costa rica travel packet

8/3/2019 Costa Rica Travel Packet

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HANUMAN

March 3-10, 2012

Tales of Love and Glory

Douglas Brooks • Amy Ippoliti • Sianna Sherman & Special Guest Theodore Kyriakos

Kat Saks - Retreat Coordinator P 347-549-9642 E [email protected] AmyIppoliti.comBlue Spirit - Nosara, Costa Rica +1-646-833-3410 (from US/Canada); 2656.8300 (from Costa Rica) E [email protected] BlueSpiritCostaRica.com

Thank you for your interest in Hanuman: Tales

of Love and Glory, an Anusara Yoga & Tantric

Meditation Retreat with Douglas Brooks, Amy

Ippoliti, Sianna Sherman & Theo Kyriakos at

Blue Spirit in Nosara, Costa Rica!

We look forward to a relaxing, transformational ex-

perience: a time to look inside ourselves, to move

into a deeper relationship with our practices, and togain perspective on our lives journey. This packet

will help you prepare for your retreat.

Blue Spirit Retreat in Costa Rica provides an

exceptional setting to all who are dedicated to

spiritual transformation, personal development, and

environmental sustainability. Perched on a penin-

sula overlooking the Pacific Ocean and a three-

mile white sand beach that is protected as a turtlerefuge, Blue Spirit Retreat offers an extraordinarily

beautiful and natural setting on one of Costa Rica’s

finest beaches, guaranteeing that your retreat will

be a deeply nurturing and unforgettable experi-

ence.

DAILY SCHEDULE

Morning Meditation and Mantra with Douglas

Breakfast

Anusara Yoga class with Sianna and Amy

Lunch

Afternoon Dharma talk with Douglas

Group mindfulness sessions with Theo

Dinner

DAY TRIPS

The friendly Blue Spirit staff can arrange surf lessons,horseback riding along the beach, visits to the Ostional turtlerefuge, or canopy tours that offer thrilling views of the CostaRican jungle. For more tranquil activities, enjoy bird watch-ing on Boca Nosara, River Kayaking, or a Stand Up PaddleSurf Lesson. In addition, there are miles of soft, white sandbeaches for long walks and gorgeous sunsets. You’ll haveone completely free day during the week to explore.

For more information, please visitwww.bluespiritcostarica.com/about-costa-rica

MEALS

The food is delicious, wholesome, plentiful, mostly organicand locally grown. All meals will be provided beginning withdinner on Saturday, March 3rd, and ending with breakfast onSaturday March 10th. Vegetarian or vegan diets are easilyaccommodated; fish is served 3 times during our weeklongstay. All meals are buffet style. Please let us know about yourdietary needs and preferences prior to the retreat.



HANUMAN

March 3-10, 2012




TRAVEL/TRANSPORTATION

TRIP TIMELINEOur retreat begins March 3rd with dinner and ends on March 10th atbreakfast. These are your arrival and departure dates.

The actual scheduled programming starts Sunday March 4th in themorning.

Check in time for all rooms is 4:00pm.

Check out time for all rooms is 10:00am.

GETTING TO BLUE SPIRITThe two international airports in Costa Rica are Liberia InternationalAirport (LIR) and San Jose International Airport (SJO). Blue Spiritrecommends flying into Liberia airport. If you arrive to Liberia Airport,the drive to Blue Spirit will take about two hours. If you arrive to SanJose, the drive will take four to five hours.

For a complete guide on traveling to Blue Spirit, please refer to theGetting to Blue Spirit document provided on our website:

www.amyippoliti.com/events. This document is essential to planningyour airfare and transportation!

NOTE!If you plan to fly home from San Jose International Airport and take adomestic flight from Nosara to San Jose please plan ample connec-tion time for your homebound travel to ensure you make your depart-ing international flight.

CAR RENTALSAre you thinking of renting a car while you are in Costa Rica?

The advantage of renting a car with a friend or two is that you canuse it during the breaks, as well as to get to and from the airportof your choice (either Liberia or San Jose). However, a car is notneeded once you are at Blue Spirit.

A rental car will also come in handy if you prefer to plan your ownexcursions while at Blue Spirit.We can connect you with other people interested in renting a car.Just ask!We recommend reading a bit about driving in Costa Rica so you’refamiliar with the traffic signs and know what to expect.To learn more about car rental, please refer to the Getting to BlueSpirit document on our website: www.amyippoliti.com/events

TAXIS & SHUTTLESPlease refer to the Getting to Blue Spirit documenton our website: www.amyippoliti.com/events

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HANUMAN

March 3-10, 2012




PREPARING FOR YOUR

RETREAT EXPERIENCEWireless internet is available at no cost and can be accessed viapersonal laptops for use of email, Skype, or any Internet-phone calls,but we recommend getting any pressing matters at home taken careof in the weeks leading up to your departure. This will prevent emailsand phone calls from distracting you as you delve into the practicesand the beauty of the surroundings.

Here are a few helpful ideas to help you prepare for your time away:Water plants before leaving home or arrange for a neighbor to carefor them while you’re away.Dial your thermostat up or down to match the temperature of theseason.Arrange for pet care.Lock all windows and doors securely.

Tell neighbors that you’ll be away and how they can reach you incase of an emergency.Close blinds and curtains.Remove perishable items from your refrigerator.Empty all waste baskets & run the garbage disposal.Be sure that your passport is current and, if not, renew it immedi-ately to avoid delays.

