Yoga at the Pura Vida Spa in Costa Rica
Tapas Soul Retreat
February 12th-19th, 2011
Tapas is any kind of devoted discipline that brings about internal
change and is manifested in the external world. Each day, we will
gather together to create community through our yoga practice. We will
dig deep into our yoga postures, and look within ourselves with Satya
or truthfulness. Often times the emotional and physical stress
circulating in our body rises to the surface and we can find a release
like no other with emotions ranging from serotonin/endorphin highs to
satisfying tears. In addition, immerse yourself in the beauty of the
12-acre estate of tropical splendor in the mountains of Costa Rica.
Join
Trish for a week-long escape focused on yoga, journaling and the art of change with
truly fantastic off-site excursions. With one to two daily yoga sessions and
plenty of time dedicated to renewal, you are destined to have a divine
experience! We hope that you will join us for this unforgettable
adventure!
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About Pura Vida Spa
Pura Vida, meaning Pure Life, is located on a gated 12-acre private estate of the tropical splendor, atop a mountain in Costa Rica's Alajuela province. It is surrounded by coffee plantations, yet surprisingly, only 20 minutes from San Jose's International airport.
Between two continents and two seas, Costa Rica contains an astonishing diversity and abundance of tropical flora and fauna. Caribbean and Pacific beaches border a land filled with white-water rivers, waterfalls, tropical rain forests, active volcanoes, mountain cloud forests, exotic wildlife, and birds. Located
at almost 5,000 feet above sea-level, the year round temperatures at
Pura Vida range from 70 to 80 degrees during the day with mild nights
in the high 50s to low 60s. The sun rises all year round between 5:30 and 6:00 AM with sunsets being around 6:00 PM. It is always a good time to come to Pura Vida!
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Sample Schedule with 2 practices
| 6:15 AM - 8:00 AM |
Yoga Practice 1
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7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
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Breakfast is served
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8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
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Free Time
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1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
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Lunch is served
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4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
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Yoga Practice 2
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6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
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Dinner is served
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8:00 PM on
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Free Time
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| Sample Schedule with 1 practice
| 6:30 AM - 8:00 AM |
Yoga Practice 1
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7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
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Breakfast is served |
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
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Free Time
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1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
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Lunch is served
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2:30 PM - 6:30 PM
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Free Time
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| 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM |
Dinner is served |
| 8:00 PM on |
Free Time |
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All About Your Stay
The
resort has a mountainside Jacuzzi, a swimming pool, an honor bar, a
gift shop featuring authentic Costa Rican fares, and laundry service
(wash & fold - $5 per load). All accommodations at Pura Vida have
electricity (including tentalows). Outlets are the same as the United
States.
Accommodations
Pura Vida offers more than 50 rooms for every taste and budget, from luxury suites with your own Jacuzzi hot tub, to charming A-Frame Chalets, to the most not like-a-tent you've ever seen Tentalows! Pura Vida Spa offers a choice of 6 types of rooms; tentalows, standard, deluxe, super deluxe, suites, and their famous Pagoda.
(Please review the descriptions toward the bottom of this page.)
Meals
All meals are served as a casual buffet and are prepared daily by their Chef's kitchen from only the finest, freshest ingredients. The menu is primarily vegetarian with fish and chicken options available at lunch and dinner. Special dietary menus are available upon request, such as a detoxifying diet. The water at Pura Vida is double filtered, regularly tested, and safe to drink from any tap. Spring water dispensers are located throughout the property and bottled water, soft drinks, beer and wine are available at the honor bar. There is also a smoothie and snack bar in the Restaurant. Be sure to try all the fresh juices that are served with every meal and don't forget to indulge in the 'pipa' or coconut water!!
Meal Times:
Breakfast 7:30 to 9:00 AM
Lunch 1:00 to 2:30 PM
Dinner 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Snack bar 10: 00AM - 6:00 PM.
Spa and Amenities
Shier spa offers a wide selection of services to include Swedish massage, aromatherapy, body wraps and scrubs, ayurvedic facials, Chinese medicine, hot stone therapy, total skin care, reflexology, Watsu, and much more. All sessions are separate and must be scheduled at the resort once you arrive and throughout your stay. Tipping is separate from the general staff. Treatment options are subject to change depending on staff availability.
