Costa Rica Retreat to Paradise

Costa Rica Destination Retreat

Building strength, Finding Peace... In Paradise
March 9-16 2025

Hosted by Shanteel Yoga Sanctuary

https://www.vidaasana.com/

Pura Vida In Costa Rica - Find the perfect balance in life

Come with us on a journey to Vida Asana School Of Yoga and Eco-Retreat Center in the heart of Playa Hermosa, The adventure capital of Central America!

Vida Asana Is situated between the lush tropical beauty of the Jungle and world famous beaches of  Hermosa Costa Rica. It is time for you to replenish your entire being, as if you were a blank slate, to build a sanctuary within yourself of Peace, tranquility and  Pura Vida(pure life)! Come get lost between the ocean and jungle with us as you find YOU. We will take care of the rest!

Our days will consist of morning yoga with Claudine followed by a made from scratch breakfast of beautiful culinary delights of the local region. After that the day is yours to Lounge by the pool, spacious sundeck or hammocks. Set up an excursion or visit the spa as you wait on an amazing lunch. After lunch maybe you grab a bicycle and head to the beach with a good book or go shopping in town. Then the evening you rest as you wait upon another gourmet meal with a fresh juice as you set the tone for a relaxed night of conversation, sunset on the beach, sangria party, Yoga Nidra  or Cacao ceremony. It is a day of PURA VIDA!!!

Your Paradise retreat incudes accommodations (single or shared occupancy), yoga with Claudine (morning), 3 freshly prepared meals, a sangria party , transfers to and from airport and other surprises along the way!

Vida Asana Accommodations

All rooms at Vida Asana are equipped with air conditioning, ceiling fans, private bathrooms, and hot water. Most rooms have a mini fridge and our common area also has a large fridge, specially for our guests. Wifi reaches every guest room on the property, and all common spaces, except for the Jungle Yoga Shala. Our rooms are also stocked with Raw Botanicals all organic hair and body care products.

Pool, Sundeck, Hammocks, and Bicycles

 Vida Asana has a beautiful pool, spacious sundeck with lounge chairs and umbrellas, and many hammocks. These are favorite locations for downtimes during your retreat. Guests can relax and rejuvenate while taking in the sun or shade. We also offer, free of charge, bicycles for trips to the nearby beach and local hospitality spots.

 Concierge Service

 Onsite concierge services and adventure planning is included in your stay. Our staff handles all the logistics, from planning all excursions and massages to transportation to town for souvenir shopping. Your job is to relax and enjoy and let us support you as you guide your group. We also have an onsite driver, Mario, for random taxi runs and individual jaunts. Mario is an integral part of the Vida Asana family and will go the mile to see that you and your group are taken care of.

Spa

We work with a several independent therapists that offer a variety of bodywork. Once your group arrives, we will work with each interested person to schedule treatments during available times within your schedule. Prices range from $70 - $200 depending on the treatment.

Vida Asana Dining

Included in your group pricing are three meals daily during your retreat, a welcome snack upon arrival, and  one sangria night. Our food at Vida Asana was created with a healthy lifestyle as the inspiration. Every  menu item is made from scratch using whole, and as often as possible, organic ingredients. Our food is mostly gluten free, and vegan centric, with eggs and yogurt at breakfast, and fish served at dinner every  second night. All allergies or  dietary needs are easily accommodated. Additionally, we are continuing to install more permaculture  gardens and edible landscaping to increase our onsite organic harvest. 

Excursions 

Vida Asana is located in Playa Hermosa, the adventure capital of Central America. There is something for  everyone here! We have narrowed down the many options to include favorites that coincide well with group schedules. Those excursions are listed below with prices per person, as well as what to wear and  level of difficulty to expect. Transportation is included in the pricing of all pre-arranged Vida Asana  excursions. Your group pricing does not include excursions but can be arranged in advance to include any  that you would like to offer as a group activity. Activities that are not pre-arranged, will then be discussed  on the night of arrival and the group will be given the opportunity to sign up for all activities that they would  like to experience. Participants pay for excursions directly to Vida Asana. Requests for other excursions that  are not listed will be arranged on an individual basis as feasibility allows. 

