A destination wedding doesn't have to mean a ballroom and three hundred guests. Some of the most beautiful celebrations are for the people who fit around one long table.
Tamarindo has everything a destination wedding needs: sunsets that drop straight into the Pacific, a reliable dry season, excellent food and plenty for guests to do before and after the big day. Liberia's international airport, with direct flights from many cities in the United States and Canada, is about an hour away.
What it doesn't always have is privacy. That is where a private estate changes the experience.
Why a private estate instead of a resort
It is yours alone. At a resort you share the pool, the restaurant and the beach with strangers. When you book the Full Estate at Cocoon, the only people on the property are your guests and our team.
Your closest people sleep on site. The four houses accommodate up to 20 guests, so the couple, both families and the wedding party can wake up in the same place. For larger celebrations, our events team can host up to 60 guests at the estate, with the rest staying nearby in Tamarindo.
One weekend, many settings. A ceremony with an ocean view at sunset, dinner on the terrace, dancing by the pool and a slow brunch the next morning — without anyone having to get in a car.
Room to get ready in peace. The couple can prepare in The Nest, our most romantic house, while the wedding party takes over Villa Cocoon.
The celebrations we love to host
- Intimate weddings and elopements
- Vow renewals and anniversaries
- Proposals and honeymoons
- Milestone birthdays and family celebrations
How a wedding weekend at Cocoon could look
Day one — arrivals and welcome dinner. Private transfers from Liberia, welcome cocktails as everyone settles in, and a relaxed dinner prepared by our private chef.
Day two — a day for the guests. A private catamaran sail for the group, surf lessons for the brave and spa treatments at the estate for the couple.
Day three — the wedding. Getting ready at the estate, a ceremony as the sun sets over the Pacific, dinner under the stars, then live music or a fire show before the dancing starts.
Day four — the morning after. A long brunch by the pool, a last swim and goodbyes with no rush.
What our team can coordinate
Our concierge and events team can take care of the details so you can enjoy the build-up:
- Food and drink: private chefs for the rehearsal dinner, the wedding dinner and the brunch, plus wine tastings led by our sommelier.
- Decor: flowers, table settings, lighting and a cake.
- Entertainment: acoustic or live music and a fire show under the stars.
- Memories: professional photography and video, including drone footage.
- Logistics: airport transfers, activities for guests and a schedule that works for everyone.
Discover more on our experience page.
Getting legally married in Costa Rica
Foreigners can legally marry in Costa Rica. Civil ceremonies are performed by a Costa Rican lawyer who is also a notary; you will typically need valid passports, two witnesses and, if either of you has been married before, proof that the previous marriage has ended. The marriage is then recorded in the Civil Registry, and the certificate can be apostilled for use in your home country.
Requirements can change and vary by nationality, so confirm them with your lawyer or wedding planner well in advance. Many couples choose to sign the paperwork at home and celebrate a symbolic ceremony in Costa Rica: just as moving, with much less admin.
When to get married in Tamarindo
- Dry season (December to April) gives you the best chance of a cloudless sunset. It is also the most popular time, so start planning 9 to 12 months ahead.
- Green season (May to November) brings lush landscapes and softer rates. Rain usually comes in the afternoon, so consider an earlier ceremony and a covered plan B.
- Sunset falls between roughly 5:15 and 6:00 pm all year. Start the ceremony about 45 minutes before for the best light.
Read more in our guide to the best time to visit Tamarindo.
Questions to ask any venue
Wherever you celebrate, ask these before you sign:
- How many guests can attend the event, and how many can stay overnight?
- Is the venue exclusive to your group for the whole stay?
- What are the rules on music and finishing times?
- What is the plan if it rains?
- Which services are included, and can you bring your own suppliers?
We are happy to answer every one of them for Cocoon.
Start planning your celebration
Tell us your date, the number of guests and the kind of celebration you have in mind, and we will come back with ideas and availability — get in touch. Hosting the whole family? Read how the estate works for large groups in Tamarindo.
