Doors to the Wild Self: Monteverde, Costa Rica Yoga Retreat
Join us in the magical cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica for a life-changing experience of yoga, tree climbing, adventure, and self care!
Join us in the magical cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica for a life-changing experience of yoga, tree climbing, adventure, and self care!
Imagine waking up in the cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica to the sounds of tropical birds and monkeys, as gentle rays of sunlight filter through the trees. Does this yoga retreat sound like a dream? We think so! Doors to the Wild Self: Costa Rica Cloud Forest Retreat is a week of living up close and personal with nature, disconnecting from work and technology, and allowing the verdant life and flowing waters of Costa Rica to nurture your mind, body, and spirit.
Join us at the amazing eco-retreat Finca Camino Nuevo in Monteverde, Costa Rica, for this magical week in the cloud forest! Finca Camino Nuevo offers comfy and modern rooms, indoor and outdoor communal spaces, a pool and jaccuzzi, a malocca ceremonial space, forest trails, a tree net you can climb into, and more! Watch different types of monkeys, birds, and enjoy a view out to the Gulf of Nicoya from your patio. Finca Camino Nuevo is a special place designed with love, only available for yoga retreats and ceremonies, so our stay is a special privilege.
Monteverde, Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. Costa Rica as a tiny country is home to a whopping 6% of this planet’s biodiversity! Monteverde has six distinct ecological zones that are more than 90% virgin forest. The region is home to more than 2,500 unique plants, 100 different mammals, 400 species of birds, 120 reptiles and amphibians, and thousands of insects. The area around Monteverde is home to many scientists and nature lovers, and this yoga retreat allows attendees to learn so much while diving into the unbelievable beauty. A short trail behind Finca Camino Nuevo takes you to a rope ladder which guides you into a sturdy tree net. In the tree net is a great place to relax in the cloud forest canopy. You can watch birds, monkeys, and look closer at the incredible plants that call the tree canopy home.
The canopy is the place to notice epiphytes. These plants latch onto the large trees, pulling water out of the misty, cloud forest air. One type of epiphyte you might be familiar with is the orchid. Monteverde is home to over 500 species of orchids, more than any other place in the world!
One amazing adventure we offer in this biodiverse paradise is tree climbing with ropes and safety gear, in order to get up close and personal to the majestic giant strangler figs! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to hang out in the cloud forest canopy with epiphytes (the special plants growing from the tree branches), birds, magical clouds of mist, and so much wonder! Our local, knowledgeable tree climbing guides are the people who first started climbing the strangler figs with ropes, and later founded the nonprofit project Palo Vivo. Supporting Palo Vivo helps bring outdoor education and conservation education to local school children. Tree climbing will be fully supported with expert guides, ropes, and gear. A safe but thrilling adventure!
Also included in this retreat is a guided ecology tour in the magical Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. For many this is a reason in its own to travel to Costa Rica. We’ll spot many birds, animals, and plants, hopefully even the rare and mystical Resplendant Quetzal!
Chef Zach will be serving up delicious, plant-based, locally-sourced meals to nourish us throughout the retreat. Local coffee and a selection of teas will be available every morning. The quality of the produce in Costa Rica is unbelievable and we love showcasing wide varieties of local fruits and vegetables from local farms. Zach serves a selection of international cuisine, Costa Rican classics, and many creations of his own. If you are gluten-free, no problem! Talk to us in advance about any other dietary restrictions to see if Zach can meet them.
Private or double rooms are available. All rooms a have a double bed, a single bed, a private bathroom with solar-heated hot water shower, locally made biodegradable soap, and an amazing view down through the valley of San Luis and out to the Gulf of Nicoya. From your balcony you can view rainbows and a never ending variety of tropical birds! Upstairs rooms have patios with outdoor furniture and downstairs rooms have patios with hammocks. Upstairs and downstairs rooms will be assigned on a first-booked, first-choice basis!
Sometimes guests are even greeted by monkeys right outside their rear balcony in the morning. 🙂
Past yoga retreat guests have experienced deep healing on this retreat thanks to Costa Rica’s magical natural vibes, our deep dive into learning about the chakras and yoga philosophy, plus the communal group energy and support. Come ready to be open, let go of what’s no longer serving you, and fill yourself up with rich prana!
The retreat includes a traditional temescal sweat lodge ceremony, a sound ceremony, and use of the giant hot tub and swimming pool. Read on for more information about extra treatments and tours you can add on!
