FAQs
Question
What if an international trip isn’t going to work for me right now?
Answer
We’ll be hosting our traditional African wedding ceremony in the summer of 2026 in the DMV area so you’ll have another opportunity to celebrate with us!
Question
check your passport status asap!
Answer
The average processing time for a U.S. passport is four to six weeks for routine service. Expedited service, which costs an extra $60, can take two to three weeks. It's important to remember that these times do not include mailing times, which can add an additional one to two weeks. While Costa Rica's official entry requirements state that a passport only needs to be valid for the duration of your stay, many airlines and some immigration officials enforce a "6-month rule". This means that your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay, according to travel resources. It's best to renew your passport if it expires within six months of your trip to avoid potential issues with boarding your flight or being denied entry.
Question
Which airport should I fly into?
Answer
Juan Santamaría International Airport (located in San Jose) is a 2-2.5 hour drive to the wedding area. Liberia International Airport/Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) is about 3.5 hours away. If you plan to visit additional towns in Costa Rica before or after the wedding, consider planning your itinerary first and then arranging your flights accordingly.
Question
What day should I arrive?
Answer
Our first event will be on Friday evening beginning at 5:00pm. The sun sets in Costa Rica at around 6:00 pm. If you'd like to arrive and be settled in time to enjoy the beachside sunset with us at the welcome party, we strongly recommend booking a flight that arrives on Friday morning. It will take several hours to pick up a rental car/shuttle and drive to the part of town where our celebrations will be. If you are skipping Friday, we strongly recommend arriving as early as possible on Saturday morning to make it in time for our 4:00 pm ceremony!
Question
What day should I leave?
Answer
If you can spare the extra PTO on Monday, we recommend staying overnight on Sunday and leaving on Monday. We plan to continue the celebrations with a beach day and/or excursion on Sunday, and we'd love to have you there.
Question
What will the weather be like?
Answer
We plan to enjoy the beautiful Costa Rican environment. With that being said, the welcome party, wedding day ceremony, and reception will all be outdoors. The wedding reception area will be covered. March falls right in the middle of Costa Rica's dry/summer season, which typically runs from mid-December to early May. Esterillos Este, like the rest of the Pacific coast, will be experiencing sunny, clear days with minimal rainfall and some humidity. Expect daytime highs to be around 88°F (31°C) and lows around 78°F (25°C). While visiting Costa Rica, please plan to stay cool, hydrated, and protected with personal rechargeable fans, water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Question
What is the wedding day attire?
Answer
Our attire is resort-chic formal. To ensure everyone is comfortable while still looking their best, we encourage guests to wear stylish, heat-friendly attire. Light, breathable, natural fabrics such as linen or cotton are ideal for warm weather. For women: Consider flowy maxi dresses, tasteful midis, or tailored jumpsuits in vibrant colors, tropical/floral prints. Embellished selections will also pair well with our vibe. For footwear, we recommend block/chunky heels, sandals, or flats as the ceremony will be in a grassy garden. For men: Linen and seersucker button-downs paired with lightweight dress trousers, chinos, or a natural material suit is a perfect choice. Complete the look with dress shoes and you'll be good to go. Please avoid shorts and mini-dresses, but go crazy with accessories, embellishments, and jewelry. Dark colors are welcome, but ladies, please refrain from wearing white. We appreciate your effort to look polished while staying cool, and we can’t wait to celebrate together in style! Outfit inspo here: https://pin.it/3eqRY8ApJ
Question
What is the welcome party attire?
Answer
Also, resort chic but make it more casual. Mini dresses, skirts, shorts, and sandals are all acceptable. This event will be beachside, so please plan your footwear, bug spray, sunscreen, and hydration accordingly.
Question
What is the sunset cocktail cruise attire?
Answer
Beach-chic attire is perfect—dresses, shorts, skirts, swimwear, sandals, etc. Be sure to come prepared with sunscreen, bug spray, Dramamine (an anti-motion sickness medication), and anything else you may need.
Question
How are water conditions in this part of Costa Rica?
Answer
Costa Rica's west coast beaches are known for their strong currents and rip tides, making it potentially dangerous for swimming, especially for inexperienced swimmers. While these beaches are beautiful, visitors should be aware of the water conditions and take necessary safety precautions. While some beaches in the area have lifeguards, it's not a guarantee, so it's crucial to be extra cautious, stay in shallow water, and avoid venturing too far out. Always check local conditions before entering the water by asking locals or surfers about the current conditions and any potential hazards. What to do if caught in a rip current: don't fight the current; instead, swim parallel to the shore until you're out of the rip, then swim diagonally back to shore. With the proper precautions and awareness in place, we look forward to celebrating a safe, wonderful trip to Costa Rica.
Question
Is there a hotel room block?
Answer
There is no formal hotel room block. Please contact the hotels and villas directly to arrange your accommodations.