Helpful Information
Learn More Through Our Frequently Asked Questions
Costa Rica’s official currency is the Colón. The exchange rate averages around 560 colones to the dollar. However, US dollars are generally accepted in all areas save for some smaller pueblos. If you do spend US dollars, keep in mind that you will receive your change in colones. It is recommended that you bring denominations of $20 or less as higher denominations are often not accepted in local shops and markets.
All major credit cards are accepted at The Retreat and generally throughout Costa Rica. Visa and Mastercard are the most prevalently accepted with AMEX and Discover accepted in fewer locations
Daylight begins to show between 5:00am and 5:15am, with sunrise approximately 5:30am and sunset beginning around 5:45am.
Guests traveling from the USA and Canada (and many other countries) do not need a visa, but will need to provide a return ticket or evidence of onward travel. Your passport must have at least 6 months validity remaining to enter the country.
The country uses 120V, 60Hz current, and the same for wall outlets. This is the same as the US, so guests from the US will not need adaptors.
Guests should bring clothes for active daytime, such as hiking shoes, yoga clothes, beachwear, swimwear, and casual daywear as well as casual resort wear for sunset and dinner. The nights can be chilly so light jackets, pashminas, and long sleeves are recommended. We also recommend a rain jacket or poncho for day trips
Atenas boasts one of ‘the best climates in the world’, so expect a range of temperatures. Mornings are cooler, with warm to hot afternoons, and then finishing with a cool to chilly evening.
The Retreat’s chefs are fully versed in many types of foods and special dietary needs and can accommodate any special request. We ask that you let us know in advance if you have any special needs, diets, or desires.
The Retreat is located on a steep mountainside with high cliffs and edges, however we have taken the appropriate measures to ensure that we have wheelchair access to all common areas within the property
FAQS
THE RETREAT is a private, gated, 8-acre mountainside estate in Costa Rica’s Atenas province. It is only 40 minutes northwest of the SJO International Airport and 60 minutes from downtown San Jose.
Located at almost 5,000 feet above sea-level, year-round temperatures at The Retreat range from 70 to 80 degrees during the day with mild nights in the high 50s to low 60s. May through October is the Green Season in Costa Rica.
The easiest way to get to town is by car service. We can usually have a car for you in 15 minutes or less. There is also a public bus route that picks up near THE RETREAT and goes to downtown Atenas once per hour.
CAN I RENT A CAR?
Yes, our staff will gladly help arrange this for you upon arrival at the resort. There are several companies that will drop off your rental car to you here at THE RETREAT. You will need a valid driver’s license, passport and credit card.
Please call the reservations office 1 month prior to your arrival to pay your balance. We accept all major Credit Cards, Wire Transfers and PayPal.
Yes, we accept U.S. Dollars, traveler’s checks and all major Credit Cards at THE RETREAT.
We do not have an ATM here on the property of THE RETREAT, but there are numerous ones available in the nearby town of Atenas.
Check In / Check Out – Check in consists of filling out a simple form followed by a brief orientation. Check in time is 3:00 pm and check out time is 11:00 am. If your departing flight leaves early in the morning, please check out the day before and settle any costs you may have incurred during your stay. For payment of balance due and extras incurred, we accept cash, traveler’s checks, all major Credit Cards.
Our reception is open from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm for guest services, and staff is available 24 hours a day for emergencies.
The staff gratuities are not included in the package price. Tips are optional and entirely at your discretion. We recommend you tip what you feel is comfortable and reasonable per guest for your stay for the general staff of 13 plus wellness instructors and spa therapist. A good rule of thumb to follow is $25 per day for general staff (pooled), plus any additional tips for individual staff you feel went above and beyond in services provided. We ask you to tip add-on services providers such as your spa therapist (15-20%) per treatment and tour guides ($20 tour guide, $10 driver) per excursion.
No shots or vaccinations are needed for visits to Costa Rica.
Everyone in the office, the yoga teachers and the massage therapists all speak English.
The year round temperature is 70 to 80 degrees during the day with mild nights. Thus, most of our rooms or facilities does not have air conditioning. Each room is equipped with and overhead fan that cools the room perfectly day and night. All our rooms have air-conditioning.
Although we love and rejoice in the beauty and loving grace of children, we do not accommodate anyone under the age of 16.
Being in the tropics, there is a lot of insect life in general in Costa Rica. However, our elevation keeps this issue at a minimum and our guests find it remarkably bug-free here.
Yes, we offer a laundry service to our guests. The charge is according to each item, wash, dry and fold. Gratuities are additional and recommended.
The closest beaches to THE RETREAT are about 1 hour away on the Pacific coast. The one most frequently visited is Jacó Beach and Playa Hermosa. Manuel Antonio Beach is a day excursion leaving early in the morning and returning for dinner.
Our resort is very secure, yet as a standard precaution we recommend that you store your valuables (cash, credit cards, passports, plane tickets, etc) in the safe available in your room.
Generally, Costa Rica is quite safe. Like any place, normal precautions and care should be taken depending upon where you are visiting. Violent crime is rare in Costa Rica while theft of personal property (from automobiles and hotel rooms) is more common. Big cities, beach areas and any place with a concentration of tourists are more likely to draw thieves and such.
The sun rises here all year round 5:30 am and by 6:00 am everyone is usually naturally awake and alert. Sunset is around 6:00 pm all year round.
Costa Rica does not participate in Daylight Savings time.
The mailing address is:
The Retreat Costa Rica
Apartado 113-4013 Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica - 20501.
The phone number to The Retreat is +506-8947-0707 and toll free 1-833-760-4242 (USA and Canada only)
Yes! Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property
Most cell phones work, however, you might need to contact your provider for assistance to activate your international option before you travel
We have fresh infused spring water in your room and at the bar, as well as water stations throughout the property to refill personal bottles. Cocktails, beer, and organic wines are also available. Our restaurant is a casual buffet and our staff takes great pride in serving delicious meals. The menu includes a variety of vegetarian fare as well as chicken and fish. We also adhere to a grain-free and dairy-free menu and can also accommodate vegan, gluten-free, and high-protein diets.
Yes, the water at THE RETREAT is safe to drink from every faucet on the property. We filter our water on the premises with both a 1-micron filter and a UV filter. Countrywide, water quality standards in Costa Rica are generally quite high and visitors normally do not have any problems.
Breakfast 8:30 am – 10:30 am
Lunch 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Dinner 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
- We are 40 minutes from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) San Jose.
- Atenas, Alajuela is said to be “The Best Climate in The World” ~ National Geographic
- 1 hour from: Poás Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls, and the famous Jacó Surf Beach.
- 18 Luxury Rooms designed to feel like “Heaven on Earth” by the esteemed Andrea Artinano of Costa Rica.
- The property is perched on a Crystal Mountain as a Balcony to The Pacific Ocean and Nicoya Peninsula.
- An organic garden right off the terrace kitchen is available for all guest to learn and play in our professionally designed permaculture landscape.
- Celebrity Feng Shui Artist Marie Knoos balanced the property and energies to allow transformation, healing and love to permeate all guests throughout the Retreat.
- Named “Best DETOX Spa Worldwide” by W Magazine, and strong Kudos by SHAPE as a destination Yoga and Health Retreat, we are featured in several publications worldwide.
- A Personal Experience – most of our guests return: The Retreat is a Destination- a hosted, personal hands on – intimate, results driven, elegant yet family style Costa Rican property.