SURF & SADDLE RETREAT COSTA RICA

You do not need to be an experienced rider or have a history in working with horses. All the horseback rides will be organized based on your riding level and experience.

Equine Facilitated Coaching is an experiential learning approach that partners individuals with horses for learning and development.

The approach uses various forms of groundwork and horseback exercises that unite horse and human in a collaborative co-learning process that reveals the way participants relate to themselves and others.

None! Our retreat is designed for women of all surf levels, from beginners to advanced surfers. Our team of experienced surf coaches will tailor personalized lessons to meet your individual needs.

No problem at all! Our retreat is perfect for beginners and so are these beaches. Our team of surf coaches will start with the basics, teaching you everything you need to know to catch your first wave safely and confidently.

No need! We provide all the necessary surf equipment, including boards, leashes and wax. However, if you have your own gear and feel more comfortable using it, you're welcome to bring it along*.

*Take in consideration that you wont be able to take the domestic flight with boards over 7' so in that case you'll have to travel via land.

A lot of our first-time guests are concerned about this! 

Our retreat welcomes women of all ages, starting from 18 and up. To give you an idea, about 80% of our guests are between 25 and 55 years old. We love witnessing the diversity and unique perspectives and experience that each guests brings to the group. We have created an inclusive environment that ensures that everyone feels valued and empowered, regardless of age.

We host a maximum of 11 guests in this experience.

Not at all! The majority of our guests come solo, and our retreats are carefully curated as supportive and inclusive experiences for everyone. You'll have plenty of opportunities to connect with other like-minded women and most likely build friendships and bonds that will last a lifetime.

Yes, we intentionally build in downtime for relaxation and reflection. You can spend your free time exploring the local area, enjoying optional activities, or simply unwinding on the beach or by the pool.

This AWA Villa is located in Playa Hermosa, Mal Pais, on the south western coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, about 10 minutes north of Santa Teresa. Find below the detailed information on how to get to us from your preferred international airport.

BY AIR

There are currently two domestic airlines providing daily flights from San José and Liberia to our closest local airport: Cóbano. The flight si approximately 30 minutes and it costs something between $130-$150.

We recommend Costa Rica Green Airways, a five-minute walk from San Jose's main terminal (SJO). As they operate out of a different airport, you are not connecting, instead, you'll first need to go through Immigration and collect your luggage. Upon leaving Arrivals, walk straight ahead to the main boulevard, turn left, and you will see the Domestic Terminal located 500 feet ahead. fI in doubt, an airport official will be able to point you in the right direction.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS: Roundtrip airport transfers are included for guests traveling within our scheduled group transfer windows. We will share the recommended arrival and departure times prior to the retreat and coordinate transportation accordingly to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.

fI your flight schedule falls outside of the scheduled transfer times, the AWA team can still assist with arranging private airport transportation. The cost is $60 per person, one-way (payable in cash). The drive is approximately 30 minutes by taxi, and we can coordinate both pick-up and drop-off for your convenience.

Whenever possible, we'll also help coordinate shared rides with other guests arriving or departing around the same time.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The above plane option won't work for those who are traveling with surfboards bigger than 7'0. We highly recommend securing your tickets sooner rather than later, as availability is limited each day and may sell out.

BY LAND

We can help arrange roundtrip public shuttle transportation ($60 + taxes per person one-way) from either San José (SJO) or Liberia (LIR) airports. Shuttles typically depart daily at 6:30am from San José and 9:00am from Liberia. An additional 3:00pm departure is available from both airports, though ti requires a minimum of 4passengers and doesn't always run daily.

The journey takes about 5 hours from either airport and includes a scenic ferry crossing and driver change in Paquera (if traveling from San José). If these shuttle times don't align with your flight itinerary and you prefer a different schedule, we'll be happy to assist in arranging a private shuttle.

We recommend arriving on the official start date of the retreat and departing on the official end date. There is no need to arrive a day early or stay an extra night afterward unless your travel schedule requires it or you'd simply like a little extra buffer time before or after the retreat.

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM on arrival day. The first afternoon is intentionally relaxed, giving you time to settle in, meet the group, and ease into the experience. We'll gather for a welcome circle to go over the week ahead, followed by a cozy dinner together.

On departure day, we'll share one final morning together with optional activities and our last breakfast as a group before heading to the airport. Checl-out is at 10:00 AM.

We'll provide recommended flight windows and coordinate group airport transfers to make your travel as seamless as possible.

The local currency in Costa Rica is the Costa Rican Colón (CRC). However, U.S. Dollars are widely accepted throughout the country, including in many shops, restaurants, and tourism-related businesses. If paying in USD, please note that change is often given in Colones. ATMs are readily available in most towns and are a convenient way to withdraw local currency if needed. 

If you are coming from a country outside of the US, we recommend exchanging your money outside of the airport as the airport charges the highest exchange fee.

While most retreat activities, meals, and scheduled experiences are included, you may wish to budget for a few optional extras during your stay to take it to the next level:

• Spa treatments and massages • Surf Photography Package • AWA Merchandise & Apparel• Additional beverages, smoothies, coffee, or snacks• Souvenirs and local artisan shopping• Optional excursions or activities not included in your retreat package• Gratuities for staff and service providers

As a general guideline, many guests spend anywhere from $50–$300+ throughout the week, depending on their personal preferences and participation in optional offerings.

For your convenience, we recommend bringing a credit or debit card for larger purchases and, if you wish, a small amount of cash (USD or CRC) for gratuities, local vendors, or incidental purchases.

Most businesses in Santa Teresa accept major credit cards, and there are ATMs nearby should you need additional cash during your stay, so there's no need to carry large amounts with you.

To help keep your retreat experience as seamless and stress-free as possible, any extras or purchases made throughout your stay can be added to your guest account and conveniently settled by credit card at checkout through our website (transaction fees may apply).

While Costa Rica is the safest country in Central America, and therefore a perfect destination for first-time solo travelers, it's always important to use common sense.

Tuck away valuables when you're in public, put your phone away when you're not using it, and leave your nice jewelry at home. Always know where you're going, avoid isolated areas, and stick with a group when you're out at night.

We promise you’ll have an epic time. "It’s truly amazing and hard to put into words", our guests say...If you are feeling the call, just do it, let go of any expectations and let us host you during the time of your life!