A Wellness Week in Costa Rica
Pura Vida
Escape and Rejuvenate
The School of Wellness-hosted experience in Western Costa Rica is a celebration of relaxed Costa Rican culture set near the rugged Pacific coastline in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
This isn’t just a vacation; it’s an intimate, life-changing experience shared with really interesting people. Each morning, engage in personalized sessions designed to unlock your inner potential and foster profound self-discovery. As the day unfolds, Costa Rica’s breathtaking landscapes become your playground. Soar through the treetops on a thrilling zip line, explore hidden trails on an ATV adventure, or find serenity on a horseback ride along the beach. Indulge in a rejuvenating massage, cycle through vibrant mountain paths, or simply unwind by the infinity pool with a handcrafted cocktail or mocktail, watching the sun paint the sky in hues of gold.
Your culinary journey is equally exquisite. A private chef will tantalize your taste buds with gourmet Costa Rican dishes, bursting with local flavors and fresh, organic ingredients. And the best part? From the moment you touch down, every detail is meticulously arranged for you. No stress, no planning—just pure, uninterrupted rejuvenation.
Who Will Flourish Here: This retreat is your sanctuary if you’re a successful, driven individual who feels the weight of your busy life. If you’re mentally resilient but crave space to reflect, reassess, and realign your path, this is for you. It’s time to step away from the whirlwind, to discern what truly matters, and to nurture the aspects of your life that deserve to thrive.
Double occupancy in our luxurious accommodations means you can share this journey with someone special—a life partner, a cherished friend, a valued colleague, or an adult family member. Our morning group sessions and daily two-hour seminars foster deep, meaningful conversations that can strengthen bonds and offer fresh perspectives.
Eileen’s School of Wellness has crafted this retreat to be more than a pause—it’s a launchpad. You’ll return home not just refreshed, but equipped with insights and strategies to sculpt a life that resonates with your deepest values and aspirations.
In Costa Rica, they have a saying: “Pura Vida.” It means pure life, full life. It’s time to claim yours. Join us. .
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Here is what other travelers have said about their experience with Eileen in Costa Rica
“A Wellness Week at least once, twice, thrice … in your lifetime to stop and think, to stop and breathe, to stop and reflect on what is really essential for you, for the ones you love is so worth it! This week was one of those for me, I got a chance to stop, to think, and to remember what the important things are. Moreover, the wonderful people I met and will keep in touch with! Thank you, Eileen”
“This was a great week to learn more about myself and what really matters. I saw how I was getting in the way of success. I loved connecting with others desiring more wellness in their lives and the tools to grow wise.”
“Such a well-organized week that combined fun and unique experiences with engaging and interesting wellness seminars, culminating in a realistic strategy to deal with challenging life situations.”
“Come ready to be open because this experience will open you in the best way possible!”
“This was a perfectly balanced experience of wellness topics, fun activities and community. This will benefit me for years to come.”
“I am now able to seize the opportunity to take the steps to live better.”
“The venue and week were perfect, and it was everything I hoped for and more. The meals were exquisite and the small group work Eileen designed really helped me evaluate and change some of how I am living back home.”
“I left Costa Rica a better version of myself!”
“The morning sessions on wellbeing were fun and interesting and each day I was surprised and completely engaged in what we were doing.”
“Eileen designed a week that was so thoughtful – a great mix of free time self-reflection, small group work and adventure. I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to explore a part of Costa Rica and grow personally.”
“There was a very strong sense of being cared for and that created a sense aliveness and vibrancy when we left.”
“My experience at Wellness Week left me recharged and the sessions led to such lively and deep discussions. There was plenty of laughter. The house was so immaculately clean and comfortable. The sunsets were like no other and beaches pristine.”
