Frequently Asked Questions
Scroll down to view the most frequently asked questions about the Mariposa Movement Resonance Retreat in Costa Rica this January!
Frequently asked questions
Travel Information
The closest international airport to our retreat center is Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica.
👉 Important: When booking, double-check your destination — we’re headed to San José, Costa Rica (not California!). Yes, it’s happened before!
🛂 Entry Requirement
Costa Rica requires all travelers to present proof of a return or onward ticket upon entry.
Tip: If you’d like to keep your return date open, you can book a return flight before you leave and cancel it within the 24-hour grace period after clearing customs.
🗓 When to Arrive
We highly recommend arriving at least one day before the retreat begins to allow time for rest, integration, and a soft landing before we start.
(See the next FAQ for our local recommendations on where to stay near the airport.)
🚌 Group Shuttle
The shared group shuttle (included in your retreat fee) will depart SJO at 10:00 AM local time on Sunday, January 25th.
If you plan to arrive early to visit the beach or explore, please note you’ll need to arrange and cover your own transportation to the retreat center.
🚐 Travel Time to Selva Armonia
Selva Armonia is located in the lush hills above Uvita, approximately 3.5–4 hours by car from SJO, depending on traffic, road conditions, and weather.
✈️ Prefer a Quicker Journey?
There are domestic flight options available (not included in tuition). See the next section for details and our recommendations.
🚐 Airport Transfers & Travel to Selva Armonia
Your New Earth DJ Immersion tuition includes round-trip group shuttle service to and from San José International Airport (SJO) — available only within a specific date and time window.
To use the included shuttle, your travel must align with the following schedule:
Arrival Shuttle: 🗓 Sunday, January 25 — Departs SJO at 10:00 AM local time
Departure Shuttle: 🗓 Sunday, February 1st — Departs Selva Armonia at 8:00 AM local time *we recommend flying out no earlier than 3:00pm on Sunday, February 1st.
If your travel falls outside of these times, you’ll need to arrange and cover your own transportation to or from Selva Armonia. We can help connect you to reliable taxi drivers.
🛣️ Selva Armonia is located in the hills above Uvita, approximately 3.5 to 4 hours by car from SJO, depending on traffic and weather conditions.
✨ As the retreat approaches, Aliza will share an Intake Form where you can input your travel details. From there, we’ll coordinate the group shuttles.
Sample Arrival Flow
🛬 Fly into San José International Airport (SJO) 🚐 Join the group shuttle at 10:00 AM (if arriving within the window) 🧳 Arrive at Selva Armonia between 2:00–3:00 PM 🔥 Opening Circle begins at 5:00 PM on Sunday, January 25
If you choose to arrive outside of the designated arrival window for the included group shuttle, transportation to and from the retreat center will be your responsibility. That said — we’ve got you! We’ll do our best to support you in coordinating your journey with ease.
Here are your best options for traveling from San José International Airport (SJO) to Selva Armonia or the nearby towns of Dominical or Uvita:
✈️ Option 1: Domestic Flight to Quepos (XQP)
(Recommended for ease & speed)
Take a 25-minute domestic flight from SJO to Quepos with either Sansa Airlines or Green Airways
Flights typically range from $90–$120 USD
Basic fare: ~30 lbs luggage allowance
Full fare: ~40 lbs luggage allowance
From Quepos, take a taxi (~1 hour) to Dominical or Uvita
Taxi cost: $60–$100 USD
🚗 Option 2: Private Taxi or Shuttle
Direct ride from SJO to Selva Armonia or your local hotel in Dominical/Uvita
Duration: ~3.5–4 hours
Cost: $200–$300 USD
🚐 Option 3: Group Taxi or Shared Shuttle
As the retreat approaches, we’ll everyone’s flight details and help coordinate shared rides as needed for those arriving around similar times
This can significantly reduce costs per person
Note: We’ll send out an Intake Form closer to the retreat start date, so that we can help coordinate shared options where possible.
Let us know if you'd like support booking a taxi or shuttle — we’re happy to assist in making your journey smooth and stress-free!
Arrival Recommendations
To support a smooth, spacious, and grounded transition into our retreat, we highly recommend arriving in Costa Rica at least one day before the retreat begins — on Saturday, January 24 — to give yourself time to land, rest, and gently settle into the magic.
If your schedule allows, consider arriving even earlier to fully acclimate, explore the local area, and nourish yourself before we begin our journey together.
If you must arrive on the official retreat start date, Sunday January 25th, please ensure your flight lands at SJO (San José, Costa Rica) no later than 8:00am local time to join the group shuttle and arrive in time for our Opening Circle at 5:00pm.
