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Welcome to Pristine Matapalo, Costa Rica

Where the rainforest meets the sea — and life slows to its natural rhythm

Welcome to the wild and beautiful Osa Peninsula, one of the most biologically diverse places on Earth. This is a land that invites you to RE-WILD — to unplug from daily life and reconnect with nature, your body, and your joy.

Here, lush jungle spills onto pristine beaches. Scarlet macaws fly overhead. Monkeys call from the canopy. Waves roll in gently, inviting play and presence. The Osa has a way of changing your perspective — helping you slow down, breathe deeper, and feel the magic all around you.

Our Home: Encanta La Vida Eco-Lodge

Encanta La Vida means:    “To Love Life” — or to be enchanted by it

We are staying at Encanta La Vida Eco-Lodge, the only all-inclusive beachfront lodge in Matapalo. Tucked between jungle and ocean, this off-the-grid sanctuary sits exactly where the rainforest meets the sea.

Completely solar powered, Encanta La Vida offers 10 one-of-a-kind bungalows, each with its own unique character — from the iconic three-story Treehouse to the Stargazer, complete with a rooftop viewing platform for moonlight, stars, and jungle sounds.

Women’s Quest will have access to 9 rooms to explore and enjoy.

Amenities include:

  • Beachfront location

  • Saltwater swimming pool

  • Open-air restaurant & bar

  • Spa services

  • Two-story oceanfront yoga shala

  • Locally sourced, gourmet meals

This is truly the perfect place to unplug, dive into the rhythms of nature, and experience a soulful, off-the-grid adventure surrounded by life in every direction.

Location Is Everything

Encanta La Vida is nestled between the mountains and the shoreline of Cabo Matapalo, where secondary forest meets primary forest — the epicenter of flora and fauna in the region.

From the lodge and yoga deck, it’s common to see:

  • Four species of monkeys

  • Toucan

  • Scarlet macaws

  • Sloths

  • Hundreds of bird species

And best of all — the best beaches for swimming, sunbathing, and surfing are right in front of the property.

🌴 The Food Experience

Five-star dining in the heart of the rainforest

Food at Encanta La Vida is a highlight — nourishing, vibrant, and unforgettable.

Each day begins with fragrant Costa Rican coffee, followed by outrageously delicious meals served with spectacular ocean views and a relaxed, barefoot elegance. The open-air beachfront restaurant offers:

  • An à la carte breakfast

  • Lunch menu

  • A three-course dinner each evening

Menus are inspired by Latin American fusion cuisine, crafted with the freshest ingredients and a strong commitment to organic, locally sourced foods.

Expect tropical abundance:

  • Pineapple, papaya, starfruit, citrus

  • Fresh fish and seafood sourced from local fishermen

  • Local organic beef and chicken

  • Creative vegetarian and vegan options

Encanta La Vida’s philosophy says it best:

“Food is always a huge part of our lives and a wonderful part of any travel experience. As you disconnect in the wild, we want you to connect with the local culture and discover new flavors with us. Our recipes are as vibrant, alive, and fresh as the jungle around you.”

From traditional gallo pinto with sweet caramelized plantains, to coconut tico ceviche, to herb-crusted mahi mahi with passion fruit butter, each meal is designed to delight the senses.

Dietary needs:
We happily accommodate special dietary needs and lifestyle choices.

🍹 Something Special

After surfing or yoga, relax at the beloved poolside “Daily” Bar, named in honor of Encanta La Vida founder Brian Daily. Enjoy:

  • Original, notorious cocktails

  • Local and imported beers

  • Fresh juices and smoothies

A perfect place to unwind, connect, and celebrate the day.

🧘‍♀️ Yoga in Costa Rica

Awakening the Senses

Our yoga practice is about being fully in the body and in nature — opening our cells to the beauty and rhythms of Costa Rica.

Because balance, focus, and core strength are essential for surfing, most mornings begin with “Awakening the Senses” yoga, preparing us for the day ahead. We’ll also enjoy:

  • Sunset yoga sessions

  • A sound-healing meditation

  • Gentle, grounding practices that support recovery and joy

The yoga is designed to be accessible to all levels. Variations are always offered, and Amanda encourages each participant to listen to her inner voice, finding her own balance between challenge and ease.

The Yoga Shala:

  • Two-story deck made from rainforest hardwood

  • Brand-new Manduka™ mats and props

  • Located at the ocean’s edge under the rainforest canopy

  • Overlooking the turquoise waters of Pan Dulce Bay

The soundtrack? Jungle calls layered with ocean waves — nature’s perfect music.

