To sign up contact Jen Roy, manager of Kula Yoga: jen@kulayoga.com she will send you the covid requirements xoxoxo

Join Schuyler and Alex at Boca Sombrero , a gorgeous eco retreat center in Costa Rica's famous Osa Peninsula which happens to be one of the most bio diverse places on earth. The center has it's own private surf break, known for it's accessibility to total beginners and seductive to advanced surfers as well. It has a lovely open air yoga deck, plenty of relaxing nooks with excellent views, and a range of lodging options to fit all tastes and budgets.

Everyone likes to hang out at the pool between classes and surfing or INSTEAD of surfing and classes!

Your two daily yoga classes (taught by two master teachers with decades of experience) are expertly crafted and arranged around the surf brea-- each morning there will be a 2 hour class when we delve into the nitty gritty and juicy aspect of things, and every afternoon/evening, a slightly shorter, wind-down, flow class. In between your yoga classes, we meet (optionally) at the gorgeous "surf deck" -- a short walk from the "big house" where we eat all of our delicious handmade meals with locally sourced ingredients, through paradise, where expert surf teachers are waiting to guide you into the delightfully warm ocean.

Should you choose NOT to surf, which plenty of us do, we always have incredible alternatives that rival the surfing: Hikes through a jungle river with 3 different species of monkeys goofing around in the canopy, ending at a cool waterfall with a swimming hole. Walks down the pristine beaches (completely un-touristed) to bathe in warm tidal pools. Sloth, Monkey, and Bird searching. Or Simply sitting in a hammock and watching the breathtaking wildlife entertain you without lifting a foot or a finger. The Osa Penisula is one of the world's most diverse eco systems and home to Corcovado National Park.

The tidal pools are my personal top #1 wonder of the world

These Scarlett Macaws are everywhere, filling the trees right at the yoga deck

me in hammock behind pool house with a beer (shhhhh)

I can’t help but share another tidal pool

LODGING OPTIONS & COSTS:

(to reserve a spot: You may send a check to Kula Yoga Project, pay by check or CC at Kula, or email/call Jen: jen@kulayoga.com or call 610 247 0896 with credit card info.

(Full payment is due 3 weeks prior to departure. (Failure to settle up on time - except last minute registrants - will result in a $100 late fee).

Casa Rio Sombrero was handcrafted with fine hard woods, an open floor plan, and a beautiful thatched roof. Upstairs the house has two bedrooms containing king-sized, netted beds. (The room facing the ocean is significantly larger and can also be adapted to comfortably accommodate an additional single bed for triple occupancy.) Downstairs, there is a central kitchen that has been designed as the focus for gathering and is equipped with excellent appliances and a bar. There is a comfortable dining area and a detached bathroom that allows for both privacy and luxury. The bathroom area has a small covered dipping pool that provides a refreshing escape from the tropical mid-day sun. Perfect for couples, good friends or solo flyers.

Casa Troya is the latest addition to the property. It is built in the traditional Tica style which features half-walls, allowing a constant ocean breeze to act as a round-the-clock central air system. Depending on the angle, Casa Troya’s design evokes a wave, ship or animal, and it is airy and very comfortable. The house is huge but the bedrooms are right next to each other and separated by a screened wall, therefore they do not provide much privacy and are suited best for 2 sets of friends or singletons - or a family. (It has two bedrooms, one with a king-sized and the other with 2 double beds.)

CASA PLAYA (pool house):

The most pimped out spot on the property – but chicas only here, sorry guys. Casa Playa has an open construction that allows for a steady ocean breeze throughout the living space and also provides both ocean and lush mountain views. Upstairs has a large floor plan with a beautiful hardwood floor and a thatched roof ceiling, with 1 king size, 2 double and 3 single beds. Downstairs is a huge bathroom, living room, and detached kitchen which open out to a full sized swimming pool and lounge area. The pool has both deep and shallow areas and allows for a refreshing escape from the tropical climate. Truly delightful. (Swimming pool and lounge area are open to all retreat guests.)

Elevated Tents:

each elevated tent has its own outdoor shower with plenty of hot water

8 elevated tents are spread out on the 20 acre property. The thatched roof will keep you dry and cool, while the transparent ridge on top lets light in. They are outfitted with a tent, small fans and a cozy porch to relax on. Each has two single mattresses, which may be modified to make a king size bed. All elevated tents have a private adjoining open air shower with a nearby shared bathroom facility. Good for friends, lovers and solo flyers.

IN SHORT:
Casa Rio: House with 2 bedrooms, (w. king sized beds - possible addition of single in Ocean Room)

Casa Troya: House with 2 bedrooms, (1 with king size bed and 1 with 2 singles) Casa Edmundo: House w. 1 bedroom (king size bed) upstairs and study (single bed) downstairs

Casa Playa: Party pad with a variety of bed sizes, large pool and lots of chill space. Ladies only!

8 Elevated Tents: Small one room huts with 2 single beds or one king size bed

PRICING: check with jen for updated prices
CASA RIO:
Ocean Room: (triple occ.): $1845

(double occ.): $2025

Jungle Room: (double occ.): $1950 (single occ.): $2500

CASA TROYA:
River Room: (double occ.): $1950

(single occ.): $2200

Tower Room: (double occ.): $1950 (single occ.): $2200

CASA EDMUNDO: (triple occ. house): $1845 (double occ. house): $2045

CASA PLAYA: (solo bed): $1800 (shared bed): $1600

ELEVATED TENT: (double occupancy): $1615 (single occupancy): $1945

The retreat center will do their best to accommodate early arrivals or late departures by availability, and kids are also welcome – inquire for daily rates.

