Ashtanga yoga practice retreat in blue zone, Nosara, costa rica!
with Stacy Ingham & Shelley Enlow
April 26 - May 3, 2025
Discover tranquility
Our retreat calls Nosara, Costa Rica home, one of the few blue zones in the world. Here at this sacred space, you will have access to nourishing food, beautiful beaches, local excursions, a community of yogis like you, and so much more. This retreat offers an opportunity to step away from life uninterrupted for a chance to detach from your daily demands and allow yourself to prioritize care for your body, mind, and soul to the fullest.
Ashtanga yoga is a practice that is cherished worldwide. Together we invite you to embrace a journey of transformation through immersive daily practices. Delve into the time-honored Mysore style and guided Ashtanga sessions, along with restorative and inward practices, fun workshops, yogic philosophy, and pranayama. Let seasoned teachers and dedicated Ashtanga practitioners Shelley Enlow and Stacy Ingham guide you through this enriching experience.
Join us for a rejuvenating retreat that fosters a profound connection to the essence of yoga, welcoming practitioners of all experience levels with open arms.
Our Retreat
Our home for the week is Casas Kismet. This private sanctuary is nested on the top of a quiet ridge in Playa Pelada boasting incredible ocean views. It is in a magical setting, surrounded with lush greens and peaceful atmosphere. The property feels like you are nestled into a cocoon with good energy, peaceful vibes, ocean breezes, the sound of nature, and wild life, all while remaining safe and secure. One of the most stunning stretches of beach in the world is just a 10-minute walk away.
The open-air yoga studio offers a breathtaking view of the lush jungle and the shimmering ocean, accompanied by soothing breezes and the rustle of palm leaves. The inviting pool, complete with a bar and dining area, provides the perfect setting to unwind after a rejuvenating yoga session. Surrounded by vibrant flora and chirping birds, the property is also home to playful howler monkeys, adding to the enchanting experience.
The newly renovated accommodations, spread across two main casas (houses), range from luxurious private king suites to cozy shared rooms, all equipped with modern amenities and surrounded by outdoor spaces to soak in the sights and sounds of nature.
At Casas Kismet, mealtimes are not just about food; they are lively gatherings where we will come together to dine, bond, and create lasting memories. The picturesque poolside outdoor dining area sets the stage for these shared moments of joy and connection. A talented private chef prepares each meal with care from fresh, locally sourced ingredients, offering a menu of gourmet dishes that cater to both the palate and the soul.
sample schedule
MORNING
Led or Mysore style Ashtanga yoga classes with lots of support - all levels
Guided pranayama with simple chanting
Breakfast
AFTERNOON
Free time to relax, explore or take an excursion
Lunch
EVENING
Workshops, restorative and inward practices
Dinner
Note: We will adjust one day of our schedule to enjoy an afternoon snorkel excursion & sunset dinner cruise.
THE DETAILS
Dates — April 26 - May 3, 2025
Check-in: Saturday, April 26 after 4pm
Check-out: Sunday, May 3 by 10am
What’s included
7-night stay at our exclusive retreat center, offering private or shared accommodations
3 daily vegetarian meals with our private chef crafting Blue Zone Meals from fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free & pescatarian options available, allergies can be accommodated.
1 private sunset dinner cruise excursion including snorkeling gear, healthy food and drinks
2 daily yoga sessions; morning practice is active and late afternoon more relaxed
Daily pranayama practice
Lots of free time to enjoy the beach, tropical surroundings, or chill by our private pool
Breathtaking ocean views and the most gorgeous evening sun sets
Complimentary Wi-Fi
Assistance with booking optional excursions or activities
What’s not included
Flights to Costa Rica, Liberia (LIR)
Transportation to the retreat center in Nosara (we will organize this for you)
CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) travel insurance - highly recommended for any travel
Retreat staff gratuities (10% is customary)
Snacks, smoothies, juices and alcohol beverages
Optional excursions - kayaking, surfing sessions, nature hikes, zip-lining, massage, etc
rates & room options
We have a variety of room options to fit your needs at Casas Kismet. All rooms have reliable WiFi and air conditioning. Each unique room offers modern amenities including refrigerator, coffee maker, and bathroom products from Raw Botanicals plus outdoor spaces to enjoy the sounds of nature and the crashing of the Pacific Ocean.
At your request, we will do our best to accommodate friends together in shared rooms. Send your booking request together if you would like to share a room.
