The workshop will focus on techniques for improving plant and nature photography while exploring tropical beauty and attaining a deeper understanding of how to relate to plants. The fee is $1300 (double occupancy) and $1600 (single room) that includes six nights accommodation, all meals and airport transfer. Round trip airfare from your originating airport to San Jose Costa Rica (SJO) is additional. To reserve your space email:grupos@fincalunanuevalodge.com.

Finca Luna Nueva Lodge features the best of tropical comfort including an ozonated swimming pool and solar heated Jacuzzi along with spa services. Delightful meals of Costa Rican-Asian fusion cuisine, served three times a day are included with the package. Much of the food is produced on the farm.

Finca Luna Nueva Lodge features well-groomed hiking trails, along with the Sacred Seed SanctuarySemillas Sagradas, an ethnobotanical garden harboring over 250 medicinal herbs. The garden, first established in 1994, has evolved under the guidance of New York Botanical Garden ethnobotanist, Michael Balick, America’s herbalist-in-chief, Jim Duke, and Costa Rican ethnobotanist, Rafael Ocampo.  This extraordinary collection of neotropical medicinal plants is under the care of Steven Farrell, President of Finca Luna Nueva and Biodynamic farmer extraordinaire.  The garden serves as a model for the creation of other Semillas Sagradas ethnomedicinal gardens elsewhere, in an effort to preserve not only local biodiversity, but the indigenous traditions that are keepers of the knowledge.  Rafael Ocampo and Michael Balick co-authored Plants of Semillas Sagradas: An Ethnobotanical Garden in Costa Rica (2009). The book can be downloaded as a pdf file at the Finca Luna Nueva website. And that’s just a taste of the botanical offerings. Turn around at any moment and you could see a three-toed sloth, emerald basilisk lizard, green iguana, red-eyed frog, toucan or morpho butterfly!

Getting great photographs with the equipment you own

Topics Covered:

tOur focus will be on techniques for improving your plant photography. Rather than dry optical theory or studio techniques, we will spend most of our time on techniques for fieldwork.
tYou do not need sophisticated, expensive equipment to take great photographs. It’s more about understanding simple concepts—lighting, being in the right place at the right time, and patience. And like anything worth doing, practice, practice, practice.
tWe will explore working with ambient natural light and making the most of the equipment you have. Just bring your iPhone. That’s all you need for equipment. Nature presents special conditions for photographing in the rainforest environment, and we will highlight getting the best images in varying situations, whether you are taking photographs for your own personal enjoyment or for use in scientific publication.
tAssessing our equipment. Don’t be intimidated by the fact that you don’t have thousands of dollars worth of camera equipment. You can get good photographic results with the equipment you own. One key to successfully capturing images is to know and understand your equipment, while learning to keep your photography simple. For plant photography ideally, you may want to have a decent digital camera body, close-up lens (macro lens or a diopter for a fixed lens), and perhaps the single most important piece of equipment – a tripod. A wide-angle lens (28 mm or wider) and a telephoto lens (at least 200 mm, for a 35 mm camera body) will also enhance your enjoyment of taking plant and flower photos. Photographing plants often requires relatively long exposures, so besides the camera itself, a decent sturdy tripod is essential for plant photography in general.  Another piece of equipment that you will want to long exposures is a cable release. And finally, one other very essential piece of equipment is your camera manual. Read, re-read it and read it again until you begin to understand all of the features available to you as well as the camera’s basic operation. If you don’t understand something in the manual, highlight the item or write down a question to bring to the workshop. It really does take reading the manual several times to understand it. Remember —most camera manual are probably written by an engineer with English as a third language. . . .
tOr forget all of that equipment and just bring your iPhone or other pocket digital camera!
tIf you don’t have thousands of dollars of camera equipment, don’t fret. You can take great photographs with whatever camera you own. One professional photographer with over three decades of experience that I admire, music venue/musician photographer David Horwitz, likes to keep it simple. He uses a 1970s vintage Nikon camera with just three basic lenses, a $79 point-and-shoot digital Minolta and on occasion $10 throwaway camera.
tPhotography is not about equipment. Photography is about light. As George Eastman, founder of Eastman Kodak put it, “Light makes photography. Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.”
tFinding a subject and knowing what you are shooting. Anyone can take a photograph of a beautiful flower. If you want to find great subjects, especially plants, you have to know what you’re looking for and where to find it.  Finca Luna Nueva offers exciting photographic opportunities simply by walking outside the front door of any building. We will also discuss the ethics of plant conservation and “gardening” to create a more pleasing composition. The key to ethical wildflower photography is “leave no trace.”
tBring some of your own work if you wish and share it with the group. We will also look at images and talk about elements that make them interesting compositions, or a technically good photograph, keeping in mind the words of Ansel Adams, “There are no rules for good photographs. There are only good photographs.”
tWe will cover essentials of you helping to understand photographic concepts such as depth of field, focus, exposure, composition, making the most of ambient light, and macro techniques.
tYou took a great picture. Now what? In this new era of digital photography, snapping the shutter is only the first step. Once you have captured images and downloaded them to your computer, we will explore digital workflows, with information on useful software, file formats, key-wording and metadata, color space, equipment calibration, and other steps necessary for creating the best output for prints, the web, electronic media, and publication.

