Olga Saenz, a naturalist and artist, is leading a 9-day art retreat in Costa Rica that encourages participants to disconnect from technology and engage with nature through creative workshops and mindfulness exercises.
Set in Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio, the journey is designed to harmonize inner energy centers and foster personal expression. Ideal for those seeking rejuvenation, the retreat offers an inspiring escape into art and nature.
In a world filled with constant connectivity, screens, and the pressures of daily life, finding moments to step back and reconnect with us has become more important than ever. There is immense value in slowing down, setting aside digital distractions, and diving deeply into the beauty and creativity of life itself.
Our 9-day Inner Being and Art Retreat offers an inspiring journey through Costa Rica’s stunning natural landscapes and invites you to explore inner peace, balance, and creative expression.
Leading the way on this adventure is Olga Saenz, a former naturalist tour guide and renowned artist, whose deep connection with nature shines through in her art and teaching. With her unique background, Olga blends her love for Costa Rica’s biodiversity with a passion for creative exploration, guiding you through a series of transformative workshops designed to reconnect you with your creative self.
Each session is carefully crafted to align with the body’s energy centers, drawing on themes from Costa Rica’s vibrant ecosystems and encouraging you to create art that resonates with your deepest experiences and aspirations.
This art retreat in Costa Rica is designed for a small, intimate group (minimum 4 participants), allowing for meaningful interactions, personalized guidance, and a nurturing community of like-minded individuals.
You’ll explore the rich landscapes of Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio, engage in moments of reflection and creative sessions, and return home feeling refreshed, inspired, and reconnected with your natural rhythm.
Join us on this journey to awaken your inner artist, connect with nature, and cultivate mindfulness in the heart of Costa Rica. Sign up today to reserve your place on this transformative adventure!
Day 1: Arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
Arrive in beautiful Costa Rica at Juan Santamaria International Airport, where our warm and welcoming team will greet you and assist with your transfer to a comfortable hotel in San José. Once settled in, join a guided walking tour through the heart of the city, a chance to immerse in San José’s vibrant streets and cultural spots, connecting with its energy and creative pulse.
The tour will culminate in the Art and Peace Studio, where a welcome briefing will introduce you to the journey ahead, setting a tone of exploration and inner growth. After the briefing, return to the hotel for a delightful welcome dinner.
Here, you’ll meet fellow participants in this art retreat in Costa Rica and engage in a grounding meditation to center yourself, preparing to embrace the coming days with a sense of peace and openness.
Day 2: Muladhara, the Root Chakra (Red Color)
Begin the day with a session in silence and expression to foster a sense of grounded presence and connection. After breakfast, embark on a scenic journey to Arenal, arriving at Hotel Manoa, beautifully nestled in lush rainforest surroundings with views of the majestic Arenal Volcano.
The afternoon will be spent hiking in Arenal Volcano National Park, where you’ll explore diverse landscapes and feel the vibrant, grounding energy of the earth. Amid volcanic craters, flourishing flora, and natural beauty, this hike will help you connect deeply with the foundational energy of the root chakra.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel and then join Olga Saenz for the Red Color Workshop, where you’ll express the raw power of the root chakra and the grounding energy of Arenal’s landscapes through your artwork by channeling the themes of dawn, dusk, red earth, and fire.
Day 3: Svadisthana, the Sacral Chakra (Orange Color)
The morning begins with a peaceful silence and expression session, encouraging you to open up to creativity and change. After a nourishing breakfast, embark on a river tubing adventure down the thrilling Balsa River, with its Class II and III rapids providing excitement and vitality.
Embrace the invigorating energy of the water as it energizes your sacral chakra. Then, enjoy a horseback ride along scenic trails, returning to the hotel where you can unwind and soak up the serene atmosphere.
Later, explore your creative side in an Orange Color Creative Session with painting, music, and clay sculpting, inspired by the flowing energy of the sacral chakra. Experiment with shades of red, orange, and yellow as you delve into the energies of fluidity and passion, finishing the day with a delicious dinner at the hotel.
