GUANACASTE · WEDDING VENUE FIELD GUIDE
Las Catalinas
Our most-photographed venue — more of our weddings have happened here than anywhere else. Cobbled streets, Mediterranean light bouncing off warm walls, and the Pacific below. Our full spot-by-spot notes are being written; meanwhile, ask us anything.
WHEN TO SAY YOUR VOWS
Ceremony timing at Las Catalinas
The single biggest decision for your photos is the ceremony time. Our rule on this coast: end your ceremony as golden hour begins, so your first portraits as a married couple happen in the best light of the day.
THE LIGHT, MONTH BY MONTH
Sunset & golden hour at Las Catalinas
Computed for this exact spot (Guanacaste) — mid-month times, accurate within a few minutes year to year.
| Month | Golden hour | Sunset | Ceremony we’d suggest |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5:09 PM | 5:39 PM | 3:54 PM |
| February | 5:22 PM | 5:51 PM | 4:06 PM |
| March | 5:26 PM | 5:53 PM | 4:08 PM |
| April | 5:25 PM | 5:54 PM | 4:09 PM |
| May | 5:28 PM | 5:57 PM | 4:12 PM |
| June | 5:35 PM | 6:05 PM | 4:20 PM |
| July | 5:39 PM | 6:09 PM | 4:24 PM |
| August | 5:32 PM | 6:01 PM | 4:16 PM |
| September | 5:15 PM | 5:43 PM | 3:58 PM |
| October | 4:57 PM | 5:25 PM | 3:40 PM |
| November | 4:47 PM | 5:17 PM | 3:32 PM |
| December | 4:53 PM | 5:23 PM | 3:38 PM |
FIELD NOTES
What we’ve learned shooting here
Where the sun drops
Drops straight into the Pacific — in our own words to couples: the most beautiful sunset in Guanacaste.
If it rains
Tropical rain here usually passes in about 20 minutes — and the light right after is often the best of the day. We always arrive with a plan.
Logistics worth knowing
Photo teams check in with Las Catalinas security (names, IDs, car plate, session time) — we handle that. A shooting permit can apply for sessions; staying on-property usually simplifies it, and we confirm each time. Las Catalinas is fully covered in our packages — no travel fees.
Drone footage
Wind, rules, and permissions decide drone flights — we never promise a specific aerial shot, and we always ask the venue first.
What to avoid
Midday portraits (11 AM–2 PM) in harsh tropical light, scheduling anything in the 30 minutes before your ceremony, and a family photo list that says “and family” — name every person.
OUR PHOTOGRAPHIC POINT OF VIEW
“Two completely different galleries in one place: the arches, colored facades, and cobbled streets of town before the ceremony, then the open beach for sunset. We usually start the session in town and end it with the sunset on the sand — and we have a couple of secrets we share once your moodboard is ready.”ADRI & LUCAS
QUESTIONS COUPLES ASK US
Planning a wedding at Las Catalinas
What does a wedding day here actually look like?
A shape we love: getting ready from 2:30, a 3:45 first look in the Catalinas surroundings, couple photos among the buildings, a 4:30 beach ceremony, family portraits and a beach session right after (tide permitting), then reception at the Conservatory from 6:00. Two worlds — town and beach — in one gallery.
Should we do a first look here?
At Las Catalinas, we usually say yes — it buys you couple photos in the town architecture before the ceremony AND the beach at sunset after. Two completely different looks for your gallery.
Who should plan our Las Catalinas wedding?
We have worked with Mariela Oviedo and the Catalinas team many times — they are the best. Timeline details come together with your planner in the final month, and we are part of that conversation.
What time should our ceremony start?
Late afternoon — always. We build your day backward from sunset so the ceremony ends right as golden hour begins, and your first portraits as a married couple happen in the best light of the day. Roughly: 3:45–4:15 pm from October to January, 4:00–4:30 pm from February to September. Your exact times live in the Light & Timing tool.
What if it rains on our wedding day?
Tropical rain here usually passes in about twenty minutes — and the light right after is often the best of the whole day. We always arrive with a plan, and some of our favorite images ever happened because it rained first.
Can we get drone footage here?
Wind, venue rules, and permissions decide drone flights — so we never promise a specific aerial shot, and we always ask first. When conditions line up, we fly.
When should we arrive in Costa Rica?
Two or more days before the wedding. The buffer beats the stress: luggage has time to catch up, attire gets steamed, and you actually arrive at your own wedding rested.
Dreaming of Las Catalinas?
We’d love to hear your plans. Our booked couples get the full private guide — timelines built around the light, checklists, moodboards, and every field note we have.
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