Directions to Finca Luna Nueva Lodge:
By Bus from San Jose or Alajuela

From San Jose you have two choices to arrive by bus:
1) Take the bus to Ciudad Quesada. From there, transfer to the bus that goes to La Fortuna via Chachagua. Get off in San Isidro de Peñas Blancas. or …
2) Take the bus to San Ramon. Then take the bus to La Fortuna via Chachagua, and get off in San Isidro.

By Bus from La Fortuna: Take either the bus to Ciudad Quesada via Chachagua or the bus to San Ramon via Chachagua and get off in San Isidro de Peñas Blancas.
By Car from San Jose
From San Jose head north to San Ramon via the Pan American highway. At San Ramon, exit Pan American highway by making a right turn. Go straight until the last stop sign, and turn left. Immediate right turn at traffic light. Follow road for about 2 km staying to the left. When you go uphill over a speed bump with small school on right then another speed bump make a left at the y intersection. This is the road to Fortuna. Follow this road north for about an hour when you will arrive at a single lane suspension bridge over the Peñas Blancas river.
About two kilometers after the bridge watch for a church and cemetery on left. 150 meters past the cemetery turn left onto a paved road (you will see the “Luna Nueva” signs on your left). Go 2.3 km west into the jungle. Stay on the paved road  passing a large tin building. 50 meters after the tin building turn right  and pass thru our gate. It has pink columns. Continue driving into the farm to the large two story house.
If lost ask for Finca Luna Nueva or finca de Steven.

From the Beaches in Guanacaste and Liberia Airport
If you are driving from the Liberia International airport or from any of the main beach resorts in the Guanacaste Region, we recommend driving west to Liberia, continuing on to Cañas and Tilarán, and driving the scenic road bordering the Arenal Lake. The drive from the beaches should take between 3 to 4 hours, depending on the point of departure.
From Liberia head east onto the Interamerican Highway, the road to Cañas, Puntarenas and San José. Drive past the town of Bagaces, reaching the city of Cañas. Turn north into town, departing from the Interamerican Highway. Follow signs to Tilarán in the mountains north of town. Tilaran is about 20 minutes from Cañas. When you arrive you must make a hairpin to the left at the top of the hill where a brand new gas station is on your left. Ask if not sure the way to Arenal (lake and volcano Arenal).
Within 10 minutes you will reach a fork on the road. Stay on the left, following signs to Fortuna, and Arenal Volcano.
Stay on the scenic road that takes you around Lake Arenal. Drive for about 90 minutes, passing the town of Nuevo Arenal and the dam that forms the lake. At this point, you will depart from the Lake and continue east towards the volcano and the town of La Fortuna. Stay on this road for approximately 20 minutes, until you arrive in Fortuna.
You will reach a point of the road were you can not continue straight and must turn right. Follow the road to the right, crossing a bridge after one block and leaving town. Signs will say route to Chachagua, La Tigra and San Ramon.
After approximately 20 minutes you will reach Chachagua. You will know Chachagua since there is a road bump right on a curve of the road. You may want to ask several people to be sure.
Passing Chachagua keep looking for a store called CocoLoco. This will be on your left hand side. Once you have passed CocoLoco you will cross a small bridge. After this bridge continue uphill unitl you see a paved road on your right (you will see the “Luna Nueva” signs on your Right). Go 2.3 km west into the jungle. Stay on the paved road passing a large tin building. 50 meters after the tin building turn right and pass thru our gate. It has pink columns. Continue driving into the farm to the large two story house.
 

