Wilder Life
Costa Rica Women's Retreat
Reconnect with yourself and with nature in the wild Osa Peninsula
March 14-20, 2027
The Wilder Life Costa Rica Women's Retreat is a soulful, deep nature immersion for women who find themselves in between what was and what's becoming — and sense there is a truer version of themselves waiting to be uncovered.
You already have the wisdom inside you. You just need the time and space to let it shine through.
If you're ready to give yourself permission to slow down, listen deeply, release what no longer fits, reconnect with the woman within, and discover what wants to emerge next, this retreat is for you.
Picture this...
Close your eyes for a moment.
Imagine waking before dawn to the sound of howler monkeys calling across the jungle canopy — a sound so primal, so alive, it seems to reach into your chest and wake something up in you too.
The sky softens from black to violet to gold. The jungle begins to hum. You can hear the ocean beating a gentle rhythm on the shore. You take what feels like the first full body breath you’ve had in a long time.
This is the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica — one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, and one of the most breathtaking. It is wild, lush and teeming with life. Scarlet macaws flash across an impossibly green canopy. The air is thick and warm and smells of earth and salt and green growing things. The jungle presses close, vibrating with the kind of aliveness that reminds your body — at a cellular level — that you are part of something vast, ancient, and beautiful.
"Immersion" doesn't quite capture what this place does to you. It's more than that. It's a soaking-in-through-your-pores experience. A full-body remembering. The jungle, the ocean, the creatures, the rhythm of the days work on you in ways that are hard to explain until you've felt them. Until you've stood at the edge of the Pacific as the sun goes down, warm water around your ankles, howler monkeys in the trees behind you, and felt something in your chest finally let go.
The flow...
The Osa has its own rhythm; cycles and tides, activity and rest, sunrise and sunset. Part of the medicine of this place is simply letting that rhythm become yours. This is not a go-go-go kind of trip. Your nervous system, so long braced against the noise and demands of daily life, begins to soften here. To unclench. And as it does, you finally relax into yourself as something opens: a deeper knowing that's been waiting beneath the busyness, and new clarity for the questions you've been holding.
Arrival — Day 1
You'll arrive at Puerto Jiménez mid-morning and be transported through the lush Osa countryside to Encanta La Vida, your home for the week. A refreshing mocktail, an orientation, and a relaxed lunch with the group ease you into the pace of this place. We'll spend the afternoon exploring the lodge grounds, wandering down to the beach, and getting our bearings in the jungle. We'll gather for a welcome ceremony, followed by dinner together in the open-air dining room. The evening is yours; because mornings start early, nights come early as well in the Osa. Most folks are asleep by 9pm.
The Heart of the Retreat — Days 2–6
Each day unfolds with intention and spaciousness. Mornings begin with a silent sunrise sit on the beach — one of the most quietly powerful things you will do all week. From there, you might choose to flow into yoga as the jungle wakes around you, or simply linger with your coffee and the sound of the ocean.
Guided sessions each day weave together somatic and sensory nature connection practices, journaling, nature art, and mindful photography; all designed to help you slow down, tune in, and access the clarity that comes when you finally have room to breathe. You'll have the option to explore jungle trails or swim in the warm Pacific. You'll hike to waterfalls. You'll watch wildlife. You'll create things from the heart, sit in silence, and share camaraderie with women who understand exactly why you're here.
The midweek highlight is a morning boat journey on the breathtakingly beautiful Golfo Dulce — one of the world's few tropical fjords--in search of dolphins, with the possibility of snorkeling in its crystalline waters.
Each evening we will gather in circle before dinner, sharing what's stirring, what's shifting, what we're noticing.
And woven throughout it all: unhurried stretches of time that are entirely yours. You might sway in the hammock outside your casita, float in the saltwater pool glittering in the afternoon light, or indulge in a massage that unknots something you didn't even know you were holding. You might wander the jungle road, explore the shoreline, or simply sit and stare at the ocean until your mind goes quiet. If adventure calls, you can sign up for optional excursions such as surfing, paddleboarding, ziplining, and horseback riding. If stillness is what your soul needs, there is plenty of that too.
Departure — Day 7
The final morning begins with a closing ceremony on the beach — a chance to honor the space you're in, what you've uncovered, what you're releasing, and what you're carrying home. Departure from Encanta La Vida is at 11am.
This is pura vida — pure life. The local philosophy of the Osa, woven into everything: an invitation to slow down, embrace gratitude, joy and simplicity, and let the fullness of the present moment awaken something inside.
Does this sound familiar?
The wisdom you're looking for is already inside you. But accessing it requires something most of us rarely give ourselves — time, space, stillness, deep connection with nature, and the chance to step outside the roles and expectations that define our daily lives.
You're not lost. You're becoming.
That discomfort you're feeling isn't a sign something is wrong with you. It's a sign something is happening in you. The space between what was and what's next is uncomfortable by nature — especially when you're used to having answers and holding everything together. But this liminal space is a natural, necessary part of becoming the next version of yourself.
