Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica destination wedding specialists at 10kWedding.
Secrets Papagayo sits on Playa Arenilla, a volcanic black sand beach tucked into the Gulf of Papagayo on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Two rocky hills flank the property, creating a natural enclosure — rocky outcroppings, tropical forest, and open ocean all within the same sight line. It’s an intimate setting by design: 202 rooms, adults only, and a property footprint that feels genuinely secluded rather than sprawling.
For a Secrets Papagayo destination wedding, that setting means ceremonies that look different from anywhere else in the Caribbean basin — a beach ceremony on black sand, a hillside amphitheatre for up to 240 guests, a spa garden framed by native flora, and a pool deck facing the bay at sunset. Seven distinct venues cover ceremonies from 80 to 100 guests outdoors and receptions up to 240. The Amphitheatre is the property’s largest event space and the most dramatic.
10kWedding works with the Secrets Papagayo team directly. We handle your room block, support your group from first inquiry through departure, and coordinate every step between your guests and the resort. Our service is always free to couples — the resort covers our fee.
From an intimate spa beach ceremony to the Amphitheatre at 240 guests — click any photo to view the full gallery for each venue.
| Event | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | 100 |
| Cocktail | 80 |
| Reception | 80 |
| Event | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | 80 |
| Cocktail | 150 |
| Reception | 150 |
| Event | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | 100 |
| Cocktail | 200 |
| Reception | 200 |
| Event | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | — |
| Cocktail | 200 |
| Reception | 70 |
| Event | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | 100 |
| Cocktail | 240 |
| Reception | 240 |
| Event | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | — |
| Cocktail | 80 |
| Reception | 60 |
| Event | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ceremony | — |
| Cocktail | 70 |
| Reception | 70 |
Take a video tour of Secrets Papagayo’s wedding venues and property before you visit.
Scroll right on mobile to see all columns
| Venue | Ceremony | Cocktail | Reception | Venue Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spa Beach | 100 | 80 | 80 | Included |
| Spa Garden | 80 | 150 | 150 | Included |
| Main Beach Garden | 100 | 200 | 200 | Included |
| Spa Pool Deck | — | 200 | 70 | Included |
| Amphitheatre | 100 | 240 | 240 | Included |
| Sugar Reef Bar | — | 80 | 60 | Fee Applies |
| Aqua Restaurant | — | 70 | 70 | Fee Applies |
Secrets Papagayo sits on Playa Arenilla inside the Gulf of Papagayo — one of Costa Rica’s most protected bays on the Pacific coast. Liberia International Airport (LIR) is 20 minutes away, making it one of the easiest transfers in the country for guests flying direct from the United States. Major gateways including Miami, New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Houston have direct routes into LIR.
The Guanacaste region places your wedding guests within range of world-class sport fishing, an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course, active volcano national parks, hot springs, and some of Costa Rica’s cleanest beaches. Coco Beach — a busy surf and nightlife village — is just 15 minutes from the resort entrance.
The closest international gateway — direct flights from major U.S. cities, easy private or shared transfer to the resort.
One of Guanacaste’s most popular beach villages — restaurants, bars, dive shops, and a lively beachfront strip.
Arnold Palmer-designed 18-hole championship course ranked among Golf Digest’s Top 100 outside the U.S.
Known as the “white city” — colonial architecture, malls, local restaurants, and the region’s main transportation hub.
Active volcano national park with hiking trails, hot springs, waterfalls, and canopy tours — a full-day adventure for the group.
Guanacaste’s most well-known surf and eco-travel town — world-class surf, nightlife, and dining on the open Pacific.
Papagayo Bay is one of the Pacific coast’s most sheltered anchorages — the peninsula walls off the open ocean, keeping conditions calm enough for year-round beach ceremonies. The region’s dry season runs November through April, giving couples a reliable window for outdoor events with consistent sun and low humidity. Even in the rainy season, mornings are typically clear and showers pass quickly.
The bay’s topography makes every view from the resort different. Ceremonies at Spa Beach look across black sand to the Pacific horizon. The Amphitheatre sits elevated on a natural terrace with open sightlines across the bay. At sunset, the hillside bungalows catch direct western light — the kind of light that makes photographs genuinely dramatic without a filter.
For guests who want to explore, Guanacaste delivers everything Costa Rica is known for — wildlife, volcanoes, surfing, fishing, and canopy tours — within an easy drive. For guests who want to stay on property, two pools, a private beach, five bars, and a full activity program make the decision easy.
No wristbands. No gratuities required. Everything your Secrets Papagayo destination wedding guests need for a remarkable week on the Pacific coast.
Four à la carte restaurants — Himitsu (Pan-Asian), Portofino (Italian), Aqua (healthy contemporary), and Seaside Grill — plus Market Café buffet, Barefoot Grill at the pool, and Coco Café. No reservations required, all included.
Barracuda swim-up bar, Sugar Reef for tropical cocktails and ocean views, Manatees beach and pool bar, the Rendezvous lobby lounge, and Revive spa bar with healthy and natural beverages. Top-shelf spirits all day.
Two swimming pools including the main pool at the resort’s social center, plus access to two beaches — Playa Arenilla’s black volcanic sand and the spa beach — with full pool and beach wait service included.
Thirteen treatment rooms including 8 indoor massage rooms and 2 outdoor palapas, an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, Swiss shower, sauna, steam room, and full beauty salon with hair, nail, and makeup stations.
