This post is a little bit different than what I normally do on my blogs but I wanted to show exactly what goes into planning a wellness retreat and what to expect on one of my retreats. For anyone who has never been on a wellness retreat or someone who may be a little skeptical about booking one, this might help navigate the waters. First thing, all retreats are not created equal. Most retreat facilitators have a niche and the retreat theme or itinerary closely adheres to that niche. Some facilitators are trained in different types of yoga for instance (Vinyasa, Hatha, Kundalini, Yin, to name a few). Some facilitators are health coaches and focus on changing behaviors and helping participants create new habits. And others facilitate a more specialized retreat such as Ayahuasca, surfing, adventure, or meditation.

We are just a short walk from the most incredible volcanic mud. This stuff will make your skin feel like silk.

Let me start by saying that I think every single one of those retreats sounds fantastic and I’m sure would be as incredible as it sounds. My retreats looks a little different in that they are really focused on balance. What does that mean? Specifically, it means I don’t like to hyperfocus on just one element. I like to create experiences that are rich in all aspects of healthy living including fitness, mindfulness, whole and delicious food, adventure, and mostly fun!

We just returned from the beautiful Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. Costa Rica doesn’t really have summer and winter but they have a rainy and dry season and January is just about the perfect time to visit. Not only that, it’s also the perfect time for a retreat that will reset you and put you in a healthier frame of mind. It’s a great chance to connect with nature, other people, and most of all, yourself.

Starting out the trip arriving in San Jose International Airport in Costa Rica, there’s a very short walk from the international terminal to the domestic terminal. The domestic flight to Puerto Jimenez is definitely an experience in and of itself. You arrive at the desk where all your luggage (including your body) will be weighed to make sure they plane is not overloaded. They recommend you travel with no more than 40 lbs luggage total. You will go through the security and wait for your plane to board. Did I mention that the boarding passes are laminated and are recycled every time. Meaning that the boarding passes are reused every time.

Epic sunrises are my absolute favorite part of Blue Osa.

After a beautiful but sometimes scary 45 minute ride in the 12-seater Sansa plane, you will arrive in Puerto Jimenez. This tiny airport is situation right next to a graveyard and if you blink, you will miss the airport “terminal” but Blue Osa’s transportation will be waiting for you with a sign and smile. From there, you will be taken on a 30-40 minute ride to paradise. Because Blue Osa is nestled in the rainforest, you won’t even know you’ve arrived until the driver gets out to open the gate. From there, you are home for the next 7 days.

A welcome cocktail party awaits you with a delicious and freshly made sangria while you meet and greet with other guests. This is a great opportunity to get to know everyone including your hosts! I love this part…the getting to know you part. It’s so fun hearing everyone’s story and connecting with them. Following the cocktail party is your first experience with the incredible cuisine of Blue Osa. They have something different every night and it’s always incredible, fresh, clean, and satisfying.

I love to finish off night one with a group activity to inspire connection before heading to bed. I’ve learned from doing this for awhile that I don’t always deeply connect with everyone on my retreats especially the big groups, but my hope is that every single person will connect with at least someone on the retreat. Connection is always a huge component of my retreats.

Our days start with the incredible sounds of nature alongside the most beautiful sunrise your eyes will ever see. Morning silence is taken very seriously at Blue Osa because it gives you the opportunity for introspection and self-reflection. You can journal, meditate, and just soak it all in. Coffee is ready at 5 am so you can enjoy your cup of coffee in peace. Breakfast is served at 7:30 am when the Tibetan prayer is played in the shala. Once the prayer is over, it signifies that morning silence is over. This is a great time to chat with your fellow retreat guests.

After breakfast, we will have a morning practice. This active practice will usually be a vinyasa style yoga class or a mat Pilates class. It will get you energized for the day ahead. The rest of the morning will be optional group activities, leisure time, beach hanging, or spa time. Sundays are usually the days where the guests will sign up for their spa treatments, excursions, and generally get the lay of the land. Lunch is served at 12:30 and the afternoon is free. I like to incorporate a movement class in the afternoon around 4 pm. This can be anything from water aerobics in the pool to HIIT or cardio dance. There’s always a variety of classes to enjoy.

Connection is key feature of my retreats.

There’s just enough time to shower and clean up before dinner is served at 6:30 pm. I love the way Blue Osa does their dinner time. One of the incredible chefs tells us everything we are going to eat for the evening and it is followed by a beautiful prayer by either Henry, Alex, or Carlos. The evening prayer before dinner never ceases to inspire me and usually brings me to tears.

After we dine together, some make their way to the beautiful yoga shala where we will have an evening meditation or restorative yoga practice. This gentle practice will get our guests ready for bed (some even fall asleep during the practice).

The next day we begin another day of adventure. Excursions can include hiking, waterfall rappelling, horseback riding, kayaking, zip lining, dolphin watching, animal sanctuary visit, chocolate tour, and much more. There’s so much to see and do and I guarantee you won’t want to leave.

Join us for our next adventure in the Osa Peninsula January 20-27, 2024! Early bird pricing ends on May 31st.

Learn more