Upcoming Retreats
Women’s Full Moon Retreat
August 1-August 8 2020
Men’s Full Moon Retreat
August 29-September 5 2020
Personalized Experience
We realize that not everyone has the same preferences for everything. So we will send you a questionnaire after registration that asks about your preferences. We’ll ask about your food dislikes and sensitivities, and your preferences for our stretching/yoga sessions. We’ll also leave a blank box in there for you to request and ask about whatever you want. We’d love to hear your ideas!
Climate
Playa Grande is a beach jungle. Its rainy season is early May through late November. During this time, you can expect that every couple of days for about an hour, it will rain a hard, warm rain, with an occasional storm moving through and nearly endless rain for a couple of days. It’s still warm rain though so you’re wet, but not cold. Temperatures are cooler this time of year because of the cloud cover. That also means we have lightning bugs and the mosquitoes are thicker. December through April is the dry season. During this time, you can expect not a drop of rain. Temps rise gradually over these months until peaking just before the rains hit in May.
Packing
It’s warm here, all the time. For 8 days in Playa Grande, you will want: 2 pairs of shorts, 2-3 tank tops, 1-2 sundresses, 2 bathing suits including one that stays on well for surfing, a rashguard if you have one, a sarong if you have one or a towel, flip flops, and that’s it. If you have certain excursions you want to do like hiking, you’ll want to bring some reasonable shoes for that. That’s it. You’ll need no pants, long sleeves, or jackets. There’s no one to impress here so just pack for the beach.
Something to take notes with and for journaling, whether a laptop or paper notebook.
You may want heftier bug repellent. We provide the natural stuff which works pretty well, but isn’t 100%. If you’re very sensitive to insect bites, you may want to bring something stronger.
You don’t need sunscreen, after-sun cream, soap, or hair care products. We will provide these items, all plant-based, skin- and reef-safe, and where possible, organic.
Time
Costa Rica is one of those places in the world with a more relaxed concept of time than in much of the northern hemisphere. Acts of nature wait for no one, such as sunrise and sunset, high and low tide, and feeding time for the critters in the jungle. Our own schedule will follow the clock just to organize the group, but a few minutes on either side of the posted hour will be fine for most of what we’re doing. Don’t stress. That’s most important.
Water Temperatures
The water temperature in Playa Grande is about 83 degrees Fahrenheit most of the year. In February some cooler waters get churned in and the temp drops quite significantly. If you want to get into the water in February, it’s good to have a springsuit wetsuit on hand.
Safety
Playa Grande is very safe, but it’s just like anywhere else. Whenever you have people from wealthier nations entering societies with lower financial options, you will encounter some theft. Playa Grande is no exception. Just be smart about it. Don’t leave your laptop in your room on the table in front of a window with the curtain open, for example. Put it out of sight. Always keep your valuables put away and lock your door!
On Arrival
When you land in Costa Rica, you’ll be ushered through immigration then customs. It’s a very easy process, if possibly time-consuming. At the immigration desk, they will want to know your address in Costa Rica (we will send it to you) and then will want to see your home-bound ticket. Then you grab your checked bags, which they take off the conveyor belt and line up for passengers. Wheeled carts are free. At customs, you just load your bags through the x-ray machine and pick them up on the other side. Easy peasy.
Outside, you’ll look for our shuttle driver. We will send you that information as the date approaches.
