My second time to Costa Rica was for my wedding. Ashley and I loved it the first time around, so much so that it was among one of two places we really wanted to get married — Iceland or Costa Rica.

A tough call, right?

Or maybe not.

Iceland is incredible, and that’s why we decided to honeymoon there instead. I wrote about that time here.

What drew us to Costa Rica the first time was the emphasis and importance placed on ecotourism. The travel industry in Costa Rica is built on its beautiful landscape, like the mountains, the forests, animals, rivers, oceans — all of it.

The Indiana Jones in me loved the thought of this place, and Ashley had always wanted to try zip lining. So why not?

A thrilling and romantic first-time experience drew us back to celebrate our big day with family and friends. It was a time that I’ll never forget — one of excitement, paradise and companionship.

Below are a few photos from our trip in 2018:

Manuel Antonio National Park

The gallery above is a compilation of wildlife photos taken at the national park in Manuel Antonio — a beautiful place that brings you literally in front of animals, a jungle and the ocean.

The park features paved trails that wind through the thick forest. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for little critters like frogs, deer and more. Hiking isn’t very strenuous but it’s very important to bring snacks, water and sunscreen or clothes to keep yourself shaded.

When I went, the air in the forest felt like it stood still. The hike wasn’t arduous, but it was hot — really hot. I sweat any sunscreen I had on within minutes and kept slugging water. I did pack a bag, which was searched at the gate, so I had back-ups. If I didn’t, though, I could see how the day could get tired, sticky, headachy, and maybe even miserable.

What to pack:

• Beach towel

• Sunscreen

• Snacks

• Waters (You can’t have enough)

• Extra clothes, like a bucket hat

• Sunglasses

• Camera, of course

You could spend a half day or better in the park, especially if you decide on a beach day. This park has one of the nicest beaches in Manuel Antonio, and it’s positioned in a sort of inlet, making it feel private and secluded from the rest of the city.

It does come at a cost, though. We bought tickets at a vendor outside of the park entrance. AMEX wasn’t accepted at the time, but VISA and MasterCard weren’t an issue. Find more information here.

Our Lodging

Along with 23 others, we rented out these extraordinary villas in the hills of Manuel Antonio. The Montemar Villas were unlike anywhere else I’ve ever stayed — and will ever stay again for that matter.

There are three villas on the campus. Villa Celaje is the largest, sleeping up to 20 people. Villa Marbella sleeps about 10, built in the middle of the three villas. And the last villa is Casa Anaka, with two bedrooms and an infinity pool that offers the best view of the mountains.

Built high in the hills, these grand villas offer a panoramic view of the ocean, the mountains, the forests. Monkeys will drop in, toucans fly about, and a macaw posted up on our balcony the morning of our wedding. While being immersed in the forested hills of this town, the villas are something of an oasis themselves. Beautiful pools, full kitchens, multiple bedrooms, outdoor entertaining space, and an amazing staff who helps books excursions, run errands, and so much more.

Who are these villas for?

Certainly not the budget-conscious and the low-frills. Nope, these villas have just about everything you could imagine for a luxurious stay in Costa Rica. And naturally, it comes with a price tag.

That said, the largest of the three villas rents for about $1,500 per night.

What?

Are you kidding?

No, seriously. Here’s a TripAdvisor listing.

Now, when we booked, there was a minimum of a week rental. So, you had to rent the homes for at least one week.

Then, split that by 10 parties for Villa Celaje. Let’s do the math:

$1,500 X 7 nights = $10,500 (omg, stop).

HOLD ON! Stay with me.

$10,500 / 10 = $1,050.

Oh wait, that’s no so bad.

No, it’s certainly not. Actually, it’s a steal.

Ashley and I have traveled to 10 countries now and to many places in the USA. If you stay at a decent hotel for a week, you’re very, very likely to pay more than $1,000.

Only, you won’t have a full staff to help you with excursions, groceries and restaurant recommendations. You won’t have a private residence with an amazing pool and outdoor kitchen. You won’t have this serious elegant place to stay at in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

You’ll get a modest hotel in a decent neighborhood, with free breakfast and hopefully a courteous staff.

Now, the catch here is that you need 20 people to foot the bill. And that’s why this place is usually only reserved by people planning their wedding.

In fact, the only reason this place was even considered by us was because Ashley’s mother works for the airlines, met a frequent flyer through work who told her about these properties, and sure enough, they were available for our dates.

Without that serendipitous meeting, we likely wouldn’t have considered a destination wedding at all. We got lucky with this place.

That said, after doing the math, getting everybody who was planning to attend our wedding to buy into the idea, and sending money, securing the place, and all else, it was a lot of work.

Coordinating payments across international lines is a bit tricky, and trickier still when you don’t speak the language. Thank goodness the staff speaks excellent English, because my Spanish is mierda. Ich kann Deutsch sprechen, aber diesen Platz nicht in Deutschland ist.

The staff made coordinating payments and vendors for the wedding as easy as it could be. Now, coordinating with family and friends back home was a challenge in itself.

But, before I stress myself out, all you need to know is that it worked out and this place was more than either of us could’ve ever wanted.

What to Do in Costa Rica?

Oh boy, take your pick. The Costa Rican landscape makes it abundantly easy to pick any number of epic outdoor activities.

Canyoneering is popular in some regions; zip lining is a big hit in many areas of the country, including Manuel Antonio; swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking, mountain biking, and more are also available in many, many areas.

You would have to try to be bored in Costa Rica — really hard. Both times we went, we went zip lining, hiking and scouted for wildlife. We also went whitewater rafting, jet skiing, took a mountain tour, and surfing.

In Manuel Antonio, if you hang out by the beach, there are plenty of vendors there who offer jet skis for rent, parachute rides (or whatever that is) — basically you’re strapped into a parachute and glide over the water for a short stint — and you can rent surf boards, or just mosey along and collect shells. Just pay attention to the tide, because it can be deceivingly strong.

Once you’re done at the beach, there are dozens of restaurants and small stands that sell excellent food and drinks. Stick around long enough to watch the sun go down too.

My advice is to A) start with the no-brainer stuff. What do you really like to do? Prioritize that first. B) Pace yourself and be prepared — especially if you’re from the northern regions of the world. The sun is intense in Costa Rica, and temperatures are consistently hot and humid. It’s not uncommon for it to rain throughout the day during some times of the year, like it did during our stays in March and April. In fact, the day of our wedding was sunny in the morning, rained in the afternoon, and the clouds parted again — just in time — for our ceremony.

Beyond that, just have a good time! Enjoy the sun, the beach, the people, the food and culture. It’s all good.