Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way to get to town is by car service. We can usually have a car for you in 15 minutes or less. The cost to downtown Alajuela is about $25 per car. There is also a public bus route that picks up near THE RETREAT and goes to downtown Atenas once per hour. The cost is less than 50 cents per person.

Yes, our staff will gladly help arrange this for you upon arrival at the resort. There are several companies that will drop off your rental car to you here at THE RETREAT. You will need a valid driver’s license, passport and credit card.

Car service rates depend, of course, on the distance you want to travel. Car services in Costa Rica charge by the trip and not per person. So, sharing a car can really cut down on the cost. Generally a car service can accommodate up to 4 people. A trip to downtown Alajuela is about $25 each way, to the airport is $25 each way, to downtown San José is around $75 each way, and to Jacó (the nearest beach) is about $110 each way.

Please call the reservations office 1 week prior to your arrival to pay your balance. We accept all major Credit Cards, Wire Transfers and PayPal.

Yes, we accept U.S. Dollars, traveler’s checks and all major Credit Cards at THE RETREAT.

We do not have an ATM here on the property of THE RETREAT, but there are numerous ones available in the nearby town of Atenas.

Check In / Check Out – Check in consists of filling out a simple form followed by a brief orientation. Check in time is 2:00 pm and check out time is 11:00 am. If your departing flight leaves early in the morning, please check out the day before and settle any costs you may have incurred during your stay. For payment of balance due and extras incurred, we accept cash, traveler’s checks, all major Credit Cards.

Our reception is open from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm for guest services, and staff is available 24 hours a day for emergencies.

The staff gratuities are not included in the package price. Tips are optional and entirely at your discretion. We recommend you tip what you feel is comfortable and reasonable per guest for your stay for the general staff of 13 plus wellness instructors and spa therapist. A good rule of thumb to follow is $25 per day for general staff (pooled), plus any additional tips for individual staff you feel went above and beyond in services provided. We ask you to tip add-on services providers such as your spa therapist (15-20%) per treatment and tour guides ($20 tour guide, $10 driver) per excursion.

No shots or vaccinations are needed for visits to Costa Rica.

Everyone in the office, the yoga teachers and the massage therapists all speak English.

The year round temperature is 70 to 80 degrees during the day with mild nights. Thus, none of our rooms or facilities has air conditioning. Each room is equipped with and overhead fan that cools the room perfectly day and night.

Although we love and rejoice in the beauty and loving grace of children, we do not accommodate anyone under the age of 16.

Being in the tropics, there is a lot of insect life in general in Costa Rica. However, our elevation keeps this issue at a minimum and our guests find it remarkably bug-free here.

Yes, we offer a laundry service to our guests. The charge is $1 per item, wash, dry and fold. Gratuities are additional and recommended.

The closest beaches to THE RETREAT are about 1 hour away on the Pacific coast. The one most frequently visited is Jaco Beach and Playa Hermosa. Manuel Antonio Beach is a day excursion leaving early in the morning and returning for dinner.

Our resort is very secure, yet as a standard precaution we recommend that you store your valuables (cash, credit cards, passports, plane tickets, etc) in the safe available in your room.

Generally, Costa Rica is quite safe. Like any place, normal precautions and care should be taken depending upon where you are visiting. Violent crime is rare in Costa Rica while theft of personal property (from automobiles and hotel rooms) is more common. Big cities, beach areas and any place with a concentration of tourists are more likely to draw thieves and such.

The sun rises here all year round 5:30 am and by 6:00 am everyone is usually naturally awake and alert. Sunset is around 6:00 pm all year round.

Costa Rica does not participate in Daylight Savings time.

• The mailing address is:
• The Retreat at Altos Del Monte
• Apartado 1112, Alajuela 4050, Costa Rica

The phone number to The Retreat is 011-506-8947-0707 and toll free +1 844 307 3682 Ext. 402 (USA and Canada only).

Yes! Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

Most cell phones work, however, you will need to contact your provider for assistance.

We have fresh infused spring water in your room and at the bar, as well as water stations throughout the property to refill personal bottles. Cocktails, beer and wine are also available. Our restaurant is casual buffet and our staff takes great pride in serving delicious meals. The menu includes a variety of vegetarian fare as well as chicken and fish. We also adhere to a grain free and dairy free menu and can also accommodate vegan, gluten-free, and high-protein diets.

Yes, the water at THE RETREAT is safe to drink from every faucet on the property. We filter our water on the premises with both a 1-micron filter and a UV filter. Countrywide, water quality standards in Costa Rica are generally quite high and visitors normally do not have any problems.

• Breakfast 8am – 10:30am
• Lunch 1pm – 2:30pm
• Dinner 6pm – 8:30pm

25 Minutes Airport: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) San Jose.

Atenas, Alajuela is said to be “The Best Climate in The World” ~ National Geographic

1 hour from: Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls, and the famous Jaco Surf Beach.

11 Luxury Rooms designed to feel like “Heaven on Earth” by the esteemed Andrea Artinano of Costa Rica.

Perched on a Crystal Mountain as a Balcony to The Pacific Ocean and Nicoya Peninsula, the views are unparalleled anywhere in Costa Rica.

An organic garden right off the terrace kitchen is available for all guest to learn and play in our professionally designed permaculture landscape.

Celebrity Feng Shui Artist Marie Knoos balanced the property and energies to allow transformation, healing and love to permeate all guests throughout the Retreat.

Named “Best DETOX Spa Worldwide” by W Magazine, and strong Kudos by SHAPE as a destination Yoga and Health Retreat, we are featured in several publications worldwide.

A Personal Experience – our guests always return: The Retreat is a Destination- a hosted, personal hands on – intimate, results driven, elegant yet family style Costa Rican property that you will come back to Year after Year.