BLUE SPIRIT COSTA RICA 16th-23rd NOVEMBER

Blue Spirit Costa Rica is my dream retreat and has been voted by Yoga Journal 2017 as one of the "best yoga escapes" and offers the perfect space to practice yoga and be in nature. Located in Nosara one of the worlds Blue Zones which inspired its name Blue Spirit it is perched on a hilltop overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a three-mile white sand beach that is protected as a turtle refuge. According to the author Dan Buettner the Nicoya Peninsular is one of the five Blue Zone's in the world: a blue zone is where people live the longest and enjoy the highest levels of wellbeing. The pristine nature, subtropical climate, dedicated staff, and the healing energy of the Nosara community create the perfect retreat experience. The gourmet-vegetarian cuisine, holistic Spa & Longevity services, salt-water infinity pool, excursions, and the graceful and comfortable accommodations cater to all tastes and budgets.

Join me at this dream location for yoga overlooking the Pacific and experience a deep connection to your true essence inspired by nature. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned practitioner options will be offered to support your growth as we root to earth and lift up to the sky. Each day will start with meditation, a slow-flow asana and pranayama practice and in the afternoon a restorative practice of SATYA (sensory awareness training for yoga asana) and Yoga Nidra. You will have free time to just be and explore the three-mile long beach, learn to surf and zip-wire.

There is a delicious selection of food including a breakfast of an assortment of fresh fruit, raisins, nuts, cooked oatmeal, gallo pinto plantain, onion pickles and scrambled eggs. Lunch including pea and mint raw cold soup, curried carrot salad, watermelon balsamic salad, sun-dried tomato rice salad, crispy cauliflower, spinach tofu and stir fry Vegan

spread. Dinner of broccoli and spinach soup, kale and apple salad, string-bean salad, pumpkin and corn curry, tofu paneer, vegetable koftas and naan bread.

ACCOMMODATION AND COST - All prices below cover the following;Your accommodation, the yoga classes taught by Sue, meals each day and use of Blue Spirit's beautiful facilities. They do not include; airfare, airport transfers (scroll down for information about booking your airport shuttle), spa treatments or optional excursions. Please visit Blue Spirit's website where you will find more information about excursions, spa treatments, amenities and more. www.bluespiritcostarica.com

Please note that if you are taking a 2 person per occupancy you will need to have someone to share with you. Once your booking has been made through www.susanchopping@yahoo.co.uk please scroll down to read the cancellation policy for this retreat (it is recommended that you purchase trip insurance, see cancellation policy for more information).

The following are located in the main building: Superior Ocean View Rooms, Ocean View Rooms, Mountain View Rooms and Hermitage Rooms.Nature Suites, Eco Cottages, and Pacifico Cottages are down the hill from the main building, accessed by beautiful sets of stairs that wind through the jungle.

These beautiful double rooms have step-out balconies and lots of windows with extraordinary ocean views. The room is elegantly furnished to provide the most luxurious space for couples or singles. Each room has a king-sized bed, a private bathroom with solar hot water and air conditioning. Superior Ocean View rooms have a safety box large enough to fit a 17″ laptop computer

Single £2255 Double £1625

Superior Ocean View A/C (King bed)

These double rooms have step-out balconies and beautiful ocean views. The rooms are tastefully furnished and provide the perfect space for two people. Each room has a king-sized bed or two twins, with a private bathroom with solar hot water and air conditioning. Ocean View rooms have a safety box large enough t

Single £1925 Double £1475

Ocean View with A/C (King bed or twin beds)

Mountain View with A/C (King bed or twin beds)

This double room has a step-out balcony and large windows with an extraordinary mountain view. The room is tastefully furnished and provides the perfect space for two people. It has a king-sized bed or two twins with a private bathroom with solar hot water and air conditioning. Mountain View Rooms have a safety box large enough to fit a 17″ laptop computer.

Single £1845 Double £1395

Pacific Cottage with A/C (Queen bed)

The Pacifico Cottages are tucked away amidst the lush tropical gardens and close enough to the sandy Pacific Beach so that the sound of the Ocean will rock you into sleep. Perfect for a couple, these beautiful and rustic new rooms feature a private porch with a hammock, 1 queen bed, an outdoor shower, air conditioning, and a safe big enough to fit a 17″ laptop. From the main building the Cottages are a short walk down the hill towards the beach.

