Costa Rica is a global go-to spot for nature lovers and adventure seekers. Volcanic hills, lakes and plummeting waterfalls shape the lush, vibrant landscape. Tropical jungles teem with hundreds of wildlife species that exist nowhere else on the planet. San José, located in the Central Valley, is Costa Rica’s bustling urban capital. Pura Vida Retreat & Spa is tucked serenely in the clouds, nearly a mile above the city. Pura Vida’s climate is spring-like year-round with warm days (70s-80s F) and mild nights (60s F). The sun rises at 5:30 and sets around 6 all year long. Costa Rica’s Green Season is full of splendor for those seeking peace and tranquility. Refreshing mountain temperatures, purifying and cleansing rains are an opportunity to enliven the senses as you enter the season of turning within. Costa Rica’s second largest city is a quick car ride from Pura Vida Retreat & Spa where you can find ATMs, dining, and shopping. 

From the dawn of time, human beings have been drawn to the active volcanic regions of the earth in search of health, healing and wellness. 

Alive with transferable energy and some of the richest soils on earth, the volcanic mountains that encircle The Wellness Center at Pura Vida Spa are a source of powerful natural healing. 

The therapists at Pura Vida are some of the most gifted and highly commended spa professionals in Central America, each committed to healing from the heart and with the essential gift of being present and loving with their touch. 

Treatments available during the week of your stay will be posted on the bulletin board at The Wellness Center.  All bookings are scheduled on-site on a first come, first serve basis. Many of our therapists are available in Pura Vida on a rotating schedule, so not all therapies are on offer at the same time. Treatment prices range from $100 – $180.  

Please visit https://puravidaspa.com/wellness-center/ for a list of available treatments. 

Costa Rica’s breathtaking natural beauty is calling… 

Astonishing tropical birds and wildlife, dazzling flora and fauna, majestic cloud-capped forests, flowing rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, tropical rainforests and coffee plantations. Check out Pura Vida’s incredible portfolio of tours and eco-adventures, carefully curated to introduce you to the beauty, culture, traditions, and history of the “rich coast” we consider paradise on earth. 

All tour sign-ups are done on site. Any tour canceled with less than a 24-hour notice will be subject to a cancellation fee up to the full price of the tour. All tours require a minimum of 4 people. 

To see optional eco-adventures please visit https://puravidaspa.com/eco-adventures/. 

Payment is due in full 30 days before the date of departure unless otherwise specified by THR. Payment plans may be set up with payments charged on the 1st and 15th of the month. A $500 deposit must be paid to reserve your spot and set up a payment plan. Space is limited, and reservations will be based upon dates deposits are received. If registrations exceed space available, priority will be given by the registration deposit received to date. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum and your deposit is returned. Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended. 

All tour sign-ups are done on site. Any tour canceled with less than a 24-hour notice will be subject to a cancellation fee up to the full price of the tour. All tours require a minimum of 4 people.

To see optional eco-adventures please visit https://puravidaspa.com/eco-adventures/.

Yes! If you have a retreat balance with us, we can apply any part towards the cost of this retreat. Please keep in mind you may lose your place in a future retreat if you transfer the deposit to this one.  

Yes! Ultimate Plus members may use up to $300 of their yearly retreat credit and Ultimate members may use up to $200 of their yearly retreat credit. 

The Hot Room will notify retreat guests immediately if a retreat must be postponed due to travel restrictions or if the minimum registration isn’t met. The retreat will be moved to a later date at least 4-6 months out to allow guests to make their arrangements to attend.  

We ask that you avoid large gatherings for two weeks prior to the retreat, maintain social distancing, wear a face mask, wash hands often, avoid touching your face, nose and mouth and use hand sanitizer frequently. Plan for a COVID-19 test that will give you results within 5 days of your departure for the retreat.  

Yes. The Costa Rican government has mandated that all businesses, except essential ones (pharmacies and grocery stores), require that their patrons be vaccinated.  In other words, Pura Vida Retreat & Spa cannot allow entry to unvaccinated guests starting on January 8^th, 2022. You will be required to upload proof of vaccination on your Health Pass 72 hours before traveling to Costa Rica.

Yes, a passport is needed for travel to Costa Rica. Please check that your passport is not expired! Expedited services are not available currently for passport renewals. Be sure that yours is up to date.  