For a past guest’s eloquent perspective on this retreat you can read Rhonda’s blog post about her experience in 2024.
Just like all of our retreats, this is a substance-free, recovery-supportive environment! Although you don’t have to be sober in real life to come on our retreat, you do need to be willing to take a break from any recreational substances throughout the entire retreat experience. We believe everyone is recovering from something, whether it’s addiction, stress, trauma, eating disorders, or just the disconnection of life in our busy, high-tech world. Bigger Life Adventures strives to create a safe and open space for vulnerability and openness about each and every healing journey. Our retreats don’t include formal recovery meetings, but our guests are always sharing and learning from each other as we all work to use the tools of yoga and community to become better and live bigger lives.
Daily sunrise meditations – all yoga & meditation practices are optional but encouraged. You are welcome to take care of yourself by sleeping in when you need to!
Daily or twice daily yoga and meditation of various styles (Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga Nidra, Pranayama, Restorative) guided by Carrie and Zach. A chance to deepen your practice and grow! Classes will be themed around philosophical concepts in yoga and catered to the group’s needs and interests. All levels are welcome and classes are trauma-informed with lots of options to suit your unique body and needs.
Yoga philosophy, breathwork, Ayurveda, and meditation workshops
Tree climbing adventures and eco-tour with expert guides from Palo Vivo
Single or shared accommodation in one of Finca Camino Nuevo’s guest rooms. All rooms have one double bed and one single bed, private bathrooms with solar hot water showers, locally made biodegradable soap, and an amazing view down through the valley of San Luis and out to the Gulf of Nicoya
Monteverde Forest Reserve private walking tour with a knowledgeable guide
All delicious, locally-sourced, plant-based meals and desserts catered by Chef Zach! Coffee and tea each morning.
Use of pool, jacuzzi, tree net, ceremony space, and trails at Finca Camino Nuevo.
Cacao ceremony and ecstatic dance
Temescal traditional sweat lodge with an expert facilitator
Transportation to/from all activities
A chance to be disconnected from technology and your day-to-day tasks. Although Wifi is available, we encourage you to be immersed in the moment!
Not included:
Transportation to and from Costa Rica and Finca Camino Nuevo. We are happy to help you plan and arrange your travel and coordinate shuttles for groups arriving together.
Optional additional activities below
Travel insurance which is recommended to protect your investment
Gratuities for Finca Camino Nuevo staff (suggested $30 per person)
Ziplining adventure course or hanging bridges hike in the cloud forest canopy
Sloth and butterfly sanctuary
Monteverde Forest Preserve night tour
Yogic Photographic Session with Mason Neufeld – all proceeds are donated to local reforestation projects!
Massage or craniosacral therapy session
Watsu water therapy
Personal Ayurvedic health counseling session
Reiki energy healing
Early arrivals and settling in
2pm Plant-based lunch
Afternoon arrivals and settling in
5:30pm Welcome ceremony, yoga and meditation
7pm Plant-based dinner
Morning meditation
Coffee & tea available
Morning yoga and meditation
Plant-based breakfast
Monteverde Preserve cloud forest tour
Lunch
Free time to relax or explore
Evening yin yoga and meditation
Dinner and jacuzzi or campfire time
Tree net sunrise meditation and yoga practice
Silent morning
Coffee and tea available
Breakfast
Free time to relax or explore on your own
Lunch
Evening yin yoga and meditation
Dinner
Morning meditation
Coffee & tea available
Morning yoga and meditation
Breakfast
Optional ziplining excursion
Lunch
Free time to relax at pool or waterfalls
Early dinner
Temescal sweat lodge ceremony
Morning meditation
Coffee & tea available
Morning yoga and meditation
Breakfast
Optional tree climbing eco tour
Lunch
Cacao Ceremony and ecstatic dance
Dinner and jacuzzi or campfire time
Morning meditation
Coffee and tea available
Morning yoga and meditation
Breakfast
Free time to relax or explore on your own
Lunch
Optional inversion and arm balance workshop
Dinner
Morning meditation
Coffee & tea available
Final yoga and closing ceremony
Breakfast
Departures
Only 2 rooms left for March 9-15. Many are still available for March 17-23.
Single, private room: $2650
Double room for 2 guests attending together. (1 double bed, 1 single bed): $4350
Double Bed with 1 same-gender roommate: $2250
Single Bed with 1 same-gender roommate: $2150
A 30% deposit is required to secure your spot. Your remaining balance will be due in 2 separate payments, the first by December 1, and the second by February 1, 2025. If you need a smaller deposit and a monthly payment plan, that is also an option so please just talk to us before booking.
