We'd like to have a destination wedding in Guanacaste with the ceremony right on the beach. Problem is I can't find a resort that can accomodate us. I love Capitan Suizo but they won't allow us to have a ceremony & a reception. We were going to stay at Occidental Grand Papagayo until I read the post about sewage dumping. Now we're back to square one. We'd like something romantic that can accomodate about 18 people including 2 children. Any suggestions? Looking forward to your responses!

Check with Sueno del Mar in Playa Langosta.

Also Hotel Sugar Beach, about 30 minutes north.

Thank you Shillmac for your recommendations. I looked at Sueno Del Mar a while back & forgot about it. Hotel Sugar Beach is adorable too. They both look perfect!!

On a side note I've read a great deal of your posts and it's like reading a book about Costa Rica. No wonder you're in Fodor's book.

Well, thank you. It's just fun for me to talk about--it's a passion. I don't think just Costa Rica--but the entire Central American (Latino) culture, although most of our time has been in CR.

I do think Hotel Sugar Beach would be good as it is very private. I remember the beach being a bit bouldery, rocky. Might make it even more dramatic. Sunset would be nice. . .

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.

I second Shillmac's suggestion of Sugar Beach. While there is no such thing as a private beach in Costa Rica, that is the only hotel on that beach, and the hotel is kind of isolated from Flamingo and Potrero, the nearest communities. The only other people around would likely be the other hotel guests, and it's not a huge resort-type place.

Thank you Jeff-Costa Rica. I just showed my fiance and he likes it too. YEAHH!! They'll even help plan the wedding. I've already emailed them and eagerly await their response. It's perfect since we want something small & romantic. Now that we've found the PERFECT place I've got to catch up on reading all your posts so we'll know what to do after the wedding. We want to go zip-lining and explore the rain forest. We're not planning on renting an SUV we're just going to take day trips. Should we get a driver or rent an SUV?

Thank you both very much for your help!

Pura Vida!

I agree that Sugar Beach is really private. The road to it is pretty rough though, so be prepared with good directions and a good car! If that doesn't work out, we stayed at the Villa Cascada in Ocotol. It is large enough to house your entire group and you would have the whole villa to yourself. It is not on the beach, but the beach is very close. You get all meals, private staff, private pool etc. An awesome experience.

Thank you for the information Ellya. Two people in our party want all-inclusive. I checked it out it does look beautiful. It's amazing all the resorts that are out there that you don't know about.

tiararose, we have friends who have used that villa and thought they had a lovely experience. It might be worth a look. I guess it depends on how many you are wanting to accomodate.

I checked it out and sent them an email. There will be about 18 of us in November.

Shillmac you know an awful lot about Costa Rica would it be possible for me to pick your brain?

Bad news =(

Sugar Beach will only let us have the wedding there is we rent out the entire hotel.

Villa Cascada requires us to stay for 7 days and we can only stay 5.

How about Bula Bula?

Any other ideas?

I'm sure that Bula Bula would love to accomodate you but the hotel is situated on the estuary and about a 10 minute walk to the ocean.

GOOD NEWS! Sugar Beach will not only accomodate us they're willing to help plan the whole wedding. We couldn't be happier.

Thank you shillmac & Jeff for the great find!