Yoga, Meditation, and Beach Retreat Costa Rica

Playa Grande, Guancaste, Costa Rica

CP
Christie Pitko
  • Email address verified
39 reviews
Mar 30 - Apr 4, 2020
Group size: 10 - 15
Yoga, Meditation, and Beach Retreat Costa Rica
Playa Grande, Guancaste, Costa Rica

Christie Pitko
  • Email address verified
39 reviews

Mar 30 - Apr 4, 2020
Group size: 10 - 15

About this trip

This is the yoga retreat you have been dreaming about! Experience the power of nature like never before. Playa Grande, Costa Rica, is a lush, serene, and magical location, which makes it the perfect spot for a retreat. We return once again to the Rip Jack Inn, our favorite hotel and yoga shala just steps from the beach.


Enjoy daily all levels yoga and meditation with experienced yoga teacher, Christie Pitko, E RYT 500. Delicious meals are served in an open air tree top cafe. Accommodations are simply beautiful, and our hotel has 2 pools to help you recharge and relax during free time. There are hammocks throughout the grounds! Our yoga shala is glass enclosed so that you can view the beauty all around you as you deepen your practice. We will be taking a group sunset sail on the stunning Pacific that includes lunch. Option to snorkel, SUP, or chill on the boat. Leave this retreat filled with bliss and adventure.


Special Deals

Bring a Friend/Partner and Share a Room - Save $100 using code: COSTARICASHARE at checkout. This deal never expires! Grab a buddy and head to this incredible retreat!

Daily Sample Schedule

Day 1, Monday, March 30th

Arrival and Lunch - 12:30pm and on

Opening Ceremony Yoga and Meditation - 4:30pm

Sunset on the Beach- 6:00pm

Dinner - 6:30pm


Day 2, Tuesday, March 31st

Flow Yoga and Meditation - 8:00am

Breakfast - 9:15am

Free Time

Lunch - 12:00pm

Optional Taxi Share to Tamarindo - 1:00-4:00pm

Restorative Yoga and Meditation - 4:30pm

Sunset-6:00pm

Dinner - 6:30pm


Day 3, Wednesday, April 1st

Flow Yoga and Meditation - 8:00am

Breakfast - 9:15am

Free Time

Lunch - 12:30pm

Restorative Yoga and Meditation- 4:30pm

Sunset - 6:00pm

Dinner - 6:30pm


Day 4, Thursday, April 2nd

Flow Yoga and Meditation - 8:00am

Breakfast - 9:15am

Lunch - 12:00pm

Sail and Snorkel Trip (includes snacks and drinks)- 1:00-6:30pm

Dinner - 7:00pm


Day 5, Friday, April 3rd

Flow Yoga and Meditation - 8:00am

Breakfast - 9:15am

Free Time

Lunch - 1:00pm

Restorative Yoga and Meditation - 4:30pm

Final Sunset on the Beach- 6:00pm

Dinner - 6:30pm


Day 6, Saturday, April 4th

Flow Yoga and Meditation - 8:00am

Breakfast - 9:15am

Check out/Departures - 11:00am and on

Things to Know

  • Our retreat is open to all levels, including beginners, as well as advanced practitioners. Please know basic yoga poses, and make sure that you have taken a few yoga classes before attending.
  • We welcome practitioners ages 18 and up.
  • Check in to the hotel is Monday, March 30th at 1:00pm. Please try to arrive to the Liberia airport as close to 12:00pm as you can. If you arrive at a different time, let me know as soon as possible. It is about an hour from Liberia airport to RipJack Inn.
  • Check out is Saturday, April 4th at 11:00am. Shuttles will arrive at RipJack Inn to take us back to Liberia airport.
  • Deposits are non-refundable. There will be no refunds or transfers issued after Friday, January 10th, 2020. Note that our venue charges a payment even when you cancel. If you paid a deposit, remainder of balance is due on January 10th, 2020.
  • Meals start with lunch on March 30th, and end with breakfast on April 4th. If you are coming early or staying late, please budget for meals outside of the retreat.

What to Bring

Up-to-date passport

Optional colones (Costa Rican currency, which you can order ahead of time from your bank. We do not recommend exchanging at the airport.)

Water bottle

Bathing suit and flip flops

Comfortable shoes if you decide to hike

Casual clothing outside of your yoga clothes (no need to bring anything fancy)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am new to meditation, can I still join?

A: Of course! The meditations are designed for all levels, and you will be fully supported. Christie Pitko has been the meditation teacher for the busy tech people at Saleforce Headquarters in San Francisco for a couple years.


Q: I am a beginner at yoga, can I still attend?

A: We love beginners! Please do have some basic yoga experience. We recommend taking several vinyasa yoga classes before the retreat begins.


Q: What kind of currency should I bring?

A: The colonè is the currency of Costa Rica, but the U.S. dollar is widely accepted. There is no ATM in Playa Grande. The nearest ATM can be found in Tamarindo, which we can get to by cab. We usually arrive with some colones that you can order from your banks in the U.S.


Q: Can I come early or stay after the retreat has ended?

A: Yes, please let us know via email your schedule, and you will pay the hotel directly for the extra time. Prices are around $150 per night with transportation to and from the Liberia airport included.


Q: Are there other activities to do besides the ones included in the package?

A: Yes! Surf lessons, zip lining, volcano trip (this is all day, so plan accordingly), and massage  can be done for additional costs and booked through out hotel.


About Your Retreat Guide

Christie Pitko, ERYT 500 is an expert at leading retreats both in the U.S. and abroad. She guides 5-6 retreats per year, and has been hosting retreats since 2014.


