Costa Rica Destination Wedding Ideas Your Guests will Love

Costa Rica is a country that is not only rich in beauty, but also in culture. If you’re getting married in Costa Rica, you might want to immerse your guests in the local culture. There are many simple and easy ways to honor the culture without breaking the bank, so we enlisted the help of Samantha from Events & Weddings Costa Rica to compile this fun list.

Costa Rica Wedding Welcome Bags & Favors

Get welcome bags made locally out of burlap, known as ‘yute’ in Costa Rica. Not only is it a thoughtful and practical gift, but it’s also a nice keepsake for your guests to remember the country.

Here are some ideas of locally made products you can put inside your yute welcome bag:

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Pura Vida Bracelets

A set of Pura Vida Bracelets is probably one of the most unique and thoughtful gifts you can give your guests. “Pura Vida” means “pure life” in Spanish and it encapsulates the culture and philosophy of Costa Rica. That phrase encourages the appreciation of life’s simple treasures, celebrating good fortune, and not taking anything for granted. Pura Vida Bracelets was founded in Costa Rica based on this philosophy, and each bracelet is handcrafted by artisans around the world. They have endless color combinations and innovative styles that reflect the culture. But what I really love the most is that this company gives back to the community through charitable contributions. Pura Vida Bracelets are a meaningful, unique, practical, and cultural gift that your guests will truly appreciate!

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Local Coffee

Include a bag of coffee from one of the most famous coffee regions in Costa Rica inside your welcome bags such as Tarrazu, Tres Rios, Heredia or Alajuela.

Salsa Lizano

Another locally sourced item you can add to your Costa Rica wedding welcome bag is a bottle of Salsa Lizano, a condiment which ‘Ticos’ or Costa Ricans love to use when eating ‘gallo pinto’ (rice and beans) and huevos (eggs).

Local Sweets

In my opinion, you can never go wrong with sweet treats! Why not include some local Costa Rican chocolate covered coffee beans or fruits in your welcome bag?

Reception

If you want to add some details to your reception that reflect the local culture, try using mini Costa Rican oxcarts to double as escort cards. Another fun idea is to put your place cards in a wooden box filled with Costa Rican coffee beans and decorate it with a touch of locally grown orchids.

Entertainment

Another way you can immerse your guests in the local Costa Rican culture is with the entertainment. You can hire Costa Rican folk dancers to perform at your rehearsal dinner. Don’t have the budget for live entertainment? Just play some Marimba music at your rehearsal dinner or during your cocktail hour.