Your attendance helps subsidize our reduced-price recovery scholarships! One half-price scholarship for a shared room spot will be awarded for each Costa Rica retreat week.
This morning I started my yoga practice before the sun has risen. Moving from dark to light. This reminded me of the photoshoot that I did with @masonneufeldphotography during the @biggerlifeadventures retreat in Costa Rica at March. The site was a half a mile walk to the Ocean.
It was a lot of firsts for me….first time out of the country using a passport…but I knew that I would be held safely in the care of Zach and Carrie. It was some of my first connection to a lot of other people from around the world during the pandemic. Some of the friendships that I made there, I am proud to say are still continuing. It is amazing the magical bond that took place on that retreat, because the friendships I made there are the people I go to when I am having a difficult time. From the darkness of the unknown….to love and light….
-Teri, 2022
The retreat in Costa Rica has the highest of recommendations I could ever give!!
The entire week offered so much challenge, connection, adventure, restoration, rejuvenation, joy, laughs, insight, knowledge, awareness, jungle sounds, delicious meals, consistent practice, relaxation, and (insert at least 101 more wonderful adjectives here)!
On every level, physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, I grew and became a better version of myself! A group that started as friendly strangers completely transformed into an intimate and comfortable family by the end of the week! There was true magic, power and energy flow like I’ve never been apart of, and, if I may be so bold to say, EVERYONE was completely filled and changed in their own beautiful way! No one was even close to being ready to leave and didn’t want the jungle retreat to end!
Of course, for anyone who knows Mr Zach (the baddest chef east of the Mississippi) and Sensei Carrie (the baddest yoga instructor I’ve ever known), they are such a beautiful and inspiring duo who offer their whole selves to the retreat and to everyone’s experience! They truly care about everyone and it shows in their personalized approach in how they communicate, educate, serve and enlighten their audience! They make the yoga practice (beyond just the physical movements) a beautiful journey that is so worth becoming intimate with! In a non-pressure, come-as-you-are way, you are treated with all the love and respect!
I continue to reflect back on that week and know it will be one of my life’s highlights! Lifelong connection to the Sanctuary and to the people who I met, made a super great experience into a mesmerizing and awestruck one!
Why you haven’t booked this retreat is beyond me! Do your heart, mind, body and spirit a solid by signing up for this impossible-to-regret experience!
– Jamo, 2022
What Carrie and Zach have created is amazing. I would recommend these retreats to anyone, everyone is healing from something. Carrie and Zach have such a gift and it has been a pleasure to go on two of their retreats and experience moving my body in the different shapes of yoga, learning about yoga, ayerveda, cooking, reiki, and so much more adventures. If you are on the fence, this is your sign to book the retreat
-Kiersten, 2022
My experience at The Sanctuary at Two Rivers in Costa Rica last month was life changing. Immersed in this jungle experience the time felt magical. Accommodations were perfect. The meditation & yoga sessions run by Carrie & Zach were innovative, professional & fun. Carrie has a beautiful soul of energy & kindness. She is a dedicated and learned instructor. Zach was equally reverent & thoughtful with the meditations he inspired.
Thanks for sharing this experience with me!
-Carol, 2022
My experience with Bigger Life Adventures far exceeded my expectations in every way! I knew it was a recovery/sober retreat and as it has been said, we are all recovering from something. For me it was the stress and isolation of the pandemic plus I wanted to do something special to celebrate my 70th year. Carrie and Zach’s retreat in Costa Rica delivered a week of magical adventure every day. The yoga and meditation, the fantastic food, the healing rituals, the community, the physically challenging adventures and fabulously relaxing down time all submerged in the beautiful Costa Rican jungle. Perfect! Carrie’s depth as a yogi and Zach’s passion for an adventurous life combine to make a wonderful safe place of self discovery for everyone. I absolutely recommend Bigger Life Adventures. 
-Betty, 2022
I have gone on two retreats with Carrie and Zach: one in May 2023 to Costa Rica and the other in October 2023 to Silverton, Colorado. I can’t say enough AMAZING and PHENOMENAL things about both of my experiences! Costa Rica was full of yoga, meditation, quiet time, introspection and reflection in our lush environment surrounded by nature. Colorado brought out the adventurer in me that I didn’t know existed! Challenging hikes and a truly special rock climbing adventure in a canyon. Top it off with yoga, a trip to the hot springs, and organic and plant-based food (in Costa Rica too). I’m now booked for my THIRD retreat with them to Catalina Island! That should speak louder than any of my other words that I’m looking forward to being a participant yet again! Thank you, Carrie and Zach! This life is for living!
