Costa Rica Retreat Guide
Jan 6 -11, 2024
WE ARE SOUL EXCITED TO ZEN OUT!
The info below will help you plan for your trip.
Additional Q’s? Whats App Jenny 828-569-0056
Welcome from Jenny & Salena
We are grateful to be your guides for this TROPICAL ADVENTURE & HEALING EXPERIENCE!
RETREAT CENTER
The Goddess Garden
Calle Playa Grande
Limón, Cahuita, 7302, Costa Rica
ARRIVAL INFO
Reminder: you’ll receive transportation to and from San Jose Airport to the Retreat Center on 1/6.
SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport
SHUTTLE MEETING LOCATION PARKING LOT DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM ARRIVALS
Meet the shuttle bus at 1:15pm, it is leaving at 1:30pm
The San Jose airport is fairly small & easy to navigate. The shuttle bus will be in the parking lot across the street from the Arrivals section.
MEET the shuttle bus outside AT the parking lot across from “arrivals”
Meet where it says "Salida 3" (exit 3)
Once everyone is there the van will meet the group there. He cannot sit and wait there so once everyone arrives (all 22 attendees), Desiree can message him to let him know & he will pull up.
If your flight is delayed, What’s App Jenny at 828-569-0056 and/or add to group chat.
Des is your day of travel point of contact & will be making sure everyone is at the shuttle. You can reach her at 808-281-1722 but please let Jenny know of delays as well or put in group chat.
CONTACT
ALL COMMUNICATION OVER WHATS APP
Jenny and Salena will be in Costa Rica a few days prior so it’s important to reach out to them with questions over What’s App only.
JENNY IS THE MAIN CONTACT FOR YOUR RETREAT. HOWEVER SALENA MAY BE ABLE TO ASSIST YOU IF JENNY IS N/A.
Jenny will be co-leading another retreat at the same location with her husband Bryan from Jan 1-6 on the theme of vegan nutrition/ fitness. Jenny will have her phone and can communicate via What’s app.
Their retreat ends the morning of the 6th.
CONTACT US ON WHAT’S APP
JENNY 828-569-0056
SALENA 727-422-0748
Packing List
Bring a passport
Bring a Medium Standard Size 5x8 Journal for our 2025 Elemental Vision Journal Project (on-going project involving nature, journaling, kinda like scrapbooking. Exact dimensions aren’t vital but needs to not be a tiny pocket size!)
U.S. DOLLAR BILLS FOR TIPPING Cash tips (US Dollars) accepted for tipping massage therapists or other staff if you choose. Please show the locals love!
Reusable Water Bottle
Sun screen 50 SPF or higher - REEF SAFE PLEASE
Flashlight or headlamp
Bug spray (all natural preferred) or mosquito bracelet
Light raincoat or umbrella + poncho
Flip Flops, T-shirts, shorts, swimsuit, sneakers, hat, beach towel
Goddess Outfit for Group Goddess Photo at Ancient Goddess Tree ~Final Night Ceremony. Wear a dress or outfit in all one color of your choice. EMPHASIS ON SHIMMER, GOLD, SILVER & NEW YEARS VIBE. ALL WHITE OR COLOR OF CHOICE IS OK TOO. (no stress or need to buy anything special unless you want to, just bring something that fits this description. It is optional.)
FOOTWEAR: Optional bring Hiking Shoes just for the waterfall hike which will be downhill and possibly muddy. For other hikes sneakers will be just fine for.
Small Backpack or small day pack for hikes & excursions.
Waist-packs are also a great idea for storing your phone or other essentials to easily grab on outings and hikes.
BRING MANY SNACKS especially for the drive from the airport to the retreat center which is a few hrs long!! If you need protein powder bring that along with a blender bottle or shaker cup.
Snack ideas:
-pumpkin seeds, protein bars, rice cakes, chips, pretzels, nuts, nut butter (3.5oz only allowed in carry-on, considered a liquid)
We do not provide hair dryers (as they are of high energy consumption). Feel free to bring one if you want to.
