Pura Vida Surf & Yoga Camp

Costa Rica Surf Camp and Yoga Retreat for Women

Be adventurous and transform yourself during a weeklong retreat at Pura Vida Adventures. Our intent is to rejuvenate and to empower the mind, body and spirit through surfing, SUP, and yoga – the “pura vida” way. Our retreats draw inspiration from the Costa Rican phrase “pura vida,” which, loosely translated means “enjoy life.” This spirit is infused into every aspect of our retreats. Pura Vida Adventures is about giving you a new experience and perhaps a new outlook on life.

“What a gift it was to share a week in your perfect paradise – warm water, spectacular waves and amazing women. “Pura Vida” is the real thing and you all have it!” ~ Mary

Come immerse yourself in the Costa Rican “pura vida” lifestyle and allow us to pamper you at one of our week long retreats:

Surf Camp: Together we will explore the art of wave riding, find presence in daily yoga, experience Costa Rica’s natural beauty and harmonious way of life, enjoy a variety of fresh local dishes, relax under the tropical sun, and share in a community of laughter and fun.

Yoga for Transformation Retreat: Discover the many benefits yoga has on all aspects of your life; soak up the beauty and energy of tropical Costa Rica; awaken your senses during a meditative hike through the jungle; share meals and experiences with new friends; and transform yourself into a more relaxed and radiant you.

SUP (Stand Up Paddle) Camp:  Celebrate with us our first ever SUP camp as we soak up the fun and adventure of beautiful Costa Rica!  Together we will glide on water, explore the stunning coastline, find balance in daily yoga, experience the local culture, taste tantalizing cuisine and make great new friends; while discovering the fun in each and every moment.

Costa Rica Surf Camp

Our 7-day/6-night surf adventures include:

• Beachfront accommodations at our barefoot-luxury resort with swimming pool, restaurant/bar, spa and oceanfront hammock area
• Daily surf instruction with our patient and caring, professional instructors
• Sunset surf sessions – watch the sun melt into the horizon from your surfboard
• Daily yoga sessions in our outdoor, oceanfront yoga studio
• Three healthy, gourmet meals each day at our beachfront restaurant and several of the best restaurants in town
• Professional one-hour therapeutic massage at our beachfront spa with additional spa services available
• Superior surf equipment including soft tops, high performance epoxy and fiberglass surfboards
• Complete access to our extensive surfboard quiver during your entire week
• Day trips to secret surf spots – our destination offers the most diverse selection of surf breaks in Costa Rica
• Transportation to the different surf breaks throughout your week
• PVA rash guard (surf shirt)
• “The Core of Surfing” surf manual
• Unlimited bottled water
• 24-hour concierge service from our attentive camp host, Niqui, who will guide and assist you every step of the way
• Bellhop services for your arrival and departure
• Daily maid service
• Snacks, water and essential beach supplies during your surf sessions
• An attentive and caring staff that supports you during your entire stay

Other activities:

The following activities may be offered depending on scheduling, surf conditions and guest preferences:

• Hike through the jungle to Montezuma waterfalls
• Salsa dancing lessons
• Sunset at “Vista de las Olas” panoramic, mountaintop swim-up bar
• Beachside BBQ and bonfire
• Live concert from our very own Annie Bethancourt

Additional Activities in the Area:

Stand Up Paddling: Glide on water and experience Costa Rica’s stunning coastline while enjoying breathtaking views and exotic sea life from your paddle board. Inquire upon arrival.

Zip Line Canopy Tour: Fly through the forest canopy over creeks and canyons with amazing vistas and panoramic views of the jungle and the Pacific Ocean below. Inquire upon arrival.

Horseback Ride: Gallop along the shore and visit other beaches via horseback. Inquire upon arrival.

Fishing Tour: Cruise the Costa Rican coast-line and explore the underwater volcano and Cabo Blanco National Park. Catch tuna and Mahi Mahi and see an abundance of natural wildlife. Inquire upon arrival.

ATV Tour: An exhilarating way to explore the Costa Rican countryside, villages and the breathtaking beaches in the area. Inquire upon arrival.

