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Costa Rica Discover & Delight Retreat

Nourishing your well-being & courage in uncertain times

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 Costa Rica, Pacific Coast & Mountains

with Dr. Heather Burns

For all who identify with their feminine

No experience necessary, Spanish language not required

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July 14-20, 2025

leaving from San Jose on Monday July 14, returning to San Jose on Sunday July 20.

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Are you  feeling the need for renewal, inspiration, and guided adventure? Are you longing to expand your sense of well-being and groundedness?
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As climate change accelerates and political and cultural uncertainties abound, we need, more than ever, nourishing spaces to tend to our inner well-being and wisdom. We can learn to grow our capacity to show up from a place of connection and trust. And we can learn to expand our courage in the face of difficulty.
 
Travel with a small group of like-hearted enthusiasts to the Costa Rican Pacific ocean and rain forest to explore delight and curiosity as tools for Self-discovery and nourishment. 
 
When we practice curiosity, delight, and wonder, we learn how to deepen into present-moment experience and to expand our Self-trust and courage.  And when we practice connecting to the earth in joyful and open-hearted ways, we experience more calm and groundedness.
 
On this retreat, you'll learn skills for Self-discovery and delight that will leave you feeling more present, connected, and courageous for the times ahead. 
 
Enjoy a lovingly curated and unforgettable experience. Even if you haven't traveled much before, you can feel held in this guided experience, enjoying adventure, delight, and personal renewal without having to figure it all out yourself.
 
Enjoy curated and responsible tourism that supports local businesses and sustainable practices in Costa Rica.  
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Priority Registration by March 28 with $500 deposit. Spots are limited so sign up soon if this calls to you.
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3-5 month payment plans available upon request

Discover & Delight Retreat

  • Daily local activities to inspire you, delight your senses, and nurture your body, spirit, and heart (visit a cacao farm & make chocolate, forest bathe in a tropical rain forest, make plant medicine with indigenous guides, swim or surf in the Pacific ocean, enjoy tropical birds and monkeys, rest in hammocks)

  • Daily movement & mindfulness sessions to learn tools and practices for curiosity and delight

  • Daily earth and ocean connection invitations to deepen your self-discovery and courage

  • A slow pace and a balance of group and personal time for resting, relaxing, and exploring

  • Sweet time with other like-hearted enthusiasts

  • Days that are spent outside, in nature. Enjoy covered outdoor eating and gathering.

  • Amazing wholesome food, beautiful surroundings, comfortable accommodations

  • A focus on earth connection and spiritual renewal to leave you feeling rested, grounded, and open-hearted.

  • Stay in places that support local communities and care about sustainable practices

Description & Details...

As climate change accelerates and political and cultural unknowns abound, can we approach uncertainty with groundedness and wisdom? Can we develop more courage and Self-trust?

 

I believe we can.

 

This retreat is an invitation to explore, to engage your curiosity, and to soften into daily delight. These practices will not only leave you feeling deeply rested and connected, but will offer you more courage for what is ahead.

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We’ll intentionally move through our retreat days with a focus on curiosity and wonder. We'll notice what delights and inspires us, and we'll intentionally deepen into our sense of Self-discovery and earth connection in the process, building our skills in trust and courage.

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We'll tap into the energy of Pura Vida and explore the delight and joy of spending our retreat days in wonder and presence. (When you ask a Costa Rican how they are, the most common and very genuine response is "Pura Vida!"--life is beautiful).


This retreat will be great for you if you are feeling the need for renewal, inspiration, guided adventure, and are curious about how to develop more groundedness and courage in these uncertain times.


Accommodations: (see more details below)

Encantada Hotel  (on the Pacficic Coast)  & Rancho Mastatal: Permaculture Farm and Sustainability Education Center (in the Mountains)
 

Cost:

Shared room (double): $2750

Single room: $3350


3-5 month payment plans available- contact me for details.
 

Included:

  • 6 nights lodging

  • Round trip transportation from San Jose (airport hotel)

  • Daily delicious meals- local, organic, mostly vegetarian

  • All excursions (chocolate tour, plant medicine tour, forest bathing, mangrove monkey tour etc)

  • Daily guided group sessions for mindfulness, movement, and self-discovery


What’s not included:

  • Airfare to San Jose (SJO--passport required)

  • Travel insurance (required)

  • Lodging in San Jose - If you need to stay a night on the way in or out

  • Optional massage, community yoga classes, or surfing lessons (at Encantada hotel)

  • Cocktails or beer

  • Gifts or treats to take home

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Locations & Accomodations

We'll start our retreat with 3 days at the ocean-front Encantada Hotel in Esterillos on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Enjoy the beach, hammocks, the pool, and delicious food.