Free Spirit Retreats
Free Spirit

Free Spirit Retreats was born from a belief – that it only takes one spark to start a blaze. When positive change seems far from real and we get caught up in day-to-day life, we need space and time in an effortless environment to surrender to what is. The magic will then always unfold.

Free Spirit Yoga retreat is a spiritual adventure of 7 days / 6 nights in the spectacular location of Playa Hermosa Costa Rica. Experience a week of adventure. You will be surrounded by the beauty of nature where you will find yourself, grow spiritually, and create lasting friendships.

Costa Rica
All trails seem to lead to waterfalls, misty crater lakes or jungle-fringed, deserted beaches. Explored by horseback, foot or kayak, Costa Rica is a tropical choose-your-own-adventure land. And then there are the people. Costa Ricans, or Ticos as they prefer to call themselves, are proud of their little slice of paradise, welcoming guests to sink into the easygoing rhythms of pura vida (the pure life) – every bit as much a catchy motto as it is an enduring mantra. With the highest quality of life in Central America, all the perfect waves, perfect sunsets and perfect beaches seem like the pure life indeed

All retreats packages include:
3 fresh vegetarian organic meals per day
Transportation from / to SJO airport
1 yoga class per day
1 guided meditation per day
Alignment workshop
3 eLIVate workshops
Shaman sweat lodge ceremony
Reggae night
Sangria & tamales cooking class
Surf contest
Beach dinner
Sky lantern ceremony

Cost:
$1.795 for double/triple occupancy
$2.295 for single occupancy

REGISTER HERE

Location:
At Free Spirit Retreats we are responsible for transportation from the San Jose, Alajuela Airport (SJO) to our site. You must take responsibility to be at the meeting point and the designated time to meet your Free Spirit Retreat representative for transportation to the location. You will receive meeting location and timing after you pay your Balance together with all the general information about your trip. You can always request support booking for your transfer if you arrive outside the parameters of the retreat schedule.

4-Week Ashram Immersion

Back to Calendar

WHEN:
May 13, 2016 – June 9, 2016 all-day

ALL EVENTS IMMERSION PROGRAMS

The Sat Yoga Ashram 4-week Immersion Program is for serious spiritual seekers wishing to immerse themselves in a longer and more intensive process of Self-enquiry, spiritual study, deep meditation, egoless service, Sat Yogic practice, self-discipline, and dharma-based community life. It is offered for those who are eager to pursue an accelerated path to ego transcendence and Self-realization.

The program consists of a carefully developed program of practical wisdom classes offered in small group settings, plus several daily meditation sittings, intimate one-to-one meetings with your program guide, special classes in the arts, satsangs in the company of Shunyamurti, and opportunities to share ideas with the ashram resident yogis during meals, karma yoga shifts (communal service), and group discussions.

The immersion program also includes as its essential core a number of individual transformation sessions. These are one-to-one private sessions that, through dream and symptom analysis and free associative self – inquiry, while being held in the safety of a positive pranic energy field,  yield an understanding and transformation and healing of our inner worlds.

Enjoy the beautiful natural setting of the Sat Yoga Ashram in the mountains of southern Costa Rica. Join our unique spiritual community dedicated to a life of sustainability, joy, creativity, goodness, and the realization of our highest truth.

Contribution

The contribution for the 4-week program starts at $1975. This includes shared accommodations for 28 nights, 3 vegetarian meals per day, and participation in all ashram activities during your program.  Please enquire about private accommodation options, and about discounted rates for Costa Rica residents. 

Apply Here

Want to know more?

For FAQ’s about registration, application and arrival please visit our FAQ page HERE 
For any questions please write to us retreats@satyogainstitute.org

Shakti Yoga Costa Rica

May 28 – June 4

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
REGISTER NOW
 
Celebrate Life!
 

