Please review the following information as you begin to prepare for your Yoga Teacher Training Course in Costa Rica.
Resort Contact Information
Indigo Retreat Center
Mal Pais, Cobano, Costa Rica
http://www.indigoyogaresort.com/
E-mail – pleiadesyoga@gmail.com
Room and Board
You can book and pay your Room and Board with us, at this time.
- Option 1: Tenting (bring your own tent) – $1,100 (only for the very rustic!)
- Option 3: Triple occupancy in apartment private bath – $1,600
- Option 4: Double deluxe room – $1,700
- Option 5: Double occupancy in apartment private bath – $1,800
- Option 6: Private deluxe room – $2,500
Transportation
**Please put your flight information on the logistics sheet.
You can fly into San Jose (SJO) International airport. Once you arrive, it is a 4.5-hour journey to Mal Pais/Santa Teresa by bus/shuttle.
** If you fly from SJO to Tambor Airport it is much faster. (35 minutes) You can look into this further via Nature Air.
Bus
Every day at 6 am and 2 pm there is a public bus from Downtown San Jose, the bus station is called “7-10” and it’s $15 each way. This bus is direct (gets on the ferry with you and then you reboard the bus after the ferry ride) it will arrive in Santa Teresa at the “CRUCE” at 12 noon or 8:30 pm. From there you will need to get a taxi to INDIGO YOGA RESORT, 2 km South of the cruce. The buses are very nice.
Shuttle (4.5 hours)
There are many shuttle companies from/to the airport you can try http://www.montezumaexpeditions.com/
By Air (35 minutes)
SJO to Tambor: http://www.natureair.com/ or www.flysansa.com
Money/ATM
The currency in Costa Rica is Colones. US Dollars are widely accepted but you will not get the best exchange rates. We also suggest not to use the money exchange in the airport as the rates are high. The current rate is approx. 606 Colones to $1 USD
The nearest ATM is in Playa Carmen, a 10-15 minute walk from the hotel. ATMs distribute Colones.
Check In
Upon arrival, we will get you settled into your room and give you a short orientation. Feel free to check in after 12 pm or to drop your bags off early. If you would like to arrive early and book extra nights, please contact Indigo at indigoyogaresort@gmail.com and put your arrival time on the logistics sheet.
Payment
It is important that everyone make full room and board payment before the training begins. If you still owe tuition or room and board payment, please contact billing@schoolyogainstitute.com.
Books
- SYI Yoga Teacher Training Manual – included in tuition and will be at the course when you arrive.
- Yoga Anatomy by Leslie Kaminoff – purchase at Amazon or your local bookstore.
- Yoga Sutras by Dennis Hill – purchase at Amazon or your local bookstore.
Other Course Related Items
Optionally, A neti pot and a tongue scraper are suggested to be used throughout the course, you can purchase these on your own at any health food store. Please also bring any creative tools that enable you to express your gifts such as musical instruments, painting/drawing materials, etc.
Surfing
Each day we will have extra time to go to the beach (optional to include surfing). We will be renting boards with our good friends at Nalu Surf Shop in Santa Teresa, they have a selection of boards for all levels. While Indigo is across the street from beautiful beaches the most consistent waves for all surfing levels is at Playa Carmen, is a 5-minute shuttle ride away, students choosing the surfing option share the costs of transportation to the beach.
- Transportation to Surf Break: Approx. $5 round trip each day per person.
- Surfboard Rentals: Rentals are Approx. $7- $10/day depending on the length of the rental and the type of board.
- Surfing Lessons: Below are the local rates that can be arranged in town. Lessons are 1.0 – 1.5 hr including use of the board.
- Group lesson ( up to 4 people):
$50/pp x 1 day course
$130/pp x 3 day course
$190/pp x 5 day course - Private lessons
$60 per lesson
What to Pack
- Sandals, Water Shoes
- Refillable Water Bottle
- Bathing suits
- Rash guard
- Beach towel & Sarong
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sun Block (suggest to bring some natural zinc oxide for face)
- Biodegradable shampoo, soap, etc
- All-natural bug repellent ( All Terrain, Herbal Armor and Burts Bees are great!)
- Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and pants
- 5 yoga outfits
- T-shirts and shorts
- Headlamps and flashlights
- Yoga Mat, yoga towel
- White or other ceremonial dress
- Any snacks/superfoods you like between meals
- Musical Instruments
- Art Supplies
- Journal and pens
- Course Textbooks
If you are bringing a surfboard:
- Leash (extra)
- Fins and Fin Key
- Suncure Ding Repair
- Tropical Temp.Water Wax (easily available in Costa)
Extra Days Off
Every 5th day is an off day. Santa Teresa/Mal Pais has a plethora of day off activities!! We will send out a tracking sheet regarding activities that you are interested in and then you can book with Indigo upon arrival.
- Horseback tours
- SUP tours
- Zip lining
- Waterfall tours
- Butterfly gardens
- Surf
- Massage/spa services/crystal healing therapies/
- Raw food preparation course
- Beaches
- Tide pools
All extra activities vary in price, most can be arranged through the hotel on arrival or day before.
Laundry
Laundry services are available all around town. Typically they cost $2-$5 per pound and are done within one day. It is highly recommended that you pack light and considering the high humidity do not bring your best clothes/travel gear.
Food
The menu is vegetarian, organic, gluten free, and local. If you have certain dietary needs or restrictions, please let us know on the logistics sheet and we will update Indigo prior to your arrival.
Water
There will be purified drinking water onsite as well as tea.
Internet
The Internet is available onsite at Indigo but we suggest to disconnect from the internet as much as possible, phones will only be allowed for photos during meal times etc.
Passport, Visa & Exit Tax
You will need a valid passport for entry into Costa Rica. US, Canada and EU citizens do not need to get a visa ahead of time.
*Immigration will give you an exit ticket upon arrival which you need to keep with you. Upon departure, you will need to pay an “Exit Tax” at the airport before you check into your flight. The “exit tax” is approx. $29 and can be paid in cash or by card at the booth in the departure terminal. (the booth is located on the right side of the building if you are facing the ticket counters.)
Sick Days/Missed Days
We will make arrangements to make up any missed days during the program. Typically, it is not a problem and you can get everything completed during the course.
Certification
Upon completion of the course, you will receive your 200-hr Yoga Teacher Certification. This course is approved by Yoga Alliance, so as a graduate of this program you will qualify to register as a teacher with the Yoga Alliance organization if you choose to do so.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by phone or email.
Let us know if you have any questions!