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What will the food by like?

Each morning we will start the day with fragrant Costa Rica coffee. We will serve outrageously delicious meals with spectacular views and a relaxed atmosphere. The chefs create dishes that nourish the body and enliven the senses. You’ll love Costa Rica’s local tropical fruits like pineapple, papaya, starfruit, and citrus. The freshest ingredients will be utilized for the menu with a strong emphasis on using organic and local produce….  We have something for every palate and are more than happy to accommodate special dietary needs or lifestyle choices. They create amazing tasting vegetarian food and they compliment each meal with good quality protein like the fish and seafood bought from local fishermen of the Peninsula. (They also offer local organic beef and chicken)  *One Breakfast, two lunch and two dinner are on your own

The Yoga practice in Costa Rica

“Our yoga practice will be about being in the body as connected to the environment—opening our cells to the beauty and wonders of Costa Rica” Balance, focus, and core strength are key components of surfing. We will begin most mornings with “Awakening the Senses” yoga to get ourselves ready for the day. We will have several sunset yoga sessions planned and a sound healing meditation as well. The yoga practice on this retreat is designed to be accessible for all levels—bot

h fresh beginners and experienced practitioners will deepen their practice according to individual needs and desires. Variations will be offered, and the instructors work with the principle that each person can find a relationship with an “inner voice” that guides our balance of challenge and ease. It’s fun for everyone!!

Surfing

We have three point breaks located within walking distance of Encanta la Vida: Pan Dulce, Backwash, and Matapalo. Our instructors from Matapalo Surf School have years of experience and are genuinely interested in your journey. They teach safety first, with a two-to-one student-to-instructor ratio to ensure you get thoughtful feedback. Women’s Quest is different—our first day includes “ground school” or “paddle school” to teach you the basics of surfing, including how to pop up, balance, and paddle efficiently. 

What is the average age on this retreat?

We have a wide range of women who attend our retreats, from 15-70 years young. Each retreat will vary. Please contact us if you have questions about the ages on a specific retreat. We have had women as young as 13 learn to surf with us and as old as 75.

Do I have to participate in everything on the schedule?

You do not need to participate in everything; you can pace yourself so that it is the perfect amount of activity for you. We fully support you in doing as much or as little as is right for you in the moment. The schedule gives you a sense of the flow of each day. It is subject to change, depending upon the needs of the group, weather, ocean swell size, tides, etc. We will go over the schedule each day at breakfast.

Am I in good enough shape to do this retreat?

Most Likely! We adapt to all levels of fitness. Since we break into really small surfing groups (one instructor for two people, and many times one on one) we can accommodate just about any skill and fitness level. Groups are formed according to each woman’s level of fitness, experience, and desire to challenge herself. We do suggest that you start a training or workout program before you come so that you can get the most out of the retreat. Your training does not need to be a hard-core program…just get out, play and be active several days a week.

Activities that will accelerate your learning are push-ups (hands underneath the shoulders, not wide), swimming, upper body exercises, and yoga for balance. Any physical exercise is beneficial. People of all shapes, sizes, skills and backgrounds surf. …and everyone who does, shares a common bond with the ocean and a permanent smile on their faces.

Payment Policy

To secure your spot on a retreat, a non-refundable deposit is required:

• $500 for domestic retreats
• $1,000 for international retreats

Single room reservations may require an additional $200 deposit. Reservations cannot be held without a deposit.

Full payment is due 90 days prior to the retreat. If payment is not received by this deadline, you may lose your reservation. For bookings made within 90 days of the retreat, payment in full is required at the time of registration.

Payment Options:

• Avoid fees by paying via check or Zelle.
• Payments via PayPal or Stripe incur a 4% processing fee.

Cancellation Policy

• 91+ days before the retreat: Refund of payments (minus your deposit).
• 90 or fewer days before the retreat: Payments are non-refundable.

Women’s Quest reserves the right to cancel retreats with insufficient participant interest. In such cases, all payments will be refunded; however, Women’s Quest is not responsible for personal expenses, such as airline tickets, due to schedule changes or cancellations.

Travel Insurance

We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in case unforeseen circumstances prevent you from attending or completing the retreat.

Travel insurance is particularly important in the event you:

• Need to cancel due to illness or injury (including testing positive for COVID-19).
• Require medical care during the retreat.
• Face trip interruptions, delays, or unexpected quarantine requirements.

We suggest a policy that covers:

• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Medical expenses
• Quarantine costs

For maximum flexibility, consider a “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) policy, which provides additional peace of mind. While this type of coverage is more expensive, it offers the most protection for unforeseen changes.

To compare and purchase travel insurance, we recommend using Squaremouth, a trusted platform to find the best policy for your needs.https://www.squaremouth.com/22393

Before purchasing any policy, consult a travel insurance agent to ensure it meets your coverage expectations.