Day itinerary

Begin your day mindfully with a nourishing breakfast of fresh fruit, vegetarian or vegan gallo pinto, and herbal tea or Costa Rican coffee. Stretch or meditate briefly in the garden before beginning your journey north.

Receive Rental Car & Orientation

Pick up your rental car at the hotel or a nearby office. Go through the route, safety basics, and make sure you have offline maps ready (Google Maps or Waze).

Depart Alajuela via Route 1 (Interamericana Norte)

Take Route 1 heading northwest toward Liberia. The road is fully paved and scenic, passing through rolling hills, farmlands, and small towns.

Route Summary:

Alajuela → San Ramón (approx. 45 min).
San Ramón → Cañas (approx. 1 hr 15 min).
Cañas → Liberia (approx. 1 hr).
Liberia → Curubandé (approx. 20 min).

Break the drive with a peaceful lunch. Recommended options:

• Cañas: Café & Macadamia – vegetarian-friendly with mountain views.
• Bagaces: Restaurante El Mirador – local dishes with valley panoramas. Take time to breathe, hydrate, and enjoy the moment.

After lunch, continue toward Liberia & turn to Curubandé

Pass through Liberia, a good place to stop for fuel, an ATM, or snacks. From Liberia, take the road toward Rincón de la Vieja National Park and follow signs to Curubandé. This section is paved and surrounded by dry tropical forest.

Arrival in Curubandé

Check in to your eco-retreat. Settle in with a calming tea, a short walk on the property, or a gentle stretch to unwind.

Two magical days in the yoga retreat!

🌞Day 1: Sunrise meditation and gentle movement
Start the day with grounding breathwork and mindful movement as the forest comes to life. Let the sounds of birdsong and the breeze guide you inward.

Nourishing breakfast
Enjoy a vibrant farm-to-table breakfast featuring organic fruits, vegan bread and herbal teas from the retreat garden.

Permaculture Tour & Sustainability Walk
Learn about permaculture principles, composting, rainwater harvesting and regenerative living rhythms. Hosted by the retreat staff or local stewards.

Plant-Based Lunch
A light, nutritious lunch prepared with ingredients grown on site. Eat slowly and enjoy the silence.

Free time: Reflect, rest or journal
Relax in a hammock, visit the garden, write in your journal, or take a walk to the river. Time to simply be.

Yin Yoga & Deep Rest
A restorative yoga session focusing on release, stillness and integration. Supported with props and slow breathing.

Candlelit dinner and sharing circle
Enjoy a shared dinner under the stars. Afterwards, gather in a circle to reflect on intentions, nature and inner rhythm.

🌿  Day 2 – Flow, Wildness & Water

Sunrise Vinyasa Yoga
Flow through a dynamic yoga class to energise your body and mind, connecting your breath to your movement as the sun rises over the forest.

Forest breakfast
Fuel your body with a wholesome breakfast of tropical fruit, homemade granola and Costa Rican coffee or herbal infusions.

Hike to Rincón de la Vieja National Park
A volcanic wonderland just minutes from Curubandé. Hike through tropical dry forest to discover boiling mud pots, steaming fumaroles, waterfalls, and lush trails full of monkeys, toucans, coatis, and exotic plants. The Las Pailas sector offers easy access to geothermal activity and scenic viewpoints, a perfect blend of nature, wildlife, and adventure.

🥾 Hiking time in the Las Pailas sector of the park:
Short walk (1–2 hours): to the mud pools, steam vents and viewpoints. A long walk (3–4 hours) takes you on a full loop through the forest, alongside a river and a waterfall.

📌 Tip:
Remember to bring water, sunscreen and light snacks. During the rainy season, it’s best to leave by noon to avoid possible showers.

In the afternoon, you returned to the retreat, where you could relax in a hammock, swaying gently and surrounded by the sounds of the forest.

Sunset Slow Flow Yoga
End the day with a gentle, fluid practice in the golden light of the late afternoon, opening the body, softening the heart.

Farewell Dinner & Music by the Fire
Close the retreat with a cosy, local meal and soft music or storytelling. Give thanks for your time in rhythm with the Earth.

Route info:
Curubandé → Liberia → Santa Cruz → San Juanillo.
Distance: Approx. 130 km.
Estimated Driving Time: 3 hours, depending on route and road conditions.

NOTE: The itinerary only shows the details for the first four days of your trip. However, we are happy to provide a complete overview of the remaining days to you via email. This includes details of the entire itinerary: lodging, transfers, tours and activities.

Enjoy two full days at our amazing slow-living retreat, where you can relax, unwind wellness activities such as meditation and yoga.
Take part in daily sessions with stunning ocean views and abundant wildlife, enjoy healthy local cuisine and experience peaceful moments on the beach at Playa San Juanillo. You can also explore nearby magical beaches such as Nosara or the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, where you can see turtles nesting during the right season. Unwind with beautiful sunsets and deep relaxation, surrounded by the sounds of nature, gentle ocean breezes, and the serene rhythm of coastal life.

Route info:
Distance: Approx. 175 km.
Drive time: 4 hours.

You will stay in amazing, sustainable glamping accommodation.

Santa Elena is the perfect destination for yoga and wellness travellers seeking a peaceful mountain escape. Take nature walks through the Cloud Forest reserve to spot the wildlife, and breathe in the fresh, misty air. You can also visit local coffee farms, relax in cosy cafés, or join a sound healing or meditation session.

Route info:
Distance: 230 km.
Drive time: Approx. 4 hours.

Your accommodation: Farm and Yoga retreat.

Spend two days focusing deeply on inner connection through yoga, silence, ceremonial practices and creative self-expression, all set in lush, vibrant surroundings.

Enjoy immersive nature experiences such as swimming beneath waterfalls, spotting wildlife in the tropical forest and savouring peaceful moments on the beach, all of which can be seamlessly woven into your wellness routine.

Route info:
Distance: 180 km.
Drive time: Approx 4 hours.

You will stay at a beachfront eco accommodation.

Punta Banco offers a peaceful, off-grid retreat setting perfect for deepening your yoga and mindfulness practice. Surrounded by jungle and ocean, enjoy daily yoga with sounds of nature, sunrise meditations, and nourishing plant-based meals.

Wildlife watching: Spot monkeys, toucans, sloths, and scarlet macaws from your yoga mat!

Route info:
Distance: 230 km.
Drive time: 4.5 hours.

The route includes coastal, jungle, and mountain sections.

Things to do at the Santa Elena de Pérez Zeledón retreat:

• Practice yoga and meditation while enjoying stunning mountain views.
• Hike through the nearby jungle and cloud forest trails.
• Spot tropical birds, including toucans and hummingbirds!
• Enjoy wellness treatments such as massages, herbal baths or cacao ceremonies.
• Join workshops on breathwork, sound healing or creativity.
• Savour healthy, locally sourced meals, often plant-based.
• Capture the beauty of sunrises and sunsets over the highlands.
• Visit local coffee or cacao farms for an immersive experience.

Route info:
Distance: Approx. 150 km.
Drive time: 3.5 hours.

Have breakfast, return the car and check out of your accommodation.
You will then be transferred to the airport in the afternoon.

Departure time: 20:35.