Wild & Slow · Guest Guide
You're going to Costa Rica!
Wild & Slow · January 19 to 26, 2027 · Lumira Retreat Centre, Turrialba. Everything you need before your adventure, all in one place.
days until Wild & Slow
DatesTue Jan 19 to Tue Jan 26, 2027
Fly in & outLiberia (LIR)
Land by10:00am on January 19
Balance dueDecember 20, 2026
Last updated November 13, 2026. We'll keep this page current, so check back here before you fly.
01
Before you go. Start here.
Work through this list over the next few weeks. Tick things off as you go and this page will remember your progress on this device.
Your pre-retreat checklist
Most of this takes ten minutes or less. The sooner it's done, the sooner you can just look forward to it.
0 done
Your ticks are saved in this browser only. They don't send anything to us, so please still complete each form.
Key dates
1
NowAgreement, waiver and guest form
2
As soon as you canBook flights and insurance
3
DecemberGroup video call (date TBC)
4
Dec 20, 2026Balance due
5
Jan 19, 2027Land in Liberia by 10am
02
Flights, airport and shuttle
Everyone travels together on our private shuttle, so there are no taxis, rental cars or directions to figure out. Here's exactly how your travel days work.
Tuesday, January 19
Arrival day
- Book a flight that lands in Liberia (LIR) by 10:00am. Most flights from Western Canada are red-eyes that land early in the morning.
- Clear customs and collect your bags.
- Meet Andrea and Stacey just outside the arrivals doors.
- Our private shuttle leaves the airport at 11:00am.
- Drive across the country into the mountains of Turrialba, with a scenic stop and snacks along the way.
- Arrive at Lumira by early evening. Settle in, then welcome dinner together.
Monday, January 25 & Tuesday, January 26
Heading home
- A relaxed morning at Lumira. No need to rush.
- Easy travel day back across the country, with stops along the way.
- Farewell dinner together in Liberia.
- Your last night is at a hotel close to Liberia airport.
- Fly home any time on January 26. It's a short ride to the airport, so even early flights are easy.
Arriving January 18?
Prefer not to fly overnight? Come in the day before. The extra night is at your own cost, but we'll help you find a place nearby and our shuttle will pick you up there on the morning of the 19th.
Getting through customs
Have your passport (6+ months left), your return flight details, and the address of where you're staying. Costa Rica asks for all three. We'll send you Lumira's address with your final details. Canadian passport holders don't need a visa for this trip.
If your flight is delayed
Message us in the group chat or email Andrea as soon as you know. If you can't make the 11:00am shuttle, we'll work out a plan to get you to Lumira. Send us your flight details once you've booked so we know who's landing when.
Luggage
One checked bag plus a carry-on is plenty. A soft duffel or a suitcase that isn't oversized is easiest on the shuttle. Keep your medications, passport and a change of clothes in your carry-on.
Money
Costa Rica uses colones, and US dollars and credit cards are widely accepted. Bring some small bills for snacks, souvenirs and the local market stalls. Everything on the itinerary is already paid for.
Phone and Wi-Fi
Lumira has Wi-Fi throughout, so you can check in with home each day. If you want data on the road, check your carrier's travel plan or pick up an eSIM before you go.
03
Your packing list
Turrialba sits in the mountains, so expect warm days in the mid-20s and cooler evenings that call for a layer. It's green for a reason, so a passing shower is always possible. Liberia is hot and dry. Tick things off as they go in your bag.
Documents & money
Everyday clothes
Footwear
For the adventures
Toiletries & health
Nice to have
04
Your adventure and where you'll stay
Home for six nights is Lumira Retreat Centre, up in the mountains above Turrialba. We have the whole place to ourselves for the week.
Just our groupThe whole lodge is ours for the week
Your roomShared rooms are paired thoughtfully. Private rooms if you added one
MealsBreakfast, lunch and dinner, with dietary needs taken care of
Wi-FiThroughout the property, so home is never far
Your week, day by day
Day 1Tue, Jan 19
Welcome to Lumira
Land in Liberia, shuttle across the country with a scenic stop, and arrive at Lumira by early evening for a welcome dinner.
Day 2Wed, Jan 20
Survival skills and natural dyeing
A hands-on survival skills workshop with a local guide, then an afternoon of natural fabric dyeing.
Day 3Thu, Jan 21
Canyoning and coffee
A morning of canyoning and ziplining with Explornatura, then an afternoon coffee tour at Aquiares.
Bring: water shoes, swimsuit, change of clothesDay 4Fri, Jan 22
CATIE bike ride and Casa Turire
A morning bike ride at CATIE, then lunch at Casa Turire and time to enjoy the pool and wander the grounds.