🏄‍♀️ Surfing the Osa Peninsula

Gentle waves, wild beauty, joyful progression

Costa Rica is one of the world’s premier surf destinations, and Matapalo offers something truly special.

Just a 3-minute walk down a wooded path, you’ll arrive at our sand-and-pebble beach and gentle surf zone.

Surfing here includes:

  • Pan Dulce: long, rolling right-hand point breaks — ideal for beginners and longboarding

  • Backwash: playful waves for intermediate surfers

  • Easy paddle-outs and consistent conditions

  • Epic barrels on bigger swells, mellow learning days when conditions soften

We specifically chose this location for its forgiving, favorable waves — perfect for learning and progression. That said, while Colleen has performed some amazing feats, even she cannot control the ocean — tides and swells always guide the experience.

The Women’s Quest Difference

Our first day begins with “Ground School” (Paddle School) with PIA, where you’ll learn:

  • Surf safety fundamentals

  • How to pop up

  • Balance and board positioning

  • Efficient paddling techniques

  • Turtle rolls

  • Turning quickly to catch waves

  • Finding your sweet spot on the board

Instruction Details:

  • 2 students : 1 instructor ratio

  • Thoughtful, personalized coaching

  • Safety first, fun a very close second

Our instructors offer:

  • Many years of surf instruction experience

  • Genuine patience and enthusiasm

  • Deep local knowledge

  • Passion for the ocean

  • Surf lifesaving, CPR & first aid certifications

They welcome absolute beginners to seasoned surfers.

💛 Coming Alone?

You are not alone.

The majority of women who attend Women’s Quest retreats come solo. Costa Rica is a safe country for solo female travelers, and while you may arrive on your own, you’ll leave with lifelong friends.

Logistics:

  • Everyone arrives in San José (SJO) the day before

  • Overnight at a hotel near the airport

  • Group flight together on SANSA Airlines at 8:00 AM

  • If you’re coming alone, we’ll make sure you have a buddy

☀️ Weather

Think tropical paradise:

  • Sundresses, shorts, tank tops

  • Flip flops and bare feet

  • The warmest layers you’ll need are for your flight

👩‍🦳 Ages on This Retreat

Women’s Quest welcomes a wide range of ages.

  • Typical range: 15–78 years young

  • Each retreat varies

We’ve had:

  • Women as young as 13 learning to surf

  • Women as wise as 78 riding waves and loving life

If you have questions about the age range on a specific retreat, please reach out — we’re happy to talk with you.

✨ This is more than a retreat.
It’s a return to nature.
A celebration of movement and stillness.
A chance to re-wild your spirit — and fall in love with life again.

We can’t wait to share this magical place with you 💚

Do I have to participate in everything on the schedule?

Not at all. This retreat is about listening to your body and honoring your own rhythm.

You are never required to participate in every activity. You are encouraged to pace yourself so the experience feels nourishing, joyful, and supportive — whether that means doing it all or choosing moments of rest. We fully support you in doing as much or as little as feels right for you in the moment.

The schedule is designed to give you a sense of the natural flow of each day, and it may shift based on the needs of the group, weather conditions, ocean swell, tides, or spontaneous magic. We’ll review the plan each morning at breakfast so everyone feels informed and supported.

And remember — there’s a wonderful spa at the lodge, inviting you to slow down, soften, and refresh your spirit whenever you need.

Am I in good enough shape to do this retreat?

Most likely — yes!

Women’s Quest retreats are intentionally designed to welcome women of all fitness levels. Because we break into very small surf groups (typically one instructor for every two participants — and often one-on-one), we can easily accommodate a wide range of abilities, experience levels, and comfort zones.

Groups are formed thoughtfully based on:

  • Your current fitness level

  • Your surfing or movement experience

  • Your desire to challenge yourself (or not!)

We do recommend starting a light training or movement routine before the retreat so you can feel confident and get the most out of your experience — but this does not need to be intense or hard-core. Simply moving your body and playing several days a week is perfect.

Helpful activities include:

  • Swimming

  • Push-ups (hands under shoulders, not wide)

  • Upper body strengthening

  • Yoga for balance and mobility

That said, any movement is beneficial.

People of all shapes, sizes, skills, and backgrounds surf — and everyone who does shares a deep bond with the ocean… and a permanent smile on their face.

You are more ready than you think 🌊💛

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 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 

    • Require medical care during the retreat.

    • Face trip interruptions or delays

We suggest a policy that covers:

    • Trip cancellation and interruption

    • Medical expenses

  •  

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.