Karma Penthouse
Karma Penthouse King Ocean View / King Suite
$3599.00 USD per person - single occupancy
$2899.00 USD per person - double occupancy
Beautiful private suite with a King Bed (can be turned into two twins if preferred) and amazing views of the ocean. This top-floor suite features a private bathroom and shares a large living space and kitchen with two other private Karma suites. Enjoy your afternoon on the large patio with comfy seating and the ocean breeze. Perfect for couples or friends traveling together! This suite is booked for one person (single occupancy price) or two people in the same room (double occupancy price).
Karma Penthouse Queen Ocean View/ Single Queen Suite SOLD OUT
$3099.00 USD per person - single occupancy
Beautiful private suite with a Queen Bed and views of the ocean. This top-floor suite shares a large living space, bathroom, and kitchen with two other Karma private suites. The restroom is shared with the Jungle View Full Suite. Enjoy the afternoon on your large patio with comfy seating and the ocean breeze. A perfect option for guests wanting a little more privacy and space during their retreat. A second guest can be added if desired for an additional fee.
Karma Penthouse Full Jungle View/ Single Full Suite SOLD OUT
$3099.00 USD per person - single occupancy
Beautiful private suite with a Full-size Bed and lush jungle views. This top-floor private suite shares a large living space, bathroom, and kitchen with two other Karma private suites. The restroom is shared with the Ocean View Queen Suite. Enjoy the afternoon on your large patio with comfy seating and the ocean breeze. A perfect option for guests wanting a little more privacy and space during their retreat. A second guest can be added if desired for an additional fee.
Dharma Penthouse
Dharma Penthouse 1 Ocean View/ King Suite SOLD OUT
$3599.00 USD per person - single occupancy
$2899.00 USD per person - double occupancy
Beautiful private suite with King Bed (can be turned into two twins if preferred) with views of the ocean. This top-floor suite above the yoga studio features a private bathroom and shares a large living space and kitchen with one other private suite. Enjoy the afternoon on your huge private patio with comfy seating and the ocean breeze. Perfect for couples or friends traveling together! This suite is booked for one person (single occupancy price) or two people in the same room (double occupancy price).
Dharma Penthouse 2 Jungle View/ King Suite SOLD OUT
$3599.00 USD per person - single occupancy
$2899.00 USD per person - double occupancy
Beautiful private suite with King Bed (can be turned into two twins if preferred) with wonderful jungle views. This top-floor suite above the yoga studio features a private bathroom and shares a large living space and kitchen with one other private suite. Enjoy the afternoon on your huge patio with comfy seating and the ocean breeze. Perfect for couples or friends traveling together! This suite is booked for one person (single occupancy price) or two people in the same room (double occupancy price).
Dharma Double Queen
$2899.00 USD per person - double occupancy SOLD OUT
This Double Queen Bed studio is perfect for a couple or friends. Enjoy this spacious villa with jungle and pool views, two queen beds, air conditioning, kitchenette, and bathroom. The large, covered wood patio includes 2-person outdoor table and seating area is the perfect spot to sit back relax and enjoy the surrounding sounds of the jungle. This studio is booked for two people in the same room (double occupancy price).
Karma Suite 1
$2899.00 USD per person - double occupancy SOLD OUT
This beautiful Double King Bed Suite (can be turned into four twins if preferred) with amazing views overlooking the pool and ocean. This shared suite features a restroom and small kitchen area as well as a large outdoor patio to enjoy the jungle spaces. This suite is booked for two people in the same room (double occupancy price).
Karma Suite 2
$2599.00 USD per person - shared occupancy SOLD OUT
This beautiful shared suite features Four Separate Twin Beds (picture shown as 2 kings but they will be separated) with amazing views overlooking the pool and ocean. This shared suite features a restroom and small kitchen area as well as a large outdoor patio to enjoy the jungle spaces. This suite is booked individually and priced per person.
Dharma Deluxe Shared Suite
$2599.00 USD per person - shared occupancy
This beautiful Triple King Bed Suite (can be turned into six twins if preferred) features a large living space, a full kitchen, and a private restroom shared with the entire suite. Walk out your front door directly into the open-air yoga studio and enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding jungle. This suite is booked individually and priced per person.
meet your retreat leaders
Shelley Enlow
I was introduced to yoga in 1995. In 2003 I started practicing Ashtanga yoga with David Garrigues and under his guidance I’ve learned the first three asana series and pranayama sequence of Ashtanga yoga and studied many texts including chanting the Yoga Sūtras of Patanjali. I’ve now been teaching yoga asana for almost 30 years and have owned and directed a few yoga studios. During this time, I’ve had a beautiful family life with a wonderful husband and now two grown children. Through all of the changes in my life one thing that has remained the same; I still practice yoga everyday and I want to share practice with others. After COVID I felt a strong shift in how I needed to approach my practice, to slow it down. I focused on breath and the contemplative aspects of yoga. Because of this I learned to teach a gentle pranayama and Hatha based asana format with YEC (Eddie Stern & Robert Moses) both of which I believe are a beautiful compliment to the Ashtanga practice and will benefit many people. As a teacher, my goal is to inspire and assist others in building a meaningful personal yoga practice.
