Surfing & Spiritual Synergy
Costa Rica Retreat
Week of March
Dominical, Costa Rica
Email:
Address:
500 Terry Francine Street
San Francisco, CA 94158
Date of Birth:
March 14th, 1984
The Retreat
I've teamed up with local Surf Teacher, Debbie Zec from Dominical Surf School to create this amazing travel opportunity! 12 individuals who are ready to be transformed by six days on the Costa Rica shores and be immersed in a piece of paradise. Hills filled with tropical jungle and exotic wildlife start right from the shore where you are surrounded gorgeous beaches. Stunning waterfalls and natural beauty to explore will set the tone for the week of balancing a the art of surfing and diving deeper into your own spiritual wellness. In a time where we often forget to feed our faith and need to connect with the Creator, this time will allow us to focus on both inward and outward peace and restoration while experiencing the ocean in a new way!
Accomodations
Villas Rio Mar, Dominical
Relax in nature, in the comfort of your beautiful bungalow, where you will have the opportunity to spot monkeys, iguanas, toucans, hummingbirds and scarlet macaws right outside your terrace! There are 2 options for accommodation, shared and private.​
​
The rooms at Villas Rio Mar Eco hotel are large and comfortable. Located on the banks of River Baru, in walking distance from the Village of Dominical. All rooms feature a terrace, patio with seating area and private bathroom, air conditioning, ceiling fans, TV, free WiFi and refrigerators. The property offers a garden and 2 outdoor swimming pools. The hotel has a restaurant along with a wet bar serving cocktails. Guests can enjoy tennis courts, mini golf, tour planning services, and more. ​
Only a 10min walk to the beach!
Meals
Breakfast is served daily from 7am to 9 am.​
A delicious combination of typical Costa Rican style breakfast with many other goodies like pastries, pancakes, fresh fruits…etc.​
5 dinners will be included à la carte from the hotel group's menu (main course, dessert, nonalcoholic drink).​
2 dinners outside the hotel will be not included. ​
Lunch is not included, and will be eaten in the town each day at a variety of places available.
Activities
Your package includes a tour to the famous Nauyaca waterfalls, one of our favorite (of many) waterfalls in the area.
​
There will also be 2 yoga classes included. Depending on tides we will be using Danyasa Yoga at 6.30pm or Rockstar Yoga at 8.00am.
​
There is a 60 min full-body massage included, after a few days of surfing, you will love this!
​
Besides these planned activities, there’s a list of possibilities that you can try during your free time, like paragliding, SUP in the mangroves, Bird watching, Zip Line, Rafting, Villas Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary and much more.
Never Surfed? Not Spiritual?
This trip meets the needs of your body, mind, and soul by acknowledging where you are and offering the next steps. This is a journey. We never want to be stagnant, but always seek to fill our beings with nourishment!
This customized adventure is an experience where ever you are at in your journey,Â
BEGINNER LESSONS​
In your first class you will learn all the basics of surfing, starting from zero. (No experience needed).
Safety and ocean knowledge, surfing etiquette, positioning on the board, how to paddle, how to stand up properly and how to ride a wave!
After a couple of lessons you will be ready to move to the intermediate class. Intermediate and Advanced classes will help you to work on your skills, timing, positioning and deepen your experience.Â
YOGA CLASSES
Practicing yoga in our beautiful Bamboo Yoga Play studio, and in our specialized outdoor setting will help you to bond deeper with your own flow and connect with the lush rain forest environment.
Every detail is taken care of from the moment that you land at SJO or Quepos Airport to guarantee you a stress-free vacation.
Tentative Itinerary
Saturday - Arrive
The ride from the airport to Dominical is about 3 to 3.5 hrs by car.
private pick-up and drop-off for the group.
Our transportation will be serving two pick-up times from SJO airport on arrival day at 10.00am and 3.00pm. On departure day at 7.00am and at 11.00am.
Times can vary depending on the group necessities.
Dinner
Yoga
Sunday
Surf Lesson
Yoga
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Nauyaca waterfalls waterfall hike
Surf Lesson
Yoga
Surf Lesson
​
Thursday
Diamonte Cave and Waterfall hike
Friday
Surf Lesson
Yoga
Massage
Investment/ Pricing
EARLY BIRD RATE:
Reserve your spot before 9/30/23 with a $200 nonrefundable deposit.
​
Double Occupancy $799 Per Person
​
STANDARD RATE:
Reserve your spot after 8/1/23 with a $200 nonrefundable deposit.​Double Occupancy $925 Per Person​​
​​
PROMOTIONAL RATE:
Previous Retreat Guests of Whole Image Wellness or Empower Yoga Retreats save $100 off the Early Bird Rate when you book before 8/31/23. Contact Melissa for your Promotional Coupon Code.