Please note that Costa Rican law requires your passport be valid for at least 90 days after the date you enter the country. When in Costa Rica, you’ll need to carry your passport information with you at all times. If you should be stopped by officials, a photocopy with your photo, passport number, and entry stamp will usually suffice and is recommended when making local excursions. 

1. Fill out the electronic epidemiological HEALTH PASS form, available at https://salud.go.cr. 
2. Obtain Traveler’s Medical Insurance 
3. It is mandatory that tourists purchase travel insurance, covering their accommodations in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19 illness. An explanation of one’s travel insurance coverage, addressing Costa Rica’s requirements, must be uploaded or entered into the HEALTH PASS in order to be reviewed and approved by the Costa Rican authorities. If more information on international insurance is needed, the Costa Rican authorities will contact the passenger at the email address indicated in the HEALTH PASS. 
4. In the case of international insurance, the tourist must request from their insurer a certification issued in English or Spanish, noting at least three conditions, without forgetting to add it to the HEALTH PASS: 
5. i.     Validity of the effective policy during the visit in Costa Rica. 
6. Guarantee of coverage for medical expenses in cases of pandemic disease COVID 19 in Costa Rica, for at least US $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars of the United States of America). 

                                             iii.     Minimum coverage of US $2,000 for extended lodging expenses due to pandemic illness or trip interruption/cancellation due to illness, which covers the extra cost of the passenger due to quarantine. 

Here are some traveler’s insurance companies that we recommend. 

https://www.travelguard.com/  And https://www.itravelinsured.com/ 

Passengers who fail to comply with these requirements may not enter the country. 

Upon landing in Costa Rican territory, travelers must wear face protection and comply with the strict protocols of the air terminal with regard to physical distancing, disinfection of carpets, and taking temperature readings, and must follow any other sanitary instructions. 

To view a video with important U.S. entry information, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAc-cbzOhxM. 

Plan to get tested for COVID-19 72 hours after you return to the United States.  Avoid large gatherings and returning to The Hot Room until you receive your test results. Maintain social distancing, wear a face mask, wash hands often, avoid touching your face, nose and mouth and use hand sanitizer frequently. Look for symptoms of Coronavirus and stay home if you are sick.  

1.      Fill out the electronic epidemiological HEALTH PASS form, available at https://salud.go.cr.  

2.      Obtain Traveler’s Medical Insurance  

a.      It is mandatory that tourists purchase travel insurance, covering their accommodations in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19 illness. An explanation of one’s travel insurance coverage, addressing Costa Rica’s requirements, must be uploaded or entered into the HEALTH PASS in order to be reviewed and approved by the Costa Rican authorities. If more information on international insurance is needed, the Costa Rican authorities will contact the passenger at the email address indicated in the HEALTH PASS. 

b.      In the case of international insurance, the tourist must request from their insurer a certification issued in English or Spanish, noting at least three conditions, without forgetting to add it to the HEALTH PASS: 

                                               i.     Validity of the effective policy during the visit in Costa Rica. 

                                              ii.     Guarantee of coverage for medical expenses in cases of pandemic disease COVID 19 in Costa Rica, for at least US $50,000 (fifty thousand dollars of the United States of America). 

                                             iii.     Minimum coverage of US $2,000 for extended lodging expenses due to pandemic illness or trip interruption/cancellation due to illness, which covers the extra cost of the passenger due to quarantine. 

Here are some traveler’s insurance companies that we recommend. 

https://www.travelguard.com/  And https://www.itravelinsured.com/ 

Passengers who fail to comply with these requirements may not enter the country. 

Upon landing in Costa Rican territory, travelers must wear face protection and comply with the strict protocols of the air terminal with regard to physical distancing, disinfection of carpets, and taking temperature readings, and must follow any other sanitary instructions.  

To view a video with important U.S. entry information, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAc-cbzOhxM. 

Book your flight on an airline that has the safest COVID-19 protocols in place. Delta, Southwest & JetBlue all leave the middle seat open, disinfect regularly and maintain social-distancing in the check-in and boarding process. All airlines require a face mask. The Hot Room will provide you with a travel kit before departure that includes an N-95 mask, sanitation wipes, hand sanitizer & gloves.   

