After an early breakfast, 1.5-hour transfer to start a 2-hour Páramo hike. The Páramo is a unique highland ecosystem that develops in the summits with its singular flora and fauna. In Costa Rica, the Páramo is located mainly along the Talamanca Mountain Range, especially Cerro de la Muerte, Chirripó, Kamuk, Buena Vista and Cerro Vueltas. This guided hike will take you to the Páramo at Parque Nacional Los Quetzales, at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level (9,840 feet approx.) to discover the variety of birds and plants that reside here. Note: A gentle mindfulness walk in nature will be offered to those preferring not to hike. A boxed lunch is included. 

After the hike, 2.5-hour transfer to Manoas Lodge near Uvita on the Pacific Ocean. The ecolodge is close to the Marino Ballena National Park, one of the few nationally-protected marine zones in the whole country. Free rest of the afternoon to settle. Dinner will be served at the lodge. Afterwards, take part in the following activity:

Guided meditation: 8:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Experience the benefits of mindfulness meditation and how effective it is in creating clarity of thought and peace of mind.

Accommodation in tents or villas at Manoas Lodge

About Manoas Lodge

In the jungle, comfort is key. We've made sure Manoas is the ultimate place of rest so you'll have the energy and peace of mind to experience all the adventures that await. Manoas hosts a wide range of elegant, spacious, individually-designed sanctuaries to suit your getaway style. Whether it be in our safari-style luxury canvas tents, or our well appointed villas, you’re sure to find comfort while soaking up Costa Rica’s natural beauty. This beautiful, expansive property is ideal for wellness retreats! With private lodgings, a large covered yoga deck, multiple dining spaces and a wide variety of inclusive options, Manoas is a superlative place to connect.

After an early breakfast, 15-minute transfer to Uvita to embark in a Caño Island snorkeling full day-trip. Your captain and guide will be ready to sail with you to Caño Island (approx. 1h 15m each way), located close to the Osa Peninsula and home to an amazing variety of marine life. In this protected marine area you will encounter both pelagic (open ocean) and reef fish. This is an excellent opportunity for snorkeling and the observation of marine wildlife such as dolphins, sharks and may be even whales. You will enjoy a picnic lunch on board.

After the tour, enjoy some beach time within Marino Ballena National Park, whose beaches have the shape of a whale tail, if seen from above. Back to the lodge in time for dinner. Afterwards, take part in the following activity:

Guided meditation: 8:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Healing your inner child!

Full day wellness activities.

Workshop 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Exploratory archaeology of the soul

We will excavate our derivation story and gain a greater understanding of our attachment style. By learning the four types of attachment, we will become aware of how they affect our adult relationships and create strategies to have healthier relationships with self and others. 

Once you've freshened up, get ready for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon you will have the following activities:

Workshop 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.: Unearthing our habits of people pleasing 

This afternoon we dig into some of the societal constructs that often make us choose safety over authenticity. We will differentiate between people pleasing and authentic kindness and compassionate listening. By watering the seeds of self acceptance we allow our true self to emerge.

Wellness 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Releasing tension through somatic movement

Enjoy free flowing movements and breath work to discharge stress from the body. Dance and have fun!

At 6:00 p.m., enjoy a cooking class at Manoas Lodge with a local chef. You will prepare dishes of contemporary Costa Rican cuisine, using local resources from farms whose practices and products are organic and environmentally friendly. These local farms provide them with clean, healthy, and premium quality products while protecting the rich lands and fertile soils. Dinner is included as part of the cooking class.

After breakfast, get ready for a 3-hour bio-cultural walk in Uvita to learn about the people, the history, and natural wonders that make up this community bordering the Marino Ballena National Park. Take a stroll through the streets of the peaceful town and meet community members to learn about important archaeological and historic sites dating back to the 1960's. On the tour our guide will show you old photos of the area to illustrate the changes that have taken place. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.

Free afternoon for pool or beach time. Then, the group will have an indigenous healing ceremony around a fire at Manoas Lodge, led by Don Paulino, an elder from the Brörán people in the nearby Térraba indigenous territory. Besides his ancestral knowledge, Don Paulino is a certified guide in Forest Bathing Therapy. Dinner will be served after the ceremony.

Full day of wellness activities.

Wellness 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.: Anchoring your authentic self

This morning we will begin with a gentle restorative yoga class, followed by a guided meditation on the Chakras with a deep chakra healing allowing you to anchor into your embodied self.

Wellness 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.: Self awareness journaling

Spend time reflecting on our inner critic and how negative self talk has contributed to our inability to fully express our true self and notice which chakras felt blocked.

Lunch will be served at the lodge. In the afternoon you will have the following activity:

Workshop 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Discover your true nature

Karen Tharp will guide through an experiential expressive arts exercise. Through movement and creative writing, you will learn to deepen your understanding of physical and emotional blocks allowing for increased flow of well being. 

Dinner will be served at the lodge. Afterwards, you will take part in the following activity:

Guided meditation: 8:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Deeply releasing our limited beliefs and unfurling into our authenticity.

After breakfast, embark on a half-day excursion to Manuel Antonio National Park, located 1-hour drive from Uvita, on the way to San José. Manuel Antonio National Park is a small yet super bio-diverse national treasure and on this tour you’ll be able to learn about its wildlife. Once in the park, our guide will take you along the easy trails and will teach you about the vegetation, the birds and the animals that live here. Several species of monkeys, iguanas, birds and possibly even the three-toed sloth can be seen. After this walk you can simply relax and enjoy the beach, sunbathe, or take another stroll around the park's trails, which will allow you to observe Manuel Antonio’s abundant flora and fauna once more.  Lunch will be served in a local restaurant. In the afternoon, 3-hour transfer to San José, where you will stay at Hotel La Riviera, near the airport. After some time to rest, enjoy a farewell dinner and the following activity:

Closing ceremony: 8:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Experience the benefits of truly embodying your authentic self and how effective it is in creating clarity of thought and peace of mind.

Accommodation in standard rooms at Hotel La Riviera

After breakfast (or at the scheduled times), transfers to the San José airport for flights back home. End of retreat.

Optional activity: Morning 3-hour walking city tour. Price: $40pp