Retreat to Costa Rica

Countdown to our Retreat in Nosara, Costa Rica!

Hi everyone!

We are getting closer and closer to our Pilates Art Retreat in Costa Rica!  I hope you are as excited as I am for this adventure.

We have a lovely group of healthy minded individuals coming together for this experience.  Mark and I are so excited to spend time with you in Nosara.  I want to be sure to cover all the bases and answer all the questions I can answer for you before we meet at the Bodhi Tree Resort on July 22nd.

Nosara is a very special place.  It is the jungle and the beach, it’s chic and it’s raw, it’s nature and it’s luxury. You may be wondering what to wear and how to dress.  I would suggest, light, comfortable and airy clothing.  Swimwear is acceptable most places.  Beach cover-ups are good for ladies, shorts and t-shirts, tank tops, sun dresses.  You don’t need to be fancy in Nosara, but by all means, bring your fancy flip flops (not heels.) For our dinners out, you might want to dress up a little. For footwear I’m brining Teva sandals, flip flops, and a pair of light sneakers. You can expect it to rain a little everyday.  Sometimes daily outdoor activities take an unexpected pause due to rain during July but it is fun and beautiful to experience this part of jungle life.

Depending on what time you arrive on Saturday, you might have time to relax and explore the resort and beach town of Playa Guiones before the sunset and welcome dinner at the Bodhi Tree.

Sunday morning I will offer:

  • 1- 50 minute Beginner Pilates Mat class
  • 1 – 50 minute Intermediate/Advanced Pilates Mat class
  • 1 hour in the Gym for weight training

Sunday will be an afternoon to explore the beach town of Playa Guiones.  No adventures planned but you are welcome to join us at the beach, create art with Mark, shop and explore the resort and town, book a spa treatment or take any other adventures that you want.  The resort will help you to make any plans.  We will try to catch the sunset before we have a group dinner out at a local restaurant.

A more detailed itinerary of classes and locations on the resort will be available as I reserve the time in the spaces needed.

Monday morning I will offer:

  • 7 am reformer class
  • 1 – 50 minute beginner mat class
  • 1 hour in the gym for weight training

Monday we will take a group hike with a guide to a local waterfall, then head back to Playa Guiones for the sunset and have dinner at Bodhi Tree.  You are always welcome to go out to dinner on your own if you wish. Also, I want to add that if you are not in the mood to hang with the group at any time, you can always do your own thing and our feelings wont be hurt!

Most days will flow like this.  Exercise in the morning, relax, eat; the afternoons will either be free, or have an excursion, we will always try to catch the sunset at the beach, and dinners either at the resort or group dinners out at local restaurants.  You will be provided with a more detailed itinerary in your art journal upon arrival.

Mark has put together a small “Art Kit” for each of you with an art notebook, pen, palette, water cup, and 3 small paint brushes.  He will provide the paints, and remaining art supplies that you would need to create.  He is excited to make art with anyone who is interested in giving it a try!

I have included 3 group excursions;

  1. A guided hike.
  2. SIBU wildlife reserve.
  3. TBD based on weather/availability.

On your free days, you are free to take any other excursions you desire (not included).

Once you are at the resort you can book your spa treatments (not included).  I will attach the spa menu below. I will also attach information on all of the other excursions you can take on your free days if you wish. Scroll way down to see information on excursions.

If you are interested in yoga or other classes offered by the Bodhi Tree just look at their website for a full schedule of classes at bodhitreeyogaresort.com.

The resort sent me some homework, to collect the following information. If you have not sent me this information, please do.

  1. The full name as it reads on your passport (and the full names of everyone in your participating family members)
  2. Any food allergies or dietary requirements
  3. Your email
  4. Your flight information.  This is especially important if you wish to be picked up at the airport by the hotel transport for the 2 hour drive to the resort.
  5. Any other special requests.

As I have mentioned before, transportation to and from the airport is not included in your retreat price since it varies based on how many people you have in your ride.  We will try to group you together if possible.  A ride from Liberia airport is $150, if 4 people are in the car it is $40 per person.

Below is some information the hotel provided me.  There is A LOT to read about below so SCROLL DOWN. Please read through it and refer back to it when needed.  If you have any questions/concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 716-982-4133.

Mark and I will be in Nosara a week early to scope things out and make sure everything is ready for you. I will be in touch before you leave for the retreat.  I will text you to let you know when an informational email goes out so you don’t miss it.

There is some great information in the brochures sent by the hotel, check out the photo gallery tab to see them.

Retreat Prices Include:

Room accommodations- Modern Balinese furnished bungalows with luxurious bathrooms, dramatic high ceilings with fans, air conditioning, free wifi, Raw Botanical toiletries, Egyptian cotton sheets, linen service, private open-air rainfall showers, outdoor seating areas, and Wi-Fi throughout.

All meals at the resort- The Bodhi buffet provides breakfast, lunch and dinner and features fresh, local ingredients with traditional flavors. They can accommodate most dietary considerations. Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort strives to use natural, fresh ingredients to promote a healthy lifestyle. By gathering ingredients harvested from nature, stimulating individual well-being at the ground level allows one’s health to blossom.

The Bodhi Buffet offers an array of hot, and refreshing cold soups; an excellent buffet of veggies and salads; organic chicken, fish and vegan options. They also cater to any palette as a personalized service to suit all your special dietary needs. Organic wine and artisanal beer are available for purchase with your dinner.

3 meals out at our favorite local restaurants- My favorite restaurant, La Luna, is located at the edge of beach on Playa Palada.  We will have a beautiful dinner here as the sun is setting.  The other restaurants are still being planned around our itinerary.

