Costa Rica
Who Should Go: A pioneer of sustainable tourism, Costa Rica is for eco-minded travelers who want access to ample wedding resources.
Safe-Bet Resort: What’s a more dramatic ceremony backdrop than an active volcano? At the 180-room Springs Resort & Spa, choose from several formal garden settings, all with Arenal views.
Unexpected Digs: Wed on one of Costa Rica’s best beaches at the 24-room Harmony Hotel, in Nosara. For fun, take lessons at the nearby Safari Surf School.
Adventurous Outing: Canyoneering in Arenal National Park with Pure Trek will test your mettle as you rappel 200 feet down a series of spectacular waterfalls into a vine-draped canyon.
Take-Home Treat: Stuff your welcome bags with fair-trade organic coffee grown and roasted on local estates. Café Britt coffee is available online and in the airport; groups can even tour the plantation, in Heredia.
What to Bring:Don’t forget your hiking boots and quick-dry socks for exploring Costa Rica’s 20 national parks, eight bioreserves and copious protected areas. Hint: Wear the boots on the plane to save suitcase space.
Nicaragua
Who Should Go: Surf and yoga trendsetters nostalgic for Costa Rica in the 1970s will welcome Nicaragua’s uncrowded waves and wellness meccas like San Juan del Sur, on the Pacific coast.
Safe-Bet Resort: Lush vistas from the 65 villa rooms at Pelican Eyes Hotel & Resort make this hilltop sanctuary in San Juan del Sur a landmark. Enjoy a prewedding sunset cruise on the property’s yacht.
Unexpected Digs: Rent all nine casitas at the new Jicaro Island Ecolodge, in the Granada Islands, and exchange I do’s with the Mombacho Volcano reflected in the lake.
Adventurous Outing: Keep your eyes peeled for armadillos, wild orchids and colorful quetzal birds in the Miraflor cloud forest. At the Nature Reserve Miraflor, experienced bilingual guides lead affordable horseback tours that allow you to see more of the park in one day.
Take-Home Treat: At your cocktail hour, serve gourmet sun-dried pineapple, mango and banana in Maya-inspired baskets. Get the goods in Managua at the Masaya craft market — the best in the country.
What to Bring: Take Teva sandals or other sturdy water shoes for creek walking and hopping in and out of boats.
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