Hello dear ones,
So happy to welcome you on retreat, into this really beautiful space we'll share together for a week!
Whenever you get a chance to familiarize yourself with the info below, that would be great. I know it’s can seem like a lot of logistics. Take it slow, know I am here to help if you have questions! Blue Osa and this retreat are worth is x 1000! :)
Join the whats app group!
A fun way to start connecting, and makes it easier to communicate as we are traveling and get closer to being there :)
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Iad8zWyP4goFyeOyip1XSd
2. Book Your Travel!
You definitely don't have to do this today, but you can! I recommend by November, as prices can go up.
Arrival and Departure Times
Retreat begins Saturday February 3rd at 3pm with a stretchy yoga class to decompress from travel, and land HERE!
If it works best for you to arrive later on Saturday with your travel plans, that is fine. We do encourage you to be there by 3pm on Saturday if possible but please do what works for you.
Retreat ends with a Friday night closing dinner.
Book your flight or travel home or to your next destination for Saturday February 10th
Travel to Costa Rica: Fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport / SJO.
Fly from SJO on Sansa Airlines to Puerto Jiminez. 45 minute flight on www.flysansa.com
Resort staff will pick you up from Puerto Jiminez, and it's a 20 minute ride to the resort. This is included in retreat.
Sansa flights operate during daylight between 6AM and 3 or 4PM.
Depending on where you are coming from, you can:
1. Fly in on Friday and stay Friday night in San Jose and then fly in the morning to Puerto Jiminez.
Recommended hotels near the airport:
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari Costa Rica. A lot of people stay here and it works great. It's near the airport, with a pool and hot tub, and a great place to arrive and decompress. If you're looking for a place to just arrive and relax, this is it. 5 min ride to airport, with shuttle.
Alajuela City Hotel in Alajuela - This is a boutique hotel with only about 10 rooms, and is run by a sweet expat midwestern lady. It's beautiful and has kind of old style architecture, they are reliably there at the front desk whenever you arrive, and are just really kind and consistent. If you're arriving a little earlier in the day, and want to walk around a very local neighborhood, I like it here. I feel safe here, but worth noting it is very local, there's not a lot of white people, urban working class Costa Rica. There are a couple good restaurants with a couple blocks. 10 minute ride to airport, you need to get a taxi.
If you are traveling alone, and plan to arrive Friday night, please know there will be others in San Jose, and you can absolutely meet up with the group! I recommend waiting until early December to book your hotel, as the group will be in communication by then, and can decide where to stay. Of course if you want solo time, please do that :)
Or 2. Fly overnight on Friday, land at SJO on Saturday morning, and take short flight in the morning. Local flights start very early in the morning.
Or 3. If you're coming from the East Coast or Colorado, you can fly in on Saturday! That is easiest.
You are welcome to arrive early to Blue Osa on Saturday.
It's likely your room will be ready, and if it's not there are plenty of places to relax on site. Including at the beach / pool!
3. Enter Your Correct Info Here!
Please make sure your phone number, flight info and food preferences are added to this doc.
The entire menu will be plant-based, and mostly-gluten free. Gluten free options will always be available.
For those who eat / want animal protein, eggs are offered with breakfast at 9:30am. And 3 nights of the retreat animal protein, either fish or chicken will be offered, along side a vegetarian dish.
4. Packing
*note here bringing a headlamp or flashlight and bug spray.
Journal / notebook and a couple pens.
Any medications or supplements you regularly take.
Anything medical and specific you might need, like an epipen.
Electrolytes! Highly recommend for adjusting to the heat, and staying hydrated. Nuun tablets are great.
Razors, tampons, any cosmetics you like to have. They have shampoo and soap there, not conditioner.
Hat / sun hat.
Water bottle. Also available for purchase on-site.
Rain jacket.
Overall, I recommend lightweight clothing. We are in the tropics, and I personally enjoy wearing clothes that are loose and breathable. Of course bring whatever you feel comfortable in :)
No need to bring a yoga mat, they have nice mats here!
Optional Additional Items:
A good book.
Art supplies for afternoons relaxing/ drawing / painting.
Surfing - watershoes recommended for walking out to the surf spot if you want. Optional to bring a shirt - either a rashguard type of shirt, or a lightweight wetsuit top. The water is very warm! This is more for protecting your body. I wear a one-piece swimsuit and that works for me but in case you want more padding.
As a personal recommendation, I recommend boosting your immunity before travel, and bringing immune boosting supplements with you. This immunity mushroom blend by My Community is what I take and recommend. I am not a doctor, so please be sure to check with your doctor to make sure this would work for you. I also recommend bringing vitamin C and Echinacea with you.
I really enjoy having electrolyte powders, especially in hot weather. Cranberry Trace Minerals is my favorite brand and flavor.
5. Please make sure you have an updated passport!
That doesn't expire less than 6 months before the travel date.
6. Retreat Balance due by December 15th.
Simply logon to the www.wetravel.com site to pay. Thank you!!
7. Consider Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is highly recommended in case of unforseen circumstances that prevent you from being able to join. https://www.travelexinsurance.com/
8. Practice Yoga! (not a to-do list item :)
It’s a great idea to get in the flow of practice at least twice / week leading up to the retreat.
9. Book recommendations for retreat:
The Call of the Wild, Kimberly Johnson
World as Lover, World as Self, Joanna Macy
Some of my others favorites are:
The Artist’s Way, Julia Cameron
No Time Like the Present, Jack Kornfield
Anatomy of the Spirit, Caroline Myss
Start Where You Are, Pema Chodron