We invite you to leave the cold and doldrums of winter and join us in the lush beauty of the Osa Pensinula. Experience new sights and sounds that will invigorate the senses and expand your awareness. Enjoy the opportunity to drop into a daily yoga practice with the freedom of being in the fullness and power of nature. A perfect combination to revitalize the spirit.
The morning practice will be vigorous and more challenging, and the afternoon practice restorative and reflective. Modifications can be made for any level of practitioner.
The ‘Osa Peninsula’ is located at the most southern tip of Costa Rica, close to the Panama border, and at the entrance to the ‘Corcovado National Park’. The Osa Peninsula is home to the largest concentration of animal and plant species outside of the Amazon Rainforest, boasting nearly 2 percent of all species. It is listed in National Geographic’s top five naturist destinations.
Our partner lodge Boca Sombrero is situated on a beautiful semi private beach and a large open property with spacious grounds. The beach resort offers fantastic yoga and spa facilities, as well as having its own surf school right out front.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations range from a mixture of deluxe family style palm thatched beach bungalows with en-suite bathrooms to single or double occupancy palm thatched yurt tent platforms with private shower, wash basin and shared bathrooms. The main 'Casa Grande' has a large communal dining space and open kitchen, with chill out sofa area and wireless internet facility (upstairs only).
YOGA
The beachfront yoga deck is a bamboo and hardwood structure with palm thatched roof. It is spacious and complete with blocks, mats, straps and tennis balls! There is also a communal full size swimming pool with spa, boutique and bodywork facilities.
SURFING
Their is a private surf break right in front of the accommodation which is run by experienced surf instructors. This friendly break is enjoyable for all levels of surfer, with a flat clay bottom and long rolling waves. If you don't feel like getting wet, then just sit back and relax on the huge 'surf-bench' to watch your colleagues on the waves, with incredible views across the gulf towards Panama. More experienced surfers might want to take a short ride down to more challenging breaks such as Pan Dulce, Backwash and Matapalo.
FOOD
Angus Stephens will accompany you throughout your adventure as your host and personal chef. Indulge in healthy, inspiring, vegetarian dishes, incorporating a wide selection of organic and locally sourced ingredients. Angus will provide a culinary experience that will nourish, satisfy and make your Costa Rica yoga retreat as perfect as nature intended.
ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES, SERVICES and EXCURSIONS
During your stay, enjoy activities such as surfing, SUP, kayaking, river and nature walks, horseback riding, bird watching, tree climbing, waterfall repelling, zip-lining or dolphin boat tours in some of the most beautiful locations imaginable.
Other services include various forms of bodywork and spa treatments.
PASSPORT:
Please remember to bring your passport and make sure your it is valid for at least 3 months from time of travel, otherwise the Costa Rican immigration may refuse you entry into the country.
ON ARRIVAL:
The airport in San Jose is relatively new, modern and very easy to use. Once you clear immigration, just proceed to baggage claim and then pass through the x-ray machines at customs. As you exit the airport building, take an official ORANGE airport taxi to the 'Hotel Aloft’ in Santa Ana, which is about 20 minutes from the airport and will cost you about $20.
HOTEL ALOFT (arrival day/ night in San José)
Hotel address: Forum 2 Business Park, Lindora, Radial a Santa Ana, San Jose,
Phone: (506) 2205 3535
Check in at the hotel is normally after 2:00pm. If you have an early arrival, the hotel will try to get you into your room as early as possible or will give you a place to store your bags and to freshen up, until your room is ready. There is a pool to hang out and relax by on the rooftop, the Internet is free of charge and there are restaurants inside and in the vicinity of the hotel. For those of you who will arrive in time, we will meet in the hotel bar at 6:30 PM and walk together to a nearby restaurant for dinner (not included in the retreat price).
WEATHER:
IN THE CITY
San José City lies in the Torrid Zone, also known as “The Tropics” and is surrounded by a tropical rainforest. However its elevation gives it a mild climate. The temperature ranges between 63°F and 86°F = 17°C - 30°C.
AT THE BEACHOn the Osa Peninsula temperatures seldom drop below 73°F / 23°C at night and may exceed 91°F / 33°C during the day, combined with a very high humidity (60 - 100%)
LUGGAGE:
Please make sure you don’t travel with large suitcases. We have limited space in the private bus and the domestic airline only allows suitcases with a maximum checked weight of 30 lbs and 10 lbs carry on. Excess weight is charged at only $1.50 per lb overweight, but is subject to available space.
WHAT TO WEAR:
Pack light and comfortable clothes for hot and sunny days. For those of you who want to go surfing, bring a suitable sportive bathing suit or trunks and a rash guard shirt, it protects you from the sun (only if you have one, a normal t-shirt does the job as well).
SHOES:
A pair of light training shoes is highly recommended. They are perfect for hiking in the mountains and for the river hike in the jungle. They will get wet but they’ll dry in a minute in the hot sun. Bring some ankle socks too. Flip Flops and/or trekking sandals are great for the beach and if you have water shoes you should bring them too. No high heels or fancy sandals needed.
WATER:
You don’t have to be worried about cleaning your teeth with water from the tap in San Jose (unlike in Peru or Mexico for example). We make our juices and ice cubes with filtered water from the well. It makes sense to bring your own water bottle and fill it with the filtered water for your daily use.
PHONE & INTERNET:
At our beach lodge you have good phone connection directly on the beach. The WIFI is VERY slow and only available very sporadically, on the whole Peninsula. Please do not expect to be online or sending and receiving large files.
