In September 2018, we brought a group to Pura Vida Retreat & Spa in Costa Rica for 7 days of bliss! We had life-changing Yoga classes and Meditations, enjoyed relaxing spa treatments, ventured out on some awe-inspiring excursions, had the opportunity to spend time with a local day care, and learned how to uncover our own happiness within. Along the way we ate amazing food, stayed in a gorgeous resort, and met some of the friendliest people on Earth.

See a glimpse of our trip below...

The group gathered in Miami for an early morning Pre-Flight Mixer with some yummy chocolate ghee spread from Gheelish, a stack of fresh mini pies from Pink Pie, and Prosecco with Elderberry Tonic from Bodhi's Brew. Our guests also received Swag Bags with a tea set from Natural Spices of Grenada, skin care products from Zainabu, and a few other gifts for their trip.

After being shuttled to the airport in a luxury bus, we took off to San José. Our group was greeted in Costa Rica and taken by private shuttle to Pura Vida Retreat & Spa for our 6-night stay. Upon arrival, we received chilled coconuts and a beautiful welcome ceremony before our Restorative Yoga class.

After waking up to a beautiful mountainside rainforest view, we gathered for a morning meditation before breakfast. Then the group was taken to Doka Estate for a tour of one of Costa Rica's oldest coffee mills. We took a stroll through their fields, visited their lush butterfly garden, and learned all about the coffee production process.

When the group arrived back at Pura Vida, we took a tour of the resort's private Herb Garden where we learned to identify edible and medicinal plants from our informative guide, Paulo. The evening closed with a discussion about the day's excursions and a Breath-Centered Yoga class.

The third day of the retreat began with an outdoor meditation before the group was shuttled to La Paz Waterfall Gardens. We hiked the 2-mile trail through a delightful Butterfly Observatory to an animal sanctuary swarming with vivid hummingbirds and on to the cloud forest and sweeping views of 5 stunning waterfalls.

Once back at the retreat, we enjoyed some free time to enjoy the Pura Vida's lush grounds before an enlightening Dharma talk and some invigorating Hatha Yoga. And as always, dinner was absolutely delicious.

This day was all about relaxing and slowing down. The morning began with a gentle relaxing guided meditation before the guests were treated to a complimentary spa treatment of their choice.

We reconnected in the afternoon for a Dharma talk on the importance of rest in achieving bliss. We were then blessed with an amazing journey through sound with Rebeca, who used her quartz crystal singing bowls to cleanse our Auric fields. Following another delicious dinner, we completed our day of rest with some relaxing Yoga Nidra in a serene candle-lit hall.

Following a much needed day of respite, we woke up to a day of fun. After breakfast, we headed over to Sula, an organization began by a few local teenagers that took the initiative to clean up tires and other debris in their own neighborhoods. We painted used tires that Sula collected to be used as tree planters to raise awareness about both tire waste and deforestation. Then we hiked up a dense green trail where we each planted a tree for a future butterfly garden.

After lunch, we all spent some time on something we love to do. The evening ended with some restorative heart opening Yoga and another delicious buffet-style dinner.

The sixth day was about stepping outside of our comfort zones, so we visited Pavas de Carrizal, a nearby day care, to spend time with some local children at social risk. We arrived with school supplies and money to donate, but they surprised us with a huge breakfast and song and dance performances by the students. The kids even made us a painting that we will cherish forever!

On our way back to the resort, we waved to a family that graciously invited us into their yard and offered us fresh guavas from their tree. After lunch, the evening continued with an engaging Dharma talk and some Fearless Flow Yoga that challenged us to face our fears.

The last day opened with a gorgeous sunrise and an outdoor guided meditation. After breakfast we had the final Dharma talk that summarized the enlightening week that we all just experienced. We said our goodbyes to the loving resort staff and the new friends that we all made on the retreat, before boarding the plane back to Florida.

We can't wait to go back in 2019!

Join us on our next journey!