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YOUR ADVENTURE AT AT A GLANCE
Enter a world full of wonders and discover why National Geographic Magazine calls Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula "the most biologically intense place on Earth". Hike verdant trails to cascading waterfalls, discover the Corcovado National Park teaming with exotic wildlife, stay in a beautiful beachfront ecolodge, eat fresh delicious foods and let yourself be enchanted by Mother Nature's intense beauty.
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INTO THE WILDS OF THE OSA
The pristine rainforests and rugged natural beauty of the Osa Peninsula make this region among the most beautiful areas in Costa Rica. Declared "the most biologically intense place on earth" by National Geographic Magazine, the Osa Peninsula has become the premier eco-tourism destination in the country. The Osa Peninsula is a secluded nature wonderland, playing home to many of the country’s rare and endangered animal and bird species, including squirrel monkeys, jaguars, and other forest cats. With a large chunk of the Peninsula forming the Corcovado National Park, this area has the single largest expanse of a lowland tropical rainforest in Central America and is one of the tallest rainforests in the world. The area hosts more than 375 bird species, a fourth of Costa Rica's tree species and more than 5000 vascular plant species, many of which are found nowhere else on earth.
It is here, in the most lush and verdant part of the country, that your exciting meditation and forest bathing escape will begin. Encounter all four species of monkeys, tropical birds like toucans and macaws and if you're lucky, you might even see a wildcat or two! Come dive into this wild and pristine setting for a full week of ADVENTURE, RELAXATION, and MEDITATION with Kristina! You'll absolutely LOVE it! —just don’t blame us if you start daydreaming about moving to Costa Rica!
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DAILY BREAKDOWN
Below is a detailed outline of the itinerary. Kristina will be adding her unique touch to make your experience even more exceptional. Additional information about her specific activities will be shared later in a Zoom call for those who choose to join the retreat. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
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DAY 1 // SATURDAY
Bienvenido! Once you arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José (airport code SJO), Costa Rica’s capital city, you’ll be greeted by our driver who will take you to your hotel. You will be situated in a quiet town located on the outskirts of San José proper. You’ll have the rest of your day free to relax by the pool or to venture out either into the capital city or nearby in the small town of Alajuela located just a few minutes away from your hotel by taxi.
If you arrive early enough, try a fun coffee tour or perhaps simply wandering around with your camera in hand to photograph the many museums, markets and scenic areas around town. Stop by the National Theatre, Gold Museum or visit the many local markets. Once at the hotel, you can meet up with Kristina and the others for your first group dinner tonight, a great way to get to know each other before heading out to the Osa tomorrow!
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Included meals: None
Recommended optional activities ($): Cafe Britt tour. Contact www.coffetour.com for details. Want to visit San José? Grab a taxi or Uber to get there. Want to explore closer to the hotel? Visit Alajuela which also has wonderful churches and markets. The staff at reception will be happy to help you coordinate your extra time in town.
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DAY 2 // SUNDAY
Bright and early in the morning after a complimentary breakfast join Kristina and the rest of the group on a scenic flight to the small town of Puerto Jimenez on the Osa. This flight is very much part of the whole adventure as you soar over the lush rainforest canopy, flowing rivers and mangroves and see impressive sites like the famous Whale’s Tale in Uvita! Get your camera ready to photograph Costa Rica from the sky!
Upon landing in the small town of Puerto Jimenez, you will be welcomed by Martine, your Rainforest Adventure host for the week. Together, we’ll make a quick stop at a local grocery store to pick up any last minute items before taking our four-wheel transport through the rainforest all the way to your beautiful ecolodge OJO DEL MAR on Matapalo beach. Matapalo is a fun little oceanfront community known for its great surfing beaches!
On this short drive, Martine will start introducing you to the local wildlife. Maybe you'll see monkeys! There are 4 species of monkeys in Costa Rica and all 4 can only be found here in the Osa! We consider the transfer to your lodge to be your first tour of the trip, so get ready as your full immersion into the rainforest is about to begin!
When we arrive at Ojo Del Mar, there will be a short welcome orientation followed by a delicious lunch, and you'll have the afternoon free to unpack, check out the property, the pool or beach and enjoy your new home away from home!
