Unique Costa Rica weddings at Rincon de la Vieja Volcano

[Shannon Farley]

When you think of having a destination wedding, is the usual location of a picture-perfect beach in some exotic tropical setting what comes to mind? What about scenic countryside? Or a live volcano?

What if you and your betrothed, or your family and friends, are not really beach people? Luckily, beaches are not your only option for a destination wedding in Costa Rica. An equally romantic choice for where to tie the knot is at Hacienda Guachipelin by Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in the countryside of Guanacaste.

“People think of Costa Rica as having only beaches and rainforest and monkeys, but we have so much more,” said Larissa Banting of Weddings Costa Rica. “Guanacaste is known as being the cradle of Costa Rican culture – with its music, its cooking, etc. For couples who want more of an authentic Costa Rican experience, Guanacaste is the place.”

Guanacaste, Costa Rica is easy to get to. Direct flights from North America and Europe arrive right in Guanacaste’s Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia; you don’t have to go to the capital city of San Jose. Hacienda Guachipelin at Rincon de la Vieja is less than an hour from the Liberia International Airport. Additionally, the hotel is only an hour from gorgeous Guanacaste beaches if you do want some time on the coast for your Costa Rica honeymoon.

It is unique to get married by a live volcano … especially one that is named after a love story (see the legend of Rincon de la Vieja Volcano). And the area is full of archaeological history with ancient stone petroglyphs, adding a Romancing the Stone feel.

“It’s really powerful to get married in a place with a live volcano, and one with an ancient civilization. It’s a really special place … a very spiritual place,” said Banting of Rincon de la Vieja.

Set on a magnificent traditional Costa Rican ranch, Hacienda Guachipelin is one of the best hotels at Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. Picture Mediterranean looking countryside and a Tuscan feel with stone walls, clay tile roofs, tall spreading shade trees, green grass and red earth. Add in dramatic tropical waterfalls, and pastoral ranch scenes with horses, and a traditional Costa Rican oxcart. All at the foot of a colossal live volcano.

Not only do you have a spectacular setting, you also can enjoy the hotel’s romantic natural volcanic hot springs and take advantage of their adventure tours. Just think: you have ready-made fun activities for bachelor and bachelorette parties, or group bonding before the wedding for you and your guests.

Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin offers these Costa Rica destination wedding services:

• Wedding coordination for the hotel
• Food and beverage. You can have your reception dinner in a private area by the swimming pool that accommodates up to 80 persons; or they have space for more persons in other areas.
• Audio visual equipment and set-up
• Decoration
• Live musicians and entertainment
• Transport to the hotel from the airport
• Accommodation at the hotel
• Activities for your wedding group