Magical Running Experience in Costa Rica

Nov 23 to Nov 29, 2024

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Magical Running Experience in Costa Rica
  • About
  • Gallery
  • Itinerary
  • Things to keep in mind

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Nestled in the heart of Central America, Costa Rica stands as a bastion of natural preservation. Its untouched beauty sets the stage for unparalleled trail running experiences that beckon adventurers. Explore the cloud forest trails and hanging bridges of Monteverde, surrender to the soothing embrace of Arenal’s hot springs, and uncover the secrets of coffee production. 

Discover the world through running

We are committed to helping humanity gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationship to nature and to others, by designing experiences, sharing stories, and creating a diverse and inclusive community around a new and sustainable vision of life. 

This journey offers an authentic encounter with the boundless natural diversity and richness that characterizes one of Central America’s proclaimed paradises. Costa Rica’s significance as a symbol of natural beauty has captured the hearts of world travelers, and situated at the very heart of Central America, it has achieved worldwide renown for its captivating and mesmerizing natural wonders. 

About

Transportation throughout the whole experience.

Specially designed trails along the magical landscapes of Costa Rica.

Carefully curated culinary experiences.
*We can accommodate all dietary preferences.

Exclusively designed yoga and meditation sessions.

All meals and accommodations for the duration of the experience.

Entrance tickets to all national parks and attractions are included in the experience.

Knowledgeable and professional local guides.

Merchandise.

La Familia Global Community Membership ($25 value).

Airfare for your inbound and outbound flights to Costa Rica.

Travel Insurance. We highly recommend securing personal travel insurance for your peace of mind. 

Alcoholic beverages and any additional meals beyond the provided ones.

Experience the charm of genuinely authentic city, jungle, and beach resorts, each brimming with distinctive character. Standard accommodation option involves shared lodging. However, you have the choice to enhance your experience by upgrading to private accommodations at check-out.

I was anxious and my life was getting in the way of the trip. However, when I got on the plane and landed in San Jose my anxiousness left. Arriving at the hotel and being greeted by Yannick shifted my perspective. I was excited as the other participants began arriving. Our first run, our first meal, road trip into the greenest land you ever saw. Rain, mud, animals, waterfalls, challenges, and a very supportive crew make for an extraordinary adventure. I could go on but I think this is the essence of this experience.

- Lee Arnold, Participant In Our February 2023 Edition

Gallery
About The Host
Yannick

Yannick

Yannick is an Andean-born competitive mountain biker, mountaineering enthusiast, and trail runner. His life revolves around the mountains surrounding his birthplace in La Paz, Bolivia. Working on various social and environmental programs around the Bolivian and Peruvian Andes has allowed him to understand and communicate admiration and respect for the Andres through storytelling.

He is an adventurer who enjoys bird watching, and learning about native plants, and he is driven by a determination to make the Andes and promote native community building and cultural development.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in San José - 8 km Sunset run in San José - Welcome Dinner

Upon your arrival in San José, our team will be ready to assist you with your transfer to the hotel. We will have a relaxed day dedicated to introducing you to our team and conducting a debrief about the upcoming days of the experience. 

At 5:00 pm, we will regroup at the hotel for an 8 km acclimatization run in the colonial part of town, timed to catch the sunset. 

Following our run, we will convene for a group welcome dinner at one of the finest restaurants in San José. 

Accommodation: San Jose Boutique Hotel

Lunch & Dinner: Included

Day 2: Transfer from San José to Monteverde - 9 km Monteverde Run + Yoga And Meditation Session

They day begins with breakfast and an early departure from San José, heading towards the Punta Arenas Canton. From there, we embark on a 4-hour drive that leads us to the Biological Cloud Forest Reserve of Monteverde. 

Upon our arrival, we embark on an exhilarating 9 km run through the enchanting cloud forest trails of Reserva Santa Elena and Bosque de los Niños Eternos. This unique run provides us with a captivating first introduction to the rich natural diversity of Costa Rica. 

Following the sun, we settle in for lunch at our hotel. The afternoon features a yoga and stretching session at the Monteverde Lodge, providing a peaceful opportunity to unwind as the sun sets. 