Single £1845 Double £1375

Nature Suite with A/C (King or twin beds)

The Eco-Cottages are situated below the Main Building and involve a short hike up a stone stairway to get to the Main Building. Each Cottage sleeps two people and has a private b a t h r o o m w i t h a m b i e n t temperature water shower, or you can use our shared bathhouse with hot water showers. Everything runs on solar powered electricity to provide a comfortable and ecological setting. Each Eco-Cottage has a safety box large enough to fit a 17" laptop.

Single £1195 Double £995

Hermitage A/C (Queen bed)

Eco Cottage (Single or Twin)

Nature Suites are very cozy and located on a hillside overlooking the lush vegetation. They are simple and natural wood frame structures and have private bathrooms with an outdoor shower overlooking the jungle. Each Suite sleeps two people in either a king bed or two twin beds and includes a separate enclosed porch with a desk. All Suites have solar hot water as well as air conditioning. The Suites are a short walk up the hill to the Main Building. Nature Suites have a safety box large enough to fit a 17″ laptop computer.

Single £1750 Double £1360

These rooms are specifically designed for singles and provide privacy and elegance, while being cozy and inexpensive. Many of these rooms have partial views of the ocean and others of the mountains nearby, a queen-sized bed, a private bathroom with solar hot water and a air conditioning. Hermitage Rooms have a safety box large enough to fit a 17″ laptop computer.

Single £1390. Double £1180

Cancellation Policy:

•Our cancellation policy is strict and firm. We recommend that you purchase a cancellation/travel insurance policy to protect your investment: insuremytrip.com is a company that has a multitude of policies to choose from, including a “cancel for any reason” rider option.

•The £500 per person deposit is non refundable and non transferable.

•Cancellations on or before September 16th 2019: You will forfeit your deposit of £500.00 plus a cancellation fee of £100.00. The remainder of your payment will be refunded to you.

.Full payment to be paid by 16th September

•Cancellations on or after September 16th, 2019: You will forfeit ALL money rendered.

•Please do not make any travel arrangements before receiving confirmation of registration.

Venue

Blue Spirit Retreat

Nosara, Guanacaste Costa Rica

Website:

www.bluespiritcostarica.com

Map data ©2019 Google

Commuter Fee: Once the retreat is officially sold out, Blue Spirit issues us 3 commuter spaces for students staying off property: £700 per person.

Children’s Rates:

If a child shares a room with 2 adults / parents, then there is no extra housing charge – only the meal charge.

If a child shares the room with a single adult, then the parent pays a Single Occupancy room charge plus the meal charge for the child. Note: best room category for sharing space with your little ones is the Nature Suite.

The meal charges per child are:

ages 0-3 free

ages 4-12 £180 per meal/week

ages 13-17 £260 for meal/week

Any teen wanting to participate in the actual programs must be registered at adult package fees.

http://www.bluespiritcostarica.com

Terms of Use

MapSatelllite

LodgingArrival Day and Departure Day:The retreat starts after dinner on Saturday, 16th November and will be your travel day and day to check in at Blue Spirit, enjoy dinner and then gather as a group.The retreat ends on Friday night, Saturday, November 23rd, will be your day to check out from Blue Spirit, enjoy breakfast and then travel home.

Your package price includes:7 nights of accommodations, starting Saturday, November 16th3 gourmet and organic meals per day, served buffet style, starting with dinner on Saturday the 16th, and ending with breakfast on Saturday the 23rd November.Daily yoga classes with Sue Chopping

Daily ScheduleDaily Schedule: This is what our schedule for the retreat looks like. While it may be subject to minor changes, it gives you a basic idea of how your days will unfold while on retreat: when you can expect to practice and when you can participate in other activities or simply relax:

Saturday: a short gathering to welcome you, it will take place after dinner

Sunday:

7-8.0.a.m Meditation7-9am Breakfast9:30am-12:pm Yoga 12-1:30pm Lunch2-3pm Free time to walk or pause4-5.30.p.m Restorative Yoga 6-7:30pm Dinner

Monday7-8am Meditation7-9am Breakfast9:30am-12pm Yoga 12-1:30pm Lunch4-5.30pmYoga 6-7:30pm Dinner

Tuesday7-8am Meditation7-9am Breakfast9:30am-12pm Yoga 12-1:30pm Lunch4-5.30Yoga 6-7:30pm Dinner

Wednesday: after the 9:30am-12pm morning class, this is your free day! Feel free to do nothing, to surf, to explore Nosara etc. Blue Spirit’s front desk staff will assist you in signing up for a la carte activities.

7-8am Meditation7-9am Breakfast9:30am-12pm Yoga 12-1:30pm Lunch6-7:30pm Dinner

Thursday, after the morning class, there is no class until after dinner, so another afternoon to feel free to do nothing, to surf, to explore Nosara etc. Blue Spirit’s front desk staff will assist you in signing up for a la carte activities.

