on document preparation and attorney fees for the legal ceremony.

Pro-Tip for Eloping Couples: If you’re eloping and need witnesses for your legal ceremony, your Elopement photographer(me) can serve as one. It’s happened more times than you’d think, sometimes it’s just the two of you, your attorney, and me with my camera. It’s actually pretty special.

How Much Does a Wedding in Costa Rica Cost 2026. While a destination wedding in Costa Rica is often significantly more affordable than a traditional wedding in the United States or Canada, the final price tag depends entirely on your vision. 

Average cost of wedding in Costa Rica

In 2025, the average cost for a standard wedding with 40–50 guests ranges between $15,000 and $25,000. However, savvy planning can lower this, while luxury expectations can easily push it higher.

Costa Rica wedding packages prices

To help you budget, here is a realistic breakdown by wedding style:

The Intimate Wedding (20–40 guests): $12,000 – $20,000

This tier often utilizes boutique hotels or private villas where you can save on venue fees by staying on-site.

The Full Resort Wedding (50–100 guests): $25,000 – $45,000+

Large all-inclusive resorts (like those in Guanacaste) charge per head. While convenient, keep in mind that “All-Inclusive” packages often include generic photography, so many couples allocate extra budget to hire an outside photographer for better quality.

Cost of elopement Costa Rica

The Elopement (Just the couple): $3,000 – $6,000

This usually covers a symbolic ceremony, a bouquet, a private dinner, and, most importantly, professional photography to capture the adventure.

Pro-Tip for Savings:
If you are flexible with dates, booking your wedding during the “Green Season” (May through November) can save you 15–20% on venue rentals compared to the peak Dry Season months.

If you really like a vendor like wedding photographer or videographer,  but is out of your budget, explain your plan and vision so they can understand. We work for the pay but also for our passion as explorers, visual artist and storytellers. 

How much does a destination wedding in Costa Rica cost? For a celebration with 50 guests, couples planning weddings in Costa Rica should budget approximately $17,550 to $27,550 total. This comprehensive estimate covers essential elements including venue rental, catering, coordination services, and professional photography from a Costa Rica photographer. The range reflects variations in luxury level, specific location choice, and included services. Cost breakdowns for Costa Rica weddings typically include ceremony expenses. As a wedding photographer in Costa Rica with extensive industry knowledge, I’ve observed that destination weddings Costa Rica often provide better overall value than equivalent domestic celebrations when you consider stunning natural venues, tropical beauty, and the combined wedding-vacation experience for traveling guests.

When is the best time to get married in Costa Rica? The optimal time for weddings in Costa Rica is January through April, the heart of dry season when weather is reliably sunny, humidity is lower, and rainfall is minimal.

As a Costa Rica Wedding photographer who’s shot hundreds of celebrations, I can confirm these months offer the most predictable conditions for outdoor Costa Rica weddings couples envision. However, for couples who love lush, vibrant green landscapes and don’t mind occasional afternoon showers, June or July presents beautiful opportunities with fewer tourists and often better vendor availability.

During these months, brief rain showers typically enhance rather than disrupt celebrations, and as a photographer in Costa Rica, I’ve captured some of my most dramatic imagery during green season. The months to generally avoid are September and October when heavy rainfall is most common, though even these months can work for couples with flexible, indoor-capable venues. Ultimately, the best time for your Costa Rica wedding depends on your priorities regarding weather predictability versus lush scenery and budget considerations.

How long does it take to receive photos after a Costa Rica wedding? Most professional Costa Rica wedding photographers deliver fully edited galleries within 2-3 weeks after your celebration, though timelines vary. As a Costa Rica photographer committed to quality and efficiency, I typically provide a sneak peek of 20-30 edited images within 72 hours after your wedding, perfect for sharing on social media while the excitement is fresh.

The complete gallery of all edited images is then delivered within 6-8 weeks through a private online platform. This timeframe allows for meticulous editing of each image to ensure consistent quality throughout your collection from weddings in Costa Rica. Some photographers in Costa Rica offer rush delivery for additional fees if you need images sooner for specific reasons.

During peak wedding season (January-April in Costa Rica), delivery times may extend slightly due to volume. When booking, clarify expected timelines and whether sneak peeks are provided. For destination weddings Costa Rica couples planning from abroad, online delivery makes receiving your gallery seamless regardless of location.

What’s included in Costa Rica wedding photography packages? Costa Rica wedding photography packages typically include several core components, though specifics vary by photographer.

Standard inclusions for weddings in Costa Rica usually cover: specified hours of coverage (commonly 6-10 hours), professionally edited high-resolution images (usually 60-75 per hour), a private online gallery with download access, and full print rights to your images. Many Costa Rica photographers also include travel within the country, a second shooter for larger weddings, and engagement sessions. My packages additionally offer HD highlight films (5-10 minutes), short social media reels, complimentary prints, and for premium collections, custom albums and trash-the-dress sessions.

When comparing photographers in Costa Rica, carefully review what’s included versus additional costs, some charge separately for travel, prints, albums, or extra coverage hours. For destination weddings Costa Rica packages should also clarify backup equipment plans, image backup systems, delivery timelines, and what happens if unexpected circumstances arise.