Costa Rica: Eco-Surf-Yoga Retreat Trip Highlights

Relax in a beautiful villa just a two-minute walk from Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.

Practice daily yoga and surf on Costa Rica’s famously beautiful coastline.

Discover local flora and fauna at a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Explore the LaGarta Biological Reserve to search for howler monkeys, alligators, anteaters, and coatis.

Search a moon-lit beach for nesting sea turtles and baby hatchlings. Costa Rica at a Glance Due to Costa Rica’s diverse topography, humid climate, and its role as the meeting point between North and South America, it has one of the highest levels of biodiversity of any country on earth.

Only olive-ridley sea turtles and their close relatives, Kemp's Sea Turtles, the latter an Atlantic species, synchronize their nesting in mass emergences or "arribadas", the Spanish word for arrivals.

Costa Rica developed the title of the “Switzerland of the Americas” in part because of its staggering beauty and wilderness, but also due to the commitment it is making to the environment. It has set the lofty claim of becoming the first carbon neutral country in the world, and is well on the way. Your Ecotour

Nosara, located just north of the Nicoya peninsula, is home to one of the greatest concentrations of plant and animal species anywhere in the world. The Pacific Slope is the quintessential Costa Rica setting that adorns so many postcards.

Nosara is a quiet community of Costa Ricans and expats that supports numerous restaurants, cafes, and one of the best-known Yoga studios in the world: The Nosara Yoga Institute. There’s a wide variety of healthy food to be sampled from a great market that supplies the community and its traditional restaurants with seasonal, organic, locally-sourced produce.

In addition to the great natural beauty and biodiversity that persists in Nosara, it boasts some of the best surfing beaches in the country. With 333 surfable days per year, you’re certain to catch a great wave. The many beaches that surround Nosara (Playa Palada, Playa Guiones, and many others) provide a diverse range of settings, from remote and undeveloped turtle nesting grounds, to swanky surfers’ hangouts. Full Itinerary DAY 3 DAY 2 DAY 1 monkeys, anteaters,lizards, andothertropical creatures pacific coasttoourhomefortheweek Rican breakfast ofriceand beans Palada restaurants, and evenadiscotheque afternoon toread, relax, orexplore and fellow-travelers Arrive attheLiberiaInternational Airport Day One Begin thedaywith Yoga onthepavillion Day Three pavillion Begin thedaywithyogaledinpavillion Day Two guided trek through abiologicalreserve the pavillion group, orwithourinstructor together asagroup � Wander through thevillageofNosaraandexplore themarkets, � Shuttle souththrough nationalparksandalongthe � Explore thetidalpoolsandcavesofPlaya � � � Surf thewavesbyyourself,with Practice anevening Yoga classon � Take aneveningyogaclassonthe � � Enjoy ahomemade,localdinner � Keep asharpeyeoutfor birds, After breakfast, goona � Meet andgreet yourguides Enjoy atypicalCosta � Take thelate

TESTIMONIAL DAY 5 DAY 4 birding, zip-lining,andanythingelsethearea hastooffer to pursuewhateverinterests you–horsebackriding,whale-watching, indigenous people snorkeling, orsamplinglocalcuisine numbers ofbeach-boundturtlesatnight Olive RidleySeaTurtle nestingground where wemightfindhuge Begin thedaywith Yoga onthe pavillion Day Four Begin thedaywith Yoga onthepavillion Day Five time foraneveningyogaclassonthepavillion head totheSibuSanctuary–ananimalrehabilitation center hang outatthebeach,orrelax bythepool wildlife the howlermonkeysandmanyotheranimalsaswegetatouroflocal –Deena Thompson was absolutelyamazing. Ican’t waittoventure withthemagain!” Everything from the foodtotheEco-lodgeshikesandadventures “Jared wentabove andbeyondinmeetingexceedingmyexpectations. the pavillion � Learn aboutlocalmedicinalplantsandthefolklore ofthe � Enjoy therest oftheafternoon swimming, � Take anevening Yoga classon � � � After ourbreakfast we’ll Continue yoursurflessons, The afternoonisfree foryou � Take aguidedwalktoan � � Get homein Hang with DAY 7 TESTIMONIAL DAY 6 ‒Jena Frederick feeling takencare ofandingoodhandsIrecommend Gondwana Ecotours.” “If youwanttobroaden yourhorizonsandgotoexoticplacesallwhile together attheretreat centerandgetready toheadhome Begin thedaywith Yoga onthe pavillion Day Six Depart toLiberiaInternational Airport oranotherdestination Day Seven Take partinafinal,culminating Yoga class day ofsurflessonsandexploration nearby batcave final day, goriverkayaking,stand-uppaddleboarding, orinvestigatea � Join usforanoptionalcommunityserviceproject � Take theafternoontorest onyour � � After breakfast, enjoyafinal Enjoy afreshly-made meal � Accommodations Nosara Retreat Center

The Nosara Retreat Center is located in Guanacaste, on the Pacific Slope of Costa Rica. Nestled in one of the country’s most serene areas, surrounded by a wildlife refuge, and nearby the quiet village of Nosara, the easy comfort of this location mirrors the energy of the landscape.