Tours and Excursions
There are a variety of eco-tours and excursions available through Pura Vida Spa. All tours must be scheduled onsite in Costa Rica. A minimum of 4 participants is required to schedule a tour at the listed price; otherwise additional transportation fees may apply. Reception can help book taxis and rental cars as needed. Private workshops may or may not include a tour package. Please contact your group leader directly for details.
(You make your reservations once you arrive at Pura Vida. Excursion choices vary depending on the day and availability.)
Yoga Halls and Props
Our group's yoga sessions are closed to other hotel guests and/or the general public. This is your sanctuary time and your week to unwind and relax. Yoga Mats, Blocks, Straps, Bolsters, and Blankets are provided. See three of the four yoga halls in the photo album below!
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Facts You Need To Know
Passport:
The Government of Costa Rica requires that all foreign visitors must present a valid passport for entrance into the country. Passport must be valid for at least 90 days past your stay. When departing Costa Rica, you will need $26 for the non-residency departure tax. This must be paid before you check-in with your airline.
Airport Transportation:
Transfer shuttles between SJO Airport and Pura Vida Spa are in our group packages are separate for daily rates. The reservations office must receive the following information no later than 10 days prior to your trip to guarantee pick-up: arrival time, airline & flight number, and city connecting to SJO. Once through customs, exit the airport and look for a sign with 'Villas Pura Vida + your name'.
When you return home, you will need $26 per person (preferably in cash) for your export tax that needs to paid at the SJO airport BEFORE you check-in with the airlines. You can also pay this export tax upon your arrival at SJO at the beginning of your vacation.
Arrival/Departure at Pura Vida:
Check in is at 2 pm and check out is at 11 am. The reception desk is open from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. for guest services and staff members are available 24 hours a day for emergencies and early/late arrivals. Lock boxes are available at the main office for storing valuables. Incoming phone messages and/or faxes will be posted on the communications board in the reception area. Guests should check daily. There is one guest payphone onsite for outgoing calls. International calling cards are available for purchase. An outgoing fax to the USA is $5 and incoming faxes are $1 per page. Dial-up Internet access is available for $5 per 15-minute increment or any part thereof. Reception/Emergency (CR): 011-506-483-0033, Fax: 011-506-483-0041
If you have an early departure flight, please check out the day before and settle any additonal costs you may have incurred. U.S. dollars are accepted at Pura Vida and throughout most of Costa Rica. Credit Cards and Traveler Checks or any combination of the three are accpeted at Pura Vida.
What To Bring With You
Valid Passport (we may have mentioned this before)
Flashlight
Alarm Clock
Sunscreen and hat
Bathing Suit
Yoga Clothes
Warm sweaters/sweatshirt for the evenings
Insect repellent
Toiletries
Journal
Pen
If planning on joining any of the eco-tours:
Day Pack
Walking or hiking boots
Sandals with straps
Other Financial Needs To Consider:
Please have $26 export tax set aside.
Tips for services, tour guides, and spa staff are
additional. It is recommenced that a $50 staff tip be given per person.
This tip goes to all the behinds the scenes staff: the cooks,
groundskeepers, housekeeping, etc. Tips for spa services can be paid to
the provider directly in cash or you can add that to your bill and
indicate the provider and tip amount.
For additional charges,
(spa, tour, etc) a $500 pre-approval hold will be placed on your credit
card at the resort and the amount of extras accrued will be processed
in the U.S. office at the end of your stay. Any additional balance
beyond the pre-approved $500 will be charged separately. Please note
that Pura Vida DOES NOT accept American Express, Discover, or Personal Checks. They do accept U.S dollars, Visa, Master Card, Travelers Checks or any combination of these for payment.
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Reservations & Pricing
Airfare Reservations:
Airfare Reservations are made on your own. You can email Trish and request a list of flight numbers that other students will be on if you are wishing to travel with others.
Please let Trish know upon making your flight reservation if you are interested in limo service.
Room Reservations:
Please visit our Reservation Center for a complete listing of rooms and pricing. You can pay in full or pay a deposit of one-half of your total based on accommodation choice. All monies received in the Reservation Center are NONREFUNDABLE. Soleil Lune has reserved specific room types. If there is a room type not listed, please let us know and we can check availability. If it is available, you can have it! Those seeking 3-4 people in a room, the Super Deluxe Rooms (Tri-Levels and Villas) are the only rooms on the grounds that can accommodate this.