Bring: closed-toe shoes, swimsuitDay 5Sat, Jan 23
Gardens, cooking and dance
An herb garden tour where you blend your own tea, a traditional cooking class for lunch, banana fiber crafts, and folk dancing after dinner.
Bring: a small bag for your teaDay 6Sun, Jan 24
Whitewater rafting
Rafting with Adrenalina, then back to Lumira for lunch and a slow afternoon. Pizza night from the wood-fired oven, and a bonfire if the weather plays along.
Bring: water shoes, swimsuit, change of clothesDay 7Mon, Jan 25
Back to Liberia
A relaxed morning, then the drive back with stops along the way, a farewell dinner in Liberia, and a night near the airport.
Day 8Tue, Jan 26
Fly home
A short ride to Liberia airport for your flight, whatever time it leaves.
Activity level is mild to moderate, and no extreme fitness is needed. You'll get exact times in your final schedule email closer to the trip. Weather and local conditions can shift things around a little, and if they do, we'll handle it.
05
Meet your adventure crew
Andrea and Stacey are with you the whole week, from the airport on the 19th to the farewell dinner in Liberia.
A
Andrea Hamer
Founder, Adventuring Into LifeAndrea has been coaching since she was 16 and started running girls-only adventure camps in 2016. She's been coming to Costa Rica since 2013 and has run retreats here since 2019.
S
Stacey Gagnon
Director of Programs & OperationsIf you've done an AIL program before, there's a good chance you already know Stacey. She runs our programs day to day and keeps every group feeling looked after.
Welcome video from Andrea and Stacey goes here. Send me the YouTube or Vimeo link and I'll embed it.
December group call
Before the trip, we'll get everyone together on a video call. You'll meet the group, hear how the week flows, and ask anything on your mind. We'll email the date and link in early December.
Group chat (optional)
We'll send an invite to a WhatsApp group for your retreat. It's the easiest way to say hi before you go, sort out airport plans, and reach us during the week. Joining is up to you, and all the important details will still come by email.
Bring a friend
Know someone who needs this week too?
Some of the best parts of these trips are the friendships, and sometimes that starts with someone you already know. Send her the link. If she books, you both get a little something.
How it works: your friend books Wild & Slow or Wild Terrain and mentions your name when she registers. Once her deposit is in, she gets $150 off and you get a $250 thank-you. Applies to new guests only.
$250thank-you for you
$150off for your friend
06
Questions and important info
The things guests ask us most. If yours isn't here, just ask.
What's included?
Six nights at Lumira, one night at a hotel near Liberia airport, all your meals during the retreat, every activity on the itinerary, and all ground transportation in Costa Rica, including our private shuttles to and from Liberia airport. Not included: flights, travel insurance (required), personal spending and gratuities.
Do I need to tip?
Tips for our guides and drivers are not included. If you'd like to tip someone who made your day, a few US dollars goes a long way. We'll let you know who and when during the week, so you're never guessing.
How do I contact home, and how can my family reach me?
Lumira has Wi-Fi throughout, so messaging and calls over Wi-Fi are easy. Before you go, we'll send a contact sheet with where we're staying each night, so your people at home know how to reach the group in an emergency.
I have dietary needs. Will that be okay?
Yes. Tell us everything on your guest information form and we'll have it sorted with Lumira and every restaurant before you arrive.
What if I'm not sure I can do all the activities?
Every activity is mild to moderate, and women in their 70s have joined our Costa Rica retreats and loved it. You can always sit something out or take it slower. Tell us about any injuries or worries on your guest form and we'll talk it through.
Is the tap water safe to drink?
Tap water is safe to drink in most of Costa Rica. Bring a reusable bottle and we'll point you to filtered water wherever it's a better choice.
Will my phone charger work?
Yes. Costa Rica uses the same plugs and voltage as Canada, so no adapter is needed.
Is there laundry?
Yes, laundry is available at Lumira, so you can pack light and refresh things midweek.
What's the cancellation policy?
It's in your retreat agreement. In short: your deposit is non-refundable but transferable to another guest up to 14 days before the retreat. Cancel 90 or more days before departure and your balance beyond the deposit is refunded or held as credit. 60 to 89 days out, you get a 25% refund or 50% credit. Under 60 days, no refund, with a 25% credit. This is why travel insurance is required.
Can I stay longer in Costa Rica?
Absolutely. Just let us know your plans on your guest form so we know where you'll be after the farewell night.
Still have a question?
We'd much rather you ask than wonder. Send us a note and we'll get back to you.
Email Andrea Back to the retreat page