Gluten-Free Costa Rica Retreat

May 29 – June 5, 2027 · Montezuma, Costa Rica

Picture eight days of jungle waterfalls, empty beaches, warm ocean water and food you never have to worry about. Join us for a small-group gluten-free getaway on the Nicoya Peninsula, based at Anamaya Resort in Montezuma. The resort is tucked into the hillside above the Pacific, and once you arrive, almost everything is taken care of. You can just show up, relax and say yes to the adventure.

What we'll do:

• Beach hike to a waterfall: walk the coastline to a jungle waterfall and cool off in the pool beneath it.

• Kayak to a private beach: paddle out and have a stretch of sand to ourselves.

• Zipline through the jungle: soar above the trees and enjoy incredible views.

• Snorkel at Tortuga Island: swim in clear water, then watch the bioluminescence light up the sea after dark.

• Day trip to Santa Teresa: spend a beach day and explore the laid-back surf town.

• Waterfall jumping: leap off a waterfall right behind our resort.

• Yoga class: stretch and slow down with the jungle around you.

• Massage: a spa treatment is included for every guest.

Eat without worry

Gluten-free travel is often stressful. Here, you can enjoy incredible gluten-free meals at a resort that can also accommodate other dietary restrictions. You can eat and relax without having to research every menu.

Getting there

Your international flight should arrive at Liberia International Airport (LIR) on May 29 between approximately 2–4 PM.

We'll spend our first night in Liberia so you don't have to travel all the way to Montezuma after a long day of flights. Once everyone has arrived, we'll spend the evening together and then travel as a group to Anamaya Resort in Montezuma the following day.

We'll coordinate the transportation from Liberia to Montezuma, so once you arrive, you can relax and let us take care of the logistics.

When booking your flights, plan to:

• ✈️ Arrive in Liberia (LIR) on May 29 by 4 PM

• ✈️ Depart Liberia (LIR) on June 5 at 1 PM or later

This timing will allow you to travel with the group and enjoy the full retreat without needing to arrange additional transportation or accommodations on your own.

Meet Your Trip Hosts

Hi! We’re Courtney and Lorin, two friends who share a love of travel, adventure, meaningful connection, and bringing women together for unforgettable experiences. We’re so excited to host this trip and create a space where you can explore somewhere incredible while feeling comfortable, cared for, and connected along the way.

Meet Courtney

Hi! I’m Courtney, founder of Simple Celiac Life, where I help people with celiac disease travel and live with more confidence.

I was diagnosed with celiac disease more than a decade ago, and I know firsthand how overwhelming gluten-free travel can feel. Through years of traveling and researching gluten-free destinations, restaurants, and hotels, I’ve learned that celiac disease doesn’t have to keep you from experiencing the world.

Today, I share gluten-free travel tips with the gluten free community, but one of my favorite things is bringing women together in real life. I love creating trips where everyone can relax, have fun, make new friends, and enjoy the adventure without constantly worrying about food.

When I’m not traveling, you’ll usually find me playing volleyball, hiking, spending time with my three kids, or planning my next adventure.

Meet Lorin

Hi, I’m Lorin, the founder of Good Gluten Free Grub and a gluten-free content creator, podcaster, and celiac advocate based in Utah! I’ve been living with celiac disease for over a decade, and I know firsthand how overwhelming and sometimes lonely it can feel to navigate a gluten-free life.

Through Good Gluten Free Grub, I’ve built a community where people can find safe gluten-free food, practical resources, and, most importantly, a place where they don’t have to explain or apologize for their dietary needs. After hosting my first 100% gluten-free food truck night in 2024, I knew I wanted to create more opportunities for people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance to travel, connect, relax, and enjoy incredible food without constantly worrying about gluten. Hosting retreats has always been on the top of my wish list! 

These retreats are a reflection of everything I love about the gluten-free community: great food, meaningful connection, adventure, and the freedom to simply enjoy yourself. My goal is to create an experience where you can leave the food planning and gluten worries behind and focus on making memories, meeting new friends, and having an amazing time! 

Your adventure begins the moment you land. Arrive into Liberia International Airport (LIR) by 4:00 PM, where we'll whisk you off to our hotel to unpack, breathe in that first wave of tropical air, and get settled.

Tonight, we're easing you in with a welcome group dinner at Posada Real Café — a 100% gluten-free restaurant right in Liberia. No scanning menus, no nervously quizzing the server, no "is this safe for me?" Just sit down, order anything on the menu, and toast to the week ahead with your new travel sisters.

After a gluten-free breakfast, we'll hit the road for a 3.5–4 hour drive across the country to Montezuma, nestled at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, one of the world's Blue Zones. Surrounded by lush jungle, protected reserves, and wild Pacific beaches, Montezuma is a laid-back coastal village that feels a world away from the hustle and bustle. We'll spend the rest of the week at Anamaya Resort, a 100% gluten-free treasure tucked into the hills above Montezuma.

Once we arrive at the resort, you'll have time to check in, unpack, and settle into your home for the week before we gather for a group lunch in the resort's dining room, perched high above the coastline with sweeping views of the Montezuma shoreline below.

Then it's time to cool off: a short, easy 10-minute hike leads us to the iconic Montezuma waterfalls, a series of cascading pools tucked into the jungle. Swim, float, or — if you're feeling brave — take the leap and jump into one of the natural pools below. Downtime back at the resort, then a group dinner to close out day one on the peninsula.

***Please note regarding stairs at the resort: This unique resort is built into the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean. There are numerous stairs connecting the rooms to the kitchen and other areas of the property, so guests should be comfortable navigating stairs throughout their stay.

