Costa rica Wedding trip!!!
Welcome to my Wedding Diaries Blog Part 2: The Trip <3
If you haven’t yet, go checkout part 1 here before you read part 2 of our authentic wedding in Costa Rica.
Wedding week over a wedding trip with our loved ones was the perfect way to celebrate our love. In part 1 I shared a lot on the logistics of the wedding prep, the providers, and the actual wedding so in part 2 we are going to focus on the actual trip in Costa Rica. Here are the deets…
As a reminder we wanted to keep it simple, fun,
and very authentic and so we did. I think our trip reflects this 💜
Itinerary? Turrialba and South Caribbean (Cahuita & Puerto Viejo)
Airports? Flew in and out of Juan Santamaría International Airport
How long? 1 week - Tuesday to Tuesday
Rental Car? Adobe Car Rental
Adobe is the car rental company I always use when traveling in Costa Rica. They have amazing customer service, a diverse and updated fleet, 16 offices around the whole country, transparent prices, and the most complete insurance. You can check their website here and use code NT46J for a 10% discount on your next rental or check their availability directly on this box on the right.
Although I wanted to show my family every single place I love in Costa Rica and the areas we visited, the truth is the trip was less of a touristic trip and much more of a family connection trip while celebrating love. Ultimately everyone enjoyed the trip and that’s what matters the most. So what did we do? Here is the day to day!
Day 1
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Family Arrival Day
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Day 1 〰️ Family Arrival Day 〰️
Woke up at 7a.m. then walked from my Airbnb to the Adobe office and picked up our rental car for the week. Their customer service is always the best and makes pick ups and drop offs such a breeze. Thank you! We had a 7 passenger vehicle and I felt like a baby learning to drive such a huge car. I worked in the morning from the Airbnb and had my dinner leftovers for breakfast. My family arrived at 12:15p.m. Btw. I got to see them fly over the Airbnb! Check out my reel about it. Once I finished work I rushed over to the ATM and then to the airport to pick them up. It was perfect timing. I walked in and a minute later my family came out the doors. After I picked up my mom, brother, and grandma we drove all over the GAM - Grand Metropolitan Area - running errands. Stop #1: the wedding rings from Glowstone CR. Stop #2: a yummy and much deserved lunch at La Casona de Laly. Stop #3: Pick up the vanilla wedding cake at Rosita Cocina Creativa. Stop #4: Our Airbnb in Turrialba. Night driving in the mountains when my family was experiencing it for the first time was a journey. We made it to the airbnb by 7:45p.m. to finally get some rest. Long day for all of us. That same night my dad arrived at midnight and thankfully we had a taxi driver scheduled to bring him to Turrialba because I was exhausted and there was no way I could go back to the GAM. At 2:30a.m. I left the Airbnb to get him at the entrance - 2 minute walk in the dark and a 3 minute drive. What a journey, but we all made it and slept like a baby.
Day 2
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First Full Day
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Day 2 〰️ First Full Day 〰️
We decided to rest and recover during the morning. I got bread, eggs, and some other breakfast things from the store so we could make breakfast. My mom, grandma, and I then went to explore the neighboring areas by just driving around. The mountains in Turrialba are stunning and there are views everywhere. One thing I love here is how much it still retains the rural feeling and the heart of Costa Rica with many farms, flowers, and small local homes. We drove around 45 minutes taking it all in and chatting. We then picked up my dad and my brother at the airbnb and drove into the town of Turrialba. I decided to take them to the new Turri Gastro Park to enjoy lunch. The best place for everyone to find something that meets their needs. After a late lunch we drove around the area so I could show them different places like the new hospital and CATIE. Before heading out we had to do a mandatory stop at Wearsos. If you did not know, in the heart of Turrialba town you find Wearsos, a local brand of repurposed leather products and souvenir shop with over 40 National providers. Go check them out! After Wearsos we went to a couple of stores and ordered takeout at Monkey Wok before heading back up to the airbnb. The driving back was insane with the thickest fog I have ever experienced in Costa Rica. We made it safely, ate yummy food, and watched a movie to end the night. I was also decorating our wedding favors which was a much needed art therapy time.
Day 3
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SIGNING DAY!!!