3 Reformer Pilates Classes- Pilates Nosara is located on site at the resort.  Page, the owner is my friend and mentor.  I will be renting her studio to teach your classes. The studio is open air, surrounded by trees, birds and monkeys swinging by.

Daily mat classes.  There will be 2 classes to choose from on most days.  One that is very gentle and one that is more challenging so you can choose to take either or both depending on how you feel that day. The open air yoga shalas have hardwood floors, breathtaking views, and high ceilings; there is no better spot to take a deep exhale. All mats and props are provided.

Access to the Bodhi Tree Gym- If you know me, you know I love a good weight room and gym.  This gym is gorgeous, elevated in open air, with free weights, machines, cardio equipment, floor mats and resistance bands and open for you to use 24/7.

Group Adventures.  As a group we will:

  1. Take a guided hike to a local waterfall in the jungle
  2. Visit the Nosara Refuge for Wildlife, and
  3. Take a boat cruise (either for sunset or dolphin watch, depending on availability)
  4. Sunset walks on Playa Guiones most nights
  5. Shopping and wandering around Nosara

Complementary bicycles are provided by the resort to take into town.

There is also a complementary shuttle that can take you to the beach from the resort.

2 full FREE days, where you will have the option for movement classes in the morning and then do whatever else you heart desires.  There are many adventures you can take or enjoy the spa treatments offered at the resort.  The resort helps with all your plans.

Each person will be provided with an art journal and will have the opportunity to do a plein-air painting lesson with Mark DiVincenzo.

Click here to visit the Bohi Tree Yoga Resorts website.

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Artist & Instructor Bios

Pilates

SARAH DIVINCENZO is the lead teacher and owner of Pilates Art Studio in Buffalo, NY.  She has spent the last 18 years teaching and leading people through their journey in health, fitness and Pilates.  Sarah received a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Medialle College where she based her studies in the fitness industry.  She holds a comprehensive Pilates certification through Balanced Body University.  Sarah completed her Pilates training in Nosara, Costa Rica, and in Buffalo, NY.  She has a love for travel and adventure, movement, and art.  This is an exciting new venture to offer this Pilates Art Retreat to those who are new to Pilates or have been practicing for years.

Art

MARK DIVINCENZO has been an artist since his youth, he became a prolific portrait artist at age 14 working with conte crayon and pastels. By late teens he was painting murals. While in college at Buffalo State he studied abroad in Italy in the Siena program, which had a profound effect in his passion of art and culture. The influence and exposure to great art and architecture convinced him to be involved with art as a career. From living and setting up studios in Buffalo, San Francisco, LA to New York over 40 years he became a prolific interior artist, designing motif, developing a crew of artisans restoring historic buildings and churches. At the same time he has been painting at nights creating large bodies of work on canvas and paper in oils and in gouache. Inspired by his immediate natural surroundings the paintings are large and small, absorbing and reflective . He established himself in the New York art market represented by Sears/Peyton Gallery.  Now Mark lives and works in Buffalo, NY with his wife, Sarah and young son Gianluca.

Learn more about Mark.

Please go to bodhitreeyogaresort.com and take the 360 degree tour of room options

For this retreat you can choose from the following:

Bungalow King Deluxe (1 available)

  • Best for a couple or friends who will share a king bed
  • Deluxe, gorgeous bedroom and bathroom + deluxe large private open air patio

$3750 per person (two person occupancy)
$5200 single person

Tree Top King (3 available)

  • Best for a couple or friends who will share a king bed
  • Gorgeous bedroom and bathroom + outdoor patio overlooking trees and tree top pool

$3500 per person (two person occupancy)
$4500 single person

Tree Top Queen (1 available)

  • For a single person or a couple sharing a queen bed
  • Gorgeous bedroom and bathroom + shared outdoor patio overlooking trees and tree top pool

$3100 per person (two person occupancy)
$3700 single person

Jungle Queen (3 available)

  • For a single person or a couple sharing a queen bed
  • Gorgeous bedroom and bathroom surrounded by nature

$3070 per person (two person occupancy)
$3600 single person

Payment Schedule

  • $500 deposit per person ($250 of which is non-refundable) to reserve your spot.
  • 50% of remainder is due by February 22, 2023
  • 50% final payment is due by April 22, 2023

Payment can be made by check made out to “Pilates Art Studio”.

Send payment to:

183 Darwin Drive
Amherst, NY 14226

Or use Venmo to @Sarah-DiVincenzo-1

Cancellations before February 22nd receive $250 of deposit reimbursement.

I am sorry but there are no refunds after Feb 22, 2023. You can transfer your booking to a friend or family member in the event you need to cancel.

No one books a retreat with the intention of cancelling it, but unexpected events do occur, so please consider purchasing travel insurance. It is your responsibility to read and understand our cancellation policies. Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. No refunds or credits for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat, or for arriving late or leaving early. We recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance. We encourage you to purchase trip cancellation insurance in order that your trip fees will be covered should you or your family have a medical problem prior to your trip or while on the trip. Trip insurance should also be purchased to cover medical expenses in the event you have an accident while on the retreat. Most travel insurance must be purchased within 14 days of making your reservation. Pilates Art Studio Retreats cannot be held responsible for any personal expenses, such as airline tickets due to changes in itineraries or retreat cancellations.

Covid travel update:

Please note that if the retreat has to be postponed based on border closures, then a credit for guests will be issued to be used for the postponement date.