Hi!
I was hoping for some suggestions for some locations where we can have a small (maybe 20) wedding. We're planning on next May 2006 (within the forst 2 weeks). There are alot of places that are nice in MA, but I worry about the extra travel that the guests would have to go through since I'm thinking that they're only going to be there from Thurs-Sun. So I'm wondering if there's any unique places to stay and play within 1-1 1/2 hours from either the San Jose or Liberia airport? And we're also not looking for anything too luxurious but nice and moderately priced, maybe we'll splurge on some nicer places on our honeymoon! Maybe on that Fri a tour can be planned to hang out with our guests for some zip-lines or rapelling down a waterfall or both! Then Sunday when our guests leave, we'll start our honeymoon, which is also overwhelming to think about! But first things first...the location of the wedding?
Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Try www.villacaletas.com There is a wedding link on there with lots of beautiful photos. I've also seen them listed on www.luxurylink.com. It's near Jaco, which is only about 90 minutes from the airport.

Good Luck.

What do you consider a moderate price? A dollar figure would help.

You mention MA, it really is only about 3-3 1/2 hours from SJO and has so much to offer for everyone in your group.

From Liberia, many of the Northern Pacific Coastal areas would be close.

What about a rainforest setting? Lots of hotels in the Central area would be nice. Not sure about weddings and again your price but Vista del Valle Plantation Inn is a great place, and central to do tours. Lots of good things said about Xandari. And I remember looking at a site that had a wedding chapel, Found it! www.villablanca-costarica.com
Never been here but someone mentioned the hotel in a recent trip report.

What do you truly want? Beach or not?

Me again! One more suggestion!
http://www.lovecostarica.com/weddings.html

Pat Hewitt planned one of our trips to CR. Working with him was a great pleasure. Look at his site, he has an 800 number, this would help to eliminate some of the stress.

Pat Hewitt
Costa Rica Travel Exchange
Costa Rica Concierge
(800) 256-0124

Well thanks for the replies. I saw the Villa Caletas and think it's beautiful, but the rates are too much to ask our guests to pay, but definitly on the list of possible honeymoon hotels! And I'm so leaning towards MA, but again, it's either another $100 or so extra for a charter, or another 3 hour traveling time and maybe for me and the fiance I would think it's cool to take the ride and take in the scenary, I'm shy to ask the guests to feel the same way. And by moderately, let's just put it this way, I don't want to go over a 3-$3500(not really including airfare, b/c we can get Buddy Passes) budget for the week to week and a half weddingmoon. Is that being realistic or am I in for a big surprise? And we looked into having it in La Paz, but it's already $1500 to rent/file the documents/ceremony, but I'm just shopping around. And I'm trying to find something a little bit different than a beach wedding (nothing against them at all, b/c the wedding pics I've seen from the beached of CR are beautiful!!!) but the beach isn't really in our personality...more cliffside, but in a more nature setting. See how indecisive I am????
But again thanks alot for the suggestions!

Yes the beaches of CR do offer some incredible views, and in MA you can get that cliff backround view. It is ok! to be indecisive it is YOUR wedding.

As for cost, we normally go on a budget of $4000 - $5000 for 10-12 days, which includes everything from airfare to paying to get our vehicle out of the parking garage and everything in between. This also includes our airfare which normally runs around $800 - $900 for the two of us.

We normally splurge on at least one of our hotels (Peace Lodge, Bosque del Cabo and such) and moderate (up to about $125) for the rest. We take several tours and always eat nice meals, rent vehicles and fly domestic, purchase souvenirs and lots of coffee. We don't skimp, but don't go all out luxury and always have a wonderful trip. You can go for MUCH less than this, but just thought I would give you an idea, since you asked.