We invite you to join us for a time dedicated to you. Come treat yourself and recharge with Lauren and Kelly , as we journey to Costa Rica in May 2016 for an all-encompassing yoga retreat. This will be a time to experience the beautiful nature of Costa Rica while also enjoying the company of our combined communities, yoga practices, meditation practices, hiking to waterfalls, an opportunity to surf the waves, and the joy of service. This is an occasion to celebrate YOU. There will be space in our daily practices and relaxation for you to reconnect with yourself. As many of us work through life, too busy to take a moment for rest, we often lose track of our true identity and self-worth. We are offering this chance for you to find balance. Come unite your heart, body, and spirit and discover freedom and joy as you build stronger relationships with yourself and others.

During this trip you will reside in a peaceful atmosphere that will inspire love and acceptance. You will have the opportunity to engage in many activities that provide both adventure and serenity. Options for hikes, zip lining  and surfing will allow you to connect with nature and immerse yourself in the beautiful Costa Rica environment. One of our days will include a service trip, offering the opportunity to give back to the people of Costa Rica and experience the true fulfillment of service. Daily power yoga sessions and meditations will offer you the chance to deepen your practice and tap into your powerful center. Please join us in this time of exciting activity, unforgettable experience, and good company, dedicated to you as a time to recharge and reconnect.

Retreat Includes:

t7 Nights Accommodations (1 nights near airport and 6 nights in Santa Teresa)
t3 Whole Foods Meals a Day
tAll Transportation within Costa Rica
tYoga and Meditation Practice Each-Day
tPersonal Retreat Time
tSpecial “Karma Yoga” Service Project
tAnd more…

Instructors
Lauren Farina

My Yoga journey started the first day I practiced. I walked off my mat and took note of the effects that it had on me. How it made my body sweaty and hot, but more than that was the sense of peace and contentment that I felt with the present moment. I rolled up my mat and realized that I could do anything, be anybody, and could share the peace and love with everyone. As my practice progressed, my body began to change for the better. I was more aware of my body. I was more awake. When I was more awake I could see the role I was playing in my relationships. I started to build better relationships. I wasn’t so reactive throughout my days and in times of stress. I have learned so much from yoga. It has taught me how to accept where you are in life. I completed a 200 hour hot yoga teacher training to start and then followed it with a 100 hour teacher training at Shanti School of Power Yoga. My skills were progressing. I started to really resonate with feeling empowered. I started to feel like I was shining. Just like Nelson Mandela said: “Who are we, not to shine?”. I started to understand and see even more. To this day my intention for my students is to have them leave feeling empowered by their own strength and power so they can shine their light on the world. I met Sid McNairy along my journey and I was immediately inspired by him. I attended one of his classes and left feeling a fire lit within me. He became a real mentor to me. I was drawn to his way of teaching. Reminding us to trust the process, be present, and hold ourselves accountable. Accountable for our dreams, our desires, and our goals. I continue to train with Sid and travel to attend his workshops. I attended his Empowerment and Beyond program in Nicaragua in 2011 and since then have completed two more of his Empowerment and Beyond programs. Over the last year my sister and I have opened our own yoga studio- Shakti. Our community of people have been inspiring and supportive. I have continued my training to grow as a yoga instructor and a person. I have taken level 1 with Baron Baptiste and am a level 2 candidate for next spring. Through my journey I continue to work hard to find more self- acceptance and power. I find the layers fall off and I can give myself a lovingness and more significantly give others this same love. I have found that the more I continue to empower myself, I can empower those around me. I know I will continue this work and other than that, that is all I know. I’m ready to take the next steps and although I’m not really sure what will come next, I am looking forward to the possibilities of the unknown. I’m ready for anything and I will carry a way of being that is based on love and connection. Namaste.
Kelly Farina

I began practicing yoga in 2006. It didn’t take long till I started to see the effects of how the practice impacted my life.  I am passionate about my practice, and have the desire to share this passion with the world.   I have completed teacher trainings with Baron Baptiste, Johnna Smith, and Sumit Banerjee.  I teach mostly power yoga vinyasa because it changed my life.  Building the Shakti community with my sister Lauren has been one of my greatest adventures.  This community has come together through a shared love of yoga, and continues to grow and expand outside the studio walls.   I am inspired by the leaders and teachers at Shakti Power Yoga and leaders from the Baptiste community who motivate me to continue to move forward, and expand my boundaries .  My husband has been my biggest support and the way his business impacts Nashville continues to inspire me.  Workshops, teacher trainings, and destination retreats have brought me so much joy, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to co lead retreats with the women I love and admire Lauren and Jennifer.  We offer a retreat that will give you the opportunity to rejuvenate, reconnect with yourself and others, practice, practice, practice, and immerse yourself in the experience in the beauty of Costa Rica.
Accommodations

