Manuel Antonio works well for a retreat: rainforest and beaches in the same place, a national park a few minutes away, and enough hotels, restaurants and tour operators to look after a group. This guide covers what retreat leaders ask us most: when to come, how to get here, how to choose a venue, and how to shape the days.
Updated October 2026. Written by the team at ECOTICA, a boutique hotel and retreat venue in Manuel Antonio.
When to hold a retreat in Manuel Antonio
Costa Rica’s Pacific side has two seasons. The dry season runs roughly from December to April: sunny days, more visitors and higher prices. The green season runs roughly from May to November: mornings are often clear and rain tends to come in the afternoon, with fewer people and lower rates. September and October are usually the wettest months.
Many retreats run in the green season on purpose. Morning sessions stay dry, the forest is at its greenest, and afternoon rain is a natural time for rest, spa treatments or a workshop under a roof. Whatever the month, choose a venue with a covered space.
Getting your group here
Most groups fly into San José (SJO) and travel to Manuel Antonio by road, usually around three hours. A private transfer for the group is the simplest option: everyone arrives together and the road is taken care of. There is also a small domestic airport in Quepos, a few minutes from Manuel Antonio, with short flights from San José.
At ECOTICA, a private transfer between San José and Manuel Antonio is US$195 each way for up to 5 people, and we quote larger groups as a whole.
How to choose a retreat venue
Ask every venue the same questions, so you can compare them side by side:
- The practice or meeting space. How many people does it hold? Is it covered for rain? Is there sound, Wi-Fi and a bathroom nearby?
- Exclusivity. Can your group book the whole property, or will you share it with other guests?
- Rooms. How many people per room, and can participants choose between sharing and a private room?
- Food. Are meals on site? Can they handle vegetarian, vegan and allergy needs for a whole group?
- Wellness extras. Is there a spa on site, and can treatments be scheduled for a group?
- Location. How far is the national park and the beach? Can the venue book tours and transfers?
- Pricing. What is included: rooms, meals, the space, taxes and service? Ask for a written proposal.
A sample five-day retreat
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival and transfer from San José | Settle in, pool | Welcome dinner and opening circle |
| 2 | Sunrise practice, breakfast | Guided walk in Manuel Antonio National Park | Gentle session, dinner |
| 3 | Practice or workshop | Free time: spa, beach or pool | Group dinner |
| 4 | Practice or workshop | Group outing: boat trip, chocolate tour or rafting | Free evening |
| 5 | Closing practice, breakfast | Departure |
Keep one afternoon completely free. Groups remember the unplanned hours as much as the program.
Manuel Antonio National Park with a group
The park is closed on Tuesdays, and tickets are sold online through SINAC, Costa Rica’s national parks agency, so buy them before the day. Go early: the park opens at 7:00 am and the first hours are the coolest and best for wildlife. A naturalist guide with a scope helps the whole group see sloths, monkeys and birds. See our national park guide for details.
Budget items to plan for
- Rooms and meals for the group (ask whether breakfast is included)
- Use of the practice or meeting space
- Airport transfers
- Park tickets and guides, and any group tours
- Spa treatments, if they are part of the program
- Your teachers’ or facilitators’ travel and rooms
- Taxes and service charges
Hosting your retreat at ECOTICA
ECOTICA is a boutique hotel on about 10 acres of rainforest in Manuel Antonio, a few minutes from the national park. Groups use an open-air deck for up to 60 people, partly covered, with Wi-Fi, a sound system with a microphone, tables and chairs, and a bathroom with showers. La POZA bar is next to the deck for fresh juices and drinks. There are 17 rooms (10 suites and 7 private bungalows), and your group can book the whole hotel, which sleeps up to 45 guests. Breakfast is included, La POZA serves meals from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm with vegetarian and vegan options, and Jungle Spa is open every day.
See the details for yoga retreats, wellness and spa retreats and corporate and team retreats, or tell us about your retreat.
Common questions
Is Manuel Antonio a good place for a retreat?
Yes, for groups that want nature and comfort together. The rainforest, the national park and the beaches are all close, the area has good restaurants and tour operators, and transfers from San José are straightforward.
How far ahead should I book a retreat venue?
For the dry season, book six to twelve months ahead, especially if you want the whole property. For the green season, a few months is often enough.
Can I hold a retreat in the rainy season?
Yes. Rain usually comes in the afternoon, so plan practices and outings for the morning and choose a venue with a covered space.
What size of group works best?
Most retreats here have between 8 and 30 participants. At ECOTICA the deck holds up to 60 people, and a full hotel takeover sleeps up to 45 guests in 17 rooms.
