Live the Pura Vida lifestyle with Bleu Lotus Yoga on this seven-day retreat in beautiful Costa Rica. This exhilarating holiday is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that gives you the chance to practice yoga while immersed in a tropical paradise. There is a fantastic program of activities to help you experience the best of Costa Rica and build great bonds with other adventure seekers and fellow international travelers. Your time in this retreat will rejuvenate you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Highlights
Held at one of Costa Rica's oldest and most popular yoga retreat centers, Samasati Eco Resort is situated amongst 250 acres of pristine Costa Rican rainforest on the unspoiled Caribbean side of the country.
Lynda Schoberth, Trip Leader
Lynda has been teaching yoga for ten years and is a 500-hour level, certified samapati instructor. After owning a successful yoga studio in Chesterton, Indiana (home of the Indiana Dunes National Park), Lynda has now turned her focus to bringing the joy of conscious travel to intrepid seekers of all ages, and all backgrounds. Beginners, intermediate and advanced yogis find her classes interesting and challenging. She meets you where you are and is keen to guide you to the best of your ability with ease. Her hands-on adjustments are done great care and expertise.
Amanda Barnes, Co-Leader
Amanda Barnes is a Samapati Certified Yoga teacher since 2011. Her studies reach from psychology, nutrition, communication, biomechanics, mental health, meditation, and various yoga approaches. With over 500 hours of training and 8,000 hours of teaching experience, Amanda’s classes offer a strong anatomical focus while integrating conscious, loving awareness into your practice, your life and your highest self.
Dale Amory, Co-leader
Dale is the owner of Imagine Yoga and Sound Studio located in the Caribbean island of St.Kitts. She received her certification in Rishikesh, India. Along this journey, Dale was introduced to the benefits of sound healing, especially the transformative power of the Gong. Since then, she has completed a Gong Mastery course with Don Conreaux and Aidan McIntyre. She recently completed a second course in Sound Therapy for Groups with the Sound Healing Academy and incorporates sound into all of her yoga classes. Dale was instrumental in bringing one of the first yoga retreats to St.Kitts and has hosted numerous weekend retreats for the residence of St.Kitts and Nevis. Her passion is teaching; using all of the tools she has acquired on her journey she aims to make this world a better place for everyone and everything. You can follow Imagine Yoga St. Kitts on Facebook and Instagram to learn more .
A $500 deposit is required to secure your spot for bookings made 90 days or more to departure. There is a grace period within seven days of the booking to cancel for a full refund. Please purchase travel insurance in the event you must cancel.
CANCELLATION & REFUND:
- MORE THAN 90 DAYS PRIOR TO 1/20/24: $500 Cancellation Fee
- 89 to 45 DAYS PRIOR TO 11/5/23: $750 Cancellation Fee
- Less than 44 days: Full balance forfeited.
In the case of your cancellation, you may transfer your deposit and/or your reservation to another person if you notify us in advance.
In the case of a refund, please allow 14 days for refunds to be processed.
Leaving a trip in progress, for any reasons whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of a trip. Bleu Lotus reserves the right to cancel any trip because of inadequate enrollment that makes the trip economically unfeasible to operate or because of legitimate concerns with respect to safety, health or welfare of participants. If BLY cancels a trip prior to departure, you will receive a full refund of money paid. We will not be responsible for any refund for non-refundable airline tickets or for any airline tickets or for any airline tickets purchased by the passenger directly from an airline or travel agent.
ITINERARY CHANGES:T he itineraries are subject to minor modifications. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate programs as planned, but alterations may need to occur after final itineraries are sent.
Travel Insurance is highly encouraged if you have to cancel your trip. It will save you money, time and frustration. Please compare policies to find the right one for you. We recommend Allianz Travel Insurance. Approx. $160. www.allianztravelinsurance.com.
You will fly into San Jose International Airport, and we will meet you at the Barcelo hotel on the evening of January 20th. But don't worry, we will communicate often prior to then. The seed has been planted and your adventure on so many levels awaits :-) If you need to arrive a day later or leave a day earlier, we can accomodate a price adjustment if notified before thirty days of departure.
A note about flights: Most discounted airlines don't publish their flights to Costa Rica more than six months in advance, so don't get discouraged if you don't find the right flight. You can expect to spend about $600-800 for a flight. Many of our attendees leave out of Chicago or the midwest, but also throughout the US. Main carriers include: United, American, Southwest, Frontier, Spirit, Copa, Jet Blue and Delta Airlines.
Our yoga classes offer more diversity and attention, giving people of all levels, ages, and stages of life the opportunity to move outside their comfort zone and cultivate personal growth in an authentic, healthy way. Sometimes we need to step into the unknown to challenge ourselves, or sometimes we just need to unplug from our daily lives to recharge.
A note about our yoga: Lynda, Amanda and Dale are fully trained and experienced with anyone new to yoga, as well as the most seasoned practitioner.
A note about excursions: about one month prior to departure, we will go over the itinerary via a zoom call and you can decide then which additional excursions you would like to add. It can get quite busy on this trip so be sure you leave some room for relaxation!
When we travel, we have a new space, with new relationships, which means new ways of relating to ourselves. This is the magic of wellness travel. And to make it more magical, travel laced with intention and connection not only supports this experience of self-discovery but becomes the foundation of your journey. Everyone you share your retreat with is a reinforcer, a mirror, and a confidant of your becoming. The experience you have on this trip will be as individual as you are as we all have our own unique way and perspective.
About a month prior to departure, we will have a group zoom call and the full itinerary will be distributed. Here you will get to know our group and all the packing information you need. We are here to support you every step of the way!
