“Work when there is work to do. Rest when you are tired. One thing done in peace will most likely be better than ten things done in panic…I am not a hero if I deny rest; I am only tired” ~ Susan McHenry

Take a pause out of your month and join Kimberly in the cloud forest of Costa Rica to breathe, unwind, and rejuvenate.

Wake up to the sounds of rainforest wildlife and breathtaking views, perched high in the volcanic hills of Alajuela, 4,900 feet above sea level. Enjoy fresh, healthy and delicious meals, daily all-levels Yoga and meditation practices, including evening Yin, Restoratives and guided Relaxations.  Experience a watsu water massage, relax by the pool, or adventure out to experience a cloud forest canopy zip line, waterfall hike or coffee plantation tour. 

Pura Vida Retreat and Spa is one of Costa Rica’s most sought-after retreat locations, offering eight acres of natural beauty, exquisitely maintained gardens, outstanding hospitality, and a variety of accommodations to suit your wishes.

You’ll be guided through this 6 night / 7 day retreat by seasoned teacher Kimberly Wharton.
Come float above the clouds and arrive back rested, empowered, and with intention for your New Year.

The Costa Rican motto “Pura Vida” is more than just a slang term, but a conscious way of living. Simply translated, it means “simple life” or “pure life”, but really it is a mindset of being with the flow of things as they arise. Not surprisingly, Costa Rica has been named one of the happiest countries in the world. We invite you to join us on this special retreat / vacation as we dip our toes into this Pura Vida way of life!

We’ll meet just a short shuttle ride from the San Jose International Airport at our home for the week – a spectacular property perched high above the volcanic hills of Alajuela.  The sounds of the rainforest and sunrise will be your alarm clock as your bio-rhythms re-set. You’ll be nourished by healthful meals and mountain air, and be met with a daily offering classes and activities.

Your retreat center offers some of the best spa services and therapies in Costa Rica, plus opportunities to experience some off campus excursions including:

Hot Springs Adventure
Like most excursions in Costa Rica, part of the adventure is just getting there. Participants will cross the central mountain range—a unique opportunity- to reach their destination. Upon arrival a short hike will take you through a secondary growth forest which ends in the property’s private reserve of awe-inspiring mostly primary growth forest. There you will find the hot springs in the heart of the rainforest, where you can relax and immerse yourself in seven warm, healing volcanic hot springs pools. The pools vary in temperature, depth and mineral content, but the mineral-rich waters with therapeutic copper-salt have profound healing properties and will help restore and improve your natural energy levels. A delicious lunch follows. ($135 pp)

Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Experience an unspoiled Costa Rican day with an action-packed Whitewater Rafting Adventure on the Pacuare River. Enjoy total isolation from urban life in this exotic and untouched natural world, where sloths, toucans, parrots, coatis, magnificent blue Morpho butterflies and brightly colored frogs are common sights. Unique views of this virgin tropical rainforest area will delight and amaze as you navigate the rapids and maneuver the twists and turns of the river. Halfway through our journey, we stop to enjoy a delicious river-side lunch, then finish up the trip at Siquirres, our own private Exploration Center, where you can take a shower, change and enjoy the gardens and terrace.
Before we begin, we will gear you up with a life jacket, helmet and paddle, followed by a full safety briefing for this guided, moderately challenging whitewater rafting adventure. ($135 pp)

Waterfall Gardens Adventure:
One of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations, La Paz Waterfall Gardens, near the Poas Volcano, offers five stunning waterfalls and 3.5 kilometers of walking trails that wind past the country’s biggest Butterfly Observatory, through gardens swarming with vivid hummingbirds, to the cloud forest, ending in sweeping views of the waterfalls. Other attractions include a serpentarium, frog exhibit, bird watching areas and a Tica House. (Fun fact: tico and tica are colloquial terms for male and female natives of Costa Rica.). Friendly, knowledgeable local naturalists are your guides for this up-close and personal look at Costa Rica’s natural resources. (offered Monday $65pp)

