The Rainforest Reset: A Journey of Self-Discovery, Adventure and Service
Costa Rica
February 13–20, 2027
Hosted by: Liseth Carpio & Lynne Norris
Welcome to the Jungle
We would be so honored to have you join us for this soul-stirring week in the heart of the rainforest. This retreat is designed to be a perfect harmony of adventure, restoration, and contribution. Throughout our journey, you will immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of the Caribbean coast—from the thrill of zip-lining through the jungle canopy and white-water rafting the world-famous Pacuare River, to the serene beauty of hiking through Cahuita National Park. You will explore the ancient traditions of the Bribri Indigenous people, encounter rescued wildlife at the Jaguar Sanctuary, and find deep alignment through daily yoga, a sacred cacao ceremony, and meditative movement. Beyond these unforgettable adventures, you have the unique opportunity to make a lasting impact at our Girls for Success School. We believe in "connection over consumption"—sharing your time, talents, and presence with these amazing young girls is the heartbeat of our journey.
(B/L/D = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
Itinerary
Day 1
Saturday, Feb 13
Arrival in the Capital (D)
Welcome to San José! Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the historic Gran Hotel Costa Rica, built in 1930, is a historic monument and the best location in the city. This charming hotel is located next to the National Theatre on one corner and the Pre-Colombian Gold Museum across the street. The hotel contains a casino in the lobby, a patio café noted for its marimba performances, fitness center, and piano bar - 7:00 PM: Welcome Dinner at El Patio restaurant, to meet your fellow travelers (short walk from the Gran Hotel).
Day 2
Sunday, Feb 14
Into the Wild (B/L/D)
- 8:15 AM: Depart for the Caribbean coast. We’ll journey through the misty Braulio Carrillo National Park and the tropical lowlands of Limón. - Lunch: Arrive at Sonora Jungle Retreat, your bohemian-chic sanctuary in Playa Negra. - Afternoon: Settle into your private bungalow or enjoy the saltwater pool. - 5:15 PM: Soft Landings Yoga – A gentle practice to ease the travel from your body and transition into a "blissful state of be-ing."
Day 3
Monday, Feb 15
Indigenous Roots & Sacred Chocolate (B/L/D)
- Morning: Slow Flow – Morning intention. Note: The group will be split into two today; half will visit Bribri, while the other half visit the Arrecife beach. Group #1 - Morning Excursion Visit the Bribri Indigenous Reservation. Learn about ancient medicinal plants, traditional building techniques, and the sacred art of chocolate making (with plenty of sampling!). Finish with a refreshing dip in a hidden waterfall. - You will return to Sonora for lunch. - Late Afternoon: Slow and Steady Yoga– A deeply relaxing practice to integrate the day’s emotions. Group #2 - Morning Exploration of Arrecife Beach—widely considered the most stunning beach in the region—with a quick stop in the eclectic town of Puerto Viejo. - You will return to Sonora for lunch. - Afternoon: Service at Girls for Success. Spend the afternoon with girls (ages 7–12) teaching English, crafting, or sharing a unique talent of your own. This is a time for co-creation and inspiration. - Late Afternoon: Slow and Steady Yoga – A deeply relaxing practice to integrate the day’s emotions.
Day 4
Tuesday, Feb 16
The Heart of Our Journey (B/L/D)
- Morning: Slow Flow – Morning intention. Note: The group will be split into two today; half will visit Bribri, while the other half visit the Arrecife beach. Group #1 - Morning Exploration of Arrecife Beach—widely considered the most stunning beach in the region—with a quick stop in the eclectic town of Puerto Viejo. - You will return to Sonora for lunch. - Afternoon: Service at Girls for Success. Spend the afternoon with girls (ages 7–12) teaching English, crafting, or sharing a unique talent of your own. This is a time for co-creation and inspiration. - Late Afternoon: Calm yoga– A deeply relaxing practice to integrate the day’s emotions. Group #2 - Morning Excursion Visit the Bribri Indigenous Reservation. Learn about ancient medicinal plants, traditional building techniques, and the sacred art of chocolate making (with plenty of sampling!). Finish with a refreshing dip in a hidden waterfall. - You will return to Sonora for lunch. - Late Afternoon: Calm yoga – A deeply relaxing practice to integrate the day’s emotions.