5 nights for guest house option
Provide by barcelo hotel
Approx. $120.https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com
Approx $75-$100 USD
Arrive to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose. Common carriers include United, American, Spirit Air, Southwest and Copa Airlines. From there, you will have a short hotel transfer to the Barcelo Resort San Jose. (or similar accommodations). Get situated in your new surroundings before our welcome dinner at 7:00 p.m. at the hotel's restaurant. Our evening will be spent getting to know one another and soaking in the warm, breezy evening under the stars. The hotel has a lively salsa club with live music as well.
After breakfast the group will depart for Puerto Viejo Talamanca. This 5 hour drive, in an air-conditioned luxury coach bus gives everyone time to get to know one another and see the breathtaking countryside.
We will arrive to Samasati in time for check-in, a late lunch and an overview of the property by the staff. The food is locally sourced and each meal is a treat. Though the cuisine is vegetarian, chicken or fish is available during dinner for a small additional fee. As you get settled into your new home, you may choose to take a dip in the pool, hot tub or hike in the mountainous surroundings.
You may also choose an optional massage, one on one sound therapy with Dale or a yoga therapy, lesson or meditation with Amanda.
Our first yoga class will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner in the villa.
After morning yoga and breakfast, you may choose from a variety of excursions or choose to go directly to the beach for suntan and a dip in the ocean. Afterwards, enjoy a picnic lunch and then spend the afternoon shopping in the adorable and vibrant town of Puerto Viejo. Evening yoga will be offered followed by dinner back at Samasati.
Optional Excursion: Jaguar Rescue Center $28.00
The JRC Sanctuary is unlike any animal experience you’ve had before. The most educational and entertaining tour for all audiences and ages. During the hour and a half of the visit our expert guides will show you the resident wildlife animals, explain their stories, characteristics and the challenges they face. You can see iconic animals like monkeys, sloths, birds like macaws or toucans, deer, snakes, etc. https://www.jaguarrescue.foundation
Following yoga and breakfast, you can choose to relax at samasati or hike to the Volio waterfall. The Volio waterfall is one of the BriBri waterfalls that is most hidden in the rainforest. This beautiful 15 meters high waterfall is located within the Bribri Indian Reservation.
We return to Samasati in time for lunch.
After yoga and breakfast, we head to a wonderful destination where you will experience the Cacao Forest Experience tour at a local cacao farm and chocolate factory. The owner or guide will teach you everything you need to know about cacao, chocolate history, tropical wildlife and of course chocolate making.
After lunch at Samasati, the afternoon will be spent at a local community center called "Girls for Success" Center with children (ages 7-12). We will enjoy doing a variety of games, crafts and implementing educational enrichment stations with the girls. We encourage interaction and co-creation over gift giving. In the past, we've done flower arranging, balloon animal lessons, games, created a video mock interview, and many other fun and interesting ideas may blossom before our trip. This has truly become one of the most enjoyed parts of our retreat.
After dinner, there is a special evening of sound therapy with Dale. Dale utilizes the power of the Gong, supported by other transformative instruments. It aids in releasing pent-up emotions and blockages. Results of a gonging experience may include a profound sense of calmness and happiness. It is a time of deep mediation and relaxation that may transform your emotional and spiritual well being.
After yoga and breakfast, we head to Cahuita National Park for an unforgettable day. One of the reasons why people love the Caribbean coast is the abundant wildlife. Cahuita National Park is one of the best in Costa Rica to see animals because of the year long lush rainforest. Cahuita is a wonderful place to see monkeys, sloths, toucans, lizards and even friendly raccoons.
After our morning hike, you can choose to relax on the beach or stay in Cahuita for an alfresco lunch on your own and take a taxi back to Samasati.
We will head back to Samasati mid-afternoon for a late lunch, with the remainder of the afternoon available for an optional massage spa, swimming pool or some some relaxation and reflection on your private hammock. The evening yoga consists of a closing reflection circle, followed by a celebratory closing dinner and dancing.
With an early departure from Samasati, we head to a full day of adventure white water rafting. The Pacuare River offers Class III & IV rapids and is world famous for its sheer beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. Here you will enjoy the feeling of total isolation from urban life and the realness of being connected with nature. The 18 mile, one day run includes a total of 52 rapids. Few rivers in the world can offer you so many. This raft trip is optional and is professionally operated by Exploradores Outfitters. Those who decline the raft trip will head directly to the hotel in San Jose on a comfortable coach bus.
Arriving from the river trip to San Jose around 7:00 p.m., We will have a celebratory dinner in San Jose and enjoy our new friendships and memories created. Most participants leave for home the next day but some choose to stay another day at an additional cost.
Our last and final day together in San Jose, we meet at breakfast to say our goodbyes before heading to the San Jose airport on the hotel shuttle. There remains a special bond created amongst us that cannot be broken.
We laughed and we cried.
We opened our hearts.
We played in nature.
We learned how to connect deeply with our soul.
We moved beyond our comfort zone.
We nourished and cleansed our bodies.
We unveiled our most authentic self.
And when we left, we were able to see beyond our limited minds and to once again experience the fullness of our being.
As time passed, each of us felt a lingering innate sense of contentment that was independent of circumstances or external conditions. And once we tasted this inner peace and the natural feeling of joy that comes from giving and serving rather than acquiring and achieving, our spiritual growth became a steady and enjoyable journey towards an ever greater awareness of our true nature.
Through purposeful travel and meaningful experience, you will begin to to feel connected to your true nature ever more deeply and begin to feel the universal energy that connects every human, animal, plant, wave, mountain and cloud. You will discover an inner-strength and a crystal clear vision that you may have perhaps forgotten, and it will drive you to grow to keep going — everyday, cultivating a deeper sense of peace, wellness and and spirituality.
We hope you will join us!
Peace & light,
Lynda & Amanda
