From forests filled with a menagerie of wildlife, flutters and calls, to golden beaches lapped by the waters of the Pacific and Caribbean, Costa Rica checks every box for a honeymoon to remember. Whatever your pursuits, there’s something to fall in love with around every corner: hiking in the shadow of striking volcanoes, exploring tranquil waterways or the dreamy coastline, or chilling out in a boutique bolthole in the remotest of places… So, where do you start? Read on for all things Costa Rica honeymoons!
Volcanoes, waterfalls & the west coast
Leave regular life behind on an escape to the wilds of Costa Rica and discover Rincon de la Vieja, Arenal National Park and the Nicoya Peninsula. Begin in the the most untouched corner of all – Rincon de la Vieja – a landscape of rivers, waterfalls, and volcanic springs. As you explore on foot, horseback or bob along on the Rio Celeste, look out for unique creatures like the nine-banded armadillo, tapir, and a bevy of birdlife. The, it’s onwards to Costa Rica’s most famous and statuesque volcano, Arenal, for a spot of adventure: whizz through the trees on a zipline, wander across hanging bridges, hike the trails deep into the forest, or rappel down dazzling waterfalls before taking a dip – La Fortuna is the most spectacular. Your final stop is the Nicoya Peninsula, where days chug to a gentle pace and hours are spent sipping cocktails, learning to surf, or sailing along the Pacific coast. Sublime, o qué?
Top spots to stay
In Rincon de la Vieja, Origins Luxury Lodge promises memorable activities like ziplining over the surreal Rio Celeste and moonlit hikes, with an equal helping of R&R in the form of wood-fired hot tubs and seashell massages. Go glamping in Arenal National Park at Nayara Tented Camp, where each suite boasts a heavenly plunge pool and, after a day of exploring, there are evenings of wine pairing and mixology classes. At The Kasiiya on a private peninsula in the Papagayo Gulf, watch whales spout and splash from your suite and enjoy spa treatments in the forest.
Classic Costa Rica Adventure
For a honeymoon that does it all, try our classic Costa Rican adventure through the country’s forests, national parks and volcanoes. First up, it’s the spectacular Arenal Volcano. If you can be pried from your private pool, ride horseback to the 200-foot-high La Fortuna Falls and dive into the water below, hike across rugged lava flows, or take a trip through the trees on an aerial tram – eyes peeled for sloths and monkeys. In the surrounding cloudforests, flocks of butterflies and vivid orchids vie for your attention, and exploring comes in all forms, from ziplining (it was actually invented in Monteverde!) to night hikes. Your final stop is the pint-sized Manuel Antonio National Park, which more than makes up for its diminutive acreage with an incredible cast of animals. Think squirrel monkeys, three-toed sloths and neon iguanas, not to mention the marine life – whale and dolphin-watching boat rides are unforgettable…
Top spots to stay
Sink straight into a massage at Hotel Grano de Oro in San José, a historic gem where the in-room massages are sure to get rid of any knots. With a spectacular view of the volcano, the Arenal Springs Hotel is a gem and at the end of a day exploring, dinner awaits in your private gazebo. In Monteverde, try Senda Monteverde, where you won’t even need to leave your terrace to spy incredible wildlife, and in Manuel Antonio, the Arenas del Mar promises world-class guides, sunset cruises and the best of the Pacific coast.
The best of both worlds
This coast-to-coast trip promises sheltered beaches to laze upon and wildlife to discover above and below the surface. Start with a little sightseeing in Costa Rica’s capital, San José, before heading to the surfing mecca of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca where ivory beaches line the coast and laidback, reggae beats float on the air. Then, travel north by boat to Tortuguero. The shores are a haven for sea turtles, aquatic birdlife and travellers looking for a secret spot to enjoy and if you’re planning a honeymoon between July and October, you may just see thousands of turtles nesting on the beaches or their hatchlings making their own pilgrimage to the sea. Next on the list is Arenal Volcano and its verdant national park, both a cornucopia of adventure. Explore fascinating lava flows and the lively canopy, rappel down cascading waterfalls, and soak in the hot springs hidden deep in the forest. Your final stop is the pristine Nicoya Peninsula where a bevy of beaches and epic, wildlife-filled hikes await. Heavenly to say the least!