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Day 3 〰️ SIGNING DAY!!! 〰️
SO EXCITING! We had to check out of the Airbnb as we had our signing ceremony before driving to Cahuita in the South Caribbean. The day turned out extremely long, but even more beautiful and heart filling. My dad worked from the Airbnb in the morning as we packed it all up and got ready. As I was getting ready I realized I left my contact lenses in La Fortuna. For months, my biggest fear was not having contact lenses to get married and it almost happened, but a local optic came to the rescue with the last box of contact lenses with my prescription. Thank You God! Leaving the Airbnb was an adventure as it was raining pretty wildly. Once we were in Turrialba town we bought some chicken empanadas and drove to the signing place. What a dream it was. I had no idea what to expect and it was a 20/10 experience in the most local rustic Costa Rican home in the mountains. I am so grateful for our lawyer. The ceremony hit deep and we had such a lovely time with each other. Also, shoutout for a badass 4x4 vehicle provided by Adobe that helped us get in and out the property safely as the road was steep and dirt. We then went to Soda Maga in Turrialba town to have a super late lunch (or maybe early dinner?) as a group. Totally recommend you go eat local after your wedding with all your loved ones. Once we finished we drove all the way to Cahuita. It was already dark so there was not much to see, but thankfully the drive was smooth sailing with no traffic. We arrived safe and sound close to 9p.m. and were exhausted so went straight to bed after a refreshing shower.
Day 4
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Rest, Recharge, & Settle
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Day 4 〰️ Rest, Recharge, & Settle 〰️
This was the day to settle in Cahuita, rest and recharge, get some more wedding things, and welcome my aunt who was arriving. We were staying at Alouatta Lodge which my family got to appreciate this morning when the monkeys started howling around 5a.m. hahah. I actually love this and wanted them to experience how magical it is. My now husband, dad, and I got a late breakfast at Soda Kawe in Cahuita. We brought food back for the rest of the family. Then we had to go pick up the flower bouquet and the chocolate cake before getting my aunt so my mom, my husband, and I went to do that. The flower bouquet was in Floristería Encantos de Talamanca on the inside - mountain area - of the South Caribbean. My mind was blown as we drove there. I knew there was more about the South Caribbean than just the beach road from Limón to Manzanillo. That is actually the road that gets you to Sixaola, the border with Panamá. However, I did not expect it to be such a gorgeously green lush jungle with mountain views. I fell more in love with the South Caribbean and I was reassured that I want to have land there. Anyways we got the bouquet and drove to Puerto Viejo to get the cake. We then had to get my aunt in Limón. She landed in Juan Santamaria International Airport so we helped her get the bus to Limón with Caribeños. It was sooo easy and she was able to make the trip effortlessly. Step 1: Uber from the airport to the terminal in San José. Step 2: Buy the bus ticket online. Step 3: Get on the bus and enjoy the ride all the way to the last stop in Limón. We drove an hour to get to her. On the way there and back we stopped to get some fresh and handmade coconut oil. If you have not been to the South Caribbean then let me remind you to keep your eyes peeled for the street vendors of coconut oil. It is the beeeessstt. Anyways, we got back, rested a bit and then went as a family to get snacks, drinks, and dinner. It was so beautiful going out to eat as a family, laughing with each other, talking, enjoying food without phones. So blessed. We ate at La Terraza in Cahuita and the food was yummy.
Day 5
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Beach Ceremony!!!!
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Day 5 〰️ Beach Ceremony!!!! 〰️
Day #5: Beach ceremony dayyy!!! I was so excited to finally use my wedding dress and feel like a fairy princess. We woke up at 4a.m. to get ready. We ran on tico time and left at like 5:15a.m. It was a cloudy morning and we got rain the entire drive to Puerto Viejo. I just kept praying for sun and no rain and by the time we got to Puerto Viejo, about 25 minutes later, it stopped raining. Thank You God! The beach was perfect. Calm, low tide, hard sand from the rain, and empty. In the back we could see the foggy jungle and the contrast of green and blue adorning the landscape. It was so gorgeous. Feeling the morning breeze surrounded by family and friends we did a super simple ceremony full of laughter and love. I walked down the sand aisle to the song Sacaboom. My friend acted as the ceremony leader and got us married. The flowers and their colors stood up so brightly with the beach colors. It was perfect. We took a million pictures. We hung from a rope and swung across the sand. After everything we drove back to Cahuita to Soda Kawe to have breakfast all together. We then drove back to Puerto Viejo for their “Feria” or farmers market. While we were driving we saw a group or cars pulled over to the side and when we looked we saw a SLOTH!!!! We had to pullover, of course. It was such a great experience that my family got to see a sloth from such a close distance and in the wild. Here is the reel about it. At the feria my family got to see tons of fruits and vegetables plus local artisans and brands. I love the feria and it was a blessing getting my family to experience the one in Puerto Viejo. After that we went back to the accommodations. My family got ready to sleep while my husband, my dad, and I got ready to go to Cahuita National Park. My friend joined us. What an amazing time we had walking the grounds and seeing all the animals. We saw sloths, raccoons, monkeys, butterflies, and more. My husband, who is a local tour guide, crushed it by helping them see things and learn about the local wildlife. This night we celebrated by having dinner at Soda Shekina in Puerto Viejo, our favorite place in the area. We had our chocolate cake as dessert.