​
If you are traveling alone we will pair you with another traveler of the same gender.
What's Included
6 Days and 5 Nights stay with Breakfast and Dinner, transportation to and from the San Jose airport, 5 surf lessons, 2 yoga classes, waterfall hike, theraputic massage,
Surfing Classes
Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.
Yoga Classes
Water Fall Excusion
Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.
Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.
Water Fall Excusion
Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.
Terms & Conditions
To sign up for this retreat, a non-refundable $200 deposit is required. Your deposit is applied toward your retreat rate. There are two payment plan options available: Plan A Make 4 equal & automatic payments (August 30, October 30, November 30, February 28.) ​ Plan B Make 2 payments via invoice. Invoices are due within one week of receipt. Invoices will be sent October 1 and December 1, 2023. ​ You can pay in full at checkout or choose the deposit only option. If paying via deposit, please indicate which payment plan you prefer. ​​ ALL payments are non-refundable. Therefore, Trip Insurance is REQUIRED. You can purchase trip insurance through Travel Insured, World Nomads, Nationwide or the company of your choice. We recommend purchasing your trip insurance at the time of deposit. ​​ Reservation is not complete until Retreat Contract is signed and returned. This contract is accessible from the checkout page when you book, and will also be emailed to you. You can sign online.
About Me
Retreat Leader, Melissa Hardy
After 23 years of Teaching and Coaching with Private and Public schools, I joined a team of Early Childhood Specialists contracted by the Federal Government to work with Early Childhood programs across our region. That means I am traveling to 8 states in the southeast area regularly. Having a job where I travel more is so rewarding to me. I love exploring new places. Many of my trainings and work with schools right now focus on Staff Wellness, and overcoming behaviors we find challenging.
In my previous retreat, I focused on Creating Inner Zen, and the spiritual conversations that flowed so naturally became a part of what I'd like to continue going forward. As a single mother of four, I've been committed to raising children who appreciate the beautiful land we live on and respecting all of nature. We have traveled all over the US as a family and I share many of our intricate itineraries on my webpage: savvysinglemamatravels.com
FAQ
How much wildlife is there?
​
Kirkridge is nestled in the amazing Kittatinny Ridge. With all the beauty of nature comes bugs and wildlife, too. Please have bugspray (including tick repellent), and know that we do have deer and small creatures (with a rare bear sighting). Enjoy seeing them graze in the morning, but please don’t feed or approach the wildlife. If you see a rattlesnake, give it at least 10 feet of space and alert others of its presence before calmly walking away. Â
​
​
What housekeeping items are provided?
​
Our housekeeping staff works hard on delivering excellent service. This includes providing each bed with a flat sheet, fitted sheet, towel, and washcloth. We also have extra blankets for those cold nights (2 blankets on each twin bed and some rooms have an extra blanket in the dresser).
​
​
What hygiene products are provided?
​​​
​
What should I Bring? ​
Original passport. No photocopies, no color copies. Must be your original passport that is not expired and will not expire during your time in Costa Rica.
No foreign transaction fee credit card. My Chase Sapphire Preferred card is a fantastic travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees and many other travel benefits. Make sure to bring two with one as a back up. Also AMEX is not as widely accepted so bring a Visa card (the most widely accepted).
Travel insurance. Highly recommended especially now we know due to the pandemic that anything can happen! Check Safety Wing or Visitors Coverage to find the one that fits your needs.
Your return flight ticket out of Costa Rica within 90 days of your entry (tourist visas are for 90 days). This can be printed or saved on your phone) to show to immigration if they ask.
Hotels, tours, car rentals and flight reservations (printed or saved on your phone)Â Â Â
Packing ListÂ
At the beach where daytime temperatures reach up to 95 F (35 C) with high humidity, your wardrobe will consist of shorts, tank tops, tshirts and flip flops. In the city where daytime temperatures are around 78 F (25 C), we recommend closed toed shoes, long pants and a light jacket or sweater.
One pair of trail/ hiking sneakers or sandals
Beach Gear (no wet suits required)
Sun glasses/ Sun screen/ sun hat
Long-sleeve running shirt or jacket (light weight)
Running shorts or running capris or light tights
Running socks
Running cap or visor
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Running Watch
Water proof bag for belongings or water proof case for your phone/ water camera
Yoga Clothes (1 or 2 pairs)
​
​
Let's Get
Social