Accommodation: Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner: Included

Day 3: El Tigre Waterfall Trail - Monte Verde 11 km Run - Transfer to Arenal Lake

This day will begin with a captivating morning run along the remarkable Tigre Waterfall trail. This trail offers stunning views of magnificent waterfalls, hanging bridges, and spectacular pathways. It will undoubtedly stand out as the most astonishing run throughout the entire trip, as it combines breathtaking scenery with a satisfying trail distance. 

Following the run, we will proceed to our hotel to freshen up and savor a delightful lunch. Later, we’ll step onto our bus and journey towards the Arenal Volcano Area. A scenic 3-hour drive will culminate in our arrival at the enchanting Arenal  Lake area around dusk. Here, an evening of relaxation by the pool and in the jacuzzi will be the perfect indulgence to pamper our bodies. 

Accommodation: Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner: Included

Day 4: 11 km La Fortuna Run and Afternoon Hot Springs

We begin this day with an incredible breakfast, accompanied by a stunning view at Arenal Reserve. After breakfast and an engaging coffee demonstration, we are set to embark on a captivating run through the Observatory Lodge Trails. This scenic run takes us through the jungle and along volcanic rivers, providing the last views of the Lavar rivers from 1992. The spectacular trail immerses us deeply in the volcanic and jungle atmosphere of Costa Rica. 

Following lunch at our hotel and a refreshing shower after the run, we’ll enjoy a rejuvenating hot springs session in the Chollin Hot Spring rivers near La Fortuna. It’s a fantastic way to conclude this afternoon’s activities. 

Afterwards, we’ll gather for dinner and enjoy a well-deserved night’s rest for everyone.

Accommodation: Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner: Included

Day 5: La fortuna to Puero Viejo Drive - 7 km Sunset Run in Puerto Viejo

This day will encompass the longest drive and journey of the trip, as we travel from La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo. The drive will span approximately 5.5 to 6 hours, guiding us to the Caribbean Coastline by afternoon. Upon arrival, we will check in to our hotel and subsequently enjoy a picturesque beach-side run along the black beaches of Puerto Viejo. 

Following the run, we will have time to freshen up with a shower before indulging in dinner in Puerto Viejo. This nourishing meal and restful evening will allows us to replenish our energy for the exciting adventures ahead. 

Accommodation: Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner: Included

Day 6: Puerto Vargas to Cahuita 11 km Run - Caribbean Beach Exploration

The final day of our extraordinary journey brings us a day of remarkable running and exploration along the captivating Caribbean beaches of Costa Rica.

We begin early with a short transfer to the entrance of Cahuita National Park, setting the stage for an unparalleled beachside run. This unique experience features jungles flanking one side of the trail and stunning white-sand Caribbean beaches on the other. Expect to encounter abundant wildlife in these pristine coastal stretches. This run is an exceptional opportunity to immerse ourselves in the beauty of the ocean reserves within this remarkable country.

Following this exhilarating run, we will arrive in Cahuita, where we’ll savor local fruits and beers before embarking on a snorkeling adventure in the very beaches we explored earlier. It’s a fitting way to conclude our journey, engaging with the marine wonders that complement the terrestrial beauty. 

As the sun sets, we’ll celebrated with a farewell dinner at the Lodge in Puerto Viejo, accompanied by additional afternoon activities within the town. It’s a fitting way to close out this incredible experience in one of the most breathtaking part of Costa Rica! 

Accommodation: Lodge

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner: Included

Day 7: Transfer from Puerto Viejo to San Jose Airport

For the departure day from San José, we will leave Puerto Viejo and head towards the San José airport. Please note that the departure time should be scheduled for after 5:00 PM to ensure ample time for the journey back to the airport.

Juan Santamaria International Airport outbound flight.

Breakfast & Lunch: included.