-Latesha, 2023
If only words could capture the magical experience of this retreat with Carrie and Zach, then I could write a novel. It’s an intangible feeling that can only be experienced, and one that I will remember always. Right from the beginning, even prior to the retreat, Carrie impressed me with her organization and planning skills, and attention to detail which made me feel prepared as a newbie to Bigger Life Adventures. The itinerary prepared for this retreat was well balanced with activities and down time, and of course time for self-reflection and learning. This was a true yoga retreat by name because it really was yoga-focused with daily morning meditation practice followed by an energizing yoga flow, and in the evening, a slow gentle/yin yoga. The food truly blew me away. Zach, you are an amazing creator of plant-based meals, I miss it already. Carrie, you are an inspiration and teacher. Thank you for sharing your love of yoga and sharing your heart. The location, Costa Rica Monteverde was a dream come true. To the group of amazing fellow retreat friends I’ve met,  I am so blessed to share my heart and adventures with you. This is why so many of you come back to join Carrie and Zach. I, too, will return to experience the many unforgettable retreats Bigger Life Adventures offers. With Love and Gratitude,
Keria, 2024
I just returned from this Costa Rica retreat hosted by Bigger Life Adventures! Carrie and Zach are the kindest. The venue felt like heaven; I did not want to leave. I feel so so blessed that I connected with this group! The entire experience was AMAZING. I can’t say enough about the stellar organization and program detail! Very professional. I HIGHLY recommend! 1 scholarship is offered per retreat. Oh and the FOOD….you’ll be dreaming about it long after you’re home!!
-Sue, 2024
Carrie holds one of the most authentic & safest spaces that I’ve come across in my journey with yoga.
Every speech, action & interaction with Carrie is considerate in such a way that you can see she was born to lead others in this position as teacher.
She is honest & open in sharing her own journey & personal challenges, there is no “me” or “you” in Carries teaching, it’s always “us”. It’s admirable to see that she learns just as much from her students & takes a genuine interest in them. Aways adapting & fine tuning her role, inspiring others along the way.
I’m grateful to have been inspired by Carrie too.
-Nick, 2024
For travel, you’ll fly into Juan SantamarĂa International Airport in San Jose (SJO). From here we will coordinate shared shuttles to take you up to Monteverde (3 hour trip, approximately $60 per person). We recommend giving yourself extra days in Costa Rica if you are able, as arriving a few days early will make your journey more incredible and less stressful. Please check in with me before booking plane or shuttle tickets to confirm your plan will successfully get you there in the right timing! You will want to land in San Jose by 10am on February 18 at the latest!
I’m also happy to recommend destinations and give transport advice based on my Costa Rica experience so feel free to reach out for that!
Travel booking option:
Since I get a lot of requests for assistance anyway, I decided to offer a new flight booking service for all my retreat guests and friends!
You provide me with your desired travel dates and airports and I will find you the cheapest, best flights possible and book them for you, no extra charge.
I’m a pretty good “travel hacker” thanks to years of experience. We can do this together via Zoom to confirm everything or I’ll make sure to triple check everything with you before booking!
This benefits YOU if online flight searching stresses you out or you just don’t find it fun.
Full disclosure, it benefits Zach and I because I book most of our travel using our credit card points. We have a lot of travel planned this year so we need as many points as possible. You’ll reimburse me and I’ll get the frequent flyer miles to fund my own travel habit, haha.
Could be a win win for all of us?
Let me know if you would like my help with this. I know booking a long journey with multiple connections can be a little bit annoying. But there are also ways to make it more enjoyable — 1 day layover in Tokyo, anyone? For the best prices, you’ll want to book these flights at least 4-6 months before we leave. Reach out when you’re ready if you want my help.
-Carrie
Since all retreat deposits and payments are used to secure venues, activities, and supplies, and since canceled spots require extra time and energy to re-fill, all deposits and payments are non refundable. In emergency situations, you may or may not be offered a credit for a future retreat or event, based on the decision of our team. Cancellations due to fear of travel are not transferable or refundable. Cancellations less than 1 month before your retreat are not refundable or transferable. We recommend travel insurance to protect your investment in the event you must cancel.