Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.
Ocean and Volcano Nature Tour
January 30-February 6, 2025
Travel in a small group and reap the benefits of over 20 years of friendships and working relationships. Travel in air-conditioned comfort with a professional driver in our own private van.
Dinners and some lunches are not included in this package price to allow for flexibility. The group can eat at the on-site restaurants, get in the van to go to a Costa Rican family-owned restaurant, or on the first three nights even prepare food at the villas. Note: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Snack are listed if included each day.
Your personal "Director of Recreation and Relaxation" will travel with the group.
Seven nights' lodging included: Three nights at ocean view villas, two nights near the Arenal Volcano with hot springs on site, one night in traditional, rustic cabins, and one night in an airport-area boutique hotel. Optional pre-trip airport area hotel for a modest fee.
January 30 Travel to the coast. We will be heading to "Costa Ballena" (the whale's coast) on the southern Pacific coast. This area is the edge of one of the most biodiverse places on earth, the Osa Peninsula. We can expect to see toucans, monkeys, sloths, scarlet macaws, and so very much more! Road time is about 3 hours, but we will stop for a meal, groceries, and any desired leg-stretches. Check-in to ocean view villas with fully equipped kitchens, where you will stay three nights.
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January 31 Early morning pick-up for a short drive to the wildlife refuge for a birding tour with a local expert wildlife guide. After, visit a beach town known for its surf. Visit the organic farmers and artisans' market. Free time to shop, explore, have lunch, walk the beach, etc.
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February 1 Sea kayak and snorkel tour, led by local naturalist guides. We can visit some waterfalls after the tour for a freshwater rinse and soak. We will eat at an open-air family-run restaurant next to the river.
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February 2 Travel day. Road time is 5-6 hours, but we will break up the drive with some scenic stops and a nice open-air lunch. We are heading to the Arenal Volcano, Lake Arenal and La Fortuna town area. I have traveled with many groups to this area, and everyone has loved it. Check in to our resort with volcano views and hot spring-fed mineral pools. It is cooler in the mountains and the soaks will ease road-weary bodies. We will stay here two nights.
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February 3 float gently down river in a raft, looking for wildlife with a local naturalist guide, followed by lunch beside the river. Relax during a free afternoon with time to soak and swim in the warm pools under the volcano.
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February 4 visit hiking trails with optional hanging bridges to view wildlife at various levels. Learn about the growing and processing of cacao and make your own chocolate bon bon or try some chocolate drinks during a guided chocolate tour. Travel to check in to rural, traditional rustic cabins for one night.
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February 5 We will take a short drive to the most popular nature tour near San Jose and the largest animal sanctuary in Costa Rica. It features 5 famous waterfalls, gardens, exhibits and restaurants. We can spend most of the day here before checking in to an airport area hotel for our closing dinner.
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February 6 fly home.
Nature Immersion Women's Retreat February 9-15, 2025
- Wildlife Watching
- Mangrove Kayak
- Zip-line Canopy Tour
- Sea Kayak and Snorkel
- Waterfall Swim & Soak
- Beach & Jungle Yoga
Join us for an active and relaxing week of exploring the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Observe wildlife and experience nature from a variety of viewpoints with other amazing women. Travel in a small group and reap the benefits of over 20 years of friendships and working relationships. Take time this valentines day to practice self-love! This retreat includes:
Opportunities to see monkeys, sloths, toucans, hummingbirds, iguanas, and many more rainforest animals, as well as a huge variety of plants. Coral reef snorkeling opens a whole different world of potential wildlife spotting.
A wide variety of delicious meals, both healthy and indulgent foods, and fresh fruit juices and world-famous coffee. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets can be easily accommodated. Six breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 5 dinners are included.
Bilingual, experienced naturalist “Director of Recreation and Relaxation” trip coordinator travels with the group.
Travel in air-conditioned comfort in our own private van with a professional Costa Rican driver.
Kayak and canopy tours with bilingual Costa Rican naturalist guides.
Relax in the cool, clean waters of a mountain stream, above and below several waterfalls.
6 nights’ lodging: One night in an airport-area boutique hotel, two nights nestled in the center of a coastal wildlife refuge, and three nights at a private, hand-built, family-owned retreat center. Pools at every location.
Free time at 2-4 different beaches.
Practice yoga surrounded by the sounds, breezes, and colors of nature. Classes are taught by an experienced instructor and tailored to our activities and levels. Yoga mats and blocks included, no need to pack equipment!