Cloud Forest Canopy Zipline Adventure – offered on Monday between breakfast and lunch.  This longstanding family-run business located on a 450-acre private estate where the proprietors operate a western cedar plantation and sawmill. This breathtaking canopy tour – one of the most beautiful in the country – is situated in a cloud forest at the foot of the Barva Volcano in the heart of the Braulio Carrillo National Park Forest. Climb a staircase to a platform located at the top of an ancient oak tree. Once above the forest, zip line across from platform to platform via interconnecting cables. The birds-eye-view of the Costa Rican cloud forest is truly awe-inspiring. (offered Tuesday, $65pp)

Please plan to arrive to San Jose International airport on the start date of your restreat. Your retreat begins with a 6:30pm dinner, followed by a short opening session, and ends with breakfast on the last day of your retreat.  Check-in time at Pura Vida is 2 pm. Check-out is 11 am.

We will collect participants’ travel plans well in advance and will arrange your airport transfers (included as part of your retreat!).

Costa Rican law requires your passport be valid for at least 90 days after the date you enter the country. Please check your passport’s expiration date now. A $29 non-residency departure tax will be due when departing Costa Rica, though most major airlines now include this cost in their ticket price.

The climate in the mountains of Costa Rica’s Central Valley is beautiful year-round with warm days (70s-80s F) and mild nights (60s F). The sun rises at 5:30 and sets around 6:00 all year long. North America’s winter is Costa Rica’s summer, and late February-early March is full of verdant flora and fauna.

What to pack:

• Passport
• Comfortable yoga clothing, plus some warmer layers in case of chillier nights
  
• Closed-toe shoes in case you decide to do jungle excursions. You may also enjoy a walk or run through the surrounding coffee fields.
  
• Light jacket / poncho in case of rain
• Personal Toiletries. Note: Soap, shampoo and conditioner are provided. Hair dryers are available.
• Insect repellant (Though the high elevation makes Pura Vida mosquito-free, you may encounter mosquitos on excursion.)
• Bathing suit / Sunscreen
• Hat
• Journal and pen
• Refillable water bottle (Pura Vida’s water is filtered with a 1-micron and UV filters.)
• Flashlight, headlamp or cell phone flashlight
• Note: electronic adapters are not needed
• Cash for tips in small bills (US$ are accepted almost everywhere, but it is unlikely that change can be made. ATMs are a taxi ride away.)

Kimberly Wharton

Kimberly is an E-RYT 500 certified yoga instructor who has taught in NYC, LA and now Austin during her 22 year career. She has taught over 5,000 classes locally in Austin, as well as Teacher Trainings, and both local and International Retreats. She regularly leads workshops in ‘Stress Management’ as well as ‘Yoga for Grief & Healing’. Kimberly has been featured in articles in both Backstage Magazine’s  ‘Best of L.A.’ under ‘favorite yoga class’,  ‘Voyage Austin’, and recently featured on Spectrum News. You can find her teaching at Cancer Rehab & Integrative Medicine, Flow Yoga, and for several businesses around the Austin area. For more info, visit KimberlyWharton.com.

Enchanting accommodations scattered across meticulously landscaped grounds, each designed to delight with views of lush gardens and majestic mountains.

An $595 deposit will secure your place on this retreat.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airfare to San Jose
• extras such as massages and special excursions (ex.canopy zipline)
• Travel Insurance
• Gratuities to Center staff

Refunds and Cancellations: Refund less deposit ($595) before October 15, 2024. No refunds after October 15, 2024. In case of personal emergency cancellation, you may transfer your reservation directly to a family member as long as you notify One Yoga Global 30+ days in advance.  Due to arrangements made with our vacation hosts, there can be no exceptions to this policy.

If you place a deposit, the balance due will be set to charge in equal installments starting the month after deposit through October 2024, unless other arrangements are made.

We HIGHLY recommend that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel insurance companies like AIG Travel guard and Trawick International offer policies that insure your investment in case you need to cancel (including “cancel for any reason” coverages), coverages for expenses incurred due to to weather & travel delays, personal property loss and emergency travel medical.  Please review policies carefully to choose the coverage you need.

We recommend that you consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment. AIG Travel Guard and Trawick International are two providers that we recommend. Please review policies carefully to ensure they provide the coverage you need.

We recommend that you consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment. Trawick International and Travel Guard are two providers that we recommend. Please review policies carefully to ensure they provide the coverage you need.