Cabo Blanco Nature Hike: Guided or unguided nature hike through Costa Rica’s first Nature Reserve, Cabo Blanco. A great way to experience the peaceful nature and animal life for which Costa Rica is well known. Inquire upon arrival.

Shared Accommodations

These large rooms have two beds with a large private bathroom and outdoor patio. This is perfect for solo travelers who would like to share a room with another guest and would like us to choose their roommate, or for two friends who want to share a room. Some of the bungalows have three beds, which is a fun option for three friends who want to share a room.

Private Accommodations with shared bath

This type of accommodation has two separate rooms with their own entrances, outdoor patio and has a large bathroom that is shared between the two rooms. This is perfect for someone who likes a bit of privacy, but doesn’t mind sharing a bathroom.

Private Accommodations with private bath

This type of accommodation is a large room with a queen size bed, private bathroom and outdoor deck. This is perfect for someone who enjoys their privacy.

Beachfront Accommodations

Our beachfront retreat is a real tropical paradise located at our favorite beach, Playa Carmen. Our accommodations are situated amidst lush tropical gardens that flow onto an expansive white sand beach, combining the best natural elements Costa Rica has to offer. Hidden beneath the colorful foliage, you can enjoy a swim in our crystal blue pool, or simply lounge in a beachfront chaise or hammock while taking in the beauty of the warm sparkling ocean and deep red sunsets. Just walk out your front door and be on the beach and in the surf in under a minute. Can you say dreamy?

Our accommodations feature Teak and mosaic floors, bamboo beds, wood doors leading to indoor/outdoor decks and custom hardwood finishing which combine modern comfort with local, tropical decor. We offer shared and private rooms with closets, ceiling fans, mini-fridges, safety boxes and air conditioning.

Our retreat’s private patios with chaise lounges are the perfect hangout between sessions. The hotel’s private beachfront chill-out area is shaded by coconut and almond trees. Relax or nap in one of the hammocks or many lounge chairs scattered about, while the ocean breeze cools your sun-kissed skin, and soothes your tired muscles.

Oh yeah, and there’s the 24 hours of tranquil pacific breeze and the soothing sounds of waves just a stone’s throw from your bed.

Hotel Features:

beachfront accommodations, Al Chile Viola restaurant, ocean view pool with Jacuzzi, beachside hammocks and lounge area, Spa Natural, beachfront yoga studio, air conditioning, ceiling fans, verandas, hot water, coffee maker, wireless internet, safety box, mini bar, 24 hour security, and walking distance to shops, bars and restaurants.

Surf Retreat Rates

See below for a complete description of each type of accommodation.

$200 discount Package Rates – Pay in full 45 days in advance to receive the following rates:

• Shared Accommodation – $2195*
• Private Accommodation with shared bath – $2395*
• Private Accommodation with private bath – $2895*

*Rates quoted are per person.

New Year’s Surf Adventure Rates differ from the rates above. Contact Us for more info.

Ask us about our current specials and our group discounts.

Surf Retreat Dates:

Fall 2011 thru Summer 2012

Yoga Retreat Rates

See below for a complete description of each type of accommodation.

*Rates quoted are per person.
Group Discounts!
We offer group discounts. Please email us for more information.

Yoga Retreat Dates

• November 5 – 11
• May 26 – June 1 ~ Coed
• June 4 -10
• June 16 -22 ~ Coed
• August 19 – 25

Additional Surf Instruction Packages:

Just add these prices to your yoga retreat package and you’ll be ready to surf.

• The Starfish ~ One-day Class: $80
• The Sea Turtle ~Three-day Classes: $240
• The Dolphin ~ Five day Classes: $350

Travel Information

The first and last days of your surf adventure are considered travel days. The first day officially kicks off around 6:00pm with a “Welcome Dinner” and the last day ends around noon after a surf session and brunch. We have fun activities planned for both those days, so be sure you don’t arrive too late or leave too early! We recommend that you allow 2 hrs between your international and domestic flights for customs, baggage claim and ticketing.

Flying To/From Costa Rica

International Airport: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), 17 km outside San Jose, the capitol of Costa Rica.

Airlines: American, United, Frontier, COPA Panama, Delta, US Air, Continental, America West, LACSA, Mexicana, and Taca airlines fly to Costa Rica.

