Mind-Body Retreat

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

December 2-8, 2023

Your days

Mornings

Awaken each morning to the gentle sounds of the jungle wildlife as you start your day. Grab a cup of coffee or light breakfast before your morning yoga practice in a studio surrounded by the jungle, overlooking the ocean. If you want to participate in yoga, it will be all-level alignment-based class. Beginners welcome! We will work on different parts of our bodies and build up the practice over the course of the week.

Feel free to opt-out of the yoga practice if you wish. Perhaps what your body need is extra sleep and a luxurious walk along the beach with a cup of coffee. Or sunrise swim in the warm ocean. 

Whatever you choose, our morning activities will always be followed by a delicious breakfast with the group.

Afternoons

During the day, feel free to participate as much or little as you like in all the offerings.

For a more relaxing experience... 

  • lounge by the pool

  • enjoy lunch at one of the restaurants (included in the retreat cost)

  • relax at the beach

  • go for a jungle hike

  • take advantage of the spa's massages and other services

  • enjoy complimentary boogie boards and stand up paddle boards in the warm Pacific Ocean

  • take out a kayak to explore the gorgeous mangrove estuary

  • marvel at baby turtles hatching!

  • or simply relax.

For those who like adventures, there's also many optional activities such as…

  • ziplining

  • horseback riding

  • tree climbing

  • waterfall rappelling

  • wildlife watching

  • and more!

Evenings

Early-evenings, we will gather for a workshop focused on self-care and rejuvenation, including (but not limited to) restorative yoga practice, meditation, health and wellness discussions, journaling, etc.  

After a delicious dinner with the group, you may be star-gazing, relaxing in jacuzzi, or enjoying conversation with new and old friends.

Daily Schedule

Generally speaking, our daily schedule will look like this though it is subject to adjustment

depending on jet lag, temperature, everyone’s energy level, etc.

12/2 (Sat)

Afternoon: Arrival

5pm-ish: Welcome/post-travel unwinding yoga session

7pm: Dinner + Opening circle

12/3 (Sun)

7-9am: coffee & breakfast

9-11am: Morning yoga practice

Noon: Lunch

1-4pm: Free time

4-6pm: Afternoon session

7pm: Dinner

12/4 (Mon)

7-9am: coffee & breakfast

9-11am: Morning yoga practice

Noon: Lunch

1-4pm: Free time

4-6pm: Afternoon session

7pm: Dinner

12/5 (Tue)

EXCURSION/RELAXATION DAY (unless you want to go to the National Park,

you can decide what you want to do once you arrive)

12/6 (Wed)

7-9am: coffee & breakfast

9-11am: Morning yoga practice

Noon: Lunch

1-4pm: Free time

4-6pm: Afternoon session

7pm: Dinner

12/7 (Thu)

7-9am: coffee & breakfast

9-11am: Morning yoga practice

Noon: Lunch

1-4pm: Free time

4-6pm: Afternoon session

7pm: Dinner

12/8 (Fri) 

Departure day (we may have an early morning session depending on everyone’s schedule)

Suggested Packing List

Essentials:

  • Passport (valid for at least six months after your arrival into Costa Rica) 

  • Credit Card: Visa, MasterCard. Credit Cards are welcomed throughout the country

  • Cash – U.S. Dollars are readily and cheerily accepted throughout Costa Rica

  • Flashlights – or use your phone. Headlamps for anyone hoping to go on a night hike. Phones with flashlight apps are great for around the lodge, but not if you are going to explore a river in the dark looking for poisonous night snakes.

Clothing:

  • 1 pair of long pants (you can use these on the airplane, as a cover up for sunburn, and you may want to hike in them, although most people prefer to hike in shorts)

  • 1 long sleeve shirt for sunburn protection

  • Light sweater or jacket (really you just need this for the airplane ride 

  • Shorts/skirts/yoga pants

  • T-shirts, tank tops, casual shirts and/or blouses

  • Swimsuits (the lodge provides sarongs in the rooms that you can use as cover-ups and as beach/pool towels – they dry a lot faster than normal towels.)

Shoes

  • Flip-flops, Tevas or Crocs or combo thereof – any shoes that dry easily are highly recommended

  • Tennis or hiking shoes – chances are whatever you bring will get wet, and some shoes dry better than others

  • 1 -2 pairs of socks

Toiletries

(all items listed below are also generally available in town, in case you forget to bring them, or prefer to travel light)

  • Sunscreen 

  • Bug spray (optional with 15%+ deet) 

  • Advil, any other medications you need

The water in Costa Rica is fine to drink – not like Mexico.

Technical equipment

  • Water Bottle

  • Phone charger

  • Sunglasses

  • Hat

  • Camera (if you need more than iPhone)

  • 1 small day or hip pack for day hikes

  • 1 flashlight per person 

  • Binoculars for birders and avid jungle enthusiasts 

  • Ziploc baggies to keep things dry – If you bring snacks… studies show that even double bagging in ziplocs sometimes won’t keep the bugs out – (persistent little guys!)

  • Dry bags if you are planning on doing a lot of hiking up rivers or kayaking (most kayak companies provide these)

  • A mask and snorkel if you would like to enjoy our nearby reef, although you can buy cheap versions in town. 

  • Iguana Lodge provides beach and pool sarongs & sand mats

Retreat-related

  • Yoga strap (if you have one). The lodge has yoga mats and blocks but not too many straps. If you prefer to use your own mat, please bring your own

  • Journal and pen