Day 5
Wednesday, Feb 17
Canopy Heights & Cacao Hearts (B/L/D)
- Morning: Slow Flow – Morning intention. Morning Choice: You can either head out for a Canopy Adventure or a visit to the Jaguar Rescue Center. - Option 1. Canopy Tour: The tour takes place over-looking the jungle where you will zip from tree to tree. There are 13 stations where you will enjoy approximately two hours of zip lining and walking in between several of the platforms. It’s an adventure that should be on everyone’s bucket list for at least once in life. - Option 2. Jaguar Rescue Center: A short drive past the town of Puerto Viejo is the home of the Jaguar Animal Rescue Center. This unique tour will give you the opportunity to encounter sloths, monkeys, toucans, and a wide variety of other animals up close. The center is a home for ill, injured and orphaned animals. Unlike zoos, the Jaguar Rescue Center focuses on rehabilitating and releasing animals back into the wild – either their native habitat or the nearby 125-acre La Ceiba Wildlife Reserve. The center reintroduces as much as 60 to 70 percent of the animals back into the wild. A brief stop can be made in Puerto Viejo to explore and shop. - 4:30 PM: Cacao Ceremony & Sacred Chants. A 90 minute journey of deep presence, inviting you to connect with the energies of Love, Kindness, Compassion & Joy. This ceremony is supported by a pure cacao drink, made from cacao sourced from Bribri territories in the Caribbean mountains of Talamanca, Costa Rica, and by sacred chants from different spiritual traditions.
Day 6
Thursday, Feb 18
Coastal Wonders (B/L/D)
- Morning: Gentle Yoga followed by a trip to Cahuita National Park. Hike the 7km coastal trail, look for white-faced monkeys, and swim in crystal-clear turquoise waters. - Afternoon: Free time for massages, shopping in town, or a jungle nap. - Evening: Gentle Yoga & a celebratory Farewell Dinner at Sonora.
Day 7
Friday, Feb 19
The Great River Return (B/L/D)
- Mid-Morning: Transfer back to the Adventure Inn Hotel, close to the airport (group transport). Established in 1995, Adventure Inn is a family-owned, independent boutique hotel located just 10 minutes from San José’s SJO Airport. It blends personalized service with full-scale amenities, positioning itself as a high-rated alternative to "cookie-cutter" chains. - Optional Add-on ($112): Pacuare River White Water Rafting. Experience a world-top-ten river run through a stunning gorge with 38 rapids and cascading waterfalls. - 7:00 PM: Final Group Dinner at the hotel (close to the airport).
Day 8
Saturday, Feb 20
Pura Vida (B)
Enjoy a final breakfast before your arranged transfer to the airport. Return home rejuvenated, inspired, and forever changed by the spirit of Costa Rica.
INCLUDED:
-
Five night accommodations – private bungalows at Sonora Jungle Retreat
-
Two nights in San Jose
-
Airport Transfers
-
In-country transportation
-
All meals at Sonora Jungle Retreat
-
Welcome and Farewell Dinners in San Jose
-
Breakfast at the hotels in San Jose
-
Beach time at Arrecife
-
Eight yoga sessions at Sonora
-
Cahuita National Park
-
Waterfall, chocolate and medicine plants tour
-
Zip-lining Adventure or Jaguar Animal Rescue Center
-
Coordination of all volunteer activities
-
Services of Trip Leaders
NOT INCLUDED:
-
Air fare to Costa Rica
-
Tipping of guides, drivers, and staff at Sonora (approximately $50-70 total) and $112 river rafting adventure
-
Personal expenses like massages and alcoholic beverages
-
Travel insurance
Documents Needed: Passport
PRICE PER PERSON:
$1,999.00 PER PERSON (DOUBLE OCCUPANCY)
$2,449.00 SINGLE OCCUPANCY
Payment
Schedule:
Send checks to:
Peace Through Yoga Foundation
Attention: Susie Morwick
7904 Pine Lake Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
-
A $500 non-refundable deposit per person is due at booking; balance due 120 days before departure.
-
Payable by check or venmo to Peace through Yoga Foundation; 3.5% fee for credit cards.
