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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 rainforest escape will begin. Encounter all four species of monkeys, tropical birds like toucans and macaws and be surrounded by the largest concentration of wildcats in all of the country! Come and fully immerse yourself in this wild and pristine setting for a full week of adventure, relaxation, and fun!
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DAILY BREAKDOWN
Below is a detailed outline of the itinerary. Julie will be adding her unique touch to make this experience even more exceptional. Additional information about her activities will be provided at a later date to those who choose to join the retreat!
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DAY 1 // SATURDAY
Bienvenido! Once you arrive at the Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José, 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 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 the rest of the group on a scenic domestic 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 RR Escape Adventure Host. 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 by introducing you to the local wildlife. Maybe you'll see our famous scarlet macaws and 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!
Join us before sunset meet at our yoga platform where we will talk about our plan for the week followed by a rejuvinating and restorative yoga session with Julie. Waiting for us next is a yummy 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 restorative yoga session with Julie. We have plenty yoga mats so leave yours at home.
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DAY 3 // MONDAY
Start your day early with a buffet breakfast, along with tea or coffee, before heading to your first morning intuitive dance session. We then invite you to enjoy a hearty, full 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.
After lunch, enjoy free time at the beach or lounge around the property and enjoy the pool or ocean. In the late afternoon, those of you who wish to continue exploring can hike in the area to spot more wildlife. The animals are always more active early am or late in the afternoon!
Just before sunset, join us on our beautiful yoga platform for a practice. Enjoy a gentle and restorative session to realign the mind, body, and soul.
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 take you on a short night hike in and around the property to spot the night action! It’s a whole different perspective from day to night here on the Osa!
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Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included tours: AM session with Julie + Morning hike to Matapalo + PM Session with Julie + 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 heart dance session or an optional bird and wildlife watching excursion. After a hearty breakfast, we will venture back into the forest! Know that today, we will be walking in the water! This excursion on the Carbonara River is for those who enjoy a bit of everything: adventure mixed with swimming and hiking!
The afternoon is yours to relax, enjoy the beach and ocean or just lie back with your magazine or a good book. You can also try one of our many optional activities or enjoy a relaxing massage.
Sunset yoga classes are on the menu every evening with an ocean view. Tonight, after dinner, we invite you to experience our relaxing sound bath activity, which 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 with Julie + Hike to waterfall + Sunset session with Julie + 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), horseback riding (cost varies by route and number of participants). Massages (cost varies by type and duration of the massage).
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DAY 5 // WEDNESDAY
After your daily Heart Dance session followed by a hearty breakfast, we offer you the option to join us for a fun adventure or to stay on-site 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 yoga practice, followed by another fun group dinner.
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Included meals: Breakfast, lunch at 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. Sunset session with Julie.
Approx. hike time: 3 - 4 hours easy to moderate
Transportation: Included for Bosque del Cabo
Optional activities ($): Massage or any other optional tour you may choose today.
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DAY 6 // THURSDAY
What's your pleasure today? It's up to you. Enjoy a day at the beach, hike in the famous Corcovado National Park, or join us at Luna Lodge at the end of the road in Carate!
If a free day is what you’re looking for, stay back and enjoy some peace and quiet in Matapalo.
Or perhaps you would prefer something a little more luxurious and a little more wild? If so, we'll head to the small beach town of Carate, which lies at the end of the road leading to the Corcovado National Park. Here we venture into gold mining territory as we drive up the Carate River to one of the area's most beautiful lodges: Luna Lodge.
Nestled high in the jungle canopy, Luna Lodge offers a very different rainforest experience. Try a relaxing massage in the beautiful spa room, climb up to take in the incredible views of the surrounding rainforest from the stunning yoga platform or simply wander around the gardens photographing flowers, birds and more. You can also sip a margarita by the pool and enjoy the sounds of nature all around you. Julie will lead you in a fun and creative writting activity here as well as some yoga overlooking the breathtaking view from Luna's yoga platform high above the canopy.
If you’ve chosen to join us in Carate today, we’ll stop at the beach for a late afternoon swim and enjoy a spectacular sunset overlooking the pacific ocean. We’ll be back in time for another scrumptious dinner. Although this is our last night on the Osa together, many adventures are still to come!
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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.
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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 photographing 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 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 dance and yoga retreat. Experience a unique adventure in the heart of Central America's most stunning and lush tropical rainforest!
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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