Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
Over the years, we've had the opportunity to photograph weddings at some wonderful properties throughout Guanacaste. And while there are many beautiful places to get married in Costa Rica, there are certain venues we particularly love returning to.
We wanted to create a series sharing some of our favorites, along with what makes each one special and the different experiences they offer couples planning a destination wedding.
We're starting with Peninsula Papagayo, one of Guanacaste's most recognized destinations for luxury weddings.
Located along Costa Rica's North Pacific coast, Peninsula Papagayo is home to some of the country's most distinctive resorts and private residences. What we find particularly interesting is how different the experiences can be, even though the properties are located within the same destination.
While Four Seasons, Andaz, and Nekajui are all located within Peninsula Papagayo, each offers a very different wedding experience. From the atmosphere of the property to the ceremony settings and the way couples can celebrate with their guests, each resort has its own personality and something special to offer.
Here are the options worth exploring.
Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo
Four Seasons is one of those properties we never get tired of photographing.
We've worked here for many years, and one of the things we continue to appreciate is how much the resort offers beyond the wedding day itself.
When family and friends are traveling from different countries, having everyone together for several days becomes a meaningful part of the celebration. Four Seasons makes it easy to turn a wedding into a complete weekend experience, with opportunities for welcome gatherings, beach days, dinners, and time together before and after the ceremony.
Playa Virador is one of our favorite locations for ceremonies. There's something particularly beautiful about exchanging vows directly on the beach, with the surrounding coastline creating a natural setting for the celebration.
The property also offers different spaces for cocktail hours and receptions, allowing couples to create a wedding that moves comfortably from one part of the day to the next.
One of the things we appreciate most is that each event can have its own atmosphere without guests needing to leave the resort.
From getting ready in the morning to the ceremony, portraits, and evening celebration, everything can unfold within the property.
For couples who want a complete resort experience, beautiful ceremony options, and plenty of opportunities to enjoy time with their guests, Four Seasons remains one of our favorite wedding venues in Guanacaste.
Access hotel website here.
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo Resort
Andaz has a personality of its own, and that's exactly what makes it so interesting.
One of the things we love about this property is that it doesn't feel like a traditional wedding resort. The design, layout, and different event spaces allow couples to create celebrations that feel distinct from one another.
El Jardín is one of our favorite settings for ceremonies, while Casa de Playa offers a completely different atmosphere for a welcome gathering or another wedding event of your choice.
We love how couples can move between these spaces throughout the weekend, giving each celebration its own character.
Andaz is also a wonderful property for couples who want their guests to experience Costa Rica beyond the wedding itself. There are opportunities to enjoy the beach, spend time together around the resort, and explore everything Peninsula Papagayo has to offer.
We've had the pleasure of photographing some very special celebrations here, including Brianna and Don's destination wedding, which was later featured in Condé Nast Traveler.
Their wedding is a beautiful example of how a celebration at Andaz can feel personal to the couple while making the most of the different experiences available throughout the property.
Another thing we particularly enjoy about Andaz is the variety of locations for portraits. The resort's design creates interesting settings that feel different from traditional beach wedding photographs, giving us opportunities to document the couple in a way that feels connected to the venue.
Andaz is a wonderful choice for couples who appreciate a property with personality and want a wedding weekend where each celebration feels a little different.
Access hotel website here.
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Nekajui is one of the newest additions to Peninsula Papagayo, offering another distinctive experience for couples considering a destination wedding in Costa Rica.
What makes the property particularly interesting is its approach to hospitality and the feeling of privacy throughout the resort.
Rather than focusing only on the ceremony and reception, Nekajui offers the opportunity to create a complete wedding experience, with beautiful accommodations, dining, wellness experiences, and different spaces for guests to enjoy during their stay.
For couples planning a celebration over several days, this can make a meaningful difference.
The property also offers a variety of settings for wedding events.
La Capilla provides a distinctive ceremony location, while La Casona Lawn offers another option for outdoor gatherings and celebrations.
We particularly appreciate having different possibilities within a property, because every couple has their own priorities when planning a wedding.
Some may prefer a more intimate ceremony, while others want a larger celebration with several events throughout the weekend.
With a newer resort like Nekajui, we also encourage couples to take the time to explore the different spaces and understand how they would work for their particular plans.
The guest experience, the flow between events, and the atmosphere of each setting are all important considerations.
For couples drawn to a more private resort experience with a strong emphasis on hospitality and personalized celebrations, Nekajui is certainly worth exploring.
Access hotel website here.
Choosing the Right Wedding Venue in Peninsula Papagayo
One of the reasons we wanted to create this series is that choosing a wedding venue involves much more than finding a beautiful property. Peninsula Papagayo is a perfect example of that.
Four Seasons, Andaz, and Nekajui are all located within the same peninsula, yet each offers a different experience. Four Seasons is wonderful for couples who want a complete resort experience with plenty of opportunities to celebrate with their guests. Andaz has a distinctive personality, with event spaces that allow each part of the wedding weekend to feel a little different. Nekajui offers a newer resort experience with an emphasis on privacy, thoughtful design, and personalized hospitality.
We always encourage couples to think about how they want their wedding to feel, not just how they want it to look. Consider where you'll get ready, where your ceremony will take place, and how your guests will move between events. Would you prefer exchanging vows on the beach, celebrating in a garden surrounded by nature, or gathering in a beautiful setting overlooking the coastline?
The time of year is another important consideration. Guanacaste changes throughout the seasons, and those changes can influence the atmosphere of your wedding. During the dry months, the landscape becomes more golden and the weather is generally sunnier. As the rains return, the vegetation becomes greener, and afternoon showers become more common.
Neither season is necessarily better. It depends on what you're envisioning, the kind of celebration you're planning, and how flexible you can be with the weather.
From our experience photographing weddings throughout Guanacaste, we also know how much the timing of the day matters. The distance between locations, the time needed for portraits, and the hour of sunset can all influence how comfortably the celebration unfolds. These are details worth discussing with your wedding planner and photography team while choosing your venue and developing your timeline.
A Few Final Thoughts From Our Team
After more than 20 years photographing weddings in Guanacaste, one of the things we appreciate most is how different every celebration can be.
We've photographed beachfront ceremonies, intimate gatherings, larger celebrations, and weddings that have brought family and friends together from around the world. Each one has its own personality, and that's what makes this work so rewarding.
While the venue creates the setting, it's the people and everything that happens throughout the day that make the photographs meaningful. The excitement before the ceremony, the reactions of family and friends, the laughter during portraits, and the celebrations that continue into the evening are the moments we love documenting.
Peninsula Papagayo offers three wonderful resort options for couples planning a destination wedding in Costa Rica. We hope this first article helps you understand what makes each property different and begin imagining which one feels right for your celebration.
In the next part of our series, we'll be sharing more of our favorite wedding venues throughout Guanacaste.
Planning Your Wedding in Peninsula Papagayo?
Our team at Sylvia Guardia Photography has been photographing weddings throughout Guanacaste for more than 20 years, and we'd love to hear about your plans.
Whether you're considering Four Seasons, Andaz, or Nekajui, we'd be happy to share our experience and document your celebration in a way that feels natural and personal to you.
Get in touch with our team to inquire about your Costa Rica destination wedding photography.