-
Cancellation: $500 fee up to 120 days prior; 100% fee after.
Cancellation Policy:
-
Travel Guard at 800-454-7107
-
i travel insured - 317-655-4500
Girls for Success School
Hone Creek, Talamanca, Costa Rica
Our Mission
Empower Girls in the Community
The purpose of the Girls for Success program is to enrich, educate, and empower girls in the rural area of Hone Creek and the surrounding community in Costa Rica.
Our Mission
We envision a learning environment where students feel supported, respected, and encouraged to reach their fullest potential. We intend that all students become economically self-sufficient life-long learners with the poise and confidence to become leaders in their communities.
Our Mission
Girls for Success (GFS) is a holistic after-school program in Hone Creek, Costa Rica, serving 25 girls (ages 6–16). By providing three hours of daily supplemental education, GFS bridges the gap between elementary and high school, focusing on the skills necessary for long-term economic independence and personal leadership.
Core Pillars of Impact
-
Language & Literacy: English instruction is prioritized to help students pass high school graduation exams and qualify for jobs in the local tourism economy.
-
Vocational Skills: The Sewing Program teaches technical craftsmanship, which will soon be paired with business and finance workshops to empower students to earn a living.
-
Holistic Wellness: The curriculum emphasizes emotional regulation, self-confidence, and physical health to help girls become leaders in their own lives.
-
Critical Thinking through the Arts: Music and art are used to reinforce English learning and encourage "outside-the-box" creative problem-solving.
-
Life Skills & Community: Workshops cover essential topics not taught in local schools, such as conflict resolution, goal-setting, and environmental stewardship.
Broadening Horizons
The program takes education outside the classroom through:
-
Educational Excursions: Visits to local businesses, national parks, and indigenous sites.
-
Mentorship: Connecting students with local female business owners as role models.
-
The San Jose Trip: An annual reward trip to the capital city, providing many girls with their first experience at a theater or museum.
How to Support
The program operates on a monthly budget of approximately $2,000, covering teacher salaries and utilities. 100% of donations go directly to the school.
Gift Amount | Impact |
|---|---|
$500 | Sponsors a girl’s development for a full year |
$280 | Provides a student with a bicycle for transportation |
$150 | Funds one educational field trip |
Wish List | Physical supplies via the Amazon Wish List |
Donations: Can be made online at girlsforsuccess.org or via check to the Peace through Yoga Foundation in Zionsville, IN.
Trip Leaders:
Lynne Norris
Lynne has been involved with Peace through Yoga since her first trip hiking the Camino de Santiago in 2022. An avid hiker and traveler, she also enjoys yoga, transcendental meditation, photography, biking, kayaking, reading, and cooking. Lynne is also a Master Gardener and works for Windowbox Gardner in Indiana. Formerly she was a radiology technician and a packaging engineer. She lives in Noblesville, Indiana with her husband, two children and two dogs.
Liseth Carpio
Liseth has been an integral part of Girls for Success since 2018, she is currently the President of the board of directors. Born and raised in the Cartago province of Costa Rica, she is a lifelong enthusiast of nature, conservation, and travel. Liseth has more than 15 years of experience working in tourism, she also holds a teaching degree and has shared her expertise by teaching tourism at several high schools in San José for the Ministry of Public Education. She lives in Costa Rica with her husband, her 2 sons, and their three dogs.
Adriana Leiva
Adriana Leiva is a Costa Rican Yoga teacher, Massage therapist, Ayurveda practitioner, Bhakti musician and Ceremonialist with more than 23 years of experience. After 14 years living in the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, she has created a deep connection with the land, the Bribri and Cacao. As a musician of devotional music she found how the chanting of mantras and other sacred chants empower the medicine of cacao. With much joy and deep respect she shares the medicine of cacao and sacred chants with people from all over the world.
To register for this trip, complete the Booking Request, then call Reservations Manager, Susie Morwick, if you would like to book via credit card at a 3.5% feel or use VENMO, at (317) 544-8391. Or send initial deposit of $500 to:
Peace through Yoga Foundation
7904 Pine Lake Road
Indianapolis, IN 46268
*A $500 deposit is due upon booking (no more than seven days after confirmation). Balance is due 120 days prior to departure.