At the end of the afternoon, we invite you to unwind with your first opening circle and with Kristina followed by our delicious welcome dinner under the moon and stars.
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Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Domestic Flights: 160 USD - Approximately 45 minutes in duration, with an additional 40-minute drive to the ecolodge. The cost of the flight is extra and will be added to the price of your package.
Included activity: Opening circle and grounding meditation with Kristina in our fully equipped yoga room.
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DAY 3 // MONDAY
Start the day early with a bite at the breakfast buffet, grab some tea or coffee, and head to a morning meditation session to revitalize your body and soul. We then invite you to a hearty breakfast.
Once finished, get into your hiking shoes and we'll take a trek through the neighbourhood to discover and photograph all of the indigenous fruits, flowers, and of course local wildlife! Today we are headed down to “Matapalo” where many of the monkeys can easily be found hanging around, sleeping and playing. We will be showing you around the neighbourhood pointing out all of the local hot spots where you can spot wildlife in the early morning and late afternoons when the animals are feeding.
Bring a snack and enjoy some fun time at the beach before heading back to the lodge for a delicious lunch.
You’ll then have the chance to relax at the beach, swim in the ocean, or enjoy the hotel’s amenities like unwinding by the pool,. At the end of the afternoon, as the sun sets, those who wish can explore more and observe other wildlife on a guided evening hike. Remember, animals are often more active early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Just before sunset, join Kristina on our beautiful platform for another enriching session. More details about these sessions will be shared with those who join our fun little group via Zoom. Get ready for some magical moments!
In the evening, we will sit together for a delicious family style dinner. Perhaps you’ll be interested in checking out what the chef is making? Enter the open-air kitchen to learn about Costa Rican fare and other local dishes!
After dinner, if you still have enough energy, we’ll whisk you away on a short guided night hike around the property to explore the vibrant nightlife! As the sun sets and the stars twinkle above, you’ll have the chance to spot fascinating creatures that come alive after dark. Get ready to embrace the sounds of the jungle and discover the enchanting world that unfolds under the moonlight! You’ll soon realize there’s nothing to fear—just the thrill of adventure and the beauty of nature waiting to be uncovered.
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Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included tours: AM meditation session + Morning hike to Matapalo + Sunset session with Kristina + Night hike for those interested
Approx. hike time: Morning hike - 4 hours easy walking including some time at the beach. Night hike is approx one hour and is done slowly around the property.
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DAY 4 // TUESDAY
Join us early in the morning for a relaxing meditation session or an optional bird and wildlife watching excursion. After a hearty breakfast, we’ll venture back into the forest! Note that today, we’ll be walking in the water! This river excursion is for those who enjoy a bit of everything: adventure mixed with swimming and hiking!
After all the excitement and activities, the afternoon will be dedicated to relaxation: enjoy the beach and ocean, or get lost in a good book in a hammock. Still have energy? Participate in one of our many optional activities or treat yourself to a soothing body massage using techniques to relax your muscles and revitalize your mind.
Sunset classes will be on the agenda throughout your stay. This evening, after dinner, we invite you to experience meditation and a sound bath that will surely send you to bed completely relaxed and ready for a good night’s sleep.
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Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included tours: AM session + Hike to waterfall + Sunset session + Sound bathing meditation
Approx. hike time: 4 hours in total including moderate hike through a river and time at the waterfall.
Optional tours ($): Morning excursion (45 USD), surfing (65 USD), massages (cost varies by type and duration of the massage).
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DAY 5 // WEDNESDAY
After your daily meditation session followed by a good breakfast, we offer you the opportunity to join us for a fun adventure or stay behind and enjoy a free day.
If you choose to stay back, you can enjoy the beach, the pool and of course try any of our local optional tours.
If you prefer to explore today and discover more of this amazing Peninsula with us, we invite you to Bosque Del Cabo, a nearby property that is home to an abundant array of wildlife. Because of it’s location, size and history, Bosque Del Cabo has become a real haven for many of the local animals. Here it is possible to see more wildlife than anywhere else on the Osa! Not to mention amazing breathtaking views of the ocean and the shoreline from over 300 feet above sea level.
