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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.

Payment Policy

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

      • $1,000 for international retreats

    Single room reservations may require an additional $200 deposit. (single room rate is $1500) 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.