This retreat is designed to meet you exactly where you are. You'll practice giving yourself permission to be in this space. Permission to weave something new. Permission to experiment. Permission to ask what's possible.
Through deep nature immersion, guided coaching, and the support of a circle of women, you'll step away from the roles and noise of everyday life — so your nervous system can regulate, your senses can awaken, and your soul can breathe. You'll name what you're ready to release and what you want to carry forward. You'll begin to feel the next, truest version of yourself in your bones — not as a distant possibility, but as something real and already yours.
You'll learn to anchor into the part of you that is authentic, brave, creative, grounded, joyful, and full of spark. You'll begin to shape a new version — a new story — of yourself. And you'll practice embodying her, feeling her in your bones, so you can carry her home with you.
You won't do this alone. You'll be guided by the jungle and the ocean, supported by the women on this journey with you. And through one-on-one and group coaching before, during, and after the retreat, what shifts in Costa Rica won't stay there. It becomes a lived way of being.
Encanta La Vida: A Hidden Sanctuary Where Jungle Meets Ocean
Tucked along the wild, remote coast of Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, Encanta La Vida is a rare kind of place — a solar-powered, all-inclusive eco-lodge where lush rainforest spills onto pristine, empty beaches.
This is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet — a living, breathing world of color and sound. You’ll share the land with hundreds of bird species, four types of monkeys, sloths moving slowly through the trees, and the constant rhythm of the ocean just steps away.
A short jungle path leads you to a beachfront yoga shala on Pan Dulce Bay. Waterfalls, nature trails, and quiet stretches of sand are all within walking distance. The pace here is different. Slower. More alive.
“Encanta La Vida” — to love life — is more than a name. It’s a feeling that begins to unfold the moment you arrive. The Osa has a way of shifting your perspective, inviting you to slow down and experience the quiet magic of being here, fully.
Even the way you’re nourished becomes part of that experience.
Meals are shared in an open-air, thatched-roof space, surrounded by the jungle, where you’ll experience 5-star cuisine in the heart of the rainforest. Fresh, local ingredients are transformed into vibrant, nourishing dishes, from traditional Costa Rican meals to fresh-caught fish and tropical fruits, all meant to be savored slowly. You’ll enjoy delicious tropical and Latin American inspired fusion cuisine, lovingly prepared by talented Tico chefs.
Encanta La Vida proudly support local farmers, fishermen, and neighbors, offering organic, farm-to-table fruits and vegetables, and fresh local fish and seafood. Vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free options are also available.
And then there’s where you rest.
Your bungalow is tucked into the jungle — a quiet, open-air sanctuary with your own bathroom, hot water, and a deck or balcony with a hammock or rocking chair. Simple, beautiful, and deeply connected to the land. You can choose a private bungalow, or share with one or two other women.
You’ll wake to birdsong and fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest. Step outside and you’re surrounded by life — monkeys in the trees, toucans overhead, the ocean just a short walk away.
What you'll take home with you...
You'll return home lighter from what you've named, and from what you've released. Your shoulders sit lower. Your chest feels open. You will not be the same person who left.
You'll carry home a calm, grounded presence; a deep connection to your authentic self, and the ability to find your way back to her when life pulls you off course. You may even feel a tingle in your limbs for what's possible next.
If you're in the middle of a transition — in that tender in-between space of what was and what will be — you'll return with acceptance, and an openness to this stage of your becoming. With the understanding that even if you can't yet see where the path leads, you have the wisdom inside you to make choices that are in alignment with yourself when it becomes clear.
You'll also carry something tangible and practical home with you: nature connection practices you can turn to anywhere, anytime you need a way back to yourself when life challenges this new version of you. Because the natural world will always be there, ready to help you find your way back to that aligned, open, present state.
And you won't navigate the return alone. Knowing that follow-up coaching sessions are waiting for you, to help you stay anchored in what shifted, to help you shape your life around this truer version of yourself, means you leave with roots, not just wings.
This is what becomes possible when you give yourself the time, space, and gentle support to deeply connect with your soul.
Discover
The Details
🗓 Dates: March 14-20, 2027
📍 Location: Encanta La Vida, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
🌄 Group Size: Intimate group of up to 16 women & 2 guides (8 person minimum)
- ∙ Round trip international flights to San Jose, Costa Rica
- ∙ Lodging in San Jose when you arrive the day before (we can recommend hotels for you)
- ∙ Transportation to Puerto Jimenez (we recommend a short flight from San Jose, which the Encanta La Vida staff can arrange for you. Cost is approximately $350 round trip)
- ∙ Beverages and snacks outside of planned meals (including alcoholic beverages)
- ∙ Trip insurance (required)
- ∙ Any additional (optional) excursions, and massage, spa, and wellness services
- ∙ Gratuities for Encanta La Vida staff ($100 suggested at the end of your visit)
A detailed packing list will be provided upon registration so you'll know exactly how to be prepared. Think beach wear, sandals, warm weather clothing, sunscreen, etc.
Booking: A $1500 deposit is due upon registration. This deposit is non-refundable.
The balance is due November 14, 2026.
If you are registering after November 14, 2026, the full payment is due.
