To register for a spot in one of our four Pura Vida Knitting Retreats, please fill out the registration form under “Booking & Pricing.”

Please allow up to 4 business days to confirm your reservation. We apologize if the retreat sells out before we are able to get your application. In this case, you will be placed on the waiting list and be informed in the case of any cancellations.

Once your registration has been processed, you will receive an invoice via email. A 50% deposit per person must be issued within 2 days of receiving the invoice to confirm your reservation. The full payment must be made latest by September 15, 2024 to keep your reservation. You can also choose to pay the full amount immediately.

We accept online bank transfers, WISE to WISE transfers and credit card payments. Once your payment has arrived, you will
receive a confirmation email.

There are three room options:

1. Single room: You will have your own, private room.
2. Double occupancy with another knitting participant: If you are coming solo, you can choose to share a room with another participating knitter. Each of you will have a Queen sized bed to their own.
3. Double occupancy with your non-knitting partner: You can bring your non-knitting partner with you! You will share a room together and they will be able to join all non-knitting activities.

Yes, you certainly can! Please email booking@artisan-retreats.com to extend your stay!

Please email info@artisan-retreats.com with your requirements. The Parador Nature Restort and Spa as well as Artisan Retreats UG (limited liability) will do their best to ensure that your stay is 'stitch perfect'!

Yes, the knitting program and instructors as well as all other activities are the same for each retreat.

Certainly! We extend a warm invitation for your partner to join us in all our non-knitting activities, including the jungle tour and Gala dinner featuring an optional Latin dance class. These activities are included in the pricing package.

Moreover, the hotel offers a plethora of other fun activities. If your partner seeks relaxation, they can unwind at the spa and pool, sipping on a cool drink while enjoying a good book or a soothing massage.

Alternatively, if they’re feeling adventurous, there are several
tours to choose from. Here are some highlights:

Spend time on the water

Spend the day on a catamaran sailboat, cruising along the stunning coastline and passing by charming uninhabited islands. You might even catch a glimpse of dolphins, whales, or marine turtles, with the option to dive into the ocean for a leisurely snorkeling session.

Experience the thrill of fishing offshore on the Pacific Ocean or in the thriving ecosystem of the mangroves where you can reel in a diverse range of fish species like snappers, snook, and tarpon.

Explore the rich and diverse ecosystem of the mangroves of Isla Damas either by kayak or boat!

Other Tours

Join a Chocolate & Coffee Tour in Manuel Antonio where you will visit a plantation, while the guide explains the process of turning cacao into chocolate. You will also learn about the history of coffee in Costa Rica. And, off course, you will get to taste fresh Costa Rican coffee for yourself!

Spend a day at Carara National Park and Scarlet Macaw Observation, where you'll wander through lush rainforests, spotting colorful toucans, vibrant scarlet macaws, and playful howler monkeys. You'll also encounter various reptiles and amphibians and witness crocodiles basking in the sun.

Get a bird's eye view of the rainforest with a stunning canopy tour (or go parasailing if you’re up to it).

These are just some examples of what your partner can get up to!

Please note: Spa treatments and tours are not included in the pricing package and must be booked and paid for separately. However, we are more than happy to assist you in booking additional tours in advance.

Yes, your bedroom and the hotel will have air-conditioning.

In the event you would need to cancel the retreat after you have confirmed your participation, please let us know as soon as possible by email.

Cancellation prior to July 15, 2024: You will receive a refund for your deposit less 250 USD cancellation fee per person. Insurance is not included in the fees and it is up to you to ask international coverage with your insurance carrier, if you so decide.

Cancellation on July 15, 2024 or later: The 50% deposit is non-refundable. If you have already paid in full, you will receive a refund minus the 50% deposit.

Full Payment is required by September 15, 2024 to reserve your spot.

Cancellation after September 30, 2024: There will be no refund of payment unless we find a replacement. In that case you will receive a refund minus the 50% deposit.

We reserve the right to cancel the retreat or change the program without giving any reason. In the event that a cancellation is necessary, payments will be fully refunded.

We recommend you check your country’s Foreign Office website for recommendations on travel vaccinations for Costa Rica.

We recommend you visit your government’s Foreign Office to learn about your personal entry requirements for travelling to Costa Rica.

We recommend acquiring adequate out of country health insurance and trip cancellation & trip interruption insurance.

While this is ultimately up to you, we definitely recommend bringing comfortable shoes, bathers, sunscreen and mosquito repellent for outdoor activities.

For the Gala evening, you might like to dress up a little and bring footwear suitable for dancing.

The Costa Rican colón (CRC) is the national currency of Costa Rica. The colón is preferred, but US dollars are widely accepted. There is an ATM machine about 10 minutes away from the Hotel and there are 7 ATM machines in Quepos which is 20 minutes away from the Hotel. The machines are extremely reliable as almost of the Hotel guest are international visitors.

 

You will be picked up from Juan Santamaria International Airport, SJO, which is nearby the capital of San José, in a private, air conditioned minibus. The experienced drivers are also knowledgeable guides who will enhance your journey with local insights. Once we know all the arrival times, we will inform you of the meeting point and pick up time.

It is important to plan your arrival at the airport before 3pm to ensure your transportation to the resort. If your flight arrives in the afternoon or evening, we recommend arriving on the previous day and staying over-night at one of the local airport hotels. This means you can make the most of the retreat and not miss out on any of the excitement!

The hotel Hilton Garden Inn, San Jose Airport City Mall (Address: Francisco J. Orlich Road, Next to City Mall, Alajuela, Costa Rica) is three minutes from the San José International Airport and has a free airport shuttle service available.

The minibus will take you back to the San Jose International Airport directly after breakfast on day 5.

*Please note that if you decide to arrive early at the Parador Hotel or extend your stay after the retreat, the retreat no longer covers the pick-up and drop-off service to and from the San José International Airport. In this case, you would need to make your own private arrangements.

We recommend planning your trip to arrive on the day before the retreat starts, in case your flight is delayed. This means you can make the most of the retreat and won’t miss out on any of the excitement!

The hotel Hilton Garden Inn, San Jose Airport City Mall (Address: Francisco J. Orlich Road, Next to City Mall, Alajuela, Costa Rica) is three minutes from the San José International Airport and has a free airport shuttle service available.