Best Waterfall Wedding Locations in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Waterfall Weddings - 2024

Costa Rica offers many different venues and backdrops for your elopement or wedding ceremony. One of our favorite backdrops for a wedding are waterfall weddings! Costa Rica offers many different waterfalls for those looking to tie the knot! Surrounded by rainforest, nature abounds in this wonderland. For nature lovers, Costa Rica is truly a paradise, the perfect choice. Today's blog post we are going to talk about some of the Best Waterfall Wedding Locations in Costa Rica in 2024.

Waterfalls in Costa Rica come in 2 flavors, those that are easy to reach and have decent infrastructure onsite or nearby, and those that are more difficult and isolated. Most couples do not want to hike long distances to reach some of our waterfalls, so today we are focusing on areas that are easier to reach.

So what do we have to offer for your waterfall wedding dreams? Let’s jump right into the best waterfall wedding locations in Costa Rica in 2024.

La Paz Waterfall gardens

La Paz Waterfall Garden Weddings

Wedding Venue Difficulty: This is an easy location to navigate, stairs and good infrastructure for the ceremony.

Location Facilities: With the Peace Lodge you have 5-star luxury in the cloud forest.'

Closest Airport: San Jose Airport (SJO)

This is one of our favorite waterfall locations for elopements! One nice aspect of weddings here is that they close down a section of the gardens for a truly intimate experience. Unlike most waterfall wedding locations in Costa Rica which are open to the public, these are private and that is a huge plus when wanting complete privacy.

For couples seeking an intimate celebration, the Peace Lodge offers the ultimate waterfall wedding experience in Costa Rica. With its luxurious accommodations, top-notch facilities, and impeccable services, the Peace Lodge is the epitome of a high-end resort. What sets it apart is its enchanting setting amidst the lush tropical rainforest, where magnificent waterfalls, vibrant toucans, graceful hummingbirds, and delicate butterflies create a truly magical ambiance for your dream destination wedding. Imagine exchanging your vows beneath a tranquil gazebo, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the rainforest and the soothing sounds of cascading water. Every moment will be an exquisite sensory experience, etching unforgettable memories of your wedding ceremony in your hearts forever.

Start planning your elopement or wedding here!

Nauyaca Waterfall Weddings in Costa Rica

Wedding Venue Difficulty: Hiking in for a wedding or photo shoot is not recommended but we can hire a 4x4 to take us in!

Location Facilities: Bathrooms

Closest Airport: San Jose Airport (SJO)

Nauyaca Falls are concealed amidst the Central Pacific mountains, a mere 20-minute drive from Dominical Beach. Comprising two waterfalls, this enchanting location provides breathtaking natural surroundings for your Costa Rican waterfall elopement or wedding. Nestled within a canyon spanning about eighty meters, one of the falls cascades in a free fall from a height of forty-five meters, while the other descends in steps standing at twenty meters tall. At its base, a sprawling pool adds to the picturesque beauty of Nauyaca Falls. As with many waterfall options here, this one is open to the public and it is popular. For this reason it is not for everyone but if you do not mind some uninvited guests this is a dreamy backdrop. Nauyaca Waterfalls stands as the perfect setting for couples seeking to exchange vows in one of the most stunning natural locations in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica. The Nauyaca waterfall is also close to beaches such as Manuel Antonio National Park, Dominical, Uvita and Ballena Marine National Park, so you can even mix the adventure of the waterfalls with the romantic sunsets by the beach in the same day.

Nauyaca Falls, Costa Rica
Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Costa Rica

Llanos del Cortes Waterfall Weddings

Wedding Venue Difficulty: very easy, just a few steps and you are there.

Location Facilities: Bathrooms.

Closest Airport: Liberia Airport (LIR)

As we continue with our best waterfall wedding locations in Costa Rica, we come to a good one! This is an easy one to reach and a good location if you are flying into Liberia Airport. This stunning location has everything you need, and all you have to do is follow the soothing sound of the water. Reaching Llanos del Cortés is a straightforward journey. You don't require a 4x4 vehicle or legs of steel. In fact, Llanos del Cortés waterfall is an ideal spot for those who prefer leaving the car in the parking lot, taking a brief stroll, admiring the beauty, and exchanging marriage vows by the cascading waterfall.

Upon arriving at the entrance marked by a sign, you can immediately sense the impressive presence of the waterfall, even though locals mention it might be slightly smaller than usual due to the prevailing drought. Situated in the canton of Bagaces within the Llanos del Cortes community, the waterfall takes its name from the region. It is part of the Potrero River, and after its majestic descent, the water continues for over a kilometer. Since this location is municipal property, it is a public space, and visitors are encouraged to make a voluntary contribution.

Rio Celeste Waterfall Weddings in Costa Rica

Wedding Venue Difficulty: medium-hard.  20-30 minutes hike on a good condition trail

Location Facilities: Bathrooms

Closest Airport: San Jose Airport (SJO) or Liberia Airport (LIR)

Nestled within the Tenorio Volcano National Park in Costa Rica, Rio Celeste stands out as one of the most enchanting locations for a waterfall wedding. The focal point, Celeste Waterfall, boasts its unique turquoise hue, creating a picturesque scene. This gem is surrounded by lush rainforests, both primary and secondary, making it a haven for wildlife enthusiasts.

While hiking through the trails, keep an eye out for playful monkeys, serene sloths, and a variety of tropical birds. As you venture deeper into the Tenorio Volcano National Park, the captivating journey leads you to the banks of the Celeste River, where the magic of nature unfolds.

Elope at Rio Celeste Waterfall
AOL waterfall

Arenal Observatory Lodge Waterfall Elopements

Wedding Venue Difficulty: Medium hike, about a 20-30 minute hike to the waterfall through the rainforest.

Location Facilities: Hotel facilities at AOL are excellent. Onsite spa, restaurants, trails.

Closest Airport: San Jose Airport (SJO) or Liberia Airport (LIR)

Situated along one of the most scenic trails at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa, the waterfall location offers a delightful experience. A brief and relatively easy 20-minute walk from the lodge leads hikers to the base of a charming 20-foot waterfall. The air becomes invigoratingly moist, thanks to the waterfall's cool mist, complemented by the lush forest surroundings adorned with ferns and palms.

Furthermore, this eco-lodge boasts an ideal location directly positioned between the majestic Arenal Volcano and the serene blue waters of Lake Arenal. Uniquely, no other hotel in La Fortuna, Costa Rica, or the broader Arenal area is as proximate to the renowned volcano and its picturesque lake as this remarkable retreat.

I hope you liked today's blog post on some of the Best Waterfall Wedding Locations in Costa Rica, these as mentioend are some of the easier ones to reach. If you are interested in planning an Elopement Honeymoon Adventure in Costa Rica, or are interested in wedding planning, please contact us today! or start planning your wedding trip here!

Elope in Costa Rica