Day 6
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Reception Day
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Day 6 〰️ Reception Day 〰️
Day #6: “Ufffff” What a day. I woke up feeling crappy, but I had committed to go to the Refugio Nacional Gandoca Manzanillo with my husband so I decided to get ready and go. My family was going to stay resting and working. The place was AMAZING and breathtakingly beautiful. Totally recommend you visit there when you are in the area. It is donation based and has so much to see. We took it slow and were monitoring how I was feeling. My body was really aching, my head was heavy, and I just felt bad. Afterwards we got paty from the side of the road and went back to Alouatta Lodge to meet up with the family. They made hot dogs for lunch. By this time I was burning with fever and feeling miserable. I laid down for a bit but I had to take my family to church in Puerto Viejo. After we came back I rested a bit then we went to get pizza at Pizzeria Cahuita and brought it back to our lodging where we had our “Reception Night.” Pizza, wine toast, and lots of dancing. By this time my fever was still going strong so I decided to take pills - a rare thing for me. It helped so much and I was able to fully enjoy it with my family and my friend. What a blessing moments like this one enjoying the company of each other and celebrating live
Day 7
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Back to the GAM!
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Day 7 〰️ Back to the GAM! 〰️
Day #7: Travel day back to the Grand Metropolitan Area to be near the airport before flying day. We slept in, packed up, and went to have breakfast at Soda Kawe in Cahuita one last time. After that we continued to Siquirres to drop off my husband who was going to stay home. At Siquirres we stopped at the grocery store and got local goat milk for my grandma who has been wanting some for a long time. So good. We got gas before going through the mountains because safety first and thank God we did. On our way through the “Zurquí,” route 32, we got stuck in some heavy traffic. Not moving for a while. It was a time of lots of laughs and patience testing while getting to experience the reality of driving through the mountains in Costa Rica. What a time. By this time my fever was coming back and I was feeling pretty miserable again. We pushed through and made it to the new Airbnb right before sunset. I was not functional hahah. I went and laid down for a bit then helped my family order uber eats. After eating I showered and went to bed because I truly needed to rest.
Day 8
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Travel Day
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Day 8 〰️ Travel Day 〰️
Day #8: Travel day 🙁Woke up early, loaded the car, and went to the airport. Got there around 6:20a.m. as the traffic from Downtown Alajuela to the airport was heavy duty. It was an easy and fast check in process and the security line was empty. We took the last pictures with the traditional carreta and orchids that were adorning the airport then said our goodbyes. I was not expecting to cry, but it hit me hard and I was sobbing hard. I called my husband who stayed on the phone with me until I calmed down. Once they passed security I filled up the gas tank and returned the car rental. I headed back to the Airbnb on an uber to work remotely before taking buses back to La Fortuna. It was a long and really hard day. I was feeling really sick and needed to get home to rest yet the journey was long and the cold in the mountains did not feel good. Thank God I made it and it was time to rest and get better.
As I mentioned before, this was not a touristic trip at all yet this route is phenomenal for more rural tourism. Lots to see and do. Powerful local projects and gorgeous places to see. A friend of mine who came for the wedding did zipline, surfing, and kayaking in the South Caribbean. In Turrialba you have plenty of things like coffee and cacao farms, rafting the Pacuare, Mollejones, hiking the volcano, waterfalls, and more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my wedding blog! Checkout my Instagram or TikTok for all the wedding vlogs. If you are wanting to do this route and have the freedom of having a rental car then checkout Adobe and use code NT46J for a 10% discount. Searching for a travel consultant, travel agent or tour guide? Let’s talk and I will be happy to work with you to plan the best trip ever and craft an impactful itinerary 💜