This eco-chic center is an intimate beachfront boutique hotel located in Santa Teresa, a breathtaking white sand beach on the Pacific Ocean of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. Situated on four acres of unspoiled tropical beach, you will find beautiful swimming areas and also outcroppings of rock where natural tide pools form. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared daily and include healthy vegetarian options along with fish and/or chicken. The food is organic when available, and prepared with nourishing ingredients. *We have a limited amount of Beachfront, Garden, and Jungle View Rooms Available.  Rooms will be assigned on a first-come first-serve basis. Single spaces are limited.  Please register for a single room, and if spaces are full, register for a shared accommodations and  contact us to be placed on a waiting list.  We will do our best to accommodate you. 

Activities

While on your retreat you will also have the opportunity to take part in adventure activities and wonderful excursions. Some of the possible options include:

tZiplining
tSnorkel Boat Trip
tHorsebackriding
tSurfing
tWaterfall Tour
tKayaking
tFishing Trip

*Price of Activities are not included in Tuition

Spa
Discover the true meaning of relaxation at the “Yoga & Spa Natural”, offering a variety of first-class spa services performed by professional therapists. Treatments are all given with 100% natural products. Offering massages, wraps, exfoliations, facials, acupuncture, reiki, reflexology, beauty treatments and yoga. Their Spa is located in front of Santa Teresa Beach so that you may enjoy the sounds of the sea and its cooling breezes.

Payment and Online Registration

$1795 Shared Accommodations ($200 savings from full price!)
$2495 Single Accommodations (limited spaces)

t To register  – go to our Online Registration Platform *.

At the checkout you will have the option to choose your payment method. The minimum payment you can make is the $300 Deposit which will “Hold Your Spot” and Lock in Your Price for your retreat. There is a $35 Service and Administration fee that will be added to the tuition rate.

tFor future Tuition payments please use the same Online Registration Platform.

*For Online Registration Technical Issues please call Reg Online support at 303.465.7500 Ext. 2. Our on-line system does not accept checks, but if you need an alternative payment arrangements,contact us.

Cancellation

tInitial deposits are non-refundable
t50% of payments are refundable upto 90 days before program excluding initial deposit
t89 days prior to a program, tuition is non-refundable
tFull tuition is refunded if the trip is canceled due to low enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

We understand that many questions come up when visiting a place you have never been before. What do I bring? What is the weather like?  We have created Participant Packages that will clarify these type of questions and more   Once you have registered, we will send you these materials.  In addition, on our website we have a comprehensive FAQ section, that also gives detailed answers to common questions.  If you have other questions, you can always write us at info@truenatureeducation.com so we can support you.

Getting There
All international flights will arrive at San Jose International Airport (SJO). True Nature Education has a Group Travel Agent that will be happy to help you book your flights.  Just ask us if this interests you.   Some of our retreats also have a Group Flight Option so you can travel with your fellow retreatants. From the airport we will organize one group transport for all retreat participants. Before booking tickets please contact us to discuss flight arrival and departure windows for your retreat and to be sure group minimums have been reached.

True Nature Education
True Nature is an Educational Travel Company which provides full service in the planning, support, and guiding of a diverse catalog of trips around the globe each year. We believe in the power of experiential travel abroad and the multitude of affects it has on ones growth. We have hosted thousands of participants and have been honored to share in the life-changing experiences of our guests. It is True Nature’s goal to strive to meet the needs of our guests and to be of support from the time you first contact us, to the time you land in Costa Rica, and until you return home from your journey.

If this retreat isn’t up your alley, take a look at the variety of other retreats coming up around the world. There’s a retreat with your name on it!