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On the 4th day, after a morning at the beach, we'll head into the mountains to the Rancho Mastatal, a permaculture farm and intentional community in the tiny town of Mastatal. We'll spend the next 3 days here. Enjoy rain forest, gardens, natural buildings, outdoor showers, and delicious food.

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Schedule

Each day will include:

  • Daily movement & mindfulness sessions

  • Daily guided earth and/or ocean connection invitations for self-discovery

  • Delicious & nutritious meals

  • A slow pace and a balance of group and personal time for resting, relaxing, and exploring

 

Monday-Leave San Jose and travel down the beautiful Pacific coast. Settle in at the Encantada hotel. Enjoy some hammock time, swim in the pool or ocean, and delight in a guided sunset walk on the beach.

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Tuesday-Enjoy a guided mangrove monkey tour by boat and delight in this place that supports iguanas, monkeys, and sloths. Feel inspired by beautiful beaches and rain forest.

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Wednesday-Enjoy a day at the ocean for walking, swimming, body surfing, eating, lounging in a hammock, and general resting. We'll engage in a guided forest bathing walk and will end the day with a bonfire on the beach.

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Thursday- Travel through the beautiful green mountains of Costa Rica to the Rancho Mastatal, get settled in, delight in a guided ranch tour in the tropical rain forest and a fresh local dinner with the Rancho Mastatal community.

 

Friday- Visit a nearby cacao farm, make and sample chocolate truffles, enjoy the local rural community and delight in butterflies, leaf-cutter ants, and toucans. Enjoy an optional swim in the river or hike in the rain forest.

 

Saturday- Visit a local indigenous farm and learn about tropical plant medicine, delight in the local flora and fauna during a slow plant walk, and learn to make your own medicine. Enjoy a guided forest bathing walk with local tea.

 

Sunday-Enjoy a slow and delightful morning and brunch at the ranch before traveling back to San Jose.

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Sample retreat day schedule:

  • Morning group movement & mindfulness session (outdoor)

  • Breakfast

  • Group excursion or session

  • Lunch

  • Afternoon open time to rest and renew: 2-3 hours to nap, take a walk, swim in the pool, go to the ocean, walk in the rain forest, journal, and more.

  • Sunset group session

  • Dinner

  • Group reflection or free time

  • Bedtime

This retreat is for you if:

  • You could use some inspiration and renewal

  • You enjoy travel--whether you've done it a lot, or just a little

  • You appreciate a guided and curated experience

  • You're open to exploring delight and discovering new aspects of yourself

  • You appreciate a mix of intentional group time and time for yourself

  • You want to build your sense of groundedness and courage

  • You appreciate or are open to nature-connection practices

  • You can be flexible and open in new places

  • You are ready to feel inspired and awed by beauty and new experiences

  • ​You appreciate a tropical climate and enjoy spending time outside

  • You're ready to rest, enjoy, and sink into delight!

My experience

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I'm Dr. Heather Burns and I've taken groups to Central America for learning and exploration since 2007. I love Costa Rica and have been there many times, starting in the 90s when I lived there during a college study abroad semester. During my time as a university professor I led student trips to Costa Rica (4 times), Nicaragua (3 times) to Cuba, and to Mexico (3 times) so I really know how to facilitate meaningful and fun travel experiences. And, I know international group travel to be a sure way to quickly and consistently deepen your Self-understanding and confidence, offering transformative learning in a short time frame. On this adventure I'm excited to help you soften into delight and curiosity as we explore and engage our senses. I will guide you in deepening your sense of courage and trust as we lean into the joy and delight of travel in Costa Rica. I have crafted this travel experience so that you can just show up and enjoy yourself in the sweet company of like-hearted others. I can't wait to travel and explore delight with you!
“It’s clear that every last detail of this retreat was considered in order to create a transformative experience that helped me to reconnect with nature and my inner wisdom. This retreat was extremely relaxing and masterfully facilitated. I left feeling connected, hopeful, and centered in a way I haven’t felt in a long time."

Deanna

Questions?

Send me an e-mail or set up a call to learn more about this retreat.
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