Fuel up with a delicious gluten-free breakfast, then get your adrenaline going with a zip-lining adventure through the jungle canopy, soaring above the treetops with views stretching out to the Pacific.

After lunch, we'll head down into the heart of Montezuma town to spend the afternoon on the beach and browse the colorful local shops and artisan stalls this laid-back surf town is known for.

Today is one of the most special days of the whole trip: a hike to the legendary Cocalito Falls (also called El Chorro), a waterfall that plunges directly into the Pacific Ocean. Waterfalls that empty straight into the sea like this — known as "tidefalls" — are genuinely rare.

Our expert local guides will lead us on a roughly 2.5–3 hour trek that winds partly along jungle trail and partly along pristine, secluded beaches before opening up to the falls themselves. Once there, you'll cool off in the pool beneath the falls and refuel with some of the best gluten-free snacks of the trip. Not up for the full hike? No problem — you can opt to be driven straight to the waterfall with a few of our guides and relax there while the rest of the group makes their way in on foot.

After we're driven back to the resort, enjoy some downtime before our group dinner.

Wake up slowly and roll out your mat for a group yoga session on Anamaya's open-air deck, overlooking the coastline, led by a local instructor as the morning light hits the water.

From there, we'll head across the peninsula to Santa Teresa, the Nicoya Peninsula's famous west-coast beach town, known for its powder-soft sand and some of the most spectacular sunsets in Costa Rica. Spend the afternoon swimming, relaxing, and shopping the boutiques and beach stalls before soaking in a golden Pacific sunset. Then it's back to the resort for a relaxing group dinner under the stars.

Start the day in Anamaya's kitchen for a hands-on cooking class with a local chef, learning the secrets behind some of Costa Rica's favorite dishes (naturally, gluten-free).

From there, we're headed to the water for a sea kayaking adventure through Curú Wildlife Refuge — paddling a calm, biodiverse protected bay past mangroves and wildlife on the way to the pristine sands of Quesera Beach.

This is it — the day past travelers have voted their favorite, so we're saving the very best for last. It's a full day out on the water, starting with snorkeling at Isla Tortuga, one of the most beautiful islands in the Gulf of Nicoya.

As the sun goes down, we stay out on the water for something truly otherworldly: a sunset bioluminescence tour. As you glide through the dark water, millions of microscopic organisms light up with every splash and paddle stroke, turning the sea into something that looks like liquid stars. It's one of only a small number of places anywhere in the world where this phenomenon can be reliably experienced — and it never stops feeling like magic.

We'll close out the night with our final group dinner at the resort, toasting to an unforgettable week together.

A Note on the Season

Our trip falls at the very beginning of Costa Rica's rainy season, which is also known as the "green season." What does that actually look like? Mornings are often sunny and bright, with showers that tend to roll in later in the day. They're usually short and warm, not an all-day washout. The upside is lush, vibrant jungle, fewer crowds, and cooler temperatures.

Weather in the tropics can be unpredictable, though, and on our trip last year it rained for most of the first full day. We simply rearranged a few things on the itinerary, and we still did all the activities. We build flexibility into the schedule for exactly this reason, so if the weather calls for a shuffle, we'll adjust the order of the days and you won't miss out.

We recommend packing a light rain jacket, quick-dry clothing, and shoes that can get wet, and bringing a flexible, go-with-the-flow attitude!

"This trip was magical! Upon returning home, I mentioned to a friend I felt recharged in a way I didn’t even know possible. The food was amazing, it will live rent free in my head for years to come. The adventures were great and allowed us to experience so much! I loved zip lining through the jungle, jumping off waterfalls, eating more fruit than you can imagine, seeing monkeys and birds, laughing with new friends and being so stress free. I might have a hard time not signing up again next year. This is a once in a lifetime experience and it was so worth the investment! Courtney and Lorin were the perfect hosts, balancing being behind the since problem solvers and present pals! It feels like I could write a short story about the memories but why not go experience it for yourself!"

-Jenny K

"Courtney and Lorin did such an incredible job planning this trip. Everything was super organized, and when things went south (such as a storm moving in and raining on our first day), they jumped to alternatives and rescheduled everything on the fly while still keeping up spirits, keeping us informed, and coming up with backup options. The trip overall was such an amazing experience, and one I think every celiac needs to do at least once in their life. I’ll absolutely be keeping an eye out for future celiac trips!"

-Madi C

"To travel at all with celiac disease can be incredibly stressfull and a huge mental load, requiring a lot of extra planning. To be able to go on a full week vacation with zero planning was amazing, then on top of that, location, adventure, incredible food, new friends and relaxation made it an absolute dream. I highly recommend this trip. The itinerary was perfectly balanced! I can't think of anything that would make this trip better. I will hold this experience close to my heart forever and have high hopes to join on a future trip."

-Gluten Free Guest

"This retreat took all the celiac stress out of travel and freed up so much brain space to just enjoy myself and my time there. It was downright magical to exist for a week within a version of the world where you dont have to constantly advocate for your medical needs and can just relax around people who get it. Plus the food was downright incredible."

-Gluten Free Guest

"When I booked this trip, I was excited to try something new and not have to worry about finding safe gluten-free food. What I could never have imagined was just how incredible the experience would be.

Being surrounded by a community of amazing women who truly understood the challenges of living with celiac disease and who were there to support and uplift one another was something really special. The sense of connection and belonging I felt was unlike anything I've experienced before.

This trip was magical on so many levels: the people, the food, the excursions, and the overall vibe. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, allowing us to relax, connect, and fully enjoy the experience. I cannot recommend these trips enough. It was truly life-changing, and I already can't wait for the next one."

-Gluten Free Guest