This allows enough time for ground transport to the retreat center, where you’ll want to arrive by 2:00pm in order to check in, drop in, and be present for our Opening Circle.
If for any reason you’re unable to arrive by this time, please notify us as soon as possible so we can help support your late arrival logistics.
Departure Recommendations
If you need to depart on the official retreat end date, Sunday, February 1st, please book a flight that leaves no earlier than 3:00 PM (Costa Rica time).
The group shuttle will depart Selva Armonia at 8:00 AM, with 4.5 hours of travel time built in to ensure a comfortable cushion for check-in and any unexpected delays.
Extending Your Stay Before or After the Retreat
If you’d like to arrive early or extend your stay after the retreat, we’ve got you covered with some great recommendations to help you plan with ease!
Retreat Timing:
Check-in at Selva Armonia is at 3:00pm on Sunday, January 25th.
Check-out is at 11:00am on Sunday, February 1st.
Our Closing Circle will take place the evening before on Saturday, January 31st, so those with early departures on Sunday, February 1st can still participate fully.
Please note: Selva Armonia is not available for early check-ins, but there are many wonderful places to stay nearby.
If you're arriving early or departing late, you have two main options:
✈️ Stay near the San José Airport (SJO):
Ideal for travelers arriving late or departing early.
Recommended hotels near SJO:
Hotel Mango – Cute, simple, and just across the street from the airport. Great for a quick, no-fuss stay.
Hampton Inn – Comfortable and reliable with a solid breakfast spread included.
Courtyard Marriott – A bit more modern and spacious if you’re craving a little upgrade.
Marriott Hacienda Belen – If you’re wanting to splurge and treat yourself, this is the nicest hotel near the airport. Gorgeous grounds, amazing food, and a super serene vibe. A little oasis before heading deeper into nature.
A few extra tips:
All of these spots offer airport shuttles, but I recommend confirming in advance (especially if you arrive late at night).
Ubers are easy and safe in this area, and usually cheaper than taxis. But if you prefer, I can connect you with a local taxi driver I've used before.
🌴 Stay in Dominical or Uvita (near the retreat center):
Perfect if you want to soak in the jungle, explore waterfalls, enjoy the beach, or relax into pura vida vibes.
Recommended spots nearby:
Danyasa Eco-Retreat – Dominical https://www.danyasa.com/
Tribe Boutique Hotel – Dominical https://www.tribeboutiquehotel.com/
Yuli Hotel – Uvita https://hotelyuli.com/
Vista Celestial – Uvita (luxury jungle experience) https://www.vistacelestial.com/
If none of these options resonate, feel free to reach out to Aliza for personal recommendations, or explore additional options on TripAdvisor.
Let yourself land softly, stay a little longer and soak up the jungle magic.
While travel insurance is not required to enter Costa Rica at this time, we highly recommend purchasing a travel medical insurance policy for your peace of mind. This ensures you’re covered in the event of illness, unexpected delays, or other emergencies.
Please note that any accommodations or expenses outside of the official retreat dates are not included in your retreat package and would need to be covered by you or your insurance provider.
We suggest looking into trusted providers such as IM Global or Sagicor for affordable and comprehensive coverage. Their plans typically include emergency medical care, additional hotel stays due to flight delays, and more — so you can travel with confidence and ease.
We understand that life happens — and we’re committed to being as clear and fair as possible with our cancellation terms. Please carefully review the following Terms & Conditions for your retreat experience:
Retreat Cancellation Policy:
60+ Days Before the Retreat (before November 26, 2025):
33% of your total retreat payment is non-refundable.
The remaining balance may be credited toward a future retreat within one (1) year.
59-31 Days Before the Retreat (November 27-December 25, 2025):
50% of your full retreat payment is non-refundable.
The remaining balance may be credited toward a future retreat within one (1) year.
Less Than 30 Days Before the Retreat (after December 26, 2025):
No refunds or credits will be issued unless your spot is filled.
If Global Events Affect Travel:
In the case of border closures or government-imposed travel restrictions, your payment will be fully transferred to a future retreat within one (1) year.
If We Cancel:
In the unlikely event that we must cancel the retreat due to unforeseen circumstances, all payments will be credited toward a future retreat within one (1) year.
Payment Terms
All payments are final.
If you’re on a payment plan, you are legally committing to pay the full retreat balance as agreed.
Failure to complete payment does not release you from this financial obligation.
Important Notes
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes coverage for cancellations, medical emergencies, and unexpected travel interruptions.
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to: aliza@mariposamovement.com
If applicable, refunds will be processed within 30 business days of approval.
By submitting payment, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to these terms and conditions.
Still have a question?
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