Departure Tax: $26 departure tax is payable at the international airport by all foreign passengers departing on international flights.

To / From Malpais

There are two ways of getting to/from Malpais: a domestic flight or shuttle bus.

Domestic Flight
The closest airport to Malpais is Tambor. Once in Tambor, expect a 1hr taxi ride. Taxis cost approximately $45 for 1-4 people and $10 for each additional person. We will schedule a taxi to pick you up in Tambor, so look for a sign with your party’s name. There are a limited number of flights and seats to Tambor, so make your reservation early. The two airlines that fly from San Jose to Tambor are Sansa and Nature Air. If you are planning on bringing your surfboard, please contact the airline regarding their size restrictions. Flight schedules change periodically, so please check with the airlines for exact times.

Top

NATURE AIR

Nature Air is located at the Tobias Bolanos Airport near San Jose in Pavas – 8 miles from San Juan Int. Airport.
www.natureair.com | info@natureair.com | 011-(506) 220-3054 | Toll Free USA/Canada: 800-235-9272

Rates: One-way $83 plus tax

Flight schedules change periodically, so please check with the airlines for exact times

High Season – December 1 – April 30

The Sansa terminal in San Jose is located at the San Juan International Airport.
www.flysansa.com | reservations@flysansa.com | 011-(506) 290-4100 | Toll free USA: 1-877-767-2672

Rates: One-way $83, plus tax

Flight schedules change periodically, so please check with the airlines for exact times.

High Season – January 1 – April 30

Low Season – May 1 – December 31

Shuttle Bus

We have partnered with Montezuma Expeditions to provide you with shuttle bus services to/from Malpais. The shuttle bus leaves San Jose and Malpais daily once in the morning and once in the afternoon. The shuttle bus will pick you up at the airport or your hotel. The price is $45/per person each way. The shuttle ride is an approximate 7-hour drive through Costa Rica’s picturesque countryside, including a 90-minute ferry ride on the Golfo de Nicoya. Please contact Montezuma Expeditions directly at info@montezumaexpeditions.com or call 011- (506) 2441-3394.

“Pura Vida gives you the whole experience – the surf, the food, the bonding. Most importantly though – I would like to really highlight how AWESOME your staff is. They were all professional in and out of the water but at the same time, super fun. They really looked out for us and we could all tell that they really wanted us to learn and do well. I honestly can not say enough about how great this camp is… SO worth the bruises and cuts, the bug bites and the tacky bathing suit tans we all come back with. I’d do it all over again in an instant.” Ako Matsuzaki ~ San Francisco, California

“I just had to write and tell you how this trip has just completely affected me. First of all, it reminded me how to LIVE, what it felt like to live, love the world. It was Malpais and everyone at surf camp – you, Danny, Erika, Julia, Melissa… just reminding me what life really is all about, and the ocean and surfing of course. Truly – it’s so awesome that you have Pura Vida and know that everything you’ve created really touches people (me) in more ways than just a “surfing adventure”. It brought the passion back in me to really live and reminded me what pura vida really is.” Tammy Chang ~ Honolulu, Hawaii

“I wanted to write you an email expressing my absolute ADORATION for PVA. I had an amazing time on my trip and could not have wished for anything more. I raved about it to all of my friends and still haven’t stopped talking about it weeks later. There is nothing better than a bunch of exciting, adventurous women getting together to catch some waves. Lots of laughs, lots of surf, AMAZING food, wonderful accommodations, fantastic instructors, warm water, endless sun, gorgeous sunsets…perfection.” Jennifer Graham ~Old Chatham, New York

“Thank you for the best vacation! I went down to Costa Rica feeling like I was simply walking though life but not actually living it and now I feel more alive than ever. You have an amazing group of instructors and are running a spectacular program.” Rebecca Steele ~Seattle, Washington

“Start by imagining the perfect week: surfing, yoga, wonderful food, beautiful women, falling asleep to the sound of the waves every night – wake to the sounds of tropical birds in the morning. Maybe see the stars like you’ve never seen them before. Start telling time by the direction of the wind and the tides. Forget what day it is. How hard can you paddle? Drink? Laugh? Double that, and that’s Pura Vida.” Elizabeth Proctor ~ Pacifica, California