Stacy Ingham
Stacy began her yoga journey with a 6-week intro to Ashtanga class in St Louis in 1998. She has been practicing ever since. She began teaching in the Triangle, North Carolina area in 2001. A student of David Garrigues since 2009, she has been apprenticing with him since 2014. David is one of the few teachers in the US certified to teach Ashtanga yoga by the late world renowned master Sri K Patthabi Jois. Studying under David's expert guidance, Stacy has completed the 3rd Series of Ashtanga yoga, taken on a more serious study of the 8 limbs of Ashtanga yoga, and been inspired to share what she has learned with others. She has learned over her years as a student and teacher that a strong foundation of body and mind, built and attended to with patience, persistence and an eye for details is key to a long-lasting and fruitful practice and study of yoga.
frequently asked questions
Travel details - airport, ground transportation, check in/out
Air Transportation:
Book your travel into the Liberia Airport (Code: LIR) – a modern airport that services most major airlines. Be sure to check Southwest (United States) for amazing fares occasionally. Most airlines will arrive mid-day and depart around 1-3 pm. Plan to arrive in Costa Rica on April 26, 2025. Plan to depart Costa Rica on May 3, 2025.
Ground Transportation:
You will need to take a shuttle from the Liberia Airport to Casas Kismet (approx 2.5 hours). We will arrange multiple shuttles the day the retreat starts (from LIR usually around 12:30 and 3:00) and additional shuttles on the final day (approx 7:00 am and 9:30 am) if you would like to use those. The transportation typically costs around $50 each way (depending on the number of people riding with you) but we will confirm the final rate with you before you arrive. You may also arrange your own transportation or rent a car if you prefer.
Arrival, Check-In & Departure Info:
Most planes arrive in Liberia between 11am and 2 pm and it takes approx 2.5 hours to travel to Nosara from the airport. Check in on Saturday, April 26, 2025, will be between 4pm and 10pm. On our first evening together we will share dinner and have a special opening gathering to welcome you to Nosara. On our final day, Saturday, May 3, 2025, we will have a farewell breakfast to students who are able to attend (depending on your departure time back to the Liberia) and checkout will be completed by 10am. Let us know if you have any questions about the schedule!
Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is highly recommended. Purchasing CFAR (cancel for any reason) travel insurance helps to mitigate any unexpected circumstances such as medical issues prior to traveling or while traveling, last minute flight cancellations or personal issues that might affect your trip. Participants have found great rates and policies through Travel Guard.
What is your cancellation policy?
There is a non-refundable $750.00 USD to hold your spot. Final payment is due no later than February 15, 2025, and is 100% non- refundable from the payment date to the departure date.
However, if you need to cancel for any reason after February 15, 2025 and we have someone on the wait list that can fill your spot, you will receive a full refund (minus deposit & transaction fees). If the retreat is canceled due to Costa Rica borders being closed to outside tourism, you will receive a credit towards a future retreat within one calendar year.
Do I need to do a currency exchange?
Pretty much everywhere you go will accept credit cards and US dollars. You will get Colones (Costa Rica money) in change when you use cash. We recommend bringing smaller bills (more 10’s and 5’s, fewer 20’s) for things around town. Excursions will most likely require cash, save your larger bills for these. Massages are cash only as are tips.
How can I get around town?
Casas Kismet is a 10-minute walk to the beaches of Playa Pelada. It is a 20-minute walk to La Luna Restaurant and a lovely 30-minute walk to North Guiones Beach. Tuk-Tuks are available for inexpensive transportation and can pick you up from Casas Kismet. Car rentals are available in both Liberia and Nosara. ATVs and golf carts are also available for rent around town for day and week rates.
Will I be able to wash my clothes? Do I need to bring a beach/pool towel?
Laundry service is available for $10 a load. Beach and pool towels are provided by Casas Kismet.
Where do I keep my valuables?
In-room safes are available at Casas Kismet. Do not take valuables to the beach unless someone can stay with them. Put your passport away in a safe place when you arrive at Casas Kismet. It’s a great idea to take a photo of your passport in case of an emergency.
Can I use my cellphone and is Wifi available?
Check with your cellular service provider for your international rates. You will typically need to ensure you have an international plan. Most carriers charge $10/day in the US. Casas Kismet has free Wi-Fi, so you are welcome to keep your cellular service turned off. You can use Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, or whatever you prefer if you want to communicate back home.