Weddings in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Wedding Photography by Fabian Murillo

Weddings in La Fortuna take place in a great variety of beautiful natural locations and resorts to choose from.  La Fortuna is a small and leisurely town, tucked into the base of the Arenal Volcano in Costa Rica. In fact, you can have picture-perfect volcano views… pretty much everywhere around. This beautiful and versatile town is surrounded by the rainforest, secluded waterfalls, lakes, and hot springs. 

Locations for Weddings in La Fortuna

There are so many great venues for weddings in La Fortuna, that it’s hard to pick only one. But the good news is that you can even mix as many locations as you want for your wedding photoshoot in la Fortuna. You can add volcanoes, waterfalls, rainforest, and hanging bridges to your wedding photography´s pocket list!

List of the best venues for weddings in La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica

Weddings in La Fortuna waterfall

Weddings in La Fortuna Waterfall are the favorite option. La Fortuna Waterfall emerges from dense jungle greenery of Arenal Volcano National Park before plummeting some 200 feet into an emerald pool. The trail runs through pasture and rainforest, in a biological reserve with an area of 210 acres. This property is part of the Arenal Volcano National Park. A local non-profit association administers the waterfall.

It takes about 15 minutes to hike down the stairs to the Fortuna Waterfall. Visitors hike a path of 530 steps, which offers greater security to its passage and comfortable areas for rest and hydration through a forest with native trees of the area. Once in front of the waterfall, you will find a spacious and comfortable vantage point deck, from which you can celebrate your wedding ceremony in La Fortuna Waterfall. 

• Difficulty: 530 step stairs.
• Amenities: Restaurant, souvenirs, Bathrooms, store, …at the top of the 530 stepe stairs.
• Entrance Rates: $18 entrance (might vary).
• Schedule: Daily from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m

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Arenal volcano weddings in La Fortuna

You can have an Arenal Volcano view from pretty much everywhere in La Fortuna. However, there are some venues with the best volcano views. Arenal Volcano is the perfect natural cathedral for your wedding. The Arenal Volcano is for people who are head over heels in love with the beauty of nature.  Arenal volcano and volcanic lake are truly mysterious nature spots. 

Exchange your vows under the canopy of a sacred 500-year-old Ceiba tree; at the base of a roaring waterfall; on the banks of a winding river; and the majestic volcano backdrop.

Waterfall trail by the Arenal Observatory Lodge

This private and secluded waterfall is located by one of the most beautiful rainforest trails at Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa. A short, relatively easy walk from the lodge (20 minutes). The trail ends at the base of a 20-foot waterfall. Hikers are refreshed by the moist air, cooled by the waterfall, and the surrounding forest, lush with ferns and palms.

Additionally, this eco-lodge is perfectly positioned directly between the massive Arenal Volcano and deep blue Lake Arenal. No other hotel in La Fortuna, Costa Rica and the Arenal area is so close to the famous volcano and its lovely lake.

• Difficulty: easy/medium 1 mile hike (20-30 minutes), in a good condition trail.
• Amenities: Hotel, restaurant, hanging bridge, waterfall.
• Entrance Rates: $12 per person
• Schedule: daily 8:00 – 4:00 pm

Mistico Hanging Bridges weddings

Mistico hanging bridges weddings feels like flying over the rainforest; it’s a mixture of adventure and romanticism. This property includes the Arenal volcano view, and a secluded waterfall. Mistico did not invent the idea of hanging bridges in Costa Rica, but it may have perfected it. This 600-hectare property, owned by the same family for more than 100 years, showcases 16 bridges — 10 fixed and six hanging. The longest is 100 meters and the highest is also about 100 meters. Discovering the wonderful secrets hidden in this forest means finding a wildlife sanctuary; the high density of biodiversity makes our trails a unique place for observing species spotted along the way. 

• Difficulty: easy/medium 2 miles in total. Short version of 1 mile.
• Amenities: Hotel, restaurant, hanging bridge, waterfall.
• Entrance Rates: $26 per person
• Schedule: daily 8:00 – 4:00 pm

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The Springs Resort weddings

The Springs Resort is a World Class Luxury Resort featuring Spectacular Hot Springs, Picture Perfect Views of the Arenal Volcano from every guest room and Four Restaurants. Enjoy 28 mineral-laden, artesian Hot Springs and 14,000 square foot Spa and Fitness Center. 

Club Rio Outdoor Center is located directly below the resort along the beautifully forested, mile long stretch of Arenal River frontage. With its eight different soft adventure activities.

• Difficulty: Very easy
• Amenities: World Class Luxury Resort, with all you can need.
• Entrance Rates: contact the resort
• Schedule: daily 8:00 – 4:00 pm

Hotel Tabacon weddings

The Hotel Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort  offers the unique combination of the energy of the Arenal Volcano, the heat of the Tabacon Hot Springs and the purity and mystic of the surrounding rainforest blend into what many have described as “paradise” or “the eight-wonder of the world”.

Nayara Hotels

A meandering path through tropical gardens and pristine rainforests. The Nayara´s resorts in La Fortuna include 3 award winning properties: Nayara resort, Nayara Springs Resort & Nayara Tented Camp. These resorts are located in one of the world’s most desirable and remote destinations for weddings. It has places of extraordinary natural beauty, unique landscapes and abundant nature.

El Nido Arenal volcano observatory & El Canto Waterfall

El Salto waterfall, by Hunters & Gatherers Restaurant

Wedding Packages – Weddings in La Fortuna

These are some options to choose for elopements and wedding packages in La Fortuna:

1. Photography
2. Videography
3. Ceremony Officiant
4. Wedding coordinator
5. Florist Hair & Makeup artist
6. Transportation
7. Lodging
8. Tours

With so many options to choose from La Fortuna, there is a wedding package for your budget.

