I took my first solo trip to Costa Rica two years ago.

Who knew that I’d be returning for a wellness retreat with G Adventures just a few years later?

Jaw dropping Waterfalls, lush rainforest canopies, piercing volcanos, stunning beaches, SLOTHS, mangos, plantains, monkeys, treehouses, adventure activities, Caribbean and vibes(on the Caribbean side) are a few of the things that drew me to Costa Rica the first time around. I vowed to return for more after my first trip and it was even sweeter this time around.

Unlike my first trip, I joined a group of like-minded strangers on a G Adventures Wellness tour. After running all over the world solo throughout 2018, I knew that group travel would be a much-needed change of pace. After spending an average of 15-20 hours per week(while working and traveling) planning my trips throughout the year, I knew that it would be a huge relief to travel without worrying about logistics. After sleeping in janky hostel beds over the course of two years, I knew that a yoga retreat was exactly what my mind and body needed.

This trip was part of G Adventure’s new wellness line of tours centered around movement, mindfulness, nourishment. In addition to cultural immersion, the itinerary was full of wellness activities like intention-setting, meditation classes, yoga classes, and healthy eating.

Costa Rica’s ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle, biodiversity, & stunning landscapes make it the ultimate destination to reconnect with yourself and the world around you. I knew that this trip would be the perfect opportunity to reflect on 2018 and prepare for 2019.

This eight-day tour throughout Costa Rica ended up being much greater than I could have ever imagined. We visited San Jose, La Fortuna, Rincon De La Vieja, and Play Carillo. Some of my favorite activities included:

Daily Yoga - From sunrise yoga on Playa Carillo to stand up paddle-board yoga on Lake Arenal, we had plenty of opportunities to perfect our downward dog. I started practicing yoga at the beginning of the year, so it was a lot of fun to experiment with different types of yoga. These daily classes were everything I needed to practice mindfulness.

Surfing Lessons at Play Carillo - I took my first surfing lesson during my trip to Costa Rica two years ago, so it was amazing to be back where it all started. I’m no professional, but I love surfing and I try to take advantage of it whenever I find myself in a huge surfing destination like Costa Rica.

A Visit to Mi Cafecito Community Coffee Plantation - I try my best to support local communities when I travel so it felt really special to visit Mi Cafecito. We had the opportunity to tour the coffee plantation and learn more about the co-op. This activity was supported by the G Adventures For Good partnership with Planeterra, which is a non-profit with an aim to encourage sustainable tourism.

A Hot Springs Soak In Guanacaste - Need I say more? Imagine soaking in a natural hot spring that’s heated by the most active Volcano in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. My body was thanking me after I spent an hour relaxing in the mineral-rich thermal water. Let’s just say, this was definitely a wellness moment.

I haven’t even mentioned our adventurous hike through Arenal Hanging bridges park, the breathtaking properties that we stayed in, or our knowledgeable local guide who knew the country like the back of her hand. I could go on and on about the benefits of my wellness trip with G Adventures. I’m always unsure of how group tours will turn out, but they curated the perfect blend of adventure, cultural, culinary, and wellness activities. I left the trip feeling like I discovered another side of Costa Rica and myself.