*A non-refundable $600 deposit will hold your spot. You may send a check to Kula, pay by check or CC at the studio, or email/call Jen with credit card info. Full payment is due 3 weeks prior to departure. (Failure to settle up on time - except last minute registrants - will result in a $100 late fee).

Important Info:

ELECTRICITY

Boca Sombrero is off the grid...electricity comes from solar panels, and the energy is stored in batteries. They have electricity in Casa Grande, (kitchen and dining area), and in the two houses. The Elevated Tents do not have electricity (though they do have small solar powered fans and are lit by romantic candlelight). They have Skype and internet at the Casa Grande, and a few of the housese hae internet access – though it is a satellite hookup and should not be used heavily!!

ARRIVING & DEPARTING

Arrive anytime on Saturday MAY 2nd. Depart anytime on Saturday, MAY 9th. There will be late afternoon yoga on the 2nd after everyone has landed and very early morning yoga on the 9th.

International flights arrive into San Jose, Costa Rica. From there, a 50-min domestic flight down to the Osa Peninsula (it is also possible to rent a car or take the bus, but the trip is around 8 hrs.) Please reach out to Jen at Kula as you consider flight plans.

Sansa and Nature Air are the two airlines that have several flights daily from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez. The flight is 50 minutes. (Be sure to factor in 1.5 to 2 hours between your local and international flights when you connect). You can book them on your own at www.flysansa.com or www.natureair.com.

WHEN BOOKING FLIGHTS: Look at your international flight from NYC at the same time as you consider local flights. (Open all search windows on your browser at the same time to compare). You want to make sure that you can find a local flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez that leaves one to two hours after your flight from NYC lands in San Jose, and vice versa on the return home). Ask Jen if you have questions.

Jen will collect everyone’s local flight info and coordinate and schedule taxis from the tiny airport in Puerto Jimenez out to Boca Sombrero. Please budget around $20 - $40 cash (American dollars fine) for this as you plan your trip.

If you wish, the friendly staff at our local Osa travel agent Osa Tropical can coordinate all your in-country travel needs from flights to taxis, and hotels in San Jose if necessary, as well as other travel recommendations around CR – at no extra charge to you. Their contact info:

osatropical@ice.co.cr
phone: 506-735-5062 or 735-5722 fax : 506-735-5043

To make all your connections on the same day, plan to arrive in San Jose before 12pm on the way down, and depart San Jose after 12pm on the way home. Or, you can arrive the evening before the retreat begins in San Jose and take an early morning flight the next day to Puerto Jimenez. (This way you will have the whole first day in the Osa)! We can provide you with a list of hotels, from budget to swank. Getting back to NYC in a single day is usually easy, though taking a late local flight out on the last day of the retreat and spending an night In San Jose is a nice way to milk an extra long day at the end)! Taking a little extra time to spend a night or two at the Finca Rosa Blanca coffee plantation just outside of San Jose is HIGHLY recommended (details below).

EMERGENCY

They have a good clinic and full service pharmacy in Puerto Jimenez.
There is a 24-hour emergency plane in Jimenez to take a patient to San Jose where there are excellent hospitals if needed.

PASSPORT/ VISA/ VACCINATIONS

- You MUST have a valid passport to enter Costa Rica (and it must not expire within 30 days of your arrival for Americans and 180 days for some nationalities)
- You do not need a Visa if you are American. Other nationalities should check with your consulate.

- You do not need any vaccinations.

SAN JOSE (& AROUND) HOTELS (recs from Boca Sombrero)

- Hotel Los Volcanes
Downtown Alajuela. Cute, clean, reasonably priced (between $50-$70/night), Tico owned and operated. Great breakfast. Book online at www.hotellosvolcanes.com

- Hotel Buena Vista
Hillsides of Alajuela, 15 minutes from the airport, with free shuttle to and from. Quiet with nice views and restaurant onsite. Prices range from $120-$200/night.

http://www.hotelbuenavistacr.com/

- If someone is looking to stay in San Jose for the city experience, Hotel Grano de Oro is a nice option. It's an old mansion converted into a boutique hotel. Rates start at $170 and go up to $500 for a suite. http://www.hotelgranodeoro.com/

- Literally next door to the airport; convenient for very late or very early connections: Marriott Courtyard San Jose Alajuela. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sjoap-courtyard-san-jose-airport-alajuela/

- The incredible coffee plantation: Finca Rosa Blanca. http://www.fincarosablanca.com/

Schuyler Grant, one of NY's pre-eminant teachers and founder of Kula Yoga Project.

SCHUYLER has been leading retreats to Costa Rica for 15 years. It all started in 1995 when she produced a yoga video shot in the Osa. She fell so deeply in love with this peninsula that she became a yoga teacher so she could bring her own groups to this magical spot. Seriously. During her millennium New Years retreat, she began discussing the idea of opening a yoga studio... and Kula Yoga Project was born. A few years later some local surfers convinced her that yoga was better on a surfboard and now forget it - the only thing keeping her in NYC is a her Friday 2 hour class. One of her greatest pleasures in life is introducing yogis to her favorite spot on earth.

Costa Rica: Yoga & Surf

LODGING OPTIONS & COSTS: