What to Bring

• Passport

• Light colored sun-protective clothing and hat

• Sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Swimsuit and Beach towel

• Journal and pen

• Water bottle

• Flashlight or headlamp

• Bug Spray

• Mala if you have one

• Small bills (USD and Colones are accepted in Costa Rica) for gratuities or for local crafts 

• Your voice, experienced or not

• Optional: Musical instruments:  Guitar, ukulele, flute, portable keyboard, drums, etc.

The Climate

We will be in Costa Rica during the dry season, so unless you plan to venture into cloud forests, you will not need rain gear.

It is usually hot and sunny during the day and warm at night. Occasionally this time of year there are periods of strong winds.

Communication

Unless you have an international calling plan, you will likely have extra charges on your bill if you use data or cell service in Costa Rica.  Check with your provider for more information. We highly recommend using What’sApp, a free app that you can download for use while you are connected to wifi.  The majority of the locals and businesses use WhatsApp for communication

Spanish is the first language in Costa Rica and English is the second. In Nosara there are more English speakers than in many places; however many Costa Ricans (Ticos) do not speak English.

Location, Travel & Directions

Embody Costa Rica is located in the mountain town of Atenas, Costa Rica. It is only a 20 minute drive from the San Jose Airport.

Transport to Embody Costa Rica is included in your stay if you arrive on the first day of the retreat and depart on the final day of the retreat. Transportation is not included on other days.

Go to the Waze app and type in Embody Costa Rica, Atenas and the pin will appear with the exact location.

A valid and up to date passport from your home country is needed to enter Costa Rica if you are not a Costa Rican citizen.

There is a $29 departure tax payable at either San José or Liberia airport before exiting Costa Rica.  It can be paid in US dollars, Costa Rican Colones or with a credit card

We don’t recommend renting a car for this retreat, but if you choose to rent a car from the airport, there are many options, Alamo, Budget, Economy, etc. These sites can be found online by googling them + San Jose, Costa Rica. If you rent a car we recommend you reserve your car when you purchase your airline tickets and confirm all car rental costs for what exactly is included. You can save some $$ by consulting with your credit card company (AmEx has a good program) regarding car rental insurance. Bear in mind that car rental costs in Costa Rica often do not reflect the insurance fees you may be assessed at the rental counter.  Even with credit card insurance waivers you will still be required to purchase some form of insurance if you rent a car.

A valid and up to date passport from your home country is needed to enter Costa Rica if you are not a Costa Rican citizen.

There is a $29 departure tax payable at either San José or Liberia airport before exiting Costa Rica.  It can be paid in US dollars, Costa Rican Colones or with a credit card

Important: If you do indeed decide to rent a car and travel to other locations in Costa Rica besides Embody Costa Rica, we recommend a 4X4 or SUV due to the rough roads.

What’s Included

• All vegetarian and organic when possible meals provided by Embody Costa Rica through the duration of the retreat

• All program sessions including, yoga, mantra, music and other mindfulness based community practices 

• Use of a beautiful program space with a labyrinth, yoga shala with yoga mats and props, commercial kitchen, outdoor showers, & outdoor lounge/dining area

• The beautiful accommodations that you selected when booking the retreat

• Cacao ceremony

• Breathtaking views of the jungle

• Time in nature to unwind and connect back to mother earth

• ˆWalking Tour of the Farmers Market

• Day Beach Trip to the Pacific Ocean

• Waterfall Hike & Swim

• Special Guest Teacher Classes with DTO & Hemalayaa

• Transportation within the designated window of time from airport to Embody Costa Rica

Excluded expenses:

• Airfare to Costa Rica

• Transportation outside of the designated window of time from airport to Embody Costa Rica

• Any meals outside of Embody Costa Rica

• Travel insurance (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)

• Costa Rica departure tax

• Additional shuttles to town

• Healing Arts Treatments

We HIGHLY recommend that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel insurance companies like TRAVEL GUARD or insuremytrip.com offer policies that insure your investment in case you need to cancel (including “cancel for any reason” coverages), coverages for expenses incurred due to to weather & travel delays, personal property loss and emergency travel medical.  Please review policies carefully to choose the coverage you need.