A Couple's Dream Wedding can be a Green Wedding in Costa Rica

Where eco-friendly nuptial celebrations are romantic and effortless

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Feb. 12, 2018 /CNW/ -- Being mindful of the environment, when planning a wedding, is increasingly important. Luckily, it's also now easier to achieve. For couples interested in hosting an earth-friendly wedding, Costa Rica provides plenty of ways to do so. With beautiful natural landscapes, farm-to-table culinary traditions and sustainable venue options, an eco-responsible ceremony in Costa Rica can be a magical experience. 

Costa Rica has an extensive offering of vendors and hotel accommodations that have the Sustainability Certification Program (CST) endorsement, which makes planning an ethical celebration effortless. The Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) developed the CST program in order to categorize and distinguish those Costa Rican vendors and companies that demonstrate sustainability within their operations. For couples planning their dream wedding in Costa Rica, this list provides easy access to environmentally conscious organizations operating throughout the country. Everything from low-impact accommodations to sustainable restaurants and car rental companies can be found. 

Venue. Costa Rica is a country rich with many breathtaking natural landscapes. The mountains, volcanoes, cascades, jungles and tropical rain forests of Costa Rica offer opportunities for a myriad of happy moments. Couples get the best of both worlds by exchanging vows in a stunning locale that also celebrates Mother Nature, a casually chic beach ceremony on the breathtakingly white-sand beaches of Guanacaste, a lush scene complete with cascading waterfall like that of La Fortuna Waterfall in the Northern Plains, or under a grand 1,000-year-old tree in Arenal Volcano National Park. These are just a few of the possibilities that make Costa Rica an exceptional destination for a green wedding.

Flowers. Costa Rica is known for its lush vegetation and stunning displays of colorful flora. Although a small territory, the country makes up about 5 percent of earth's biodiversity and is home to more than 9,000 species of flowers, including 150 species of orchids. Couples can cut down on their carbon footprint by arranging for local and in-season flowers and potted plants. Unlike cut flowers, potted plants can be reused afterwards. Additionally, the regional touches serve double-duty to bring together the celebration's sustainable theme.

Catering. Ticos are experts at devising delicious meals made with the freshest ingredients and have been firm believers in the farm-to-table movement since before it was trendy. Costa Rican sustainable cuisine ranges from traditional to innovative, using a variety of organic farm-raised products. Costa Rica's cuisine is designed to nourish the soul while remaining planet friendly. Couples can rest assured that every nibble will consist of seasonal, locally produced ingredients. The fertile volcanic lands in the country's Central Valley region make sustainable methods of farming and agriculture possible, while Costa Rica's tropical location offers a wide variety of exotic fruits and vegetables year-round.

Accommodations. Many hotels offer wedding and honeymoon packages and complement that with complete planning services from experts in sustainable weddings, allowing couples to enjoy their surroundings in pure and unencumbered bliss. Venues include luxury resorts, charming boutique hotels and intimate villas. Costa Rica is the perfect destination for couples in search of the ultimate wedding and honeymoon experience.

As for the official requirements necessary?to be able to marry in Costa Rica, a few documents are essential. Couples will need their original birth certificate, an affidavit of single status (if applicable), valid passport and divorce decree (if applicable). These documents need to follow an authentication procedure before being taken to Costa Rica. For more information, visit www.costarica-embassy.org.

Sustainability is not only a practice in Costa Rica; it is a way of life. It is an ideal destination for couples looking to host an intimate, one-of-a-kind sustainable wedding. From Costa Rican cuisine to traditional customs and celebrations, sustainability is embedded deeply in the culture of Costa Rica. Thanks to the country's CST program, it is now easier than ever for couples to treat the Earth like an honored guest at their wedding.

For more information on Costa Rica, visit www.visitcostarica.com

About Costa Rica
Set between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica offers visitors an abundance of unique wildlife, landscapes and climates -- meaning a trip to this Central American country is anything but run-of-the-mill. The country proudly shelters approximately five percent of the known biodiversity in the world and has become a global leader in sustainable practices. Visitors to Costa Rica enjoy a highly organized tourism infrastructure offering a broad terrain of activities and accommodations.

About Instituto Costarricense de Turismo (ICT)
Established in 1955, the Costa Rica Tourism Board (the ICT), alongside its partners in the private sector, spearheads the vital task of regulating and promoting Costa Rica's extensive tourism offerings.

SOURCE Costa Rica Tourism Board