For the duration of our trip, the Nosara Retreat Center will be our home base. Perched next to the sea and just a five-minute walk from Nosara, the Retreat allows us to easily get out and explore the country while reducing our impact on the environment. It is comprised of three unique houses that share a central pool and yoga pavillion.

Access to wi-fi is available at the retreat center as well as easy access to the beach. If you want to explore the town of Nosara, a ten minute walk takes you to the beautiful restaurants, cafes, and colorful Costa Rican markets. Your Guides Meet Jared

Jared Sternberg is a human rights and environmental law specialist, photographer, pioneer, and founder of Gondwana Ecotours. In his work and travels he has lived in Alaska, Ghana, Panama, Cuba, Spain, Brazil, and lived with indigenous communities in Nicaragua and the Amazon Basin in Ecuador, among many others. Meet Aaron

Aaron Sternberg is a surfing and Yoga teacher who has spent six summers as a California lifeguard and taught surf lessons for PB Surf Shop, San Diego's premier surf school. Now Aaron works as an attorney, identifying areas of environmental vulnerability and fighting to repair the waters, air, and earth that are ill with contamination or disease. Since becoming a certified yoga teacher in 2012 (RYT-200), Aaron has immersed himself in the study, practice, and teachings of Ashtanga Yoga under the guidance of Aubrey Hackman. Meet Mariano

Mariano Peña has over 12 years of experience in the tourism industry in Costa Rica. In 2011, Mariano began managing “Secure Travel” of Costa Rica, specializing in nature tours, transportation, and customer service. Getting There and Back

When should I arrive in Liberia, Costa Rica? What should I do in preparation for my departure? You can arrive any time at the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia on June 7th, August 2nd, August 16th, or At the end of our journey, we will accommodate and transport you November 15th. back to Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport for any flight later than noon on the departure day (June 7th, August 2nd, August What do I need to do to prepare for my arrival 16th, or November 15th.). and journey? What if I want to stay longer in Nosara or When we get your itinerary and flight information, we will coordinate Costa Rica? with you and provide transportation to the Nosara Retreat Center.

For those of you who will be staying longer, we are happy to help What if I want to come and explore Costa transport you where you need to go in the Liberia area. We also Rica before my arrival date? have many exciting Central American and Costa Rican extensions available upon request. If you decide to come to Liberia/Costa Rica before the first day of the ecotour, you will need to arrange transportation to our lodging, but we can provide assistance upon request. $1850 Per Person; Limited to 16 Guests;

June 7-13, 2015 ◊ August 2-8, 2015 ◊

August 16-22, 2015 ◊ November 15-21, 2015

What’s Included

� Seven days of lodging at the Nosara Retreat Center, a private villa on the coast

� Breakfast every day, snacks, and two dinners

� Two yoga classes each day (yoga mats provided)

� Individual and group surf lessons PLUS surfboard rentals

� Animal sanctuary tour, a guided hike of the LaGarta Preserve, and a turtle-nesting excursion

� A Gondwana Ecotours guide working in tandem with local guides

� All of your secure transportation within Costa Rica—your safety and comfort always comes first Why Travel with Us

Our promise is to design handcrafted travel experiences that enrich your mind, body and soul. We strive to put our values into practice with every ecotour that we create. Our adventures are filled with Wonder A portion of the proceeds wonder that amaze, enlighten and deeply Donations goes to a local not-for-profit in Costa Rica. connect you to the region.

We carbon offset There are many Carbon Offset Flexibility your airfare―good for your conscience and opportunities throughout the tour for you to good for our planet. customize your vacation with a variety of day excursions. Low-Impact Our ecotours leave a small impression on the environment because Enjoy the Local Guides of the small group size of 14 and the unsurpassable experience of local guides who activities. share their country, culture and customs.

Feel the heart A Gondwana Trip Leader Unique Lodging Trip Leader of the destination by staying at a boutique is always sent to take care of the details, hotel that is whenever possible locally-owned leaving you to fully relax and enjoy the experience. and eco-friendly. Thank You

This is our Costa Rica: Eco-Surf-Yoga Informational Booklet complete with accommodations details, the full itinerary, policies and procedures and other interesting information about your exciting journey Costa Rica.

Put down your $250 deposit and receive:

� A detailed packing list � Additional reading materials about your destination � Safety and security information � Weather updates before your arrival

Our team at Gondwana appreciates your interest in our handcrafted travel experiences. If you have any other questions about our ecotours our would like to sign up, please call us toll free: 1 (877) 587-8479

or contact us via email: [email protected]

Thank you for your interest and we look forward to seeing you in Costa Rica!

www.GondwanaEcotours.com

*Details of the ecotours are subject to change based on weather and availability.