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TRAVEL INSURANCE

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protectyour trip investment. In the event of illness, emergency, theft,

weather conditions or anything that might prevent you fromtraveling at the last minute, travel insurance is a great blessing(we recommend www.travelsecure.com).

In our years leading retreats, we have seen everything fromthe flu to major storms prevent participants from traveling. Allpayments are non-refundable, so protecting your trip is highlyadvised.

TRAVEL/TRANSP ORTATION & PR EPARATION S



HANUMAN

March 3-10, 2012




WHAT TO BRING

TO COSTA RICAComfortable, cool & casual is the rule forCosta Rica. Swimsuits, shorts and anythingcool are ideal. Wear whatever you’ll becomfortable sitting and practicing in. When

packing, please remember that all domes-tic flights within Costa Rica are weightrestricted for safety reasons and you maybe charged overweight luggage fees, sobe sure to check with the airline for weightrestrictions if you fly within Costa Rica to getto Nosara.

MUSTST-shirts and shortsSleepwearLight sweater ( if you intend to travel inthe Central Valley area of Costa Rica - notneeded for Nosara)

Pants for night timeSocks for the plane or hikingSwimsuit for pool and oceanSun HatSandals/flip flopsSturdy re-usable water bottleAlarm clock if you need oneTea tree oil for insect bitesToiletries (Blue Spirit provides organicshampoo and conditioner in all accom-modations except tents and eco-cottages.If you bring your own, please bring onlybiodegradable soaps to help preserve theenvironment)

Natural Deet-free bug repellent: some-times there are small “no-see-ums” andmosquitoes around in the eveningCopious amounts of natural, biodegrad-able sunscreenNotebook and/or journal, pensYoga Props such as sticky mat, strap, anda block are provided by the retreat center.Current Passport, any necessary visas,airline tickets, spending cash for travel,and this packet!

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SUGGESTED ITEMSCamera (extra batteries)Cell phoneHiking shoes or sneakers with ankle sup-port

Reef shoesAny personal medications, remedies orsupplements you might need for yourhealthBiodegradable soap for hand laundryipod/mp3 playerAirplane neck pillow for the tripExtra swimsuitsHair elastics if you have long hairSpanish phrase bookNO Electric adapters are needed if youcome from the US or Canada (voltage andoutlets are the same). If you come fromEurope or other countries. please bring an

adapter suitable to US outlets.Your ATM card for spending cash forbodywork, all the amazing shopping, addi-tional excursions, etc. We recommend thatyou go to the ATM once you are in CostaRica and before getting to Blue Spirit.

BRING SPENDING

MONEY FORShopping for local specialties and artisancrafts.Day trip excursions (prices vary).Lunch during the optional day trip.Wellness services available upon request.(Individuals can book their massagesthrough a sign up sheet with the therapistof their choice at the reception desk at theretreat center.)Blue Spirit does not provide laundryservice.Gratuities for Blue Spirit staff (WildspiritYoga contributes to the gratuity at BlueSpirit, but we like to be very generous as a

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group as well!).The US Dollar is widely accepted in CostaRica, so exchanging US Dollars to CostaRica Colones is not necessary. Smallerdenominations of $20 or less are easiestto cash. The exchange rate is approximately 500 to 600 Colones per US Dollar.

There is an ATM machine and bank, whichis a 10-minute drive from Blue Spirit. TheATM and Bank only accept VISA Cardsand dispense Costa Rican Colones.

MISC

INFORMATIONCosta Rica is usually a comfortable 80-90degrees during the days and in the 70’s atnight. During the day, it can be very hot inthe sun.

Should you forget essential items or are

looking for some snack foods, books to reador souvenirs - the Blue Spirit store offers awide array of goods to purchase.

Any extra spending at Blue Spirit (i.e. foractivities organized through the receptiondesk, such as surf lessons, horseback ridingcanopy tours, or Wellness services), and anyconsumption at the Café can be charged toyour credit card.

CURRENCY EXCHANGEAssistance with currency exchange is avail-able at: www.xe.net/ucc.

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WHAT TO BR ING & H ELPFU L HINTS



HANUMAN

March 3-10, 2012




A FEW SPANISH PHRASES FOR YOUR STAYSince the Ticos (Costa Rican locals) are part of our extended family, you mightlike to learn a few of the most commonly used words in advance:

English Spanish PronunciationHello Hola Ola

Goodbye Adios Adeeyos

Please Por favor por fabor

Thank You Gracias graseeas

Good Morning Buenos días Bwenos deeyas

Good Night buenas noches Bwenas noches

Yes Si see

No No no

My name is… Me llamo… meh l-yamo

Thanks for your help Gracias por su ayuda. Graseeas por soo ayooda

Sorry! /Excuse me! Lo siento! Lo seeyento!

How are you? Cómo está? Komo está?

SPANIS H PHRASES



HANUMAN

March 3-10, 2012




CONTACT INFO RMATION & MAP

CONTACT INFO FOR BLUE SPIRITIn case of an emergency, or if your family needs to reach you, they can contact you by calling:+1-646-833-3410 or send an email to [email protected]

If you have any further questions after reading this packet, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We look forward to our adventure in Nosara and are glad you will be a part of it!

Travel safely, and see you soon!

costa rica travel packet

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