Tours and activities in Arenal Volcano area

La Fortuna and the Arenal volcano have a wide range of activities. These activities include horseback riding, whitewater rafting, canopy tours, hiking bridges, and more. 

Costa Rica is well known as a top adventure destination and the La Fortuna area is famous for the best outdoor adventures. There are so many fun activities for all ages and travelers that it can be a bit overwhelming at first when you’re trying to decide what to do!

• Canyoning in the Lost Canyon: Voted the Top Tour in the World by TripAdvisor! The perfect place for first-timers and experienced canyoning enthusiasts. Trek deep into the Costa Rica rainforest and rappel the biggest waterfalls near the Arenal Volcano!
• Whitewater Rafting: Get ready for one of the most-extreme white water rafting trips in Costa Rica! You will love the adrenaline-charged, intense and EXTREME Sarapiqui River class 3-4.
• MOUNTAIN BIKING ARENAL SINGLE TRACK MADNESS: ride through farmlands, deep rainforests, and cross rivers and mud puddles.
• GRAVITY FALLS WATERFALL JUMPING: Costa Rica’s Most EXTREME Tour! Take you deep into the Costa Rican jungle to experience Costa Rica’s Most EXTREME Tour!
• BIRDWATCHING TOUR ARENAL EARLY MORNING: See birds you have never seen before. Birdwatching Tour Arenal Enjoy an early morning birding tour with birdwatching experts!

Contact your wedding photographer in La Fortuna

Let´s talk / chat

Costa Rica Photographer Fabian Murillo

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 Christian 
 
September 8, 2025.
 
 
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Thank you so much Fabian, the experience was so amazing! You brought everything to life. And made the proposal to my wife a dream that came true. Thank you for going far and beyond, and the white glove treatment that you showed us. What an amazing experience, Pura Vida!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Danny Marino 
 
August 29, 2025.
 
 
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Fabián is a true professional at his craft, we loved our pictures that he took for us. He’s in constant communication with you and bilingual which helps as well. The photos were truly incredible📸
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Uzair Surani 
 
July 25, 2025.
 
 
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Fabian is wonderful! He took really amazing photos of our engagement and was super nice and friendly along the way. He was also really flexible and was willing to work with me on day-of timing in case of rain. Also very communicative and addresses questions quickly! Was truly a pleasure working with Fabian
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Marisa Shaw 
 
July 16, 2025.
 
 
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Fabían did a phenomenal job of capturing our large family while on a vacation to Costa Rica. He planned the perfect location and captured our family perfectly. Would highly recommend him! He communicated well before, during and after.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Peyton Leftwich 
 
July 1, 2025.
 
 
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I say enough great things about Fabián whom I hired for my surprise proposal. From the very beginning, he was absolutely amazing—helping me plan every detail and even pretending to be a tourist so my fiancée (now fiancée 😄) wouldn’t suspect a thing. He captured the entire moment perfectly, from the surprise on her face to the raw emotion of the “yes.” After the proposal, he guided us through poses and spots that made for stunning, natural-looking shots. He made us feel comfortable and relaxed, and the photos turned out better than we ever imagined. If you’re looking for someone who goes above and beyond to not just take pictures—but to help create a moment you’ll never forget—this is your guy. I highly, highly recommend him!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Erica Howard 
 
June 6, 2025.
 
 
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Fabian took amazing engagement photos for us at La Fortuna Waterfall! He was very kind and affordable and captured the exact vibe we wanted. He was also incredibly understanding and flexible after we rescheduled our trip 3 times due to illness/family reasons. I highly recommend!!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Ryan Reichel 
 
May 16, 2025.
 
 
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We had the absolute best experience working with Fabian for our wedding in Costa Rica near Arenal Volcano. And not only did he capture stunning photos of our ceremony and our guests, but he also planned and led us on an epic “wreck the dress” adventure hike to several waterfalls a couple days later — the photos are just incredible. Words can't do them justice. Fabian is a phenomenal communicator, extremely professional, and easy going. He speaks excellent English too, which made everything feel easy and seamless since we only know a little Spanish. Beyond that, he’s just a genuinely fun, kind, and hilarious person to be around. He made us feel completely at ease in front of the camera, and the entire experience felt more like hanging out with a friend than a photoshoot. We honestly can’t wait to go back to Costa Rica just to have Fabian take our family portraits someday. Our family has been talking about it already and they haven't even seen how awesome the photos are yet! Working with him was an unforgettable highlight of our wedding week. If you’re considering booking him — do it. You won’t regret it! Thank you again for everything, Fabian!! -Ryan & Gina
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 pedro gonzalez 
 
May 14, 2025.
 
 
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I highly recommend Fabian Costa Rican photographer! Great conversations made the whole process easy and enjoyable. The photos are professional and beautiful, truly capturing the moments perfectly. ¡Recomiendo mucho a Fabian fotógrafo de Costa Rica! Las conversaciones agradables hico que todo el proceso fuera fácil y divertido. Las fotos son profesionales y hermosas, capturando los momentos a la perfección.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Melina Hann 
 
April 17, 2025.
 
 
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We were vacationing in Costa Rica and fell in love with this beautiful place. We decided we wanted to get married while we were there. I found a wedding officiant and he gave me Fabián’s name as a wedding photographer. From my first contact with Fabián, he was amazing. Sending me pictures of different locations to help me select the right place, he helped me find a florist and someone to do my hair and makeup. On our wedding day, Fabián went above and beyond. He took the most breath taking pictures and even continued to do our pictures when it started to rain. We can not thank him enough. Our pictures are amazing!