When is the best time to visit Costa Rica?
With it’s tropical climate and being just north of the equator Costa Rica is a destination that is ideal to visit year-round.
The dry season or summertime is from approximately mid-December through April.
The rainy season, or "green season", is generally from May through
November but varies by region. This is also a great time to visit with the landscape being vibrantly green and lush. Usually there
is sun in the morning and by afternoon it rains warm tropical showers
and clears by late afternoon. To experience the Costa Rican tropical rains is very energizing and refreshing. May through August the rains are generally more mild and less frequent with July and August being a second high season for travel. The Caribbean side of the country experiences a summer period in September and October.
Do I need to have a passport to enter Costa Rica?
Yes, all nationalities need a passport valid for a minimum of six months from
date of arrival in the country. Please check with the nearest Costa Rican Embassy
or Consulate for entry visa requirements for your nationality (American and Canadian citizens
do not need a visa). For American citizens if you do not have a passport or need to renew yours visit the U.S. State Department website for information.
Do you have information about flights to Costa Rica?
Costa Rica has two international airports. One in San Jose (SJO), the capital, and a smaller one in Liberia (LIR) in the northwest of the country. All major airlines service both airports.
The Pacuare & Caribbean Trip starts in San Jose and the Arenal & Pacific Trip and the Yoga & Surfing Retreat start in Liberia. During high season flights into Liberia often fill up so as an option you can fly into San Jose and transfer by ground transportation (a private vehicle with driver or a shuttle service) or by domestic flight. Two airlines offer flights within the country: Sansa Air and Nature Air. We will be glad to assist with arrangements for domestic travel between locations. See the trip handout for more details about travel to/from Costa Rica for the specific trip you are interested in.
Airfare search sites that can help you find a plane ticket to Costa Rica:
What is included in the package cost?
The Yoga & Adventure Vacations are all-inclusive packages so included in the cost are all accommodations, meals, activities, guides, domestic transportation, airport transfers, National Park and nature reserve entrance fees and more. For the Yoga & Surf Retreats the same is included less lunches and some dinners. We do not include the airfare in the package cost since people come from many different locations.
Do I need to have previous experience in any of the adventure activities?
You do not need to have previous experience in the adventure
activities only that you be in relatively good health. Part of the fun is learning something new. A guide will teach you how to do the activity and be with you for assistance for the duration of the outing. The level of physical challenge for all activities is considered moderate. All we ask is you bring a sense of adventure!
What yoga experience do I need?
All levels of yoga experience and age groups are welcome. If you are more new to yoga and are a bit intimidated to take a yoga retreat or vacation, don’t be! Yoga is non-competitive and the sessions are generally held at an intermediate level with modifications offered for those less experienced and for those more advanced. The yoga style practiced is Vinyasa Flow which is generally a more active style. Depending on the time of day (classes are in the morning or late afternoon), the day’s outing and the energy of the group some classes will also be more restorative and tranquil. If you would like to join one of the trips but prefer not to participate in the yoga sessions that is fine too.
Who typically joins a Vajra Sol Yoga Adventures' trip?
Those who join our trips and retreats are both women and men who typically fall into the age range of late 20s to 50s, are working professionals, beginner to intermediate level yogis and are from North America and farther abroad. They are looking to take a well-organized vacation so they don't have to worry about the details, by a reliable and competent company with high standards for a professionally-run and fun trip. They are sociable and rather travel with others than solo, typically easy-going (the yoga side) and looking to have a fun time (the adventurous side). About 70% come on their own while others join as a couple or friends.
I am thinking about signing up for a trip but I will be coming alone. I don’t have much travel experience and am concerned about going to a foreign country by myself where I don’t know the language.
No worries! Our trips are fully guided from when you arrive at the airport in Costa Rica until your departure. You don’t have to fret over how to get to another destination after you arrive. Our guides are bi-lingual, fun and friendly and do their best take care of you.
Many of us have thought about a vacation somewhere beautiful and far off but are held back by the concern to travel alone. On our trips many sign up on their own but quickly make friends once they arrive and join the group. Plus, yogis and yoginis, or those aspiring to be, are typically an open-hearted crowd so our trips attract a lot of great people. Traveling is a great time to learn more about yourself in a foreign place and to be open to all the wonderful experiences that come across your path. We rarely regret having traveled somewhere new rather more so that we did not.
What should I pack for my trip?
After signing up for your trip we will send you additional information about what to pack and other details to help you prepare for your vacation. You can also contact us at anytime with any other questions.
Can we come with our own group and have you organize and lead a private trip for us for the dates we want?
Yes, absolutely. You can either choose one of our set trips or retreats or we can customize an itinerary for you based on your preferences for location, hotels, dates and everything else. There is no minimum number of persons. If you are a Yoga Teacher and plan to bring your own group we also offer retreat coordination. Please visit our Yoga Teachers & Private Groups page for more information.
What is the meaning behind VAJRA SOL?
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Vajrasana
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Vajra is the Sanskrit word for the
Hindu and Buddhist symbol of the dorje,
or thunderbolt, and has various representations including “eternal
strength and constancy, and that which is indestructible, enduring,
powerful, invincible, and irresistible”. In yoga asana practice Vajrasana is
an important meditation posture.
Sol, meaning sun in Spanish, has many representations: warmth, energy,
and all that comes with fun and relaxation in the tropics. On a yogic
level, Surya is the Hindu sun god and “is worshipped as a symbol
of health and immortal life. Rig Veda declares that ‘Surya
is the soul, both of the moving and unmoving beings.’ The Sun
Salutation (Surya Namaskar) originated as a series of prostrations
to the sun. Traditionally it is performed at dawn, facing the rising
sun. Each of the twelve positions came to have its own mantra, celebrating
aspects of the sun’s divinity.”
Links of interest
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