I know very little about Costa Rica, but have heard amazing things about the country. I would like to have my destination wedding there Oct 10, 2010. I've heard good things about Manuel Antonio, but am open for suggestions. I want it to be a very budget friendly hotel for my guests who will have to travel. Does anyone have any suggestions on specific hotels or areas of Costa Rica? Thanks.

If you're set on that date, I'd question Costa Rica at all. October is the rainiest month of the year. It won't necessarily happen, but it can rain 24/7 for days at a time. Not that you still can't get married in Costa Rica on that date, but if you choose Manuel Antonio, you do it because of the outdoors and the beach and the gorgeous sunsets, and you have no guarantee of weather that time of year. That's my concern with your plan.

Hi Lindseyut!

Jeff brings up a very good point. He is completely correct in Oct. being the rainiest month of the entire year! Manuel Anotnio is a beautiful location and has many amenities, activities, etc. to offer. However, for your wedding may I suggest an amazing resort that is north of Manuel Antonio?

Villa Caletas is a 5-star resort on the tip of a mountain overlooking the ocean with amazing villas, restaurant, pools, activities, etc. During the 'green season' excellent rates can be found. They perform many weddings and it is the location for the perfect wedding!

http://www.hotelvillacaletas.com/

If you are interested in more information about this hotel, I'd be more than happy to contact them directly for you!

btw, Congrats!!!

Pura Vida!

http://costa-rica-guide.com/Weather/WeatherMap.html is a link to a map showing you the rain patterns. Just mouse over the area you're interested in to see general rainfall by month. MA is very pretty, but agree with Jeff that I wouldn't do it in October.

If you do get married in Costa Rica, whenever, wherever it might be, you can have any type of wedding you want, but only a Catholic priest or a Costa Rican attorney can make it legal and file the paperwork necessary to get the marriage license. Wedding planners and big hotels that host a lot of weddings are used to taking care of those details. I would imagine any hotel, for an extra fee, could round up the lawyer. You'd pay the attorney his/her fees too. Those are the nuts-and-bolts legalities.