Things to keep in mind

Cancellations and Refunds.In the event of a cancellation, either by the User and/or Participant, or by Activ Retreats, the following shall apply:

1. Cancellation by the Client:
In the event that the Client decides to cancel an Experience subsequent to its booking, such cancellation shall be governed by the following terms:
a. Cancellation of Experiences with a duration of 4 (four) or more days:

Notification period prior to the start of the Experience

Fee charged by Activ Retreats

180 days or more

$0.00 USD

91 days or more

30% of the Experience total cost

90 to 60 days

60% of the Experience total cost

59 to 0 days

100% of the Experience total cost

b. Cancellation of Experiences with a duration of 3 (three) days or less:

Notification period prior to the start of the Experience

Fee charged by Activ Retreats

91 days or more

$0.00 USD

90 to 60 days

60% of the Experience total cost

59 to 0 days

100% of the Experience total cost

In case of cancellation by the User, the User shall be entitled to be reimbursed, subtracting the outstanding commissions, non-refundable deposits and the corresponding cancellation fee, in accordance with items “a” and “b” above.

2 Cancellations by Activ Retreats
In the event that Activ Retreats cancels an Experience, whether for lack of minimum participation or for any other reason, the User may take the following actions:
I) Request the transfer of the deposit to a different Experience, up to two times, as long as the transfer date is at least 90 calendar days prior to the start date of the Experience. In the event that the Experience preferred for reimbursement has a higher amount of Consideration than the originally contracted Experience, the User and/or Participant must pay the difference between the two prices.
II) Request a refund, from which any expenses, cancellation costs or commissions made to suppliers on behalf of the Participant will be deducted.
In the event that a Participant abandons the Experience by his/her own decision, he/she will in no case be entitled to a refund and Activ Retreats will not be obligated to reimburse any additional amount.

In the event that Activ Retreats cancels an Experience during the course of the Experience, due to acts of God or force majeure, Activ Retreats shall not be liable to carry out the refund of any amount to the Participants, however, it may offer, at its own discretion, voluntary compensation.

In the event that the User and/or Participants have contracted travel insurance, they should review the terms and conditions of such insurance in order to carry out the corresponding reimbursement process.

Activ Retreats shall not be liable for any expenses, expenses and/or losses incurred by the Participant in connection with the booking of the Experience, including but not limited to, obtaining visas, vaccinations, flights, trains, car rental, gasoline, travel expenses and any other expenses incurred by the Participant.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions shall be construed as an obligation of Activ Retreats to provide the Services, but Activ Retreats shall provide the Services as it sees fit.

3 Refunds
In the event that the User wishes to request a refund from Activ Retreats, in accordance with these Terms and Conditions, the deadlines for the execution of the refund will be as follows: (i) International Refund up to 10 (ten) calendar days; (ii) Domestic Refund up to 5 (five) calendar days from the approval of the request.

4 Credit Roll-outs
90 days prior to the retreat start date:
Clients have the option to transfer the payment credit to a different Retreat or Getaway upon request. The credited amount must be utilized within a maximum of 365 days from the original purchase date. An administrative fee of $100 USD per person will be applied for this transaction.

This agreement describes the general terms and conditions (hereinafter, the “Terms and Conditions”) that regulate the use of the set of digital media made available to the users of the said media (hereinafter, the “Users”) by the company called Activ Retreats (hereinafter, “Activ Retreats and/or the Holder”), through the Website located at: https://activretreats.com/ (hereinafter, the “Website”). The Website is called “Activ Retreats”, and may be accessed through any Internet browser. Any person wishing to access or use the Web Site and/or any of the Services offered therein (as such term is defined below) may do so subject to these Terms and Conditions.

1. General Data of the Holder

Activ Retreats is a company legally incorporated and validly existing under the laws of the United Mexican States (“Estados Unidos Mexicanos”), fully empowered in accordance with its corporate purpose to provide the services detailed in this Terms and Conditions.

The present Terms and Conditions are directed to clients of Activ Retreats and/or any of its controlling entities, subsidiaries and/or affiliates of Activ Retreats that use the Website and/or any other extension of the platform, property of Activ Retreats

2. Definitions

a. Privacy Notice: Refers to the privacy notice of Activ Retreats, drafted in terms of article 28 of the Regulations of the Federal Law for the Protection of Personal Data in Possession of Private Parties (“Ley Federal de Protección de Datos Personales en Posesión de los Particulares”), and article thirty-eighth of the Privacy Notice Guidelines (“Lineamientos del Aviso de Privacidad”), by means of which the User expressly grants or denies the processing of his/her personal data.

b. Activ Retreats: The company named Activ Retreats and/or any controlling entities, subsidiaries, subsidiaries and/or affiliates of Activ Retreats.