Wear your mask while in transit to the airport, during check-in and on the plane. Use sanitation wipes to clean the high-touch areas around your seat. Wash your hands and use hand sanitizer frequently.  

It is highly recommended that you purchase travel insurance and choose a “Cancel for Any Reason” add-on which you can purchase from some insurance providers when buying specific plans. By paying extra for this coverage, you can cancel for any reason under the sun as long as you follow the policies’ purchase and cancel stipulations. Here’s a great article on this add-on and what it does and doesn’t cover. 

Here’s a great place to compare quotes on travel insurance. 

All flights should arrive at Juan Santamaria International Airport and a shuttle will be provided by The Hot Room to arrive to and from Pura Vida 

All arrivals to SJO airport shall arrive between 1 PM and 5 PM on Saturday. All Departures shall occur from SJO on Saturday between 10 AM and 2 PM. 

Yes, your transfer to and from Pura Vida is included in the price of the retreat.  

If anyone needs to be tested, there are laboratories in town that provide the test service. Taking the sample on-site is an option as well and would cost approximately $100 USD.   

Yes, currently it is required to have a negative COVID-19 test to return to the U.S. We will have a nurse come to Pura Vida to perform a rapid test for $100 per person. 

In the case that a person is tested positive for Covid-19 while on the property, and according to the current health regulations in the country, he or she has to be isolated for two weeks after the positive result is obtained. In this case, Pura Vida’s rooms are well equipped to provide a safe space for that person. Meals and other services can be provided by Pura Vida’ staff. The cost of the additional days of lodging/services will be covered by the guest. Important: If the person has been sharing the room with another person there are two options: Both of them get tested or, the other person is automatically declared “positive by nexus” by the authorities and has to fulfill the quarantine too. 

In the yoga room, space for mats are marked to ensure social distancing. The dining room capacity has been reduced by half. Tables are allocated with enough distance from one another to ensure the safety of our guests. The number of chairs per table has also been reduced. Guests are required to form a line outside the dining hall, as people enter the space for the meals. The access doors are located on the sides of the entrance and the exit door in the center. This is in effort to reduce contact with people coming in and people going out.  Social distancing in other public areas are part of our guests responsibilities and Pura Vida makes sure to remind everyone on the property, including the staff; of the importance of this behavior. 

All the spa rooms are being disinfected before and after each session. The therapist will be using a new facemask for each session. It cannot be taken off at any point during the session. Not using a facemask would be cause to discontinue the session. It is responsibility of the therapist, to shower and change clothes as soon as she/he is in Pura Vida. Depending on the session, it is responsibility of the therapist to use any additional safety equipment provided by Pura Vida. The guest must use a facemask at all time. It cannot be taken off at any point during the session. Not using a facemask would be cause to discontinue the session. 

Table, chairs, public bathrooms and such are continually being disinfected by Pura Vida Staff. The rooms are cleaned everyday unless the guest requests not to do so. The cleaning staff are using safety and disposable equipment for each room. The products used for this task are purposely acquired to apply and destroy particles of the SARS-CoV-2. 

Liquid soap, shampoo and conditioner are provided in all rooms. Hair dryers are available at the front desk.  

Free Wi-Fi is available in our restaurant, guest lounge, and pool area. 

Computers with high-speed internet access are also available for complimentary use in our guest lounge.  

Most cell phones work in Costa Rica, but we highly recommend that you contact your service provider before traveling for assistance in selecting the appropriate package for you.  

A phone is available for use in our guest lounge for a rate of $5 per 15 minutes.  

Laundry service is available to our guests at a charge of $8 per load to wash, dry and fold.  

We have bottled water in your room and at the bar, as well as bottled water stations throughout the property to refill personal bottles. Water at Pura Vida 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. There is now alkaline water available in the restaurant at no additional cost.  

We have a food compost on the property. You will find labeled recycling bins for food and other disposable items in the dining hall and elsewhere. Please be mindful about what you put in each bin.  

Your rooms are turned over each day. If you choose to re-use your towels leave them hanging on the towel rack. If you require new towels, simply place your used towels on the floor. The fresh bed linens in your room are not changed again unless you request this be done. 

Beer and wine is available for purchase in the dining hall. 

Yes, there will be clean towels available for your mat for each class, in your room and at the pool.

Yes it is! We will practice social distancing in the pool area just as we do throughout Pura Vida.