11 (+1) things to bring to a retreat in Costa Rica

Over the years, Costa Rica has attracted more and more workshops and retreats dedicated to body work, personal growth, communication, and discovering new ways of coexisting.

Yoga Deck at Cascada Elysiana

Pristine green rainforest, stunning coastlines, and natural waterfalls are just three of the reasons the country rose in popularity. However, there are things to keep in mind when visiting a retreat down here in Central America.

This article shows you 11 simple things to bring to a retreat in Costa Rica!

1. An appropriate light source

All year round, the sun sets early, between 5:00 pm and 6:30 pm. In the rainforest, nighttime light sources are limited. We suggest bringing a headlamp and a few extra batteries to ensure you can navigate freely during the darker hours and safely find your way around.

2. Slip-on footwear and hiking shoes/boots

In the rainy season, usually spanning from May to December, the environment can become muddy and moldy. For outdoor activities, slip-on shoes such as Crocs are the most practical choice. Although flip flops are an alternative, they provide less stability. For extended jungle hikes, a sturdy pair of hiking shoes that can handle mud and moisture is recommended.

3. Clothes you can part with

We adore the rainforest, but it's important to mention that the constant humidity could affect your clothing if your accommodation lacks air conditioning. We suggest leaving your finest brand clothes at home and bringing other attire instead.

4. Sunscreen and bug spray

The forest naturally hosts not only toucans and monkeys but also some biting insects. Bug spray is a bit costly here, so we suggest bringing your own from home. The same advice applies to sunscreen if you plan to use it.

5. Nuts & trail mix

If you're a fan of dried fruit and nuts, it's a good idea to bring a large pack from home. In Costa Rica, the quality of nuts and mixes tends to be somewhat lower, and the prices are generally higher compared to the US or Europe. It's worth considering stocking up before your trip.

6. Eye-masks and earplugs (for light sleepers)

The jungle never sleeps; there is a constant soundscape in the background. While some people love this (we do), light sleepers might want to bring earplugs from home to drown out the chirping or rain at night. As the sun rises early, you might want to bring an eye mask to sleep a bit longer. Or, if you’re up for an adventure, just leave those things at home and go with the flow of life out here in nature. We recommend a sleep schedule from 10pm - 6am.

7. A water bottle

Cascada Elysiana does not sell bottled water. The tap water is fed by a local spring and is safe to drink and tastes very clean and neutral. Consider bringing your own reusable bottle.

8. Personal Medication

Don't forget your meds! There are doctors and pharmacies and hospitals nearby, in case you forget.

9. Umbrella and/or light rain jacket

In the rainy season, it can (and likely will!) rain a lot. Bring whatever you want to use in order to stay dry when moving around your retreat space or going on jungle exploration and hiking tours.

10. Quick-dry Towel

Regular towels take longer to dry and take up a lot of space in your bag. We recommend using quick-dry towels. You can buy them in your local outdoors shop, or online.

11. Battery Pack

If you love your phone, we recommend a portable battery pack to extend your battery life. Nothing worse than spotting a group of toucans in the trees after a day-long hike and realizing your battery just died. On that note, if you need a local SIM card, you can purchase one when you arrive at the SJO airport.

Above all, come with an open mind!

Central America is not Europe or the United States. We encourage you to visit with an open mind. Let go of your expectations of how things should be (to the degree you can). Buses might come later, roads might be blocked, the rain might ruin the party.

For us, this is part of the reason we love Costa Rica – you never know what adventures you might get in to. However, one thing has proven true over the years: you can always count on the locals to support if you end up needing any kind of help!