Retreat & Recenter ~ Mind, Body + Soul
Costa Rica, February 2-8, 2025
We invite you to join us for a retreat in Costa Rica that will transform your life. Our five-star resort, called The Retreat, is not just a vacation; it is an opportunity to relax, reconnect, and rejuvenate.
In the serene setting of the Costa Rican mountains, you will find a space to let go of stress and distractions. You will experience the healing and harmony of yoga, meditation, nature, and nutritious food. You will meet and bond with other women who share your values. You will have the guidance and support of an experienced Life Coach, who will help you uncover and embrace your true self.
Join Encore Retreats for a week of mindful bliss and discover the magic of taking a pause.
Are You Ready ~
to define the next stage of your life but not sure where to start
to relax your mind and invite in creativity, original ideas and new perspectives
to replenish your body with gourmet meals are 100% organic, grain free, refined sweetener free, and dairy free
to increase your strength, endurance and fitness with daily hikes, yoga and meditation
to connect with other forward-thinking women who also value self-care
to feed your soul as you become grounded in the cornerstones of wellness and joy
to reconnect with nature, tap into your intuition, and find your way back to you
We would love for you to join our intimate group of authentic, motivated and multi-generational women as we discover the beauty and power of taking a pause.
Meet Your Hosts
Hi! We are Jennifer Sullivan (left) and Lisa Waltuch (right), co-founders of Encore Retreats.
We are passionate about helping smart, savvy women approach the next stage of life with confidence and excitement, while creating their most fulfilling encores. Ultimately, we provide tools and insights that allow women to uncover their talents, desires and dreams and then harness the courage and energy it takes to go after them.
Lisa is a Co-Active trained life coach specializing in Design Thinking methodology. She worked as a creative director for The Discovery Channel, The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s website and Walmart. She fuels her creative energy as a silk artist and storytelling curator and is the busy mom of Theo and twins Noa and Eli. Lisa holds a BA from Stanford University and MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design.
Jen spent 20+ years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and is now the owner of a boutique travel consultancy. She is passionate about purposeful, immersive travel ~ creating experiences for others that they will remember and cherish gives her energy. She is the proud mom of Evan and Nate. Jen holds a BA from the University of Richmond.
Together, we believe in doing our part to create a world where women can show up authentically, with a deeper understanding of self and connection with others.
Welcome
Imagine yourself poolside with a light, sweet breeze in the air, perched atop a healing crystal mountain in the lush Costa Rican rainforest. This nature-inspired, holistic healing oasis overlooks the majestic mountains of the Nicoya Peninsula with the distant views of the Pacific Ocean above the seasonal clouds. It is the perfect setting to let the chaos of everyday life melt away so you can relax into a calm and peaceful state and contemplate what comes next in your beautiful life.
The Venue
The Retreat is Costa Rica’s five-star, premier wellness sanctuary, offering an immersive experience that flawlessly infuses the facilities and amenities of a world-class wellness retreat with the stunning beauty the Costa Rican jungle and the accommodations of a luxurious boutique hotel.
Tucked into a quartz mountain overlooking 60 miles of Pacific Ocean seascape, The Retreat is more than a luxury wellness destination; it is a heavenly environment, a space to let go of the stresses of life and create the feeling within you that you have always dreamed of. The moment you set foot on the property, all your needs are taken care of, and you are enveloped in a sense of calm.
The Retreat was named Conde’ Nast Traveller’s #9 Best Destination Spa in the world.
The Journey
The Cuisine & Food Philosophy
Enjoy al-fresco dining and an array of flavors and styles of cuisine as you are served three 100% organic and anti-inflammatory meals each day. All meals are primarily plant-based, with produce grown on the property. Dinners include the option of adding local, sustainably raised fish, fowl, beef, or lamb.
All foods are grain-free, dairy-free (occasional goat yogurt and cheese) and use no refined sweeteners. Vegan and vegetarian options are available at any meal and each menu is chefs’ choice, based on what is fresh, inspiring, and thought-provoking that day.
Education is a key to long lasting health! This thoughtfully designed six-night retreat offers sought-after relaxation, movement and healthy cuisine, as well as group workshops and personalized coaching sessions, so you can incorporate your experiences into your life when you return home.
Engaging, optional workshops will be offered on topics such as
Restoring Peace - learn ways to bring peace into your life and soul
Storytelling - learn the art of telling your own story in a powerful and cathartic way
Mind Mapping - break free from mental constraints, tap into your subconscious and prepare to brainstorm directions for your life in a whole new, creative way
Life Design - learn about the five mindsets of design thinking, discover your current self and unveil your core convictions
Wellness Cooking Class - after enjoying The Retreat’s healthy and delicious cuisine, you’ll be invited into the kitchen to make some of the most popular recipes with the Chef
This retreat was mindfully designed to strengthen, nourish, and renew you — carrying you from your present – to wherever you want to go!
“The retreat helped me open up and look hard at what was important, what was missing, and how to rethink the next stage of my life.”