7-8.0.a.m Meditation7-9am Breakfast9:30am-12pm Yoga 12-1:30pm Lunch6-7:30pm Dinner7:30-9pm Restorative Yoga

Friday7-8am Meditation7-9am Breakfast9:30am-12pm Yoga 12-1:30pm Lunch4-5.30 Restorative Yoga 6-7:30pm Dinner

Saturday: depart after breakfast, sigh…

Airport Shuttle Information:

Airport shuttle is NOT included in your package price. Please arrange for this directly with Blue Spirit resort. The cost of their shuttle between Liberia airport and Blue Spirit is about $65 to $70 each direction.

Blue Spirit has multiple shuttles picking participants up at the Liberia Airport on Saturdays ONLY from 12-4pm and then 7-8:30pm and they will depart as they fill. Please go to this link to make your reservat ions for the Shut t le between Blue Spi r i t and L iber ia A i rpor t h t tp : / /www.bluespiritcostarica.com/shuttle-reservations

Upon arrival there will be a person to greet you and guide you to your shuttle. He will have a Blue Spirit sign. When you arrive you should allow 30 – 60 minutes to go through immigration, customs and baggage claim. Once you have retrieved your luggage and passed customs, your shuttle organizer will be waiting outside the only terminal exit at LIR. The organizer will be wearing a Blue Spirit T-shirt and will greet you with a sign that says BLUE SPIRIT.

The shuttle will depart when it is full and all the arriving guests are in the shuttle – we don’t leave anyone behind – so you may need to wait a few minutes until everyone is in the shuttle.If your flight is delayed, rescheduled, AND SPECIALLY if you miss a connection, please contact Blue Spirit at +1.845.684.2007; this is a US number where you can reach Blue Spirit. If you have any issues while you are in Costa Rica please contact us at our local number 2656.8300.

Blue Spirit also has all your flight information and will be tracking flights, so they are also keeping track of delays or re-scheduling and there will still be a shuttle waiting for you at the airport.

The ride from Liberia Airport to Blue Spirit is between 2 and 2.5 hours.For your departure, there are several group shuttle services departing Blue Spirit between 4:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. You should plan to be at the airport two hours before your flight departs. Please note: The exit tax which you pay upon departure from Costa Rica is $29, and can be paid in Costa Rican Colones, US Dollars, or credit cards.Other Helpful Information, based on questions from previous students:

Getting around Blue Spirit:If you have mobility issues, be sure to check the location of your room before booking. Many room options will have a long flight of steps to reach our reception desk. The dining and pool will be on different levels, sometimes several flights of stairs away from your room. Because the additional accommodations beyond the main building are built along a hill, outdoor exploring around will involve walking on steps. There is an elevator in the main building.

Should I bring a towel? Blue Spirit provides towels for bathing, but not for the beach…plan to pack a small beach towel or sarong for this purpose.

Should I bring my own yoga mat? You don’t need to bring any of your yoga stuff…they have all of it there!

I have dietary restrictions, can Blue Spirit accommodate them? In our experience, Blue Spirit has been very accommodating to students with specific dietary needs. Please let us know ahead of time so that we can communicate to the Blue Spirit culinary staff.

Do I tip at Blue Spirit? There is a $60 fee added to your bill which covers gratuities for the employees of Blue Spirit (you are welcome to change that number so that it’s less or more, at your discretion). That fee does not cover tips for massage therapists. Other tips to consider during this retreat are small tips for shuttle drivers who are not employees of Blue Spirit, and tips for activity leaders/guides should you decide to go on a nature tour, take a surf lesson, etc.

Can I drink the water there? Yes! Blue Spirit has their own well and a state-of-the-art filtration system.

Do I need an adapter to plug in? Blue Spirit has two-prong outlets, just like the ones in the US.

Can I bring the children? There is no onsite childcare, but if you are traveling with an adult who can care for the children while you are in class, they are welcome to join. The Nature Suites have the most room and so are the most family-friendly.

Can you speak to currency needs and exchange? Can credit cards be used for non inclusive charges?Blue Spirit takes credit cards and so do many shops in the area. You do not need to travel with a lot of cash and many places accept USD.

Is Wi-Fi available for communicating back home?Yes, stronger in some places than others, but yes.

Dress code for dinners?It’s Blue Spirit casual 🙂 That means the only thing not allowed during meals is bare feet and bathing suits. Clothes and shoes are required.