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Peninsula Matapalo, Costa Rica
April 19-25th , 2026

Destination
Matapalo, Costa Rica — on the lush and wild Osa Peninsula

Flights & Arrival Overview

What airport do I fly into?

You will fly internationally into San José, Costa Rica (SJO) on Friday, April 17, 2026.

On Sunday morning, April 19, you’ll take a short domestic flight with Sansa Airlines from San José (SJO) to Puerto Jiménez (PJM) on the 8:00 a.m. flight or ealier.

Encanta La Vida, our host eco-lodge, has a concierge who will assist you with booking this Sansa flight.

Important Timing Note

We have a special boat adventure scheduled at 9:00 a.m. on April 19, so it is essential that you are on the early Sansa flight.
You truly do not want to miss this unforgettable experience — it’s one of the highlights of the retreat!

When Does the Retreat Begin and End?

Arrival:
Please plan to arrive in San José on April 18. Arriving the day before allows you to rest, settle in, and be fully ready for our early start the next morning.

Retreat Begins:
Sunday, April 19 at 9:00 a.m., with our boat trip and ocean adventure.

Retreat Ends:
Friday, April 25 at approximately 11:00 a.m.
You may depart any time after that. Some women choose to stay and take the final Sansa flight out later that day.

 

Please send us your travel info:

*Shuttles are offered for the following retreats ONLY:
Sonoma, Vermont, Tuscany, Greece, and Costa Rica 

Step-by-Step Travel Plan

Step 1: Fly to San José – Friday, April 18

Book your international flight to:

Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
San José, Costa Rica

Arriving on April 18 ensures a relaxed evening before our early departure to the Osa Peninsula.

Recommended Airport Hotels

All are close to the airport and offer free shuttle to and from the airport. *Do not get into just any cab. Make sure you get on the airport shuttle bus for your hotel. 

Holiday Inn Express San José Airport
• Very close to SJO
• Free 24-hour airport shuttle
• Breakfast included, pool, simple and comfortable

Hampton by Hilton San José Airport
• Free shuttle
• Hot breakfast included
• Outdoor pool

Courtyard by Marriott San José Airport (Alajuela)
• Modern, comfortable
• Complimentary shuttle every 30 minutes

Any of these options work beautifully — choose what fits your style and budget.

Step 2: Domestic Flight to Puerto Jiménez – Saturday, April 19

Route: San José (SJO) → Puerto Jiménez (PJM)
Departure: 8:00 a.m. (no later)
Arrival: Approximately 8:50 a.m.

⚠️ You must be on this flight to make our boat departure.

Encanta La Vida will assist with booking your Sansa flight — please do this as soon as possible, as seats are limited.

Concierge Contact:
 concierge@encantalavida.com
 WhatsApp: +506 8376 3209

Helpful Tips:
• These are small planes with limited baggage — check luggage restrictions carefully
• Plan to arrive at the domestic terminal 1.5–2 hours before departure

Step 3: Boat Adventure – April 19

After landing in Puerto Jiménez, we’ll meet just outside the tiny arrivals area.

8:50 a.m. – Group meet-up and transfer to the dock
9:00 a.m. – Depart aboard Mystic Blue with our wonderful guides Alizé and Tom

You’ll explore the beautiful Golfo Dulce, often spotting dolphins and whales, enjoying sea breezes, snorkeling, and soaking in the magic of Costa Rica right from the start.

Lunch:
A farm-to-table lunch at Dolphin Quest on the water
• Cost: $35 USD
• This is the only meal not included in the retreat

Step 4: Journey to Encanta La Vida Eco-Lodge

After our boat adventure with lunch and snorkeling, we continue to:

Encanta La Vida Eco-Lodge
Your jungle-by-the-sea home for six magical days

Here you’ll enjoy:
• Surfing for all levels (beginners welcome)
• Daily yoga and mindful movement
• Time to rest, play, and restore
• Deep connection with nature and an incredible circle of women

Additional Travel Notes

Traveling to Costa Rica is straightforward and enjoyable. Many Women’s Quest participants are first-time international travelers and find the experience smooth and empowering.

Passport Requirements

Please check your passport now.
You must have at least six months of validity remaining beyond your departure date.

No visa is required for your stay.

PASSPORT! Now would be a good time to check your passport! You must have at least six months left on your passport from your time of departure! If not, visit the State Department’s website

(http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html) or visit your local post office for your renewal. You do not need a visa for your stay.

Women’s Quest Cancellation & Travel Insurance Policy

Cancellation Policy

Because our vendors and partners require advance commitments we must adhere to the following cancellation terms.  If you have to cance your retreat

• 91 or more days before the retreat start date
You will receive a refund of all payments minus your deposit which is non-refundable.

• 90 days or fewer before the retreat start date
All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Women’s Quest reserves the right to cancel a retreat due to insufficient enrollment or unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, all retreat payments will be refunded. However, Women’s Quest is not responsible for any additional expenses you may have incurred, including (but not limited to) airfare, lodging, or other travel costs.

Travel Insurance

To protect your investment, Women’s Quest strongly recommneds all participants purchase travel insurance. This ensures you are covered if something unexpected arises before or during your retreat.

Travel insurance is especially important if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip due to:

• Illness or injury (including testing positive for COVID-19)
• Family or personal emergencies
• Travel delays or interruptions
• Medical treatment while traveling
• Emergency evacuation or trip interruption

We recommend a policy that includes coverage for:
• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Medical expenses
• Emergency evacuation

For maximum peace of mind, consider a “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) policy. While more expensive, this option offers the greatest flexibility if your plans change.

For all trips to Iceland involving horses (riding or otherwise), it is mandatory you secure travel insurnce that includes coverage for emergency evacuation and return to your home country.  

To compare policies, we suggest using Squaremouth, the travel insurance comparison platform:
https://www.squaremouth.com/22393

Before purchasing, please review your policy carefully and consult a travel insurance agent if you have any questions about coverage.