Soleil Lune Cancellation Policy:
If for some reason Soleil Lune Yoga Center has to cancel this retreat, all monies that Soleil Lune Yoga Canter has received will be non-refundable and you will have the option of transferring into their Mind Body Spirit Program. (There is a 10 room minimum required.)
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| Lila Yoga Hall |
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| Ananda Yoga Hall |
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| Shanti Yoga Hall |
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| Tent Area Gardens |
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| Tentalows |
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| Inside Tentalows with 2 Twin Beds |
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| Inside Tentalow with 1 King bed |
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| Tent Area Gardens |
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| Tent Area Gardens |
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Pura Vida Accommodation Description
Pura Vida Retreat Center offers over 50 different accommodation options including vistas, suites, A-frame chalets, tri-levels, kivas, and charming luxury tents lying amidst enchanted gardens with fountains, flowers, fruit and ornamental trees, colorful birds, and gentle butterflies. Live in luxury in your own private "pagoda"...book cozy chalets...or stay in the most "not-like-a-tent you've ever seen tentalow. They're spacious, fully furnished, and wonderfully comfortable. The whole estate commands fantastic views of the surrounding volcanoes Irazú, Barva, and Poás as well as of the central valley with the capital city, San José. All accommodations have open floor plans.
The Tentalows combine the adventure and feel of the outdoors with the
amenities of a room. These 12 ' x 12 ' x 12 ' luxury tents have
carpeted floors, very comfortable beds (the same as in our other
accommodations), electricity, space for your clothes and plenty of
fresh mountain air. The shared bathrooms are set in lush gardens, are
very attractive, and are conveniently located nearby. 1 King or 2 Twins.
The Deluxe accommodations are the A-Frames and Vistas. They each
have a private balcony with stunning views, their own baths, balcony
and coffee maker. 1 King or 2 Twins.
- The A-Frames are individual ?A? shaped units with vaulted ceilings. These are the smaller of the deluxe rooms, perfect for reservations requesting one king bed. (7 rooms) 332 sq. ft.
- The Vistas are larger deluxe rooms offering a duplex or apartment style design well suited for reservations requesting 2 twin beds. Vistas 35-41 have approximately 15 stairs leading down to the rooms. (11 rooms)
A Super Deluxe Room is approximately 30-40% larger than a deluxe room and has a private bathroom with shower, living/sitting area, coffee maker, and balcony or patio. These include Villas, Kivas, and Tri-Levels.
- The Villa is ideal for families, offering one queen bed, two twin beds, and a balcony with view. (1 room)
- The Tri-level has steps inside the accommodation connecting the three living spaces; entry level with bathroom, middle level with bed(s), and lower sitting area. Each has a balcony and the option of two twin beds or one king. By request only, this room can hold 3-4 guests. (6 rooms) 45 sq. mtrs.
- The Lower Kiva is on the bottom floor of the Kiva building, has a patio, and either two twin beds or one king bed. It is the smallest Kiva and has approximately 25 stairs leading down to the room. (2 rooms)
- The Middle Kiva is on the middle floor of the Kiva building, has a balcony, and is larger than the lower Kiva. One can have either two twin beds or one king bed, the other has two double beds. There are approximately 12 stairs leading down to the rooms. (2 rooms)
- The Upper Kiva is located on the top floor with the entry door at the sidewalk level. It has a balcony with view, either two twin beds or one king bed, and is the largest of the Kivas. By request only, this room can hold 3-4 guests. (2 rooms)
A Suite is a larger version of our super deluxe room with an incredible view, a large balcony or patio, private bathroom, sitting area, and coffee maker. These rooms are very spacious and have one king bed only.
- The Zendo resembles a smaller version of our Pagoda. It is a private dwelling with wooden plank panel walls, a vaulted ceiling with fan, wrap-around balcony, and an out-door shower; no bathtub. (1 room)
- The Lila is nestled in the lush foliage surrounding the neighboring Yoga Hall of the same name. It has a large deck/patio with view, a wall of windows for natural light, a window seat inside the room, and large marble counters in the dressing area of the bathroom. This room is located near the main house. (1 room)
- The Master has a large wall of windows facing the valley, a sitting area with amazing view, a walk-in closet, Jacuzzi bathtub, shower, double sinks, and is located in the main house. (1 room)
The Pagoda is a private residence with a king size bed, sunken living room, vaulted ceiling with fan, Jacuzzi bathtub, fireplace, large outdoor deck, mini refrigerator, and private enclosed outdoor shower. (1 room)
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