Pacuare Rainforest Yoga Retreat

April 23 - 28, 2012

This 5-night retreat fuses the elements of nature, yoga and adventure to nourish and soothe the senses, to relax and rebalance the body, mind and spirit. The retreat is hosted at Pacuare Lodge located in the heart of a pristine rainforest and along one of the “Top Five Most Wild & Scenic Rivers” in the world. It is an impressive eco-lodge with a 740-acre private reserve that has captured the essence of jungle comfort combined with quality service by all local staff in an off-the-beaten path, nature immersed setting.

To begin the day, an optional morning meditation session is offered. In the afternoons a two-hour yoga session with asana practice (postures) is held to create a calm mind and to stretch and strengthen the body. All levels of yoga experience are welcome. Activities that are included in the retreat are a rainforest hike to a refreshing waterfall and a thrilling zipline tour. There is free time to receive a massage or participate in another tour or activity.

If you want to disconnect from a busy lifestyle this is the place to do it. Guests return home feeling rejuvenated and inspired. You will eat well, enjoy the views, have fun, swing in a hammock and take the time you need to just Be.

Retreat Schedule

The schedule may vary depending on the weather.

Day 1 - Sunday

Fly to San Jose international airport. The first night is spent at a hotel in the town of Escazu 25 minutes from the airport. At your request, we will arrange for you to be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel (dinner is not included on this day).

Day 2 - Monday

Early departure (around 6 a.m.) for Pacuare Lodge. We take a scenic drive by coffee and sugar cane plantations, pass by the Irazu and Turrialba volcanoes and through farming towns before arriving at the Pacuare river (approximately 2.5 hours). We stop en route for breakfast. After settling into your bungalow, relax and take in the beauty and tranquility of this amazing place!

12:30 pm - Lunch followed by free time.

4:00 - 5:30 pm - Yoga practice

7:00 pm - Dinner

Day 3 - Tuesday

7:30 - 8:00 am - Optional meditation session

8:00 am - Breakfast

Guided rainforest hike

12:30 pm - Lunch followed by free time

3:30 - 5:30 pm - Yoga practice

7:00 pm - Dinner

Day 4 - Wednesday

7:30 - 8:00 am - Optional meditation session

8:00 am - Breakfast

Zipline rainforest canopy tour

12:30 pm - Lunch

3:30 - 5:30 pm - Yoga practice

7:00 - Dinner

Day 5 - Thursday

7:30 - 8:00 am - Optional meditation session

8:00 am - Breakfast

Free time (see Optional Activities below)

12:30 pm - Lunch

3:30 - 5:30 pm - Yoga practice

7:00 - Dinner

Day 6 - Friday

7:30 - 9:00 am - Yoga followed by breakfast

Depart lodge after lunch. We are back in San Jose in the late afternoon. The retreat ends.

Accommodations

The Pacuare Lodge overlooks the flowing river and is surrounded by the lush rainforest and a 740-acre private reserve. "The lodge’s philosophy of simplistic luxury and oneness with nature is enhanced by the romance of operating without electricity. Distinctive palm-thatched bungalows are carefully designed to blend into the surrounding forest and all within an area seemingly removed from time and the worries of the outside world, yet just two and a half hours from San José, Costa Rica’s capital city." It is one of a very few lodges in the country that has been awarded the highest level of certification for sustainable tourism.

The retreat includes a stay in a spacious Garden View Bungalow. Each has a canopy king bed, futon couch, hardwood flooring, private veranda, large bathroom with solar heated water and an outdoor shower. In the evening the bungalows are lit by lanterns giving a cozy feel. For more information about the lodge please visit their website at www.pacuarelodge.com.

As international flight arrivals are often in the evening and we leave for the lodge early Monday morning, the first night is spent in the town of Escazu near San Jose at acharming B&B. If you will be traveling in Costa Rica after the retreat and would like us to assist with your travel arrangements please let us know. Some guests continue on to the Caribbean beach after the retreat which is about a 2.5-drive from the Pacuare.

Meals

All meals are included in the retreat package starting with breakfast on Monday and ending with breakfast on Friday. The cuisine is Costa Rican fusion, delectable, primarily organic and vegetarian options are available.

The Yoga

All levels of yoga experience are welcome as sessions are tailored to the varying levels in the group. Modifications of the postures are offered for those with less experience and for those more advanced. The yoga space at Pacuare Lodge is a beautiful rancho (typical Costa Rican pavilion) with a wooden floor and situated under a rainforest canopy. We practice in the temperate open air allowing you to tune into the rhythms of Mother Nature.

The afternoon yoga session includes asana practice (postures), meditation, and breath-work to create a calm mind and an open and flexible body.

Sandra Tedeschi leads this retreat and has been visiting the Pacuare river and rainforest for over 15 years having recognized it as a magical and beautiful place. She teaches the yoga sessions which focus on alignment, moving blocked energy and creating a feeling of openness and relaxation in the body. For more on her bio please visit the About Us page.

	Retreat Cost per Person (US $) Single Rate $1,500 Double Rate $1,275

• 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, although we cannot guarantee a roommate, we will try to match you with another friendly traveler.

• No refunds are provided for meals or yoga in which one does not participate.

• Rates are subject to change until a reservation is confirmed.

Cost includes:

• (5) nights accommodation (1st night at B&B near San Jose,
  4 nights at Pacuare Lodge.)

• All meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner), coffee and tea all day

• Daily yoga session

• Option morning meditation sessions

• A guided rainforest hike

• Canopy tour (zipline)

• Airport transfers on first & last day of the retreat

• A Vajra Sol stainless steel, BPA free, earthly-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 ($25/way)

• Alcoholic drinks

• Gratuities for guides, service providers

• Double rate is two persons in a room.

Optional Activities (not included in retreat package)

• Massage treatments $55-70

• Horseback ride tour $55

• Hike to the Cabecar indigenous indian community $45

• Canyoning tour $45

• Early morning guided bird-watching tour $20

• Whitewater rafting; if interested in this option please contact us for the details.

Ready to sign up or have a few questions?
To receive the full details of this retreat by email, to make a reservation or if you would like to ask us a few questions please go to our Reservation Request page.