Cancellations: Because our vendors and partners require advance commitments we must adhere to the following cancellation terms. If you made any payment other than the deposit before the balance due date, the remainder of your payment will be refunded to you less the $1500 deposit plus an additional $200 cancellation fee. NO refunds are available after the balance due date.
This is a strict policy, and why we require proof of trip insurance to protect your investment. There are no exceptions for any reason, including Covid, injury or any other illness. We are unable to pro-rate any portion of the trip for late arrivals, early withdrawals, or dismissals with cause.
If for some reason you need to cancel, you may be able to transfer your spot to someone else you send in your place. Any changes need to be approved by Wilder Life. If you signed up with to share a room with someone you know, then your roommate will need to be comfortable with any change.
Travel Insurance
Because payments are not refundable, trip insurance is required to participate. It is suggested to have “cancel for any reason” coverage, which usually needs to be purchased directly after registering. We can provide suggested travel protection companies upon registration.
The investment
Shared Room
$3850
$3550
EARLY BIRD PRICE SAVE $300
When you reserve by September 14
$1500 deposit to register
Included:
All lodging (shared) and meals at Encanta La Vida
Ground transportation from Puerto Jimenez to the ecolodge
Guided wildlife and waterfall walks, forest bathing, mindful photography sessions and other nature connection and self discovery sessions
Two daily yoga sessions
Dolphin & Snorkel Golfo Dulce Boat Tour
Four group and 1:1 coaching sessions before, during, and after the retreat
Not included: round trip international flights to San Jose, Costa Rica, lodging in San Jose the night before (we will recommend options), transportation to Puerto Jimenez (we can book this for you), beverages and snacks outside of planned meals (including alcoholic beverages), trip insurance, additional excursions & spa and wellness services.
Private Room
$4450
$4150
EARLY BIRD PRICE SAVE $300
When you reserve by September 14
$1500 deposit to register
Included:
All lodging (private) and meals at Encanta La Vida
Ground transportation from Puerto Jimenez to the ecolodge
Guided wildlife and waterfall walks, forest bathing, mindful photography sessions and other nature connection and self discovery sessions
Two daily yoga sessions
Dolphin & Snorkel Golfo Dulce Boat Tour
Four group and 1:1 coaching sessions before, during, and after the retreat
Not included: round trip international flights to San Jose, Costa Rica, lodging in Santa Fe (we will recommend options), transportation to Puerto Jimenez (we can book this for you), beverages and snacks outside of planned meals (including alcoholic beverages), trip insurance, additional excursions & spa and wellness services.
A few important things to consider
This is a transformational retreat. If you are seeking both inner exploration and nature immersion, this is for you!
This is an active retreat. While we won’t be doing any overly strenuous hikes, walking is a way of life here and we will do a lot of it, cumulatively several miles a day on very uneven (rocky, root-y, sandy) terrain. Most activities are optional, so you can choose between moving a lot and laying in the hammock.
The Osa in March is HOT and HUMID. There are plenty of opportunities to cool off (in the lodge pool, ocean, waterfall, and cold showers), but if heat and humidity are not your comfort zone, this trip may not be for you.
The animal and bug life in this part of Costa Rica is INTENSE. Folks who are excited by the sights and sounds of new and strange wildlife (including bugs) will be most comfortable here. If waking up at 5am to the sounds of howler monkeys sounds like a nightmare, you might consider a different trip 🙂
We’ll have room for up to 16 women, and need a minimum of 8 to make this trip happen.
Your Guides
About us
Hi, I'm Jenny Golding.
In the midst of perimenopause, grief, and midlife overwhelm, I did something that felt both wild and necessary: I headed into the wilderness. No roles to fill, no one else to take care of — just me, the mountains, and space to breathe.
That journey back to myself became the foundation for everything I do now. Because when I went looking for programs to help me find my footing in midlife, I came up empty. So I created the kind of transformative journeys, retreats, and life coaching I once needed myself.
Through nature-based coaching, wilderness and nature immersion retreats, and mindful photography, I help women who feel lost in the wilderness of life tap into their deep wisdom, rediscover their spark, shed what no longer fits, and forge a path that finally feels like their own.
Certified Nature Connected Coach (Earth-Based Institute) | ICF Candidate | Forest Therapy | Wilderness First Aid | Leave No Trace Master Trainer
Hi, I'm Liz Lucas.
With a background in nature-based coaching and somatic practice, my education and certifications have equipped me with the skills to guide individuals and organizations towards groundedness and clarity. Specializing in helping women develop emotional resilience and self-awareness, I offer a unique approach that blends the wisdom of the natural world with science and storytelling.
My background as an athlete, coach and now guide have informed every part of my nature-connected coaching style bringing a unique perspective to each session, tapping into my mental toughness training as an athlete to my trauma informed training to being in the woods with people working through really tough things. All of these elements blend together to create a robust offering supporting you on your journey to becoming the best version of yourself.
Have questions? Want to find out if this is the right retreat for you?
Click the button to schedule a phone or video call with Jenny. Or, click the blue "message us" button on the screen.