Costa Rica·7 - 14 July 2024
ALL LEVELS! In collaboration with Dive the Americas
Ready to discover the ocean above and below the waves? Together with the amazing chicas of Dive the Americas, we are stoked to reveal our first-ever dive & surf experience at home, Costa Rica! This isn't just a retreat but a transformative journey that blends the thrill of surfing with the enchantment of diving in one of the most stunning natural gems: the Southern Pacific coastal town of Uvita. Open to everyone - surf beginner or experienced surfer, and dive certified or not! This curated experience offers you an unforgettable fusion of personalized surf coaching, scuba diving adventures, and soul-soothing wellness practices. It also marks the start of celebrations for PADI Women's Dive Day on July 15th, 2024. "We're creating an ocean-lover's dream for all women to connect and revel in the magic of the sea. There's nothing quite like this in Costa Rica right now." says Melanie Marsell, co-founder of Dive the Americas. Get ready to create lifelong bonds with your Jungle Seasters, enjoy cozy accommodations, rejuvenate with wholesome food, and wind down in a relaxing atmosphere amidst the wonders of the Costa Rican rainforest. Space is LIMITED for this All-Inclusive & All-Levels retreat, so make sure to secure your spot in advance! Surfing: All Levels & All Boards Diving: Certified & Non-certified Welcome! We’ve got a “Discover Scuba Diving” course for non-certified divers on day one, so you can still dive into the excitement safely alongside an instructor. Reach us here if you want to know more about this course.
Isla del Caño is one of the most protected and stunning diving destinations on Earth. Get ready to be amazed by its pristine ecosystems, excellent visibility, and encounters with sea turtles, sharks, rays, and vibrant schools of fish. Tropical spotted dolphins and humpback whales often make their appearance, adding an extra touch of magic to the already scenic views during our boat trip from Costa Ballena.
AWA's heart is and will always be surfing, so get ready for exceptional surf coaching like no other (2:1 student coach ratio)! Whether you are ready to catch your first waves, gain more confidence in the water, transition to riding a different board, learn new maneuvers, or cross-step on a longboard, our fun team of instructors will adapt to your level and goals working daily by your side to take your surfing to the next level.
A natural haven on Costa Rica's stunning South Pacific Coast. Proudly hosting Marino Ballena National Park, Uvita is known for its natural charm, large marine life, and the iconic Whale Tail sandbar formation. A unique blend of pristine beaches, ideal surf conditions, lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and a rich variety of wildlife with playful monkeys, serene sloths and countless tropical birds.
Italian chica who left behind the fashion world in the big cities for a barefoot and raw new life in the jungle. Giulia is the team mamma, who can effortlessly drive around through the jungle large groups of women with one main goal in mind: make everyone have the freaking most unforgettable time of their lives. And she does it, gracefully, over and over again. Buckle up and let yourself adventure with the most radical and fun amazonian queen out there.
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Argentinian surfer, creator soul and ultimate jungle warrior reshaped her life by the Costa Rican sea over a decade ago on her search for a more simple life. She is the embodiment of fun and adventure and brings the high vibes and stoked into whatever she does. Be ready for some loud laughs, deep ocean conversations and a life-long friendship with who will turn your surf trip into a radical life-changing experience.
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Co-Founder of Dive the Americas, Melanie is not just a travel enthusiast; she's a true maven with a degree in Travel & Tourism from the University of Florida! With over a decade of industry expertise, including managing two acclaimed 5-star resorts and orchestrating over $5 million in luxury vacation sales at an award-winning travel agency, Melanie brings a wealth of experience to the table. As a Costa Rica native and lifelong resident of Central America, she possesses a profound cultural understanding that adds a special touch to every adventure.
comeawaywithmel
As a biologist, travel aficionado, and scuba diving expert, Kathleen is the co-founder of Dive the Americas. Since making Costa Rica her home in 2015, Kathleen has been a force in luxury tourism, consistently ranking as a top performer with a remarkable $3 million in luxury vacation sales. Her passion for nature and exploration infuses every journey with a sense of wonder and discovery.
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7 night accommodation at an immersive jungle resort woven into ocean view permaculture gardens.
3 diving trips to the protective marine park of Isla del Caño, home to the most amazing marine life in Costa Rica.