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Rainmaker Conservation Project - $70 per person: Rainmaker Park is the best of both worlds as it feels  like a national park yet is relatively unheard of – a hidden gem! The gorgeous shade-making tree canopy  and clear waters keep this hike super fresh even on the hottest of days. One of our favorite guides will take  you on this adventure, ensuring that you see as much wildlife as possible while educating the group about  the inner workings of the rainforest and her plant and animal life. It is a true rainforest experience,  complete with hanging bridges, rushing rivers, waterfalls, and clear fresh-water swimming pools. The tour  finishes up with a home cooked traditional lunch (included in price). 

Time Commitment – Half day, lunch included. Leaves Vida Asana at 9:00am, returns by 2:30 or 3:00pm 
Difficulty Level – Easy to Medium – some steep climbs, but the paths and steps are well maintained and often made  of stone or recycled tires. People with knee problems or those with a legitimate fear of heights are cautioned.  
What to Wear – Wear your swimsuit under your clothes making it easy to jump right in the beautiful waterfall fed  pool! Wear sneakers or hiking sandals and bring a small daypack with towel, water bottle, bug spray, flip-flops, and  change of clothes for the ride home. (Flip-flops are for the last part of the hike after the swim).

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Manuel Antonio National Park - $70 per person: A very popular to-do on the Costa Rican ‘bucket list’.  At this park, you are guaranteed to see monkeys, sloths, raccoons, and variety of other wildlife. Your guide  will have a scope for close up viewing and take you along the reserve culminating in one of the most  beautiful beaches in Costa Rica - white sand and mellow surf make for a perfect ocean swim. On the way  back to Vida Asana, you will stop at the famous ‘El Avion’ restaurant for the view, a bite to eat, smoothie, or  an adult beverage.  

Time Commitment – Day Trip, snack/fruit provided by Vida Asana. Leave Vida Asana at 7:30, return by 5:00.
Difficulty Level – Easy – Very few ups and downs, generally a straight stroll on a wooden boardwalk or gravel road. 
What to Wear – Wear your swimsuit under your clothes for ease when arriving at the beach. Wear sneakers or hiking  sandals and bring a small daypack with water bottle, towel, bug spray, sunscreen, flip-flops, and change of clothes for  the ride home. There are well kept bathrooms there if you would like to shower off and change. 

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Surfing - $60 per person: This family business brings together the best local surfers to teach you the ins  and outs, guaranteeing you to stand up before your lesson is over. Lessons take place in Jacó where the  tides are a bit more predictable. They provide door to door service with a laid back professionalism that will  have you feeling super secure and like a local in no time!  

Time Commitment – Surf time is dependent on tide times, but generally can be arranged around your schedule with  ease. The total time door to door is around 3 hours. 
Difficulty Level – Easy – Beginner to Advanced. They can accommodate all levels. 
What to Wear – Wear your swimsuit and your sunscreen. Take a towel, water bottle, and camera if you like. They  will supply the rash guard (surf shirt), board, and all the fun! 

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Stand Up Paddleboard - $65 per person: The same outfit that leads our surf lessons also offer stand up  paddle boarding where the sea is calm. It’s a great group activity! 

Time Commitment – Surf time is dependent on tide times, but generally can be arranged around your schedule with  ease. The total time door to door is around 3 hours. 
Difficulty Level – Easy – Beginner to Advanced. They can accommodate all levels. 
What to Wear – Wear your swimsuit and your sunscreen. Take a towel, water bottle, and camera if you like. They  supply the board! 

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Zipline - $60 per person: Another on the Costa Rican to-do list that is sure to please. 13 platforms with  gorgeous views of the canopy and the sea, interconnected with thrilling rides through the trees. This  company is located less than 10 minutes from Vida Asana and is staffed with helpful guides that will get you  up and back down with ease. 

Difficulty Level – Easy-Medium – There is a small hike to the first platform. Instructions and demonstrations are given.
Time Commitment – Door to door in around 2 hours. 
What to Wear – You will wear a harness around your upper thighs and waist, so shorts that are longer than the  harness, pants, or capris. Wear hiking sandals or sneakers, no flip-flops or shoes that can fall off easily. You can take a  small backpack for water and your camera.

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Sweatlodge - $80 per person: This is a variation on the Native American inipi or temezcal. Participants  are led by a trained shamanic practitioner to release toxins of both a physical and emotional nature through  sweating induced from fire heated sacred stones. Prayers and blessings are offered up during each of four  sessions, or doors, each lasting around 20 minutes and interspersed with dipping in the cool sitting pool or  under the shower to prepare for the following door. After the final door, the group walks across the road to  the beach to enjoy the sunset and process the experience. 