A Unique Journey to Liberation of the Highest Self with Kimberly Jameson

June 4 – June 11

La Fortuna, Costa Rica
REGISTER NOW

This retreat is all about living life to the fullest! Join Kim Jameson, RYT200, as you open your heart, mind and body to new experiences while finding inner peace. We will explore a prana flow inspired, energetic practice though out the week consisting of vinyasa flow, yin and mindful meditation. Your Highest Self is that inner teacher that guides you through life and your practice – encouraging you to stay dedicated to always have unconditional love and thoughtful purpose to your Self and others. Kim will also offer some optional workshops if you would like to have some additional intensive instruction. Come celebrate life with us!!!La Fortuna is at the center of an array of geological wonders, the perfect location for a celebration of life through yoga. The nearby Arenal is Costa Rica’s most active volcano, routinely bursting with lava and ash, and the Catarata de La Fortuna is a waterfall pouring from a seventy-meter cliff. The Tabacon Hot Springs is a blissful end to any day’s excursion. Retreat Includes:

t7 Nights Accommodations in La Fortuna
t3 Meals a Day Organic and Local when possible
tGroup ground transportation to and from airport
tPower vinyasa flow style class in the mornings
tGentle flow/yin/meditation style in the evenings
t2 one-hour optional “workshop” style classes (topics TBD)
tService Project
tPersonal Retreat Time (to nap, hike, swim, read, fish, explore La Fortuna)
tExcursions and Tours can be arranged onsite*

*Excursions are not included in the tuition price.

Instructor

Kim Jameson, RYT 200, Pre-Natal Certified

I started practicing yoga about 13 years ago not so much for the physical benefit but the mental freedom. I worked in a  very demanding industry and literally the only thing that would help me would to show up for a yoga class, sweat and let it all go on the mat. I have done teacher training with Shiva Rea’s Prana Flow, I am pre-natal certified and I have a disciplined practice of mindful meditation. I believe in teaching in an energetic realm so that when we step on to our mats, there is a a higher purpose being honored. I try to laugh anytime and my motto is “just go with the flow”  – I love to give hugs and lift my students up! I try to create a class that every time a student leaves, they feel liberated, joyful and at peace.

Testimonials
After 10 years in the Marine Corps, physical and mental fitness have always been a high priority for me.  Thanks to Kim, I feel stronger than I ever have, in both mind and body.” – Chace Adair Though Kim herself is advanced in her yoga practice, she always welcomes beginners and provides modifications at each level. Kim doesn’t just teach yoga, she lives it. She is a humble and loving leader in our community, and yoga is her way of giving back to others. If you’ve never tried, you are missing out on this true gift to our bodies.” – Jovan Cosper

Accommodations

You will stay at a  Sustainable Rainforest Eco-Lodge Hotel providing comfortable accommodations situated amidst acres of lush gardens, hiking trails and a secluded jungle. The atmosphere of the retreat center is simple, healthy and relaxed. Rooms are double or triple occupancy with fans and hot water and the eco-lodge has a beautiful chlorine free swimming pool and jacuzzi. It is an ideal secluded inspirational setting for our retreat. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared daily and include healthy vegetarian options. The food is organic and local when available, and prepared with nourishing ingredients and lots of love. Single Rooms Limited singles available.  Please register for a single room, and if spaces are full, register for a shared accommodations and contact us to be placed on a waiting list. We will do our best to accommodate you.

Activities
While on your retreat you will also have the opportunity to take part in adventure activities and wonderful excursions. Some of the possible options include:

tZip Lining
tHorseback Riding
tVolcano Hike
tHotsprings Excursion
tNight Rainforest Hike
tHanging Bridges
tWaterfall Tour
tSacred Seed and Plant Tour
tKayaking

*Price of Activities are not included in Tuition
Spa

Bringing balance and harmony to your spirit in at the Rain Forest Spa. Spa treatments include a variety of massages, therapeutic body treatments, skin care services, and aromatherapy sessions using only the highest quality organic oils and extracts derived from fruits, herbs, flowers, and botanicals.
Registration and On-line Payment
Register early as we expect this retreat to fill quickly! A $300 deposit will get your name on the big “I Want To Go To Costa Rica” list and officially reserve your spot. It will be deducted from the total amount of the trip cost.   There is a $35 Service and Administration fee that will be added to the tuition rate. *The trip has a minimum of 10 people and a maximum of 25 people.  If you are interested in a single, please indicate single request on your registration form and contact us to check on availability.