Support planting rainforest trees and reforestation!
One full day of total relaxation, no travel or tours, just time for reading, journaling, napping, socializing, pool time, meditating, etc. at the private retreat center. Optional, open-air massage appointments are available.
A morning of free time in a beach town for souvenir shopping, exploring an artisan and farmers market, and lunch.
Retreat begins at happy hour before dinner Sunday, and ends with airport transportation Saturday morning, including breakfast. Flights should arrive in San Jose in the afternoon or evening February 9, and depart no earlier than noon February 15. Travelers planning to arrive earlier will be given information on where to meet, and those wishing to stay later can plan to continue their trip from the airport area.
Read on for further details.....
Planned Itinerary
Sunday, February 9
Arrive and shuttle to airport-area hotel
Happy hour* and opening circle
(*Happy hour does not require alcohol, just social free time before dinner! It can happen in the pool! Like all the activities, it is optional, but your participation is encouraged!)
Traditional Costa Rican casado dinner
Monday, February 10
Breakfast on site
Check-out
Travel to coast in private, air-conditioned van with professional driver. Road time is 2.5-3 hours, but we will enjoy a half day of travel with at least three stops: a grocery store, lunch at a traditional Costa Rican restaurant, and a scenic view/leg stretch.
Arrival and check-in at the wildlife refuge ecolodge.
Walk to the beach for a sunset yoga class that will focus on recovery from two days of travel, and will help us drop in to the pura vida experience of Costa Rica.
Happy hour
Dinner on site
Tuesday, February 11
Breakfast on site
8 am zip-line canopy tour, also on site. Hike into the forest and travel from ridge to ridge above the trees as you learn more about the forest and how it has transformed from farmland over the last 60 years.
Lunch on site
1 pm Load up in our private van for short ride to the mangrove kayak tour. This offers an opportunity to see wildlife, learn about this unique and important ecosystem, and enjoy an easy paddle for all skill levels.
Return in van
Happy hour
Dinner on site.
Wednesday, February 12
An early morning departure (with "to go" breakfast) takes advantage of ideal tidal conditions for the sea kayak and snorkel tour. From the ocean, fill your eyes with the greens of rainforest-covered mountains in one direction and the blues of the sky and sea in the other. After time for snorkeling, try a little kayak surfing in small waves.
A cool mountain river is the perfect follow-up to a sun-filled morning. A truly unique experience awaits as we visit a Costa Rican family-owned, open-air restaurant next to a series of waterfalls. Soak and swim in the clear water as your lunch is cooked, cool drink in hand if you'd like.
Weather, time, and energy levels permitting, we can visit one more beach on the way to our final lodging.
Check in to our retreat center: 6 unique units, each with their own features and charms, with our own private pool, yoga deck, and rancho dining area.
Dinner served in our private rancho.
Thursday, February 13
A special day of retreat and relaxation. No tours, no travel.
Start the day with a morning yoga class in our jungle yoga deck. This class may be more energetic than the first beach class.
Breakfast, on site
Relaxation day all day! Massage appointments available.
Lunch, on site
More relaxation time, more massages
Happy hour
Dinner will be a casual Thai-fusion buffet, on site
Friday, February 14
Breakfast on site
Load up van for short trip to a coastal town
Start the half-day in town with an 8 am yoga class in a "treehouse" studio, with other yogis.
Spend the morning on your own or in small groups as you please. There is an artisan and farmers market. There are many souvenir shops and stands. Or you may prefer more beach time. Choose from a plethora of options for lunch before returning to the retreat center for some down time before dinner.
Happy hour
Closing dinner at a nearby restaurant.
Saturday, February 15
6 am departure for airport, with one stop for breakfast. This could be delayed, depending on flight departure times, but no later than 8:30 am. Please arrange departure times no earlier than noon.
This retreat will sponsor a tree that will be cared for in a nursery and planted in a reforestation project. More information will be provided.
Rain storms, unlikely but possible, or other factors beyond control may cancel some activities. Appropriate refunds will be issued in accordance with the tour operator's policy.
Questions? Please contact Sara@tropicalexplorations.com
Registration and payment information:
Please note all payments are NON REFUNDABLE. Please purchase TRIP INSURANCE. Once payment is made, you will receive emails with more information about the trip.
Join us in paradise!