Difficulty Level – Medium – For those experienced with the process, this is a milder form of traditional sweat lodge.  For a first time participant or those new to the inward journey, it can be challenging. Individuals can leave at any time  they feel uncomfortable, and rejoin if they like. There are no musts, or judgment surrounding the process, only  support. 
Time Commitment – The sweat lodge itself lasts around 2 ½ hours, with the sunset and beach its around 4 total hours.  Leave Vida Asana at 2:00pm and return around 6:00pm. The location is about 10 minutes away from Vida Asana. 
What to Wear – Wear a swimsuit and bring a towel. A swimsuit cover, sarong, or other loose fitting clothing is a good  choice for before and after for the ride home. Leave behind metal jewelry or anything that will heat up or be  damaged. Be sure to hydrate throughout the day and take a full water bottle with you. 

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Horseback Riding and Jungle Spa - $110 per person: A beautiful and loved horseback riding adventure  that includes a full mud bath with the famous Costa Rican blue clay and swimming in waterfalls. This  professional outfit offers up to 6 riders per excursion twice daily. They fill up fast, so typically we need to  have reservations made in advance of your group’s arrival.  

Difficulty Level – Easy – Geared toward beginners, but able to accommodate more advanced riders.
Time Commitment – Half day. Leaves Vida Asana around 8:00am and returns around 1:00.  
What to Wear – Closed toed shoes and pants are the optimal attire, being sure to bring a day pack with swimsuit,  sunscreen, bug spray, towel, and water bottle. 

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Mirador Hike - $20 donation: Sean leads a beautiful walk along the local lookout point made from  modern ruins and claimed by local artists. Beautiful views and a leisurely stroll make this an enjoyable  group activity and it benefits the local Brazilian Jiu Jitsu organization, BJJ Jacó. 

Difficulty Level – Easy+ 
Time Commitment – 2 ½ hours and is less than 15 minutes away from Vida Asana 
What to Wear – Hiking sandals or sneakers

Helpful Information and FAQs 

Local Currency and Exchange Rate 
Costa Rica’s official currency is the Colón. The exchange rate average is roughy 6000 colones to the dollar. However, US  dollars are generally accepted in all areas save for some smaller pueblos. If you do spend US dollars, keep in mind that you will receive your change in colones. It is recommended that you bring denominations of $20 or less as higher  denominations are often not accepted in local shops and markets. It is not recommended to change money at the airport. 

Water 
We take water very seriously at Vida Asana! There is no need to buy plastic bottles of water, just bring your favorite water  bottle and refill at our filtered water station. All water on the property goes through five filters before reaching the rooms  and kitchen, and then continues through a diverse filtration process complete with restoring any beneficial minerals pulled  out during the filtering, before reaching our water station. 

Visa and Passport Requirements 
Guests traveling from the USA and Canada (and many other countries) do not need a visa but will need to provide a return  ticket or evidence of onward travel. Your passport must have at least 6 months validity remaining to enter the country. 

Travel Insurance 
Vida Asana has a private insurance to cover any risk within the yoga center. However, we recommend our guests to take  advantage of their own travel insurance. Indeed, some risks specific to Costa Rica are not covered by our insurance such as  animal attacks, tree shocks or natural disasters. 

Daylight and Time Zone 
Daylight begins to show ~ 5:15am, with sunrise 5:30am and sunset beginning around 5:30pm. 

Electrical Power 
The country uses 120V, 60Hz current, and the same for wall outlets. This is the same as the US, so guests from the US will  not need adaptors. 

Clothing 
Guests should bring clothes for active daytime, such as hiking sandals/shoes, yoga clothes, beachwear, swimwear, flip flops  and casual wear such as; shorts, sundresses, tank tops and anything made of a light gauzy material. The nights can be chilly (more so during green season) so a light jacket, or a loose-fitting long sleeve top and light pants are recommended. We  also recommend a rain jacket or poncho during green season. 

Pricing

Shared accommodations is $1695 
Single accommodations is $1995  

Payment Plans Available

Payment plan available with a non refundable $500 dollar deposit. Must be paid in full by  December 1nd  2024

Early bird special : Save $100 per person  if you book and pay in full by May 2024.

Airfare is not included

For more information, please contact Shanteel Yoga Sanctuary