Gay couples hold first marriages in Costa Rica, following the legalization of same-sex marriages in the Central America country.

Just a few hours after Costa Rica became the first country in Central America to legalize same-sex marriage, gay couples in the country took the advantage of the new law and tied the knot with their lovers.

Daritza Araya and Alexandra Quiros were the first couple to leverage on the new law and tie the knot eight minutes after midnight. The pair dressed in white, were married by a notary wearing a face mask and observed physical distancing guidelines. Nearly 20,000 people watched on a Facebook broadcast.

Marco Castillo also tied the knot with his boyfriend Rodrigo Campos. A judge, two witnesses, relatives and hundreds of online viewer joined activist lawyer Castillo and Campos at the Tuesday morning ceremony, which went ahead despite difficulties caused by social distancing restrictions in the coronavirus pandemic.

The couple kissed for the cameras outside the registry office - through face masks.

Castillo reacting after signing the certificate and exchanging rings at the registry office in the capital San Jose, told media, "It's a stepping stone towards equality that makes us keep up the fight for respect that those of us with different sexual orientation deserve."

Meanwhile about 55 couples are on a waiting list, most of whom had already married abroad.