c. Website: All digital media, people and physical means made available to the User in order to promote the Services, in accordance with these Terms and Conditions.

d. Parties: It refers jointly to Activ Retreats and the User.

e. Participant: Refers to the natural persons who are registered as participants in the booking of Experiences or those persons who will participate in the contracted Experience through the Website.

f. Services: Set of services offered by Activ Retreats in compliance with these Terms and Conditions, comprised by the activities set forth in these terms and conditions, as well as the use of the Website.

g. User: Refers to any natural person who wishes to acquire rights and obligations with Activ Retreats, in relation to the Services offered by Activ Retreats.

3. Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

The access and/or use of the Website, and/or any other extension of the platform, property of Activ Retreats, implies the acceptance by the User (as such term is defined below) of all the clauses and policies established in these Terms and Conditions. Likewise, by using the Website you will be communicating with Activ Retreats through electronic means, so you agree to receive communication under this modality using various mechanisms such as: email, notices, phone call and WhatsApp (software made available by the company WhatsApp, LLC., hereinafter, “WhatsApp”); by virtue of the foregoing, the User acknowledges that the forms, contracts, notices, messages, as well as any type of notification and/or communication sent by electronic means satisfy any legal requirement and have full legal effects and validity.

Any person who does not accept these Terms and Conditions, which are mandatory and binding, must refrain from using the Website, and/or any other extension of the platform, owned by Activ Retreats.

4. Services
Activ Retreats offers Customers and/or Users, through the Website, the possibility to access and/or acquire services consisting of experiences that may include, but are not limited to, the following activities (hereinafter, the “Experiences”):
1. Planning of trips and retreats; 2. Planning and management of sports activities; 3. Planning and management of recreational, social and cultural activities; 4. Planning and management of culinary activities; 5. Booking of accommodations.6. Booking of means of transportation at the Experience site. 7. Specialized guides at each destination.Photography services. The User accepts and acknowledges that the activities listed in this Clause may vary in each of the Experiences offered by Activ Retreats, therefore, the User must review in the Activ Retreats Website which activities are included in the Experience that the User wishes to book.

5. Operation of the Website and General Conditions
5.1 Catalog of Experiences
In case the User wishes to contract an Experience offered by Activ Retreats, he/she may do so by entering the Website. Once logged in, the User must select the “Experiences” tab, where the User may view the catalog of Experiences that are available at that moment. The Experiences will be catalogued in one of the following categories:
(i) Retreats; and (ii) Getaways, which will depend on the duration of each Experience. The User must select the Experience he/she wishes to hire, and once selected, he/she will be redirected to the specific tab of each Experience, in which he/she will find the information and specifications of the selected Experience, including but not limited to: (i) Information regarding accommodation; (ii) Itinerary of the Experience; (iii) A recommended list of items for the trip; (iv) A list of services and resources included and/or not included by Activ Retreats within the Experience; (v) Specifications of the Experience; and (vi) Relevant informative notes about the Experience.

5.2 Booking of Experiences
To book an Experience, the User must select the “Book Now” button within the specific tab of each Experience.

Currently, Costa Rica’s International Borders remain open

A valid passport is required for entry

No tourist visa is required

If arriving from certain countries in South America of Africa, proof of yellow fever vaccination is necessary

Entry requirements may vary based on your home country*

Additionally, foreigners are required to present a return ticket.

We recommend carrying printed documentation of your stay in Costa Rica.


Weather

In November, Monteverde experiences a transition from the rainy to the dry season, offering cool temperatures ranging from 16°C to 24°C (60°F to 75°F) for exploring its lush cloud forests. San Jose, the capital, sees reduced rainfall with temperatures ranging from 17°C to 26°C (63°F to 78°F), providing a comfortable climate for city activities. In Arenal, the tail end of the rainy season brings decreased precipitation and temperatures ranging from 21°C to 31°C (70°F to 88°F), making it an opportune time to explore the iconic Arenal Volcano and indulge in outdoor activities amidst the lush green landscapes. While rain is still possible in all these regions, November provides a unique window to witness Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems and natural beauty.


Activity level: Gentle Adventure (Easy Active) - Ranging daily from 8 to 15km