On this retreat, you’ll enjoy:
Collaboration
Seven incredible days together in a quietly inspiring environment that will nurture your mind, body and soul
New friends. Share the company of like-minded women who value authenticity and genuine connection
Small Group Setting
This retreat is limited to 15 guests in order to foster trust, connections and meaningful conversations
Post-trip community support through a private Facebook group
Movement, Wellness and Relaxation
Morning movement options include yoga and invigorating hikes
Full access to resort and Vida Mía health facilities (gym, steam room, outdoor pools, jacuzzi)
Access to the community room with board games and an extensive lending library
Downtime each day to nap, journal and let the ah-has sink in
Gourmet meals and tastings
Breakfast includes fresh juices, fruits, farm-fresh egg dishes, grain-free muffins and bread, homemade granolas, chia puddings, and organic coffee freshly roasted from the garden
Lunch is always fresh from the garden - inventive salads with every type of fresh vegetables, and inspired combinations of flavors
Dinner is an artful three-course meal beginning with a pureed garden soup to open the palate. The main dish varies each night and always includes vegetarian or vegan options. Desserts are the masterpiece finale to each evening
Guests also have open access to the coffee, tea, infused water and cacao bar throughout the day
All dishes are anti-inflammatory and gluten-free with no refined sugar, grains or dairy (occasional goat yogurt and cheese)
What’s Included:
Six luxurious nights at the Five Star, The Retreat, Costa Rica
Private ground transportation to and from San Jose International Airport
Three gourmet organic meals, daily
One sixty-minute massage or facial from select menu
10% off any additional spa treatments booked prior to arrival
Daily yoga or guided nature hike
Optional daily workshops and group exercises, led by Empowerment and Life Coach, Lisa Waltuch
Wellness cooking class with culinarians from The Retreat
10% off additional tours and excursions booked prior to arrival
Pre-trip preparation exercises
All gratuities and service fees
Post-trip community support through our private Facebook group
What’s Not Included:
Roundtrip airfare. We recommend flying into San Jose International Airport (SJO), which is about 45 minutes from The Retreat
Alcoholic beverages
Personal, medical or trip cancellation insurance
What you will take home:
A physical rest and mental reset
A stronger, healthier body
A sense of empowerment, creativity and calm
Tools & resources to recreate the power of the pause at home
A renewed sense of energy, focus and grace, which will benefit your family, co-workers and employer
A group of new friends, connections and collaborators connected through our private Facebook group
Hear what others are saying
-
I knew there would be a lot of laughter, thought-provoking conversations, and fun experiences, but I was not prepared for the friendships, breakthroughs, and healing that would come out of this experience.
Linne’
-
The overall experience was indulgent. Not only did we gain some new tools for self-discovery, we shared great food and wine, laughed a lot and created authentic friendships.
Lynn
-
I walked away from the retreat with a different perspective on a weight that I had been carrying for a few years. I now have a renewed sense of energy to take on an exciting challenge…a purposeful adventure.
Susan
Are You Ready to Take the Next Steps?
Let’s chat! To ensure that this retreat is a good fit for you, all potential attendees are asked to schedule a 15-minute chat with Lisa and Jen. During this call, we’ll get to know each other a bit and you’ll have the chance to ask any questions not covered on this page.
If you, Jen and Lisa decide to proceed, you will choose your room type and pay the initial, non-refundable $900 deposit. Only when this deposit has been received is your spot confirmed.
50% balance due by September 15, 2024
Remaining balance due by November 15, 2024
Three weeks prior to departure, you'll receive detailed information about what to look forward to including packing tips and much more!
If you prefer a custom payment plan, we can certainly work with you. Balances must be paid in full before departure.
This intimate retreat is limited to 15 women
Available for five three more early birds ~ $500 off the prices below!
Single Occupancy - $6,849
Double Occupancy - $5,549 / person
Cancellation policy:
Any cancellation will result in a total loss of the $900 deposit. Cancellations made between September 15, 2024 and November 15, 2024 will result in a loss of 50% of the trip price. Cancellations made between November 16, 2024 and the trip departure will result in a total loss of funds.
Encore Retreats reserves the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum. If we do so, your deposit is refunded in full. This decision will be made by November 30, 2024.
Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended; we suggest Travel Guard Insurance, which has several policy options.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
All you’ll need is your passport, which must have at least six months validity remaining, and proof of your return flight.
-
No. No special vaccinations are needed for visits to Costa Rica.
-
You’ll fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica’s capital, San Juan. We will arrange for a driver to take you to and from the airport.
-
Our home away from home is called The Retreat Costa Rica. It is a five-star wellness resort.
-
Absolutely! The Retreat’s chefs are fully versed in many types of foods and special dietary needs and can accommodate any special request. We will collect this information when you register.
-
In this part of Costa Rica, the weather in February is generally perfect, with comfortable temperatures and minimal rainfall. Anticipate daytime temperatures around 85°F, while night temperatures can drop to 65°F.
-
Guests should bring comfortable clothes for an active daytime, such as hiking shoes, yoga clothes, swimwear, and casual daywear. Casual resort wear is appropriate for sunset and dinner. The nights can be chilly so light jackets, pashminas, and long sleeves are recommended.
-
Most of your expenses will be covered, including gratuities, but it you want to do a little extra shopping, US dollars and credit cards are generally accepted in all areas. It is recommended that you bring denominations of $20 or less as higher denominations are often not accepted in local shops and markets. If you do spend US dollars, keep in mind that you will receive your change in Costa Rican colones. If you plan to use a credit card, make sure your card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
-
The Retreat is located on a steep mountainside with high cliffs and edges. However, they have taken the appropriate measures to ensure that they have wheelchair access to all common areas within the property.
-
The Retreat is in the lush mountains of Costa Rica, about an hour away from the Pacific coast.
-
No! It would be our pleasure to pair you with another retreat guest who has requested a double. However, if we cannot find a roommate and you end up with your own room, you will be charged the single fee.
-
We love seeing these close relationships! To maintain the mature nature of the retreat, all guests must be 23 years of age or older.