Top spots to stay
Start your honeymoon in style at the swanky Gran Hotel in San Jose – and continue in the same vein at Le Caméléon Boutique Hotel in Playa Cocles in Puerto Viejo de Talacama. Located right on the beautiful beach, candlelit dinners on the sand are a must. Up the coast, Tortuga Lodge is surrounded by 26 hectares of rainforest and in Arenal National Park, hole up in a private casita at Nayara Gardens where you’ll take in the volcanic vistas from their mineral-rich hot springs. Set along the ‘Riviera of Costa Rica’, El Mangroove promises lingering dinners on the beach, ocean explorations on the Sea Cloud and, our personal favourite, El Mangle Suite has a private plunge pool and direct access to the beach.
Coast to coast
There is no end to the delights Costa Rica has to offer and on this trip from the Pacific to the Caribbean, you’ll experience it all in style. It kicks off on the Nicoya Peninsula (pronounced: paradise); 80 miles of sun-drenched beaches, perfect for R&R, swimming, surfing and snorkelling. And if you’d like to get your wildlife-watching started early, the greater Guanacaste Conservation Area is home to a whopping variety of creatures. At the iconic Arenal Volcano, you’ll spend your days ziplining and canyoning, hiking and riding horseback between waterfalls, lava flows and tempting hot springs, spotting all manner of feathered and three-toed wildlife along the way. Then, wing and boat your way over to Tortuguero to watch sea turtles lay their eggs along the sand and hunt for howler monkeys and sloths in the forests. After a brief interlude in San Jose, the Pacific coast lures you to its shores once again, this time to the remote Osa Peninsula. Manuel Antonio is your final destination and, although it’s the smallest of Costa Rica’s national parks, its beauty and biodiversity rivals them all.
Top spots to stay
Set within 1,400 private acres on the Peninsula Papagayo, Andaz Costa Rica Resort is surrounded by three gorgeous beaches, and the perfect start to your trip. Nayara Tented Camp in Arenal is luxe yet close to nature and at the Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero, always have your binoculars ready whether you’re gazing out from the terrace or the waterside bar. Lapa Rios Lodge is a collection of treehouses with fantastic access to the beaches of the Osa Peninsula, and in Manuel Antonio, Hotel Makanda by the Sea does just what it says on the tin with one of the best beaches in Costa Rica a mere stroll away.
Beaches & beauty of the East
Fancy a honeymoon basking in the sunshine and atmosphere of the Caribbean coast? Let us introduce you to our final trip… You’ll begin with a taste of the scenic Central Valley, and swim in caldera lagoons and visit quaint hamlets to try your hand at oxcart painting. A serene boat ride will take you down to Tortuguero, one of the best places in the world to watch sea turtles as they nest on the beaches, and where snorkelling amongst coral reefs and spying vivid wildlife in the forest is all in a day’s work. Then, it’s off to the Turrialba valley, an epic white-water rafting destination along miles of jungle-bound rivers, before your honeymoon comes to an end on the flaxen beaches of Puerto Viejo de Talacama. Surf the waves, enjoy the laidback vibes and bask in the plentiful sunshine before you jet home.
Top spots to stay
In the Central Valley, El Silencio Lodge & Spa is all about wellness, and the herb and fruit-infused spa treatments and alfresco hot tub are a treat. Sitting in 26 private hectares, the views at Tortuga Lodge in Tortuguero range from the rainforest to the river, and at Pacuare Lodge, the adventurous side of Turrialba is on full display. Make sure you enjoy at least one meal at The Nest, a dining experience that you’ll arrive at by zipline! Round things off at Aguas Claras in Puerto Viejo de Talacama, a designer dream with stand-out style, sublime views, and amazing snorkelling right on the doorstep.
