Date/Time/Location:
November 9-16, 2025
Doce Lunas
Jaco 61101, Costa Rica
RESERVE your retreat experience
BOOK your room with Doce Lunas HERE
Check in:
Between 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm on Sunday, November 9, 2025. You may check in at any time that evening as well. You may also check in earlier if you added extra days to your reservation. Sadie and the team will arrive on Saturday, November 8th.
Getting to the Retreat Center: Doce Lunas
Airport:
If you will be arriving in Costa Rica by air, you should fly into the San Jose (SJO) airport. We recommend planning your trip so that you arrive in the afternoon of Saturday, Nov.2, no later than 8:00 pm (if possible, of course), as it is a 1.5-hour drive to the Doce Lunas retreat center, and could take slightly longer with traffic.
Shuttle bus or car from the Airport:
After arriving at San Jose (SJO) airport, you must take a shuttle or drive to Doce Lunas, about 1.5 hours.
Shuttle service from the airport to Doce Lunas is included in your reservation. Please check with Doce Lunas once you have completed your travel Itinerary. Send (via e-mail) the time of your arrival and departure to and from the San Jose (SJO) airport. The closer you can get to arriving between 12-4 pm, the better our chances will be to get you on a full shuttle. If there are not enough people arriving at the airport to form a group for the shuttle, there may be a surcharge. Prices each way, per person, vary.
Car:
This is a great option for those who would like to have the freedom to come and go from the retreat center as they wish. If you will be arriving at Doce Lunas by car, there is plenty of free and secure parking at the retreat location. The address to put into a GPS or Google Maps is: “Jaco Doce Lunas”
Please know that you can easily take a taxi 5 minutes to the nearby city of Jaco from Doce Lunas for about $4 each way.
Please be prepared for driving in a foreign country.
What to Bring:
Please be mindful that if you do not have a rental car, you will have to rely on shuttle service, taxi, or walking to get around. Which is easy and accessible. Doce Lunas also has bikes you can ride into town. Many of our excursions and planned activities will organize transportation for you, but should you need to get to a nearby store, etc, you will need to walk 20 minutes to Jaco or take a taxi 5 minutes, about $4.00 each way (subject to change). We will have a car on location in case of any emergencies.
Check weather reports for Jaco, Costa Rica, before your trip. The weather will be warm with some rainy days and mosquitoes. Weather can always change, so check reports to plan for your trip.
Valid Passport: Travel to Costa Rica is a foreign destination, and be sure your passport is not expiring (a passport expiring within 6 months is not considered valid. Passports typically need to have one page free for the stamp.)
Colones: You will want to have some local cash currency. Costa Rica uses Colones. Many shops allow payment in US Dollars, but you will still want to have some local currency in case you encounter any unexpected problems. We recommend the equivalent of at least 100 USD, as well as a debit or credit card from which you can draw funds if necessary.
Dancewear: Whatever you are comfortable moving and dancing in several hours per day. Layers are a good idea if you will be very hot and times and cooler at other times. Be sure to check the weather. Costa Rica is a tropical region, and there will be bugs and mosquitoes.
Clothing: Make sure to bring clothes, including a jacket, for tropical weather. It will rain. Also, bring appropriate attire for any planned sightseeing and excursions, including bug repellent, sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, swimsuits, etc. The halfa’s will be casual dress, so no need for formal wear unless you want to dress up.
Workshop props: Veils and fire implements like poi or fans. Fire props are available for use, but you will have to share the communal props during the workshops. Yoga mats and accessories will be provided by the resort.
Performance costume: Optional. If you would like to perform in one of the hafla’s you should bring one.
Converter: Not necessary, Costa Rica is on the same system as the US.
Leisure time activities: Plan accordingly for your leisure time. There is a basic wi-fi connection, free of charge, which can be used for simple browsing and checking of emails, etc.
