One of the first questions we get when planning a proposal session is: "What time should I propose?"
In Costa Rica, we usually recommend planning the proposal about 30–40 minutes before sunset, rather than waiting until the sun is actually setting. This gives you that beautiful warm, golden light for the proposal itself, while still leaving enough time afterward to enjoy the moment and take engagement photos together.
Our goal is usually to end your session with the sunset, not begin it with the sunset.
There is another important detail: not every beach in Costa Rica actually has a direct view of the sunset. Depending on where you're staying and the direction the beach faces, the sun may disappear behind a mountain, trees, or another part of the coastline before the official sunset time.
In those locations, we recommend starting even earlier so we can take advantage of the best natural light while we have it. This is especially important around areas like Peninsula Papagayo, where every beach can have a completely different orientation and landscape.
Your Proposal Location Matters Just as Much as the Time
Two beaches that are only a few minutes apart can photograph very differently at the same time of day. In Guanacaste, we photograph proposals throughout Peninsula Papagayo, Playa Conchal, Flamingo, Tamarindo, Las Catalinas, and many of the beaches and resorts along the coast. Some locations have an open view toward the Pacific, while others are surrounded by hills, trees, or rocky coastline.
That's why we prefer to know where you're staying before choosing the exact proposal time. If you're proposing at your resort, a nearby beach, or a private villa, we can help determine where the light will be best and how much time we'll have afterward.
And if you haven't chosen the exact spot yet, that's okay too. We can help you narrow it down.
Don't Plan Only for the Proposal Itself
The actual proposal might last thirty seconds, but there is so much we want to photograph before and afterward: the look before getting down on one knee, the proposal itself, the reaction, the first hugs and kisses, the ring, and those first few minutes when you realize you're actually engaged.
Afterward, there is usually time to walk along the beach and take engagement photos together. Some couples also plan champagne, a private dinner, or another surprise nearby. We never want you to feel like you have to rush through those first moments because we're suddenly running out of daylight.
What If the Sunset Doesn't Cooperate?
This is Costa Rica, and tropical weather doesn't always follow the plan.
A cloudy afternoon doesn't automatically mean bad photographs. Clouds can give us beautiful, soft light, and some of our favorite proposal sessions have happened without a dramatic sunset at all. If there is rain in the forecast, we'll look at the conditions and help you decide what makes the most sense. The important thing is not building the entire proposal around getting one specific sunset. The moment itself will always matter more.
Our best advice? Don't choose your proposal time based only on the sunset time you find online. Choose the location first, and then let us help you determine when the light will be best there.
This small detail during your planning can make a huge difference.
