Real Honeymoon Stories – Michael & Jessica in Costa Rica
(This would also be a great romantic vacation for any adventurous couple). I love to share real honeymoon stories with you, so please click here for more.
Michael & Jessica contacted me in October for help planning their October honeymoon for next year. In addition to planning their wedding, Michael was getting settled into his new job as a law enforcement officer at a large agency in California and Jessica was working through a nursing program. Planning their honeymoon on top of all that was just too much for them. They also weren’t sure how to put the type of honeymoon they wanted together or even where they wanted to go. The budget for their honeymoon was between $4,000 and $4,500, not including airfare, which was being gifted to them by Michael’s parents.
I suggested Costa Rica, because I knew they could experience all that they wanted to in this lush country. They loved that idea, so we explored it further.
Michael & Jessica like variety and didn’t want to be bored on their honeymoon. They wanted to stay at an all-inclusive resort for part of the time, if it was a good value. Driving in Costa Rica sounded a little scary, so they wanted transportation included between the airports and their hotels.
They wanted to relax for a day or two at the beginning of their trip and then dive into exploring, nature, adventure and nightlife. They were also interested in being pampered. Great views were really important to them. Good value was, too, of course, so any included meals would definitely be a plus. Michael & Jessica were also interested in a romantic candlelit dinner one night. One unusual fear Jessica shared with me was that she can snorkel, but is terrified of fish. As long as they don’t touch her, she’s OK.
With all of this in mind, I went to work crafting a honeymoon where they could experience romance, exploring nature, adventure and nightlife, all on one amazing adventure.
So, that they could begin their honeymoon in a very romantic way and end with a relaxing, all-inclusive beach stay, I flew them into San Jose, which is in the center of the country. They will stay their first night at the Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Nature Spa & Hotel, which is located in the cloud forest on the way to the Arenal volcano region. Breakfast here is super organic and delicious; with homemade cheeses, yogurt, granola and fresh, seasonal fruits.
It’s all about romanticism at this hotel. All of the casitas have fireplaces, which gives a very romantic ambiance. It’s the perfect place to start a honeymoon. One important aspect of this property is that there are no TVs. The concept of this hotel was created for people who want to get disconnected from technology and enjoy nature in a peaceful and yet comfortable place. The dinner at this hotel will be romantic due to this concept and the awe-inspiring view of the majestic Arenal Volcano. No extra money need be spent for a “romantic dinner”, which will help keep this couple within budget.
The adventure and activity begins in the Arenal area. They will be staying at the Arenal Kioro Hotel for three nights, where for added value, breakfast is included. Their accommodations will be a couples suite with a king bed. This hotel also has a great view of the Arenal Volcano. It also has its own natural hot springs, whose crystalline waters originate in the Arenal Volcano National Park.
I included a combo tour with canyoning /waterfall rappelling and white water rafting. They will do five rappels; four of which will be right alongside or in waterfalls and two exhilarating hours of white water action. This is a very fun and safe full day tour. Snacks and lunch are included, giving them extra value.
The Fortuna waterfall is one the most beautiful spots in Arenal, so I included horseback riding and hiking here, which will make for some great photo ops.
Their honeymoon will end at the Westin Conchal for three nights, located on the north Pacific coast in Playa Conchal. This is an all-inclusive, five-star hotel, which is a great place just to enjoy the beach and relax. The snorkeling is excellent here, but I’ll leave that to them, as I’m not sure how I can keep the fish away from Jessica:-) I included a canopy/zipline tour with over 2,700 feet of tree to tree cable to put some action and adventure into their honeymoon, before they go back home.
Michael & Jessica were delighted with the honeymoon I crafted for them. They were also very happy about the price, too, because it came within their budget at $4,331. Transportation, both private and shared, was also included in the package. They thought it was a fantastic value, because of all that I was able to include for them. They’re very excited to head out on their adventure after their September wedding.
- Are you super busy with your career and too busy to plan both a wedding AND a honeymoon?
- Are you stressed out with all the choices you’re seeing on travel websites?
- Are you concerned you’ll make a mistake in selecting the resort or destination?
If you answered yes to any or all of the above, please click here to put it all in my capable hands. I’ll make planning easy for you. I’ll also help you discover exciting possibilities that you didn’t know existed. I can’t wait to help you, because I’m passionate about creating magical and memorable honeymoons and vacations for my wonderful couples.
