Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo Wedding Venue Tour
Photo by Sylvia Guardia Photography
Okay, guys, let’s talk about one of the most epic wedding venues in the country for a minute.
The Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica has beautiful wedding and event venues, but more than that, it is an amazing place to host your friends and family for the wedding weekend.
It is like new since almost the entire resort was recently updated. In 2017, the lobby, shops, several restaurants, and every single room was renovated to look like a beachy, chic, and relaxing home-away-from-home. In 2018, the spa, golf course clubhouse + restaurant, and the buffet area (and the food selection) were updated too.
The resort has 3 pools (4 if you count the kid’s pool with adorable tiny lounge chairs), 2 beaches, 4 restaurants, and a golf course.
You can choose to lay by the water all day or if you want to be more active you can check out the many activities on the property. They have complimentary activities such as kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, snorkeling, rum tasting, mixology classes, cooking classes, hiking, and bike tours!
View of the resort from Culebra Bay
Overhead view of the resort which is located on the end of the Papagayo Peninsula
LOCATION
The resort is located on the Papagayo Peninsula, a location that is truly unique and one-of-a-kind. It sounds cheesy but I’m not exaggerating when I say that the drive-in is truly breathtaking.
The resort was built 15 years ago and was the first thing on the peninsula…and they took the best piece of land, obviously. It is at the very end of the Peninsula, and because of this, it has a beach on both sides.
You can literally walk from one beach to the other in less than a minute.
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica
Front drive of the resort
TRANSPORTATION
So, how do you get there? The resort is located a quick 40 minutes from the Liberia International Airport.
You can take a private vehicle there if you’d like by hiring the resort’s transportation company, Relaxury.
One of the nice things is that the Four Seasons Relaxury team is the only transportation company that has a booth inside the airport. As soon as you exit the customs & baggage area, you’ll find them off to the left before you exit to go outside. The price for a premium SUV starts at $115 each way.
The views on the drive in on are breathtaking because you drive alongside the golf course and the ocean is on both sides!
Something that has to be mentioned… guys, it is the only areas in the entire country that I’ve ever seen landscaped like it is. I’ve been in Costa Rica for over three years and one of the things I miss most are landscaped yards.
Okay, I’ll stop, I know I’m getting off topic now.
The lobby of the resort
ARRIVAL
When you arrive at the lobby you are seated for check-in and offered a fresh coconut with a bamboo straw and a cold towel. It’s legit.
Then, they WHEEL a tiny barrel with a dispenser (it sorta looks like a gas station pump but maybe that’s just me) to where you are sitting at check-in and offer you rum in your coconut.
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica
Blanca Beach
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica
Serena Pool
BEACHES AND POOLS
As I mentioned, the resort has 2 beaches and 3 swimming pools (4 if we count the kids club which has adorable tiny cabanas). The cabanas are first-come-first-serve on the beaches and at the adult pool so there’s no extra charge to use them. If you DO want a private cabana, there are 3 special cabanas that are available for rent, La Maria, La Pinta, y La Santa Maria (cute too, right?).
White-faced monkeys (shown here) and howler monkeys can be seen throughout the property
Lizards can be found in the hills of the property
WILDLIFE
Y’all, there are monkeys!
If you go Nov/Dec/Jan you can see the baby monkeys too. My favorite is the pizote (also called coati) and they run around in little packs together. If you go in July/Aug you can see the pizote babies. There are lizards and raccoons (the raccoons are nice in CR) and lots of birds. All of the animals are friendly (but not like petting zoo friendly, okay?) and it’s pretty cool to be in your room or at the beach and see a monkey.
Okay, so I know this next thing I’m going to talk about is a strange topic for a wedding venue review BUT it is important. Trust me on this one.
The resort uses natural fumigation on the beaches and the outdoor restaurant space every morning. They also fumigate every event space on the day of the event. It makes a big difference.
I’ve been at venues where you have to constantly swat away bugs. It’s a party foul.
ROOMS
So, there are a few categories-
Terraza, Brisa & Cielo Rooms
These are considered the “standard” rooms but you’re at a Four Seasons so it’s like buying a luxury vehicle…standard means leather seats and a sunroof, you know?
Every room at the resort has a water view so you don’t have to be worried about looking at the pool or the wall. My favorite part is that they have a screened-in balcony with a sofa and dining table. I love to listen to the waves and eat breakfast or read.
Every 10-ish rooms have their own washer and dryer with amenities so that you can do your own laundry. It’s a huge win after you’ve been staying there for several days and are running out of clothes. Or in my case, you bring tons of clothes but just want to keep wearing the same thing over and over, ugh.
These are located super centrally near the restaurants, beaches, and pools.
Canopy Suites
These guys are up in the hills and are more private. You have your own large patio and terrace with a daybed and a number of them have their own private pools too. The living room and bedroom are more segregated and you have a gigantic bathroom and walk-in closet with tons of space.
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica
Plunge Pool Canopy Suite
Pacifico Residences
These 2 and 3 bedroom units are family-friendly because they have a homey layout complete with a kitchen, full dining room, and living. Plus, there’s a washer and dryer inside every unit.
These aren’t up in the hills like the Suites and Villas but instead, are located by the lobby. It’s a bit easier to get to the central part of the resort which groups with children appreciate.
