Yoga and Adventure Retreat
on the Pacific Coast, Costa Rica
November 13 - 19, 2011
The Yoga and Adventure Retreat is held at an off-the-beaten path ecolodge that is surrounded by the rainforest and overlooks the stunning tropical coastline. You will be inspired by the pristine setting, have fun with the adventure activities and tours and experience a rejuvenation in the body and mind by a daily yoga practice. The retreat is designed for those who like to be active yet it is balanced with ample time to unwind and relax.
Highlights
- Soar through the treetops on a rainforest canopy “zipline” tour.
- Sea kayak in the warm waters along the Pacific coast.
- Horseback ride through the jungle to a beautiful waterfall.
- Stay at a distinguished sustainable ecolodge and relax in a hammock.
- Practice yoga daily on a pavilion over looking the Pacific Ocean.
Retreat Schedule
The 6-day retreat is all-inclusive in cost from when you arrive at the lodge. Each afternoon there is a 1.5-2-hour yoga session. Vajra Sol partners with reputable local companies for the tours included in the retreat.
Day 1 - Sunday
Travel to San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. From San Jose transfer to the town of Uvita on the central Pacific coast, 20 minutes south of the town Dominical. Plan to arrive at the lodge in the early to late afternoon. The retreat starts in the evening with a welcome dinner.
Day 2 - Monday
After breakfast, we participate in a rainforest canopy tour also called “ziplining”. Fasten into a harness, clip onto a cable and zip between a series of platforms high in the trees. A thrilling way to view the rainforest right from its treetops!
Day 3 - Tuesday
Today’s outing is sea kayaking along the scenic coastline of the Ballena Marine National Park. The park was created in 1990 to protect the almost 10,000 acres of coal reef, beaches and exuberant flora and fauna that inhabit the area. We explore unusual caves before we stop off at an uninhabited beach to relax, swim or for the more adventurous, surf the waves in a sea kayak. This is a half-day tour and previous paddling experience is not required; your guide will provide the basic and easy to learn instructions before we set off in the warm coastal waters (average temps are 80-85 degrees F).
Day 4 - Wednesday
Today is an open day to relax, receive a massage, enjoy the beach, visit the nearby town of Dominical for some shopping, take a surf lesson, or participate in another tour at your leisure. Lunch is on your own. The yoga session will be held in the mid/late afternoon.
Day 5 - Thursday
We venture out on horseback into a private rainforest reserve. These well-cared for horses are gentle and no previous riding experience is necessary. The treat at the end of the trail is a magnificent waterfall. Jump in the nature pool under the falls and take an invigorating swim! This is an exceptional tour and you will feel like you just experienced a truly authentic adventure in a wild tropical wonderland.
Day 6 - Friday
Enjoy another free day at your leisure. We have our final yoga session while taking in the scent and feel of the tropical ocean air as we close in svasana.
Day 7 - Saturday
The retreat ends after breakfast. Depart for San Jose to your home destination.
Surf Lesson Option
For those keen on learning to surf, instead of the three adventure tours included in the retreat, one can choose surf lessons for these days. For additional surf lessons the cost per person is $55.
Accommodations
 The retreat is held at La Cusinga Ecolodge situated on a hilltop with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. The nearest town is Uvita and then Dominical which is a 20-minute drive away. With its warm and nature-oriented ambiance the lodge has unquestionably been included on TripAdvisor.com’s Traveler’s Choice list of “10 top eco-friendly accommodations in the world” for its commitment to sustainable tourism and without compromising on service and guest comfort. Guests feel so fully relaxed and in awe at the views at la Cusinga that they often don’t want to leave. The bungalows are spacious and cooled by the tropical breeze, the restaurant serves fresh organic food from their own garden and the property is just a 10-minute walk down a trail to a beautiful secluded beach.
The Yoga
Yoga sessions are held daily in the afternoons for 1.5-2 hours. All levels of yoga experience are welcome as sessions are tailored to varying levels in the group. Modifications of the postures are offered for those with less experience and for those more advanced. La Cusinga has one of the most beautiful spaces to practice yoga in Costa Rica. It is an open-air pavilion made from local woods and has incredible views of the ocean and coastline. For more information on the style of yoga practiced please see the Yoga page.
Meals
All meals are included in the retreat starting with dinner on Sunday and ending with breakfast on Saturday, except one lunch on Wednesday. All breakfasts and most lunches and dinners are at the lodge. Some lunches and dinners will be at local restaurants. La Cusinga is particularly known for their delectable, fresh and healthy cuisine. Vegetarian meals are available and we can accommodate special dietary needs.
Retreat Guide & Yoga Instructor
Pilar Salazar leads the Yoga & Adventure Retreats. She is Costa Rican and has a great passion for traveling and exploring which has taken her throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. After graduating from university with a business degree, she worked in the travel industry for several years specializing in adventure and eco-tourism. She has been practicing yoga since 1999 and her foundation is based in the Ashtanga Yoga method. She received her teacher training certification from the reputable YogaWorks program. Over the last few years she has incorporated into her practice and teaching the universal principals of Anusara yoga. She furthers her studies with fervor, continually learning from a diversity of gifted teachers. Pilar’s students enjoy her dynamic, uplifting and invigorating teaching style, with her main intention focusing on living healthily and in the present moment. Throughout her classes she weaves the elements of fluid breath, graceful movement, and light-hearted pura vida fun.
Cost includes:
- (6) nights accommodation
- All breakfasts, lunches & dinners (except 1 lunch)
- Daily yoga session
- Ziplining, sea kayak and horseback riding tours - OR - three surfing lessons
- Bilingual guides on all tours
- Vajra Sol stainless steel, BPA free, earth-friendly water bottle
- Assistance with organizing domestic transfers from the airport, trip extensions and information source for travel within Costa Rica before or after the retreat
Cost does not include:
- Airfare to/from Costa Rica
- Airport transfers to retreat
- Gratuities for guides, service providers
- Alcoholic drinks
-- The double rate is two persons sharing a room.
-- If you will be joining the retreat on your own and would like
to share a room for the double rate please let us know
and we will try to match you with another friendly traveler.
-- No refunds are provided for arriving late or departing a
retreat early, for activities or meals in which one does not
participate.
-- Rates are subject to change until a reservation is confirmed.
Arrival & Departure
Please book your plane ticket to San Jose Juan Santamaria international airport (code SJO). Plan to arrive no later than about 1 pm on Sunday. Optionally, you may like to arrive on Saturday and stay overnight in the San Jose area. From San Jose you may transfer to Uvita by a shuttle bus. The cost is $55/way and departure times are at 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. The return to San Jose is at 5:30 am and 1:00 pm. Or a private shuttle can be arranged to take you at your preferred time. Driving time is about 3.5 hours.
Weather
During August and November/December the days typically are sunny with blue skies through the early afternoons followed by warm rain showers leaving the landscape vibrantly green and a delicious rainforest scent in the air. Temperatures are in the high-70sF to high-80sF during the days and low-mid 70sF in the evenings for these months. Although we cannot guarantee perfect weather, we only offer our retreats when it generally is a pleasant time to visit Costa Rica.
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