First-Aid kit and other necessities: The resort is just a 5 minute drive or 20 minute walk from the city center of Jaco incase you need something but it is always a good idea to pack a small health kit with a few bandages, ibuprofen, feminine products or other things you may need for your health and comfort such as vitamins, sunscreen and bug repellant. Also, be advised that there are pharmacies and a hospital in Jaco.
Doce Lunas Details:
We have chosen Doce Lunas as the perfect location for the retreat. Doce Lunas will be our private sanctuary reserved for our retreaters. It is a beautiful place located in the jungle, just off the beach near the city of Jaco. The views are phenomenal, the air is fresh, and a simple one-night stay at the place would be unforgettable. You will feel whisked away, ready to retreat in this tropical paradise, yet close to civilization in case you need anything. Please look through the website for all the information and accommodations of this lovely resort: http://www.docelunas.com
Please take the time to know about travel to Costa Rica and what to expect:
https://cr.usembassy.gov
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/costa-rica
Jaco City:
Jaco is the nearest city to Doce Lunas. It is 5 5-minute drive by taxi, $4 each way, or 20 20-minute walk. You will have access to stores, pharmacies, and clinics if necessary. We will have a car on site for emergencies. For any emergencies, we will need to travel to San Jose CIMA Hospital. Check with your insurance provider if care will be covered there or if you need travel insurance.
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/costa-rica/central-pacific-coast/jaco
Cancellation Policy (Subject to change at any time, check with Doce Lunas for Updates):
– Cancellation 30 days to 5 days in advance, you will be responsible for 75% of the total room amount
– Cancellation 5 days to 1 day before arrival day, you will be responsible for 100% of the total room amount
Accommodations:
You will be assigned to the type of room based on the package that you purchased.
If you have already indicated whom you would like to share your room with, we will arrange that, or you will be randomly paired up with other retreat guests in the shared block. We have limited retreat attendance to 22 to enhance the learning and the overall experience.
Food:
As part of your stay at Doce Lunas, they have prepared a very affordable meal plan for our participants. It is already included in the price of your resort reservation. The cuisine is local style with some world fusion. All meals are served buffet style with lots of great options for all. No refunds on unused food or meals. Please know that if you would like to enjoy more food than the meal plan offers, they do have a full-service restaurant.
Additionally, participants will be responsible for paying for meals that are not included in the meal plan. These meals are scheduled during your “excursion days”. You can purchase your meal out on these days, depending on where you will be, or if you choose to stay back at Doce Lunas, you can also purchase food there. They have a full-service restaurant from 7:30 am-10:00 pm.
The resort can accommodate some dietary requests and restrictions. You will have to arrange with them in advance.
Spa Services:
Doce Lunas has a full range of spa services available. You can set up your spa services directly with the front desk staff and please give 24-hour advanced notice, as therapists must travel in from town for appointments.
Excursions and Sightseeing:
The retreat schedule has 2 free days built in. You can join in on the retreat’s planned excursions or choose from a variety of excursion packages from half day to full day offered through the resort, or plan your own personal getaway to the beach or sightseeing around the many beautiful places near Doce Lunas and Jaco. You may also choose to stay at Doce Lunas to relax and take advantage of the beautiful pool and spa. We have some ideas planned for us as a group; if you wish to participate, or again, you may choose to adventure on your own. Here are some ideas of excursions and activities to choose from http://www.docelunas.com
The cost to do any of the excursions, as well as travel expenses, will be your responsibility. Please note that the lunches on these days are not included in the meal plan. You must purchase your own lunch during excursion days.
Departing from Retreat:
You must check out of your room by 11 am, Sunday, November 16th.
Shuttle buses will begin transporting guests back to the San Jose (SJO) airport in the morning. Please email us your flight itinerary. Keep in mind it is about a 1.5-hour bus ride to the airport, so you want to book your departing flights accordingly.
Any other questions? Just e-mail us! sadie.bellydancer@gmail.com