ADDITIONAL INFO
We offer white towels for the shower and blue towels for the pool. For the beach, bring your own towel. You can get a beach mat from Goddess Garden for a 10 USD deposit.
Do not bring anything made of genuine leather, it will get moldy.
We offer Yoga mats and props at the Yoga studio/shala
EVERY ROOM HAS A SAFE TO STORE YOUR VALUABLES.
Laundry can be done for $10 a bag. Guests just need to come to reception to get a laundry bag.
WiFi is provided at the rooms, it is fiber optic internet. You can access it from your own device. We do not have a computer available for our guests.
There will be on iron on site for use.
You can expect Warm showers, not steaming hot water.
PHONE SERVICE REMINDER
To avoid high roaming charges while traveling:
1. Turn off roaming in your phone settings.
2. Download media (podcasts, movies, etc.) ahead of time for the ride to and from the retreat center.
3. Consider getting an international plan or day pass from your carrier.
Everyday activities like scrolling Facebook or Instagram can quickly rack up data charges if roaming is on, so be sure to plan ahead to avoid a big cell phone bill
25 women in our zen circle
23 attendees + 2 retreat leaders Jenny & Salena
Itinerary
CLICK ARROW ON THE RIGHT ABOVE, for the rest of the schedule (10 pages)
FAQS
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If you are getting a hotel by SJO airport in San Jose we recommend two hotels near the airport:
The Adventure Inn (https://www.adventure-inn.com)
Hotel Airport (http://www.airporthotelcostarica.com)
CURRENT PRICING FOR THE ADVENTURE INN
Make your own reservation. Use promo code “GODDESSGARDEN” to get the discount.
Adventure Inn Hotel is a great place to rest and reset before heading to the Caribbean. They have provided our groups with a new discount that is a per person rate that includes 13% tax, a full breakfast, air conditioning, a pool, and free airport transfers.
✨To make the booking go to www.adventure-inn.com
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: you’ll receive transportation via Shuttle to and from San Jose Airport to the Retreat Center.
Flights must arrive before 1pm to receive transportation.
If you are concerned about flight delays or it being a long travel day, remember you can always fly in the day prior and stay in a hotel in San Jose near the airport.
ARRIVAL: Fly into SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport on Jan 6th before 12:30pm-1pm to get the van
(included in your purchase, leaves by 1:45pm.
Meet at 1:30pm at the shuttle pickup location TBD.
STAY TUNED FOR EXACT DIRECTIONS TO THE PICK UP SPOT. JENNY WILL CONFIRM ON JAN 1st after she has scouted the pickup location in-person.
DEPARTURE: please book a flight that leaves AFTER 3pm to match transportation. If not, please book a hotel the evening of Jan. 11th and book your flight on the next day (hotel suggestions below).
Suggested Flight to SJO for those Departing Tampa:
TRAVELING TO COSTA RICA- DEPARTING FLIGHT
Monday. Jan 6th
AMERICAN AIRLINES - Departs 6:41am TPA - Arrives 10:35am SJO Costa Rica
(1 stop in Miami, 4 hr 54 min flight time)
LEAVING COSTA RICA/ RETURN FLIGHT
Saturday, Jan 11th -AMERICAN AIRLINES
Departs 3:28pm SJO - Arrives TPA 11:36pm
(1 stop in Miami, includes 3 hour layover in Miami)
SHUTTLE MEETING LOCATION
MEETING LOCATION - PARKING LOT DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM ARRIVALS:
Arrive at the airport on Jan 6 and meet for the shuttle bus by 1:30pm
The San Jose airport is fairly small and easy to navigate. The shuttle bus will be in the parking lot across the street from the Arrivals section.