The only drawback is that they don’t have their private pools but the beaches and pools are just a short walk away.
Villas
In the hills and on the ocean side are the villas which are 2 and 3 bedroom units with private pools. They have a full kitchen, full dining room, and full living room too. The views from the villas are amazing and are the best at the resort!
Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica
The rum bar, La Reserva, where the rum tasting and mixology classes take place
ACTIVITIES
You have access to on-property and off-property activities. What’s the dif? On-property activities are at the resort and are managed by FS staff and off-property activities are offered through the resort’s concierge team but are serviced by a third party.
ON-PROPERTY
There are like, a bazillion million things to do and most of them are FREE.
Trail of the Giants tour of the golf course
Stand up paddleboarding
Kayaking *guided tours or you can go out on your own
Snorkeling
Biking *they have new electric bikes
Hiking
Cooking classes
Rum tastings
Mixology classes
Beer tastings
Wine tastings
Fitness classes *additional fee
Surfing *additional fee. The TropicSurf shop is located at the resort and one of the instructors will take you on boat to a nearby surf break
Volleyball
Jet skiing *additional fee
OFF-PROPERTY
Ziplining
ATV’s
Catamaran tours
Boat tours
Fishing trips
Adventures to local volcanos + waterfalls
FOUR SEASONS RESORT COSTA RICA – WEDDING & EVENT VENUES
Okay, so let’s dive into what you are actually here for, the venues!
The resort has quite a few different options for where you can hold the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. Let’s talk a bit about each.
1. Virador Beach
This golden sand beach is where you can get married with the sun setting in the background or party all night under the stars. The beach is large and can fit 400+ guests plus the beach is about as private as it gets. Only buffet or family-style(small groups) dinners are available on the beach.
Good for: wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, and beach dinners for groups up to 350+.
Photo by Sylvia Guardia Photography
Wedding ceremony on Virador Beach. Dinner on Virador Beach. Floral design by ArtFlower.
2. Blanca Beach
The second beach at the Four Seasons is Blanca Beach, which is also known as the Activity Beach because it hosts volleyball and water activities during the day. Blanca Beach is great for nighttime events such as beach dinners and parties. While best for small groups, this beach can fit up to 80 people comfortably. Only buffet or family-style(small groups only) dinners are available on the beach.
Good for: beach dinners for groups up to 80 guests.
Dinner on Virador Beach. Event design by Mauricio Elizondo. Floral design by ArtFlower.
3. Event Lawn
The Event Lawn is located on a cliffside above the beach and has elevated views of Culebra Bay. The lawn adjoins the Event Pavilion and the Ballroom so you can easily transition between the spaces.
Good for: wedding ceremonies, cocktail hours, wedding receptions, private dinners, and welcome parties.
Dinner reception on the Event Lawn
4. Armadillo Event Pavilion
The Armadillo Event Pavilion is covered but because it is open-air you still feel like you are at an outdoor event. It adjoins the Event Lawn so you could hold the ceremony and cocktail hour on the Event Lawn and then transition to the Pavilion for dinner. Alternatively, you could get married on the beach and then bring your guests to the Pavilion for dinner and reception.
Best for: large dinners and receptions for up to 250 guests.
Part of the Event Pavilion. Event by Stefany Moscoso. Floral design by ArtFlower.
5. Guanacaste Foyer & Ballroom
The Guanacaste Foyer and Ballroom are great for after parties and the Ballroom can also be used as a ceremony backup in the case of inclement weather.
Best for: after party and wedding ceremony backup.
6. Nemare Restaurant & Lawn
Nemare Restaurant and Lawn is located at the clubhouse at the Ocean Course at Peninsula Papagayo. The lawn is fantastic for wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions, welcome receptions, and dinners.
Best for: Small to medium sized groups for weddings, welcome receptions, and dinners.
7. Miramar
This is an amazing location for small weddings and events! Miramar is a 3 bedroom suite and has an infinity pool and private garden with views of the water, making it perfect for a wedding ceremony and reception. The three bedrooms are spread out between the main house and guest cottages.
Best for: small weddings and gatherings.
*A 10 pm curfew applies to all outdoor venues.
The lawn at Miramar
COST
I know you are probably wondering now how much it costs and if you can afford it. Pricing depends on a variety of factors such as the time of the year and the exact location the event takes places but here is rough pricing to give you an idea of the general costs.
Venue
Rental fees range from $1,000 to $5,500 depending on the time of the year and the number of guests.
Food
Dinner for an event starts at $116 per person before taxes.
Beverage
A 5-hour open bar package starts at $80 per person before taxes.
Lighting
An X-large string lighting package suitable for a large group is $1,400. All transportation, setup, breakdown, and taxes are already included.
Uplights are $20-30 per light depending on the lighting package purchased.
Floral designs
This truly varies but check out this article about the cost of weddings in Costa Rica. The in-house florist that they require you use is ArtFlower. Their pricing is generally on the higher end of the spectrum but all transportation, setup, breakdown, and taxes are already included.
Rooms
Room rates depend on the time of year (low season vs. high season) but the group rate for the Terraza, Brisa, and Cielo rooms start at $350 and goes all the way up to $800 per night.
Ten rooms for three nights are required in order to hold the wedding at the resort.
Want more tips on how to plan your destination wedding? Check out the blog posts below!