Kayak tours, paddleboard lessons, snorkel tours, non-motorized water sports, pickleball courts, beach and pool volleyball, yoga, and water aerobics — plus a daily activities program with cooking lessons, wine tasting, and live entertainment.
The tour desk arranges volcano excursions to Rincón de la Vieja, scuba diving adventures, canopy tours, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, sport fishing, and ATV tours through the mountains — all steps outside the gate.
Nightly live shows including a Beatles Tribute, Soul & Elements, Wild West, and Around the World productions, plus theme nights, karaoke, dance lessons, manager’s cocktail parties, and live music throughout the week.
Private lounge with continental breakfast, afternoon hors d’oeuvres and desserts, fine liquors, and enhanced bath amenities. Personalized check-in, pillow menu, complimentary newspaper, and concierge service throughout the stay.
All 202 non-smoking rooms and suites are bungalow-style, tucked into the hillside above the bay. Each includes a private furnished terrace or patio, 48″ Smart TV, daily refreshed minibar, and air conditioning. Preferred Club suites carry ocean or ocean-front views and access to a private lounge.
King or two double beds. Private balcony or terrace with lush garden surroundings. Spacious bathroom with shower. The resort’s most popular room category for wedding groups, with 77 units across multiple buildings. Max 3 adults (double config).
King bed. Private balcony with direct panoramic views of Papagayo Bay. The step-up standard room for couples wanting ocean sightlines included in their stay. Max 2 adults.
King or two double beds. Ocean views from the private balcony or terrace. Preferred Club lounge access, personalized concierge, upgraded minibar and bath amenities, continental breakfast, and afternoon hors d’oeuvres. Max 3 adults (double config).
King bed. Positioned at some of the most desirable locations across the property, with direct ocean-front views from the private terrace or balcony. Preferred Club lounge access and full concierge service. Max 2 adults.
King bed. Separate living area, private terrace with table, chairs, two recliners, and a private plunge pool overlooking Papagayo Bay. The qualifying room category for complimentary wedding and honeymoon packages. Max 2 adults.
King bed. Seating area and private balcony with direct ocean-front views. One of the larger standard suite configurations at the resort, well-positioned across multiple areas of the property. Max 2 adults.
King bed. Located at the top of an ocean-front hill, offering the most private atmosphere of any suite category. Spacious living area and unobstructed ocean views from a terrace that sees nothing but water. Max 2 adults.
Two king bedrooms. Spacious living area with a bar, comfortable private terrace, and a plunge pool overlooking the bay. The largest accommodation on the property — well-suited for the couple or a VIP guest joining the wedding group. Max 4 adults.
À la carte Pan-Asian cuisine in a 86-seat setting with casual elegance dress required. One of the most popular dining options for wedding groups wanting a distinctive evening — the menu draws across Japanese, Thai, and Chinese influences. Dinner from 5 PM.
Italian à la carte cuisine in a 92-seat formal dining room. The wine cellar is available for private dining with a curated international wine selection — a natural choice for a rehearsal dinner or intimate group evening. Dinner from 6 PM, formal dress required.
Healthy-style cuisine in a 48-seat setting open three meals a day. The lightest option on the property — a consistent choice for guests who prefer something more refined and less heavy throughout the week. Casual elegance for dinner.
À la carte breakfast for Preferred Club guests, plus grilled lunch and dinner for all guests with 52 seats. The most casual of the dinner restaurants and a reliable choice for guests who want straightforward, well-executed grilled food. No dress code.
The resort’s main buffet with 140 seats, international cuisine, theme stations, and a show cooking experience. Positioned in front of the main pool — the go-to choice for large groups who want variety and the fastest table turnaround. Casual elegance for dinner.
Snacks and grill specialties served at the main pool area next to Sugar Reef bar. No dress code, no reservations — the default choice for lunch on pool and beach days. A natural gathering point for wedding guests between activities.
Premium coffee and deli snacks in a casual atmosphere open most of the day. The social hub between meals — a comfortable spot for guests to meet before excursions, grab a late-night bite, or start the morning at their own pace. Casual dress.
Booking your Secrets Papagayo destination wedding through 10kWedding is not the same as going direct or working with a generalist travel agent. We are destination wedding specialists — it’s the only thing we do. We know how the room block process works at Secrets Papagayo, which venues fit which group sizes, what the wedding coordinator needs from you at each stage, and how to get things resolved quickly when something needs attention during the planning process or the wedding week itself.
We lock in your room block before your guests start looking — that means protected rates, established upgrade eligibility, and a clean booking process from the start. We build your group a dedicated wedding website so guests have one place for room reservations, travel information, and event details. Every question that would otherwise land in your inbox lands with us instead.
We combine the technology of a modern booking platform with the expertise and personal care of a dedicated travel specialist who knows these resorts, the coordinators on property, and what actually matters on wedding day.
Our planning services are 100% free to couples.
Simple, transparent room rates. Easy payment terms. That’s the 10kWedding commitment.
GET STARTED TODAY →Secrets Papagayo delivers something genuinely different: an adults-only, Unlimited-Luxury® resort on a volcanic black sand bay, 20 minutes from an international airport, with seven venues that make use of the natural drama of the Gulf of Papagayo landscape. 10kWedding’s job is to make sure your group arrives set up for all of it. Our service is always free to couples.
Also popular in Costa Rica