Cost
The cost of the trip is $3000 per person. The price includes double
accommodation for 7 nights ( 2 people to a room with en suite bathrooms), airport transfers in Costa Rica, and travel in Costa
Rica, all breakfasts and dinners and a raft of other services (see below). Each house has a fully equipped kitchen. It does not include
airfare to Liberia Airport (LIR- Daniel Oduber Int’l Airport) in western Costa Rica
(Pacific coast).
NOT Included: Airfare. Lunches.
Application Process
We do not accept participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, we collect applications.
If you are accepted on the trip, the first payment of $600 per person is due within 7 days of being accepted to secure your place.
We will notify you of the status of your application within 2 weeks.
The final payment of $2400 per person is due 60 days before the trip departure.
If the final payment has not been received within 10 days of the due date, it is assumed a default, the reservation is assumed canceled, and there is no refund.
Once we receive your deposit, we will notify you of its receipt and confirm your reservation.
We will not accept your deposit until and unless we are able to guarantee a room. You can pay by ACH, Venmo, or check.
Application and Payment Schedule
Make Payment via ACH, Venmo or Check
December 1-8, 2024 Accepting applications, a room for 2 available (men and/or women)
February 23- March 2, 2025 Accepting Applications
December 7-14, 2025 Applications open January 2025
First non-refundable payment of $600 due after acceptance
Final Payment 60 days before departure
Cancellation Policy:
The School of Wellness does not refund for inclement weather and other issues out of our control. For additional protection, consider trip cancellation insurance from https://travel.nationwide.com/plans/single – note offerings of both the Essential Plan and Prime Plan (Prime includes ‘cancel for any reason’). We are not affiliated with this company, only making our guests aware of its availability and suggest purchasing travel insurance. If you withdraw, any refund will be contingent upon whether we can find someone to take your place, but in any case, will be subject to a cancellation fee of 10% of the trip price, $300. If we can fill the spot, The School of Wellness will refund 50% of your deposit.
FAQs
Costs: The total Cost of the trip is $3000. per person. We may accommodate singles, contact us.
What does the trip Include?
All Inclusive
● 7-night luxury accommodations at The Pura Vida House with swimming pool. All rooms are doubles and we do not accept singles.
● Daily interactive discussions on personal /professional wellbeing led by Eileen
● 2 meals per day by private chef (breakfast/dinner)
● Private round trip airport transfers (Liberia International Airport)
● 1 Group Excursion: Sunset Sail & Snorkeling Cruise
● 2 Additional Excursions/Activities (choice of 2): horseback riding, zip lines, mountain biking tour, ATV riding, 60-minute massage (can upgrade to 90)
● Private ground transportation for all activities/excursions
● FREE Unlimited Daily Access to Exclusive Beach Club: 1 restaurant, 2 bars, 160 foot oceanfront infinity pool, Spa, Fully equipped glass- enclosed gym overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Water activities
● Access to the JW Marriott (8 restaurants/bars)
● Private access to 3 pristine beaches (Avellanas, Mansita, Langosta)
● Access to 2 Spas (Altos de Eros & JW Marriott)
● Golf carts to get around resort (two 6-seater carts + one 4 seater)
● Private concierge services (coordinate transportation, tours, activities)
● High Speed Wi-Fi (200/mbps)- the best internet service in Costa Rica
● 18 Hole Championship golf course (signature ocean views) with discounted golf green fees
● Daily Access to Tennis/Pickleball Courts (open play, court time) *instruction not included.
● Daily Housekeeping
● Laundry service
● Daily Costa Rican coffee
● Equestrian center
● Mini Market
● Beach chairs/umbrellas
● Mountain bikes w/ access to 20+ miles of ocean view trails
Not Included: Airfare and lunches
How can I find out more if I have questions?
You can email Eileen for specific questions, get contact information for previous attendees and/or you can schedule a call with Eileen here.
Who are the participants?
An eclectic small group of mostly Americans who are interested in promoting their own wellbeing and exploring the beauty and rugged wildness of Costa Rica. Almost everyone has previous experience seeing Eileen talk about Wellbeing in some capacity as this invitation is only open to her monthly blog, A Wellness Pearl subscribers.
