Choose Bali if…
- many guests are on a budget: activities here skew cheaper
- you want guests to manage without renting a car
- guests are staying longer and want day trips
- you want special-occasion restaurants for a splurge night
Choose Costa Rica if…
- your guests lean relaxed (6 relaxed picks versus 4)
- you want plenty of casual, inexpensive places to eat
- you love the setting: surf beaches, volcanoes, hot springs and rainforest on the Pacific coast, with a relaxed pura vida pace
Side by side
| Bali | Costa Rica | |
|---|---|---|
| Best season | April to October | December to April |
| Getting there | Ngurah Rai International (DPS). Seminyak is 30 minutes away, Uluwatu 45 minutes, Ubud 1.5 hours. | Liberia (LIR) in Guanacaste is about 1h15 from Tamarindo and 30 minutes from the Papagayo Peninsula. San José (SJO) is 4 to 5 hours away by road. |
| Car needed? | Not usually | Mostly yes |
| Activity prices | Budget-friendly | Mid-range |
| Group-friendly activities | 12 of 12 | 12 of 12 |
| Relaxed activities | 4 | 6 |
| Foodie activities | 3 | 3 |
| Adventure activities | 6 | 6 |
| Full-day trips | 4 | 2 |
| Seasonal activities | 0 | 0 |
| Budget eats on our list | 3 | 4 |
| Currency | Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Carry cash for small warungs. | Costa Rican colón (CRC). US dollars are widely accepted. |
| Tipping | Many restaurants add a service charge. Otherwise around 5 to 10% is appreciated. | A 10% service charge is included on restaurant bills by law. Extra tips are optional. Tip guides and drivers. |
| Dinner time | Dinner from about 7 to 9:30 pm. | Dinner is early, often from 6 to 9 pm, because the sun sets around 5:30 to 6 pm all year. |
Top group activities in Bali
- Ubud day tour: rice terraces, monkey forest and waterfall. Tegallalang rice terraces, the Sacred Monkey Forest and a jungle waterfall swim.
- Mount Batur sunrise trek. Hike an active volcano in the dark and watch the sunrise from the top.
- Uluwatu temple and Kecak fire dance. A clifftop temple at sunset, followed by the hypnotic Kecak dance.
- Balinese cooking class with market visit. Shop at a morning market, then cook a full Balinese feast.
Top group activities in Costa Rica
- Rincón de la Vieja day: hot springs, mud bath and waterfall. Hike near an active volcano, paint yourself with volcanic mud and soak in natural hot springs.
- Canopy zip line tour. Fly over the dry forest on a series of zip lines and platforms. Great for groups.
- Group surf lesson in Tamarindo. Beginner-friendly waves and patient instructors. Most people stand up on day one.
- Sunset catamaran with snorkel stop and dinner. Sail the coast, snorkel in a quiet bay and watch the sunset with dinner and drinks on board.
Questions couples ask
Is Bali or Costa Rica better for a destination wedding?
Choose Bali if many guests are on a budget: activities here skew cheaper. Choose Costa Rica if your guests lean relaxed (6 relaxed picks versus 4).
When is the best time for a wedding in Bali and Costa Rica?
Bali: April to October. Costa Rica: December to April.
Which is easier for guests to reach, Bali or Costa Rica?
Bali: Ngurah Rai International (DPS). Seminyak is 30 minutes away, Uluwatu 45 minutes, Ubud 1.5 hours. Costa Rica: Liberia (LIR) in Guanacaste is about 1h15 from Tamarindo and 30 minutes from the Papagayo Peninsula. San José (SJO) is 4 to 5 hours away by road.
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