Day 4: Manipura, the Solar Plexus Chakra (Yellow Color)
After a morning of silent reflection and expression focused on inner strength and personal power, enjoy breakfast and set off for Monteverde. Travel through mountainous terrain to reach Fonda Vela or Trapp Family Lodge, which are both encircled by the ethereal allure of Monteverde’s cloud forest.
The afternoon invites you to face new heights with a walk on the hanging bridges or an exhilarating ziplining experience through Selvatura’s canopies. Embracing courage and strength as you move through the forest’s lofty paths, feel your confidence grow.
In the evening, a Yellow Color Workshop with Olga Saenz awaits, centered on the empowering themes of Mars, blazing fire, and sunlight. Through art, explore and express the powerful, radiant energy of the solar plexus chakra, concluding with a comforting dinner at the lodge.
Day 5: Anahata, the Heart Chakra (Green Color)
This day begins with silent reflection at sunrise on the Santa Elena platform (weather permitting), a time to connect with the heart’s energy in harmony with nature. Following breakfast, take a mindful hike along the Shinrin Yoku trail, experiencing the tranquility of the cloud forest and absorbing the calming, healing energy of the green surroundings.
At midday, visit a nearby organic farm where you’ll harvest fresh vegetables and enjoy a nourishing lunch prepared with love.
The afternoon is open for personal exploration, relaxation, or an optional night tour of the forest. In the evening, join the Green Color Workshop with Olga Saenz, focusing on love, compassion, and forgiveness. Through shades of green, express the serene, balanced energy of the heart chakra before ending the day with a hearty dinner at the lodge.
Day 6: Vishuddi, the Throat Chakra (Blue Color)
Embrace the morning with silent reflection and self-expression, focusing on the themes of truth and openness. After breakfast, depart for Manuel Antonio, a tropical haven where you’ll check in at Sambada Hotel, located just a short walk from the beach.
This afternoon is yours to unwind by the beach, swim, or simply relax. At sunset, join a serene meditation to deepen your connection to the ocean’s vastness, grounding in the throat chakra’s essence.
Later, enjoy a dinner on your own before gathering for the Blue Color Workshop with Olga Saenz. In this workshop, you’ll explore themes of communication, expressing your personal truths and emotions through art as you align with the energy of the throat chakra.
Day 7: Ajna, the Third Eye Chakra (Indigo Color)
In the morning, practice silent introspection to attune to your intuition, followed by a soothing breakfast. Midday brings a paddleboarding experience through the peaceful mangroves, where you’ll cultivate balance and reflect on your inner vision.
Afterward, enjoy lunch on your own and prepare for an exciting snorkeling excursion in the Pacific waters. While diving into the marine world, let yourself connect to the mysterious, tranquil essence of the third eye chakra.
In the evening, join the Indigo Color Workshop with Olga Saenz, where you’ll explore intuition, inner vision, and spiritual insight through artistic expression, followed by dinner on board or at the hotel.
Day 8: Sahasrara, the Crown Chakra (Violet Color)
Enjoy a silent morning by the pool, taking in the peaceful sounds of nature as you prepare for the culmination of your journey.
Following breakfast, you’ll have the option to join a local studio for yoga sessions or take time to relax and explore Manuel Antonio’s beauty. In the evening, gather for a special Violet Color Workshop with Olga Saenz, where themes of spirituality, unity, and connection to the cosmos take center stage.
Celebrate the journey’s completion with a farewell dinner and a dancing meditation, an expressive closing ritual to honor the growth, friendships, and insights gained during the retreat.
Day 9: Departure
After a final breakfast, the retreat concludes with a transfer to Juan Santamaria International Airport for your departure. You’ll leave Costa Rica with cherished memories, newfound inner peace, and a deeper sense of connection with yourself and the vibrant world around you.
If you are interestedin this retreat or something similar please send me a note! We’ll make it happen!
