DAY 1 : Sat April 18

ARRIVE SAN JOSE

Arrive at the Juan Santa Maria International Airport (SJO) and transfer to Hotel Bougainvillea. Check in and enjoy the hotels expansive botanical gardens as you meander along peaceful paths or take a refreshing swim in the lovely pool. Welcome dinner this evening with Kornelia.

DAY 2 : Sun April 19

SAN JOSE – ARENAL

After breakfast, spend the morning with Kornelia for the opening session of her retreat program. workshop 8:30 – 10:30 AM. Then board your private bus as you depart for La Fortuna where you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Afterward enjoy a Golden Pineapple Farm Tour and learn what it takes to grow the most delicious pineapple and how to choose the best one in your local market. Taste the best pineapple cut right from the field on your tour and afterward sample fresh pressed pineapple juice and other delicious treats. Continue to the lovely Arenal Springs Resort and Spa, your retreat home for the week and check-in. Enjoy time before dinner to explore the beautiful resort grounds or soak in the hot mineral pools.

Arenal Springs Resort Website: individual casita’s offer spectacular volcano views from your front terrace. Its lush tropical gardens and quiet location make it a wonderful retreat resort. Enjoy unique garden showers, A/C, cable TV, coffee maker, refrigerator, security box and hair dryer. Enjoy the full service spa, swimming pool and hot mineral pools which will soothe your body soul. Yoga every morning at 6:30 AM.

DAY 3 : Mon April 20

ARENAL SPRINGS

workshop from 9–10:30 AM. Then enjoy a relaxing gondola ride on The Sky Tram. The gondolas rise smoothly through the rain forest, offering endless views as they ascend up the mountain. This tour is perfect for people who want to take a different approach on admiring nature, without much physical effort but still be in the middle of nature’s magic. Your guide will point out different characteristics of the wildlife, flora, fauna and other interesting facts. Upon reaching the top, you arrive at a large observation platform on the highest point of the reserve. Here you can enjoy the view, take some awe-inspiring photos and also have the opportunity to walk a short trail. Enjoy lunch at the Sky Adventure Park. Free afternoon for optional activities or relax at the resort.

DAY 4 : Tue April 21

ARENAL SPRINGS

Depart early morning for a full day tour to enjoy the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. The drive to Cano Negro will take you through a great part of the San Carlos plains with beautiful scenery of a great variety of fields with different products, such as: sugar cane, legumes, fruit and vegetables and large herds of cattle. Upon arrival enjoy a welcome drink and snack then board a comfortable boat that will take you on a tour through the Canals of the river “Rio Frio” and its beautiful scenery.

Thousands of animals inhabit the borders of the river where you will enjoy seeing monkeys, sloth, caimans, turtles, bats and a great variety of birds. This is one of Costa Rica’s refuges where the greatest diversity of flora and fauna can be observed. Afterward enjoy a delicious lunch in the “El Caiman” restaurant located on the riverbank surrounded by nature. Cano Negro is incredibly exotic and you will have great and unforgettable memories. Many species of migratory birds visit the refuge which is awesome for those who love bird watching; this is a tour one cannot skip. Workshop 6:00 – 7:30 PM before dinner.

DAY 5 : Wed April 22

ARENAL SPRINGS

Enjoy a leisurely morning, sleep in a little and enjoy quiet time on your terrace before having breakfast. workshop time with Kornelia from 10:00 – 12:00 PM

After lunch the group will take a drive to the Proyecto Asis Animal Rescue Shelter. Named “Asis” for the patron saint of nature, the shelter was founded by a locally famous veterinarian in order to house the many orphaned and injured animals brought to his practice. Here you will meet rescued wild animals such as wild boars (peccary), birds, sloths, crocodiles, kinkajous, macaws and monkeys. Learn how injured animals are rehabilitated and if possible, released back into their natural environment.

DAY 6 : Thu April 23

ARENAL SPRINGS – Free Day

Free day for optional tours (costs not included). Zip line, horseback ride, kayak, bird watching, hanging bridges, river rafting, rain forest walks, mountain bike, Venado caves, coffee or chocolate tours, waterfall hike and more. Or just chill out, rest and relax at the resort and soak in the hot springs which are the result of rainwater heated by magma in the Earth’s interior. Once heated, the waters rise to the surface, taking with them minerals found in the earth’s rocky crust. These waters become very beneficial to your body which helps to relax muscles, clean pores and rejuvenate the skin.

DAY 7 : Fri April 24

ARENAL – SAN JOSE

Enjoy your last morning taking an easy nature walk at Arenal Natura Ecological Park. Your guide will introduce you to some of the breathtaking flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest; along with some of the local residents such as Collard Pecary, sloths, with some luck the monkeys may say hello, a variety of amphibians including the famous Red Eyed Tree Frog and other wildlife. workshop 10:30 – 12:00 PM

Enjoy lunch at the resort and then board your bus and return to San Jose. Enjoy a walk through the botanical gardens at the hotel before your group farewell dinner.

DAY 8 : Sat April 25

SAN JOSE – DEPARTURE HOME

Breakfast. Today we say good-by to Costa Rica and Transfer to Juan Santa International Airport and departure to your home city. Spending time in the natural paradise of Costa Rica and an enlightening workshop with Kornelia Stephanie will leave your Mind, Body and Spirit Happily nourished on a Heart and Soul level. Pura Vida!