Dreams Las Mareas is an incredible destination wedding venue in lush Costa Rica! More weddings are performed there than at any other resort in Central America. And when you step onto the property, it isn’t hard to see why! As a travel specialist, I’ve toured multiple times, and I’m always left floored by the beauty of the beaches, gardens, and mountain vistas. You’re surrounded by nature the entire time while enjoying all the amenities of a five-star resort—the best of both worlds!

The wedding team at Dreams Las Mareas is superbly talented at bringing couples’ visions to life. They will be transparent from the start, explaining what is doable within your budget range. Couples for whom sustainability is a top priority will also appreciate this resort’s designation as a certified Rainforest Alliance property! And if you’re looking to make the most of your trip to Central America, just hop over to nearby Nicaragua for some bonus sightseeing. Ready to learn more? Discover the complete guide to hosting your Costa Rica destination wedding right here!

Dreams Las Mareas Wedding FAQs

How many weddings will the resort host per day?

Dreams Las Mareas will host up to two weddings per day, but you would never know it. I was there on a Saturday when two weddings were happening in completely different locations. One was on the beach, while the other was behind the resort on the pool terrace. Each couple enjoyed complete privacy and felt like they had the place to themselves!

What are the wedding locations?

There is something for everyone at Dreams, whether you prefer mountain, beach, or pool views. However, the Seaside Terrace and the Lapa Lapa Beach Club are the most-requested wedding locations. View the venue guide with pictures here!

Will the resort guarantee my venue(s) at the time of booking?

Yes, as long as they’re available on your wedding date.

What are the wedding packages?

Dreams Las Mareas offers five wedding packages tiered according to the number of guests. The Beyond Memorable package is the most popular, designed for weddings of 50-79 guests. View the complete guide here!

What is the closest airport?

Liberia Airport (LIR) is the closest at an hour and thirty minutes away. Another option is the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José. However, it is much further away; it takes over four hours to travel from the airport to the resort.

What is the average nightly stay for wedding guests?

Since the airport is not particularly close, I recommend a four-night stay at a minimum. The ideal is 5-7 nights to experience everything Costa Rica offers! Also, note that the resort’s location is much further north than most attractions. So, any excursions you take will most likely require a three-hour round trip.

What is the average wedding guest count?

Weddings at this resort typically have 30-40 guests.

Does Dreams Las Mareas hold same-sex ceremonies?

They do. However, these ceremonies are symbolic. Costa Rica has not legalized same-sex marriage yet, but the social climate is changing. I’m confident it will be coming soon!

How soon should I book my destination wedding?

ASAP! Dreams Las Mareas is a hot commodity (remember: the most popular destination wedding venue in Central America), and their dates usually book over a year in advance.

The most popular months to tie the knot are June, July, August, and November. When I met with one of the lead planners in November 2019, those months were already completely booked for 2020! Get ahead of the rush and secure your preferred wedding date and venue by booking at least a year and a half in advance.

When are the dry and rainy seasons?

The rainy season lasts from May through the first week of November, and the landscape is lush and green. The dry season lasts from November through April and is when the best sunsets occur! 

November is the best month to get married in Costa Rica since you will enjoy spectacular sunsets, but the landscape still looks lush from all the rain. Once March and April roll around, everything looks dry and brown until the rainy season restarts.

If you want to get married during the rainy season, the wedding team at Dreams recommends booking an indoor venue for your reception. You can still host an outdoor ceremony and take gorgeous photos, but moving the party inside is your best bet since the weather can be unpredictable. The team can transform one of the ballrooms to give it an “outside-in” feel by adding greenery to the walls if you desire! In addition, the ballrooms are all designed in neutral shades to create a blank slate for adding any decorations or colors your heart desires.

How does the planning process work?

1. You’ll secure your wedding date and venue with a deposit. Your wedding package determines the deposit amount, typically from $500 to $750. Your deposit is also refundable up to six months before your wedding date!
2. Six months before your wedding date, the wedding department at Dreams Las Mareas will assign your wedding coordinator and provide you with all the tools you need to plan a successful destination wedding. They’ll also ask you to complete a survey on a PowerPoint guide to help make the planning process smoother.
3. You’ll submit your completed PowerPoint within a month of receiving it. Then, a week after you submit the guide, your wedding coordinator will send you a proposal customized to your vision.

Note that downgrading your wedding package after the six-month mark has passed will result in a penalty of $500. So, try to avoid this by communicating clearly with your guests! You should know well in advance who can attend and who cannot.

What if I have questions before the six-month mark?

Since the resort works on each wedding in sequential order, they won’t enter the detailed planning phase for your wedding until the six-month mark. That doesn’t mean you can’t contact them prior with big-picture questions. However, they prefer couples to wait until the six-month mark to ask questions relevant to more detailed planning (florals, decór, etc.).

Does the resort provide a free room upgrade for the wedding couple?

Some contracts include this perk. However, the team recommends booking the room you want at the outset since rooms tend to sell out fast. Upgrades are never guaranteed since the resort is limited to whatever is available when you check-in.

Do you have to use the resort’s preapproved vendors, or can you bring your own?

You may bring your own, but the associated fee is $500 per vendor.

Also, note that all vendors in partnership with the resort use San José as their base. Their rates, therefore, cannot be negotiated due to the distance they have to travel to the resort. Rest assured that Dreams Las Mareas only partners with vendors producing the highest-quality product. You will get what you pay for!

What does the average wedding at Dreams Las Mareas cost?

The average cost is $10-$15k for a wedding with 30-40 guests. However, you can expect to pay more to achieve a look you’ve found on Pinterest or Instagram.

Is there a bridal suite?

Yes! The resort’s onsite salon has a bridal suite that costs $125 per use. This fee also covers a bottle of champagne and a tray of cheese and fruit to enjoy as you get ready. You can use it all day or just for a few hours—it’s yours for as long as you need it! There is only one suite, though, and recall that the resort hosts up to two weddings each day. So, booking in advance is necessary if you’d like to take advantage of this perk.

Whoo, that was a lot! I hope I’ve answered many of your questions about hosting a destination wedding at Dreams Las Mareas. This resort is something special, and I would love to help you navigate the process of booking your travel! Book a call with me to get started when you reach out today.