$1625 Shared Accommodations (Save $200 off full price April 1)
$2025 Single Accommodations (Save $200 off full price April 1 ~Limited Space Available)

tTo register  – go to our  Online Registration Platform *.
tAt the checkout you will have the option to choose your payment method. The minimum payment you can make is the $300 Deposit which will “Hold Your Spot” and Lock in Your Price for your retreat.
tFor future tuition payments please use the same Online Registration Platform

*For Online Registration Technical Issues please call Reg Online support at 1888 351 9948 ext. 1 Our on-line system does not accept checks, but if you need an alternative payment arrangements, contact us.
Cancellation

tInitial deposits are non-refundable
t50% of payments are refundable upto 90 days before program excluding initial deposit
t89 days prior to a program, tuition is non-refundable
tFull tuition is refunded if the trip is canceled due to low enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We understand that many questions come up when visiting a place you have never been. What do I bring? What is the weather like?  We have created Participant Packages that will clarify these type of questions and more   Once you have registered, we will send you these materials.  In addition, on our website we have a comprehensive FAQ section, that also gives detailed answers to common questions.  If you have other questions, you can always write us at info@truenatureeducation.com so we can support you.

Getting There
All international flights will arrive at San Jose International Airport (SJO). True Nature Education has a Group Travel Agent that will be happy to help you book your flights.  Just ask us if this interests you.   Some of our retreats also have a Group Flight Option so you can travel with your fellow retreatants. From the airport we will organize one group transport for all retreat participants. Before booking tickets please contact us to discuss flight arrival and departure windows for your retreat and to be sure group minimums have been reached.
True Nature Education
True Nature is an Educational Travel Company which provides full service in the planning, support, and guiding of a diverse catalog of trips to Costa Rica each year. We believe in the power of experiential travel abroad and the multitude of affects it has on ones growth. We have hosted thousands of participants and have been honored to share in the life-changing experiences of our guests. It is True Nature’s goal to strive to meet the needs of our guests and to be of support from the time you first contact us, to the time you land in Costa Rica, and until you return home from your journey.

If this retreat isn’t up your alley, take a look at the variety of other retreats coming up in Costa Rica!  There’s a retreat with your name on it!

We are offering a second 72-hour certification course this year for guides, tour operators, lodge owners and others interested in learning more about and getting trained in backcountry first aid and first response.  This Wilderness First Responder (WFR) curriculum is the standard wilderness medicine class for many outdoor organizations’ supervisors. The course addresses injury and illness prevention, patient assessment, long-term injury management, improvised splint and litter construction and environmental emergencies. Approximately half of the course is classroom lecture and half practical scenarios. Students also receive American Heart Association CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification.  This course is a unique opportunity for students to receive outstanding wilderness medicine training in a spectacular setting. Aerie’s courses are dynamic and challenging, preparing students for travel and work in remote, outdoor settings. This WFR is ideal for individuals or outdoor leaders traveling and/or working in Central America and/or the Tropics.  There will be one free day scheduled in the middle of the course so students can rest and enjoy the incredible surroundings.



Instructors
Aerie instructors present at national and regional conferences, including the Wilderness Risk Management Conference, the International Conference on Outdoor Recreation and Education, the Spring Fever Trauma Conference and the US Forest Service Incident Medical Specialist program.



Language
This course will be offered in English.  If we have enough interest from Spanish-speaking students, we will translate the course to Spanish.

Arrival
Students should plan on arriving to the Ranch no later than 8 a.m. on the morning of the first day of the class (June 8).  We encourage students to arrive the night before (this night is included in the cost of the class).

Cost
Foreigners $925; Ex-pats living in Central America $850; Costa Ricans $750.  A $250 deposit will secure your spot in the course.

About Aerie


Aerie provides outstanding training on a local, national and international level. Their courses, from Wilderness First Aid through Wilderness EMT, are taught to employees and members of the Student Conservation Association (SCA), NOLS, Outward Bound, the US National Park Service, the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Missoula Backcountry Horsemen Association, and others. Aerie provides training for the US Forest Service Smokejumper’s EMTs and the USFS Wildlands Firefighting program.

Cancellation Policy


We receive the right to cancel the course due to inadequate enrollment and circumstances beyond our control. In the event of cancellation, all payments, including deposits, will be refunded.

For more information about the accommodations, course and course site, please contact Tim O’Hara at Rancho Mastatal.

Register Here.
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