Those arriving a day or two early can get to the parking lot pick up location without going through security You’ll want to be dropped off directly where the “ARRIVALS” are- so flights that are arriving to SJO, not the departure. When you get dropped back off at the airport where the arrivals are, the parking lot is directly across the street and this is where the shuttle will be.
If your flight is delayed, please What’s App Jenny immediately at 828-569-0056
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Internet
Please note that the retreat center has Wi-fi but Costa Rica’s internet connection can sometimes be unpredictable & disrupted.
LET’S UNPLUG as much as possible! Limit phones being out during yoga and sound baths!
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This is an alcohol-free, DRUG-FREE event with an emphasis on becoming more conscious and present, substance-free!
Please do not use alcohol while at the retreat out of respect for those who are sober as well as to keep a clear head and detox your body and spirit. By signing the form, you have signed that you will not use alcohol and drugs while on retreat.
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No. Knowing common Spanish words is helpful although many Costa Rican’s know basic english words too and there tend to be expats around who speak other languages such as english often too.
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We recommend that you only drink bottled water in the Caribbean side of Costa Rica where we will be and in general across the country. Plenty of people say the tap water is safe/good to drink but we have heard varying accounts.
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Bring Cash in USD in small bills (no Colones required) – 50 and 100 USD bills are not accepted in most places.
Don’t change money at the airport, the rate is very poor.
At The Goddess Garden you can make payments for your personal expenses with cash, PayPal, Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle. We do not accept credit or debit cards.
*There are ATM machines in Cahuita and Puerto Viejo for Visa and MasterCard where you can get cash in USD and Colones. The maximum daily amount to take out is 200 USD.
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You actually cannot flush toilet paper down the toilet as the plumbing system can’t handle it. The country's plumbing was never built to accommodate for excessive amount of toilet paper and, since many systems are septic or composting, you'll find 'toilet paper bins' in every toilet stall, all over the country. So…do the right thing…and pop it in the bin!
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Is it safe in Costa Rica?
Yes, but it is always important to use common sense and travel in groups whenever possible and not leave valuables out of sight, such as on the beach when in the water. Crime does happen and it’s important to recognize that it’s a friendly country with beautiful people but like any place there are opportunities for dangerous things to happen, stay vigilant and aware!
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This is who needs to be on the shuttle 1/6 from SJO to Retreat center.
Meeting 1:15pm or earlier across the street from ARRIVALS. Departs at 1:30pm if all are ready.
MEET the shuttle bus outside AT the parking lot across from “arrivals”
Meet where it says "Salida 3" (exit 3)
Once everyone is there the van will meet the group there. He cannot sit and wait there so once everyone arrives (all 22 attendees), Desiree can message him to let him know & he will pull up.
Driver’s name & number:
Julio: Whats App +50683536537
The drive is 4-5 hours assuming no traffic or road delays/closures. There will be a stop halfway at a soda/convenient store.
1. Trisha Socias
2. Susie Calhoun
3. Alyson Vondruska
4. Agneiska Niegowski
5. Des Maher
6. Jennifer Roberge
7. Lisa Gardner
8. Andrea Seiler
9. Monica Jones
10. Angela Hopkins
11. Megan Miller
12. Kaity Pursino
13. Deborah Vandatta
14. Cynthia Mickenberg
15. Suzan Sharifan
16. Randi Cerini
17. Michelle Quirk
18. Hannah Hassie
19. Tiffany Letendre
20. Farris Weinberg
21. Dana Winniger
22. Amy Susnis
(Flo is traveling to the Caribbean 2 days prior with Salena. Jenny is already there)
*Encourage dramamine or seasick bracelets to be worn. Give an update when halfway there.
Reminder of cancellation policy
Deposits/payments made are non-refundable.
If a participant must cancel due to emergency for up to 60 days prior to the arrival then they you may receive credit for their deposit/full or partial payments made. The participant may use their credit toward a future retreat of ours taking place within 1 year of the date of the original cancellation.
There are no refunds and no exceptions.