FLASH LIGHT:
As we are so close to the equator, it gets dark at around 6 PM, throughout the year. A good flashlight is one of the most important items for this trip! Make sure that you have one with you including the correct batteries (you can get AAA batteries almost everywhere in Costa Rica). Most ideal would be a headlamp, in order to have both your hands free.
BUGS:
We do not have a lot of mosquitos at this time of year. However, you should bring a good insect repellent with you (or you can also buy them here.) if you are susceptible to insect bites. You might also like to wear light long pants and a light long sleeve t-shirt in the evenings. Most mosquito bites happen during sunset/sunrise or in shady places in the rainforest. All beds at the hotel on the beach are equipped with good mosquito nets.
ZIKA:
The Osa Peninsula is Zika free! However, you should consult your doctor about your travel plans if you are pregnant.
More info: http://www.twoweeksincostarica.com/costa-rica-mosquitoes-prevent-zika-dengue/
SUN:
The sun is very intense in Costa Rica as we are very close to the equator. We recommend avoiding sunbathing from 11AM – 02 PM. Please bring a good waterproof sunscreen with 30 SPF and higher. A hat or a cap / visor is also advisable to protect you from the sun and to avoid sunstroke. Please also don’t forget your sunglasses. Also great to have is a ‘hand’ fan.
SHEETS AND TOWELS:
Your cabins have fresh sheets and towels, which will be changed halfway through your stay. The mountain lodge has down comforters and warm blankets too. There are NO pool or beach towels provided by the hotels. Towels should not be removed from the property. Sarongs or Pareos are highly recommended for use at the beach and on excursions and can be purchased the hotel store. It is the perfect item, as it keeps the sand from your skin, it dries in a minute, it’s light to carry and you can even wear it as a skirt, dress, scarf or stole.
MONEY:
DO NOT EXCHANGE MONEY AT THE AIRPORT very bad rates! The currency in Costa Rica is called Colones.
1000 Colones equals 1.70 USD.
1 US Dollar equals 600 Colones
US Dollars are the best currency to travel with and are accepted almost everywhere. Best to only bring $20 notes or smaller as a lot of places won't accept larger notes. You will normally be given change in Colones. There are also ATM machines in town that give you USD or Colones. You can pay us directly for any optional tours or activities and bodywork together at the end of the week either with cash (no fee) or by Paypal (+5% fee +13% IVA sales tax)
SECURITY:
At the beach, the houses are ‘open planned’ (no walls or lockable doors). There are safes in all houses and lockboxes in the main house for anyone staying in the tent platforms. There is also a master safe in the main house, where it is advisable that you always lock away your passports, money and valuables, which you will not need during your stay. There is a security watchmen patrolling the property during yoga, dinner and throughout the night. Most opportunist theft can be avoided by not leaving things of value in sight, especially when at the beach! We also recommend not travelling with unnecessary items of value, such as jewellery, watches, excess currency and laptops / tablets. Chirriposa and the lodges will not take responsibility for any lost or stolen items.
CAMERAS:
Don’t forget your camera… and if you have binoculars then bring them too, it’s worth it!It might also be a good idea to bring a USB stick as Tania always takes a lot of photos during the retreat, that way you can take them home with you.
MEDICAL:
We insist that you purchase a private travel insurance, that includes a good medical emergency cover. We recommend you bring the ‘usual’ medicines such as Neosporin cream, Advil, band aids, etc. You do not need any Malaria tablets or vaccinations for either of the areas we travel to in Costa Rica. Please inform us if you have any allergic reactions to food or insect bites. If you do, please bring an antihistamine or any other medication you may need.Very useful are creams for bug bites such as:
LAUNDRY:
There will be laundry services available for a small charge. Please note that, at the beach, there are no dryers, so you should allow for at least 24 hours to get your laundry back.
YOGA EQUIPMENT:
Yoga mats, blocks, straps, blankets and bolsters are provided.
Our hope at Karma Yoga Omaha is to instill mindfulness in our actions and words. Each one of us creating a positive change in our community by our example. I hope you will join us on this journey towards enlightenment which starts by reaching out one hand in kindness to another.
Karla Pirruccello is a distinguished senior teacher in the Omaha area. She draws her teaching style from many years of advanced teacher training and self-practice. She has studied with many of the top teachers in the US and abroad. She brings a creative, organic and inclusive style to her classes, with attention to alignment, internal balance and mental focus. She welcomes students at all levels of yoga practice and promises a rich and rewarding experience.
"My Passion for yoga comes from my desire to develop a relaxed mind a strong, open body and a more compassionate spirit. More importantly I am dedicated to share this journey of personal discovery with others." KP
Lisa Kanne is a teacher that is instrumental in her students and the community’s well being. Her kind and giving nature evokes the essence of a true yogi. Karma Yoga is a result of her desire to bring positive change to our world. In her many years of teaching Lisa has developed an inclusive and fun approach to the practice of yoga.
“Be the Change.” LK
Double occupancy with private shower and basin and shared bathroom.
Note. this accommodation option should be booked together with a friend or partner.
Single occupancy with private shower and basin and shared bathroom
Double room in shared house with shared bathroom
Shared room in house with private bathroom (single bed)
Double occupancy house with private bathroom
Single occupancy rustic beach house 10 minutes walk along the beach from the retreat centre with private outside bathroom and shower, kitchen, lounge, loft bedroom with king size bed with ocean views