What are the accommodations? You can see photos of the two luxurious homes Eileen has procured that are next to each other, the Pura Vida House and the Buena Vida House, which she is calling The School of Wellness Costa Rican campus. They are owned by the magnificent hosts Mani and Sindy Garcia, located nestled in a 4500-acre forested area (near Tamarindo, a world class surfing town) teeming with wildlife and boasts 3 of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches. Mani and Sindy own beautiful homes designed for groups, are solely in the business to provide hospitality to groups, and have partnered with Eileen over many seasons. The house is modern with hotel-like amenities, the best high-speed internet available in Costa Rica, full kitchen, filtered water, unlimited Costa Rican coffee, soap, shampoo, bath and beach towels, a blow dryer, etc. with daily housekeeping. Each bedroom accommodates two people, and the beds can be single or king. Most rooms have an en-suite bathroom. Meals are prepared by a talented chef and are served family-style at a large outdoor table. The housekeeper will do any laundry on Wednesday of each week for anyone that wants it- folded and returned to their room by the end of the day. We can accommodate vegetarians, pescatarians, gluten-free and food allergies if we are made aware well before the trip.
What can we expect on a Costa Rican trip with Eileen?
The moment you step off the plane and outside of the airport, you will be taken care of. You can do as much or as little as you want. There is a physician available to us 24 hours should one be needed. Much thought has been put into the Wellbeing Program and we hope you find it deeply insightful and at times lighthearted. Here are a few typical days of our schedule:
Arrival and Departure:
Most airlines do not post their schedules until 6 months before travel dates. We suggest making air travel plans as SOON as you can as the airline industry has been wonky across the globe. Please make round-trip air travel reservations to Liberia International Airport-LIR (AKA Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport) in western Costa Rica. Plan to arrive between 10 and 2 PM and depart after 12 noon. Once you get your flights, please send them on to Eileen, so we can arrange ground transportation. If you arrive or depart outside of these hours, we can arrange safe ground transportation for you, but it will be at your expense (approximately $150 US dollars each way). Check-in time at the villa is 3 pm and check-out is 10 am. It’s a one-hour 15-minute van ride to the house. Check your passport expiration date!
On Arrival:
You will be met by a van outside of the airport with a sign that says ” Eileen’s Group” . On the way to the house, we will stop at a full grocery store where you can pick up anything such as snacks, fruits, alcohol, and fluids. The house has Costa Rican coffee and fresh cold filtered water, but you can purchase items you want in your coffee and/or alcohol for the week. The trip will include breakfast and dinner and there are beautiful affordable places to get lunch on the beach.
Trip extensions:
Costa Rica is wildly different across the country. It is a fascinating place and you may want to see other parts of the country before or after the Wellness Week. If you are interested in ideas on places to visit, feel free to contact Eileen for recommendations. Be sure to book your travel so that you arrive and depart Libera airport with the trip so you are not charged for private transport to/from the airport.
Cash/Money:
There is no need to bring Costa Rican Colones. At the time of this writing, $563 Colones = 1$ US Dollar. All establishments take US Dollars. It is helpful to bring around $100 US cash in $1 or $5 bills for tipping drivers, etc. Most establishments take credit cards. The only money you will need is for any extra excursions/spa treatments you wish to take, lunches or souvenirs.
What to bring:
Once you are accepted, we will send suggestions for packing as we get closer. It is a very casual place- think clean T-shirt for dinner and flip-flops vibe.
Communication. We make every effort to ensure our group emails make it around increasingly vigilant spam filtering, however, this is not foolproof. Please add eileen@eileenogrady.net to your contacts, and check your spam filters regularly. If you have not heard from us in a while, please contact us to make sure you haven’t missed any important communication.
I know you are all busy and will try not to ask for too much info before we go but will need flight info for ground transport and dietary restrictions for the chef.