FAQs
What is the dress code for your wedding?
We will not have an enforced dress code. We recommend beachy formal attire but wear whatever you are comfortable in! Some people will be in suits and some in a shirt and tie. The full event will be open air (no air conditioning) including the ceremony and reception. It will probably be in the 80’s and humid during the day and mid/high 70’s at night.
Do you have a registry?
We do not have a registry but we will welcome contributions to our honeymoon fund! We would appreciate digital funds via Venmo or Zelle to either Chris or Ali’s account. We will be spending an additional week and a half in Costa Rica for our honeymoon and we’re looking forward to some excursions including hiking a volcano and learning how to surf! See more details on this page.
Can I bring one or more guests?
Due to budget constraints and venue size limitations we are only able to accommodate the invited guests. Our goal is to keep our wedding as intimate as possible, so we are choosing to celebrate with only our closest family and friends. The official invitation with RSVP link will indicate if we have reserved either one seat or two for you. We appreciate your understanding!
Are children welcome?
The wedding ceremony & reception will be adults-only events. Our planner can provide a quote for local baby sitter services if needed.
Will there be vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free food options?
Yes, dinner will be buffet style and we will have options available for everyone!
What options are there for a shuttle from SJO airport? Can I carpool?
We recommend either booking a shuttle through Hugo Rodriguez on WhatsApp via the info to the right (he has handled wedding transportations for many of our planner’s past events), or book a shuttle through the hotel. The shuttles hold many passengers so Hugo or the hotel can help you share a van with other guests to split the costs. We booked with Hugo last fall when we viewed different venues & everything went well.
The shuttles cost about $200-$220 USD total each way between SJO and Manuel Antonio, and you can divide that cost amongst the other passengers. There are two optional stops along the way: a wild crocodile park & a casual restaurant a bit farther down the road.
Is there a room discount? What about a hotel room block?
We do not have a hotel block but we do have a discount code! Use this code for 10% off your room at Hotel La Mariposa when booking through their website: aliandchris
To use the code follow these steps:
See the discounted room rates here.
Book through the hotel’s booking flow here.
Add the code aliandchris in the “Additional comments” field, on the page where you enter your credit card.
You will not see the discounted price, however all their reservations are handled manually. After placing your booking you will get an automatic confirmation email with the non-discounted price. Then within 24 hours you will get an email from someone on their team confirming that the discount code was applied.
This code locks you into the low season rate, plus 10% off. High season starts on December 16th, so that’s why the price online increases. However, using our room code will lock you into the lower price even after December 16th.
If the code doesn’t work on the website, you can email them directly to place the booking: [email protected].
For some reason their website occasionally links out to booking.com when clicking “Reserve Now”. If this happens, this link will take you directly to the La Mariposa booking flow where you can use the code.
We hope you can join us there! Free breakfast & beach shuttles are included. The sooner you can book the better since December is the beginning of busy season!
Can I book through a different service?
Yes! You can certainly book through another service like booking.com & hotels.com. Our code will not work on these sites but they are both currently offering 10% off anyway. Either way, book your room soon before things get booked up. Also note there are two different hotel listings: Hotel La Mariposa (regular rooms) and La Mariposa Apartments (larger apartment style rooms with living area and kitchen).
Do I need a passport? What about a visa? What is customs like?
A passport is required! U.S. citizens must have a current valid passport and evidence of onward travel to exit Costa Rica (either to return to the U.S. or travel to another country).
You do not need a visa to visit Costa Rica for up to 180 days.
When you land in SJO you’ll go straight to customs and the line can be a bit long. It took us an hour to get through it but it could go faster sometimes. When leaving Costa Rica and departing from SJO you’ll go through customs as well but for us that went super fast, it just depends on how many flights are leaving at that time, so plan some extra time. As with all international flights it’s best to arrive at the airport 3 hours early.
It it customary to tip in Costa Rica?
Tipping is optional in Costa Rica since they already build extra costs into the bill. Costa Rican restaurants automatically add a 10% gratuity and 13% tax to your bill. If you wish to leave a tip, its customary to leave up to an additional 10%.
What is the national currency? Can I use US dollars? How much cash should I bring?
You can use US dollars in Costa Rica, and credit cards are widely accepted.
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Colon but you likely will not need to exchange your money. $1 USD = 515 Colons.
It is good to have some cash on hand (US dollars are fine) for tipping any exceptional service like the hotel concierge, your shuttle driver or a bartender/waiter.
It’s best to have smaller bills since some businesses may not accept US bills over $20. Also many stores & boutiques give discounts for using cash.
Is the area safe?
Yes, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is generally considered a safe place to visit. However, like all travel, it’s best to stay vigilant and be on the lookout for pick pockets or scam artists trying to price gouge on things like tours or parking. Similar to visiting a city like NYC, it’s best to conceal your valuables to avoid becoming a target.
What are the different room types at La Mariposa?
Here is a sketch of some of the main areas of the hotel, and where I believe some of the rooms are located.
Can I get by without knowing any Spanish?
Yes, we were able to get by just fine by only speaking English. Almost everyone at the airport, hotels and restaurants we visited spoke fluent English. But knowing a bit of Spanish certainly won’t hurt!
Can I drink the tap water?
The local authorities state that the drinking water in Costa Rica is perfectly potable, but we recommend that you stick to the bottled variety wherever possible just to play it safe. An upset stomach can really put a dent in your vacation.
What is the time difference?
From November to mid-March, the time is equivalent to Central Standard Time (CST) in the United States since Costa Rica does not change clocks ahead for daylight savings time.
Will my cell phone work?
AT&T, Verizon, and other major carriers have phones and wireless plans that work in both the US and Costa Rica, but please inquire with your long-distance carrier. You could also buy an international SIM card for data. We had no trouble using the Verizon Travel Pass and signal was great.
Can I contact your wedding planner directly with questions?
Yes! She is based in Costa Rica and is happy to help answer your questions! Her name is Dahianna Calderon and her email is: [email protected]