Go on a hike to discover volcanic rocks at low tide or cross a suspension bridge in the rainforest canopy where we have a surprise for you! We will return to Ojo Del Mar in the early afternoon, giving you time to rest and relax before we meet again for our next session with Kristina, followed by another fun group dinner.
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Included meals: Breakfast, lunch at Ojo Del Mar or Bosque Del Cabo and dinner at Ojo Del Mar.
Included activity: Hike to Bosque Del Cabo. This hike is subject to availability at the lodge. If not available, we will suggest an alternative activity of equal value and excitement. Morning and sunset session with Kristina.
Approx. hike time: 3 - 4 hours easy to moderate
Transportation: Included for Bosque del Cabo
Optional activities ($): Massage or other.
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DAY 6 // THURSDAY
What would you like to do today? The choice is yours. Enjoy a beach day, go hiking in the famous Corcovado National Park, or join us at Luna Lodge at the end of the road in Carate!
If you prefer a free day, stay in Matapalo and savor the tranquility.
Or perhaps you’d like something a bit more luxurious and wild? In that case, we’ll head to the small coastal village of Carate, located at the end of the road leading to Corcovado National Park. We’ll enter gold panning territory as we follow the Carate River to one of the most stunning lodges in the area: Luna Lodge.
Perched in the jungle canopy, Luna Lodge offers a unique rainforest experience. Relax with a massage in their open-air spa, climb to the yoga platform for incredible views of the surrounding forest, or stroll through the gardens photographing flowers, birds, and other wonders. You can also sip a margarita by the pool and listen to the sounds of nature all around you.
Kristina will guide you through a meditation session with breathtaking views from Luna’s platform, high above the canopy.
If you choose to join us in Carate today, we’ll stop by the beach for a swim in the late afternoon and enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Pacific Ocean. We’ll return in time for another delicious dinner. Although it’s our last night on the Osa together, many adventures await us still!
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Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Ojo Del Mar.
Excursions included: Visit to Luna Lodge (add 15 USD if you want dinner) - minimum of 6 people. A hike in Corcovado National Park can also be added at no extra cost, depending on the group's interest.
Transportation: The cost will be divided based on the number of participants, with a maximum of 70 USD per person for the round trip to and from Ojo Del Mar.
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DAY 7 // FRIDAY
Save the best for last! This is one of our favourite days on the Osa, even though it's our last. We start the day with an incredible optional boat trip on the famous Golfo Dulce, one of the world's deepest tropical fjords! This protected body of water is home to three species of dolphins, turtles and even whale sharks! Experience the authentic beauty of the Pacific and see wildlife like you've never seen before. Don't want to do the boat tour? You can stay on land and spend the day discovering the small town of Puerto Jimenez. Or you can visit one of our favourite restaurants in town for a relaxing morning by the pool. There is also plenty of time to photograph the flower-filled grounds and views of the Golfo Dulce. We'll meet back here for lunch after the tour.
Later in the afternoon you can try your hand at ziplining! Don't feel like ziplining? No problem, join us for lunch or take some time to photograph the small and picturesque town of Puerto Jimenez.
The group will reunite for the domestic flight back to San José later in the afternoon. On arrival, a shuttle will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Here you will meet for your last fun group dinner.
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Included meals: Breakfast only today. Lunch will be extra in a local restaurant that offers you varied options and prices. Same for dinner in San José.
Optional activities ($): Dolphin boat tour (150USD per person or receive it for free if you book your spot early!) Zip lining tour (price based on the number of participants.)
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DAY 8 // SATURDAY
Enjoy a delicious complimentary breakfast at the hotel and say farewell! Actually, with us it's never goodbye, it's just "see you later"! Transfer to the international airport for your flight, or enjoy more of San José if you have time to explore!
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Included meal: Breakfast
QUESTIONS?
Contact info@rrescape.com to join our fun retreat! Experience a unique journey in the heart of the most impressive and lush rainforest in Central America!
If you have a Q, we have an A.
NOTE that the schedule and the price of the activities listed above are subject to change and some optional tours are only available with a minimum number of participants. Contact us for more details.
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