Christie is a dedicated student and full-time yoga and meditation teacher in San Francisco, California. She has taught over 2600 hours of yoga classes. She is part of the faculty at Yoga Garden San Francisco for their 200 hour teacher training program. She teaches alignment-based yoga, restorative, as well as meditation. Her biggest influences are Annie Carpenter and Richard Rosen whom she studies with frequently.


Learn more about Christie Pitko here: https://www.christiepitkoyoga.com/about

What’s included

  • Accommodations
    6 days and 5 nights stay at Rip Jack Inn, a boutique hotel just steps from the Pacific Ocean. Choose from a lovely standard or a deluxe room.
  • Delicious meals
    Freshly prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day (let us know about special requests such as vegetarian or vegan ahead of time.) Meals are shared in an open air cafe amongst the trees.
  • Daily yoga
    Mix of all levels vinyasa flow and therapeutic practices.
  • Daily meditation
    Mindfulness and pranayama (breath work) practices.
  • Airport transfer
    Transportation to and from the Liberia airport .
  • Sunset Sail
    A Costa Rican adventure! We will sail from Playa Flamingo and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific. Option to snorkel or chill on the boat. Lunch and open bar included.
  • Yoga gear
    Mats and props included.

What’s not included

  • Flight
    Airport is Liberia, which is about an hour from Rip Jack Inn.
  • Additional activities
    Zip lining, surf lessons, volcano trip, massage, etc.
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Tips to staff

Available Packages

Shared Standard Room

Standard rooms are located under the restaurant so they are our most budget friendly rooms due to some noise from the cafe (which closes pretty early, around 9:30-10:00pm-ish). Each room has a small outdoor patio and a hammock hanging out front.  The hotel rooms have one queen and one single bed.


Amenities: air conditioning, ceiling fans, hot water, private baths, coffee maker, in-room safe, daily housekeeping and toiletries.


Bring a Friend/Partner and Share a Room - $100 off using code: COSTARICASHARE at checkout.  Price is per person.

$1,459
Single Standard Room

Standard rooms are located under the restaurant so they are our most budget friendly rooms due to some noise from the cafe (which closes pretty early, around 9:30-10:00pm-ish). Each room has a small outdoor patio and a hammock hanging out front.  The hotel rooms have one queen and one single bed.


Amenities: air conditioning, ceiling fans, hot water, private baths, coffee maker, in-room safe, daily housekeeping and toiletries.



$1,729
Single Deluxe Room

Deluxe rooms are in a free standing building away from the restaurant with a queen bed. All rooms include a private patio.


Amenities: Flat screen TV, mini fridge, outdoor patio, air conditioning, ceiling fans, coffee maker, in-room safe, daily housekeeping and toiletries.




$1,969
Shared Deluxe Room

Deluxe rooms are in a free standing building away from the restaurant. They can have queen with a double or a king bed. All rooms include a private patio.


Amenities: Flat screen TV, mini fridge, outdoor patio, air conditioning, ceiling fans, coffee maker, in-room safe, daily housekeeping and toiletries.


Bring a Friend/Partner and Share a Room - $100 off using code: COSTARICASHARE at checkout. Price is per person.

$1,629


Your Organizer


CP
Christie Pitko
39 reviews
Christie Pitko, E RYT-500, began practicing yoga in 2001, and since then, it has healed her spirit, ignited creativity, and encouraged her to take her time. She enjoys helping students stay curious about the inner landscape of their bodies and minds through yoga and meditation. Christie is grateful for all that she has learned from her teachers, Annie Carpenter, Richard Rosen, and Leah Gillman. Christie hosts multiple yoga retreats per year.

Reviews

My sister and i really enjoyed this yoga retreat.. we met new and old friends. Christi accommodated all levels of experience. The weather was fantastic and the hiking awesome.
By Susie S for 4 Day Yoga, Meditation, and Nature Retreat Near Yosemite Valley on Oct 25, 2022
The yosemite bug is close to Yosemite National Park and there was plenty of time during the yoga retreat to spend time in Yosemite National Park. There is a spa and sauna and some great hiking close to the Yosemite Bug. Great location. The restaurant onsite serves amazing food. The yoga every morning was as always invigorating to prepare for the busy day in Yosemite. Meditation or relaxation yoga at night helped to wind down for the night. Great Location and Great yoga instructor.
By Pamela M for 4 Days of Nature, Yoga, and Meditation Near Yosemite Valley on Apr 28, 2022
Yosemite is one of my favorite places in the world and April was the the perfect month for it. This was our 2nd yoga retreat with Christy Pitko and we look forward to more in the future!
By John B for 4 Days of Nature, Yoga, and Meditation Near Yosemite Valley on Apr 26, 2022
I'm not sure exactly what I was looking for, but I know my expectations were met and then exceeded. The location, the people, the food, everything was just incredible. I was ready to book my next trip before I left.
By Dacia W for Yoga On and Off the Mat: A Costa Rica Retreat on Mar 10, 2022
DC
This yoga retreat was fabulous. Christie provides excellent yoga instruction. She always gives suggestions for modifications and the use of blocks so that all participants can safely practice. We learned more about the history of yoga and had some group discussion and meditation practices. The large windows in the yoga room allowed us to enjoy the outdoors and even watch a family of monkeys during one of our practices. RipJack Inn is an excellent location for this type of retreat. The grounds are lovely and the yoga studio is spacious and comfortable. The restaurant is lovely and the food amazing! The staff at RipJack are a wonderful group of people who served our high energy group with kindness and professionalism. The beach is just a short stroll away and there are beautiful shells to check. The sunsets are amazing! RipJack provided boogie boards and beach chairs at no charge. I have already put next year’s retreat on my calendar.
By Deborah C for Yoga On and Off the Mat: A Costa Rica Retreat on Mar 09, 2022
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