3 surf lessons adapted to your level, with local and certified surf instructors.
2 surf video analysis sessions and epic footage to take home.
All surf and dive equipment.
Daily organic plant-based meals prepared in-house with only locally sourced ingredients.
Daily delicious snacks, coffee and drinks to keep you fueled between activities.
3 Yoga Classes.
Waterfall excursion.
Fruit and Plant tour through local permaculture gardens.
Transportation to all activities.
Concierge services to curate your own special experience.
AWA & DTA swag bag of goodies.
A life-changing week of nature, connection and endless discoveries.
International airfare.
Transportation to/from Airport.
Alcoholic beverages.
Medical insurance.
Optional photography package.
Tips.
Private room with shared bathroom, ocean views, overhead fan, and in-room refrigerator.
FROM$4,500.00/pp
Double bungalow with one king bed and one twin bed (first come first served!), AC, a private outdoor shower, and a private ocean-view balcony.
FROM$4,900.00/pp
Private bungalow with one king bed, one twin bed, AC, a private outdoor shower, and a private ocean-view balcony.
FROM$5,200.00/pp
Private cabina with one queen bed, AC, private outdoor shower, and a private garden view balcony.
FROM$5,500.00/pp
Private cabina with one king bed, AC, a private bathtub, and a private ocean-view balcony.
FROM$5,500.00/pp
Your jungle home
"A place to escape and find yourself. A catalyst for inspiration and connection to nature".
Selva Armonia Retreat Center and Eco Lodge is an eco-luxury experience woven into oceanview botanical gardens, balancing cutting-edge design, technology and natural architecture. It aims to inspire a sustainable lifestyle through personal growth and creative expression in alignment with nature and community.
To participate in the scuba diving activities, participants should be certified divers with at least an Open Water Diver certification from a recognized diving agency. You will need to provide us with your certification card prior to arrival and bring it with you on the trip.
If you're not scuba certified but want to be before the retreat, get in touch with us, and we can help!
If you're not scuba certified but want to be before the retreat, get in touch with us, and we can help!
Absolutely! We welcome divers of all levels.
The retreat includes 3 days of 2 tank dives for a total of 6 immersions.
If you have your own gear, feel free to bring it along! However, we will provide all necessary gear including dive mask, snorkel, fins, tanks, BCDs, regulators, and wetsuits.
It is recommended to have your own dive computer. Please let us know in advance if you need a rental.
We will be diving in the Caño Island Biological Reserve, about 45 minutes to 1 hour off shore from Uvita, Costa Rica. To get more information about the dive sites, you can check out our dedicated "Caño Island Guide" that provides insights into the unique underwater experiences you'll encounter at this fantastic location.
There are a few options for getting to Uvita from San José (Costa Rica's capital) depending on your time and your budget. Flying from San José International Airport to Quepos (closest local airport) and then taking a cab is significantly quicker. In the intermediate price range is to travel via private shuttle, a door-to-door service. Each of these options are detailed in the Welcome Kit we'll give you after booking your spot.
In July, the water temperature in Uvita is typically around 79-84°F (26-29°C), making it comfortable for diving in a 3mm wetsuit.
Yes, you're welcome to bring your own underwater camera, but we will also have a photography package available.
Safety is our priority. In the event of inclement weather, dives may be rescheduled, and our staff will keep you informed of any changes.
Yes! Dive insurance is different from travel insurance. DAN is our recommended provider.
None! AWA is for all levels of surfing, from the lady that has never felt confident in the ocean to those who have been surfing all of their lives.
YES! You can bring your own board or pick your perfect match from our quiver. We suggest you travel with your own board if you are feeling comfortable surfing with it. Have in mind that the internal flights in CR won't allow you to travel with a board bag bigger than 7 feet.
There is one coached surf session a day for 3 days and an optional free surf (for the extra stoke).
At 2pm.
At 11am.
We recommend you make your reservation ASAP to make sure you secure your spot as we have limited availability and we fill up fast.
All reservations are made via the AWA Website. In order to secure your spot, we request an initial 25% deposit and the remaining is due a month from arrival. Check out our new Payment Plan option.
A large amount of our retreaters are solo travellers who are about to meet their new favourite friends.
No. We host fully immersive retreats so we encourage everyone to share the same space and that way deeply drop into the whole experience.
AWA Support
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