Why We Chose Costa Rica for Our First Wellness Retreat (And Why We Think You'll Fall in Love With It Too)

When we first started dreaming about hosting a retreat, people naturally asked, "Where are you going?"

The truth is, this wasn't a random choice or a place we found while searching online.

Jess visited this beautiful retreat centre in early 2026 and came home absolutely glowing. She couldn't stop talking about the peaceful energy, the incredible people, and the feeling she had while she was there. Ever since, she's dreamed of one day bringing our Inner Light community to experience it too.

That dream became even more meaningful because of the relationships we've built along the way.

We're grateful to know someone from the retreat centre (and our personal YTT), Hali Love, whose heart for creating welcoming, transformative spaces is woven into every part of the property. One of our own teachers and a cherished member of the Inner Light Collective, Karen Snodgrass, has also taught retreats there, giving us another layer of connection and confidence in the experience our guests will have.

For us, choosing this retreat wasn't just about finding a beautiful destination.

It was about choosing a place that already felt like an extension of our community, a place we trust, a place with people we believe in, and a place we know will hold our guests with the same warmth and care that we strive to offer here at Inner Light.

There are so many beautiful places in the world, and honestly, we considered more than one. But every time we imagined what we wanted this experience to feel like, we kept coming back to this little corner of Costa Rica.

Not because it's trendy.

Not because it's full of luxury resorts.

But because something about it invites you to slow down.

And isn't that what so many of us are craving?

More Than a Beautiful Destination

Let's be honest, there are plenty of places where you can sip a drink by a pool.

A wellness retreat is about something different.

It's about stepping out of your everyday routines long enough to hear yourself think again. It's about trading notifications for birdsong, traffic for ocean waves, and packed schedules for moments where you don't have to be anywhere except right where you are.

Costa Rica makes that shift feel surprisingly natural.

If you've ever looked into travelling to Costa Rica, you've probably come across the phrase Pura Vida. It translates to "pure life," but it's more than a saying. It's a way of approaching life with gratitude, simplicity, and appreciation for the present moment.

You notice it in the pace of the day.

You notice it in the kindness of the people.

You notice it when no one seems to be in quite as much of a hurry.

It's a gentle reminder that life doesn't always have to be rushed to be meaningful.

That philosophy felt deeply aligned with everything we try to create at Inner Light Healing Collective.

February Couldn't Come at a Better Time

If you're reading this from Alberta, or anywhere with a long winter, you probably know that February can feel... long.

The excitement of the holidays has passed, spring still feels far away, and many of us are running on empty.

Now imagine swapping snow boots for bare feet in the sand.

Morning yoga with warm sunshine on your skin.

Coffee outside.

An evening walk while the sun sets over the Pacific Ocean.

Sometimes a change in scenery is exactly what helps us reset.

We Chose Playa Negra on Purpose

Costa Rica has many well-known beach towns, but we found ourselves drawn to Playa Negra.

It has a quieter energy.

It's the kind of place where you can hear the waves, watch the surfers, wander the beach, and feel like you don't have to rush anywhere.

That slower pace creates space, for conversations, for reflection, and for simply enjoying where you are.

It felt like the perfect backdrop for the kind of retreat we wanted to offer.

A Retreat That Feels Like You Can Exhale

One thing that's important to us is that this retreat isn't about keeping you busy every minute of the day. Yes, there will be yoga, meditation, Pilates, sound healing, and opportunities for adventure.

But there will also be free time.

Time to read.

Time to nap.

Time to sit by the ocean.

Time to do absolutely nothing if that's what your body needs.

We believe some of the most meaningful moments happen in the spaces between the planned activities.

Why This Retreat Matters to Us

Inner Light Healing Collective has always been about creating spaces where people feel welcome exactly as they are.

Whether you join us in the studio in High River or travel with us to Costa Rica, our hope is the same: that you leave feeling lighter than when you arrived.

Not because life suddenly becomes perfect, but because you've had the chance to reconnect with yourself.

That's why Costa Rica felt like the right place.

Not just because it's beautiful, but because it creates the kind of environment where slowing down feels possible.

Maybe It's Your Time

Maybe you've been telling yourself you'll travel "one day." Maybe you've been waiting for life to settle down before you make time for yourself. Or maybe you've simply been craving a week where someone else takes care of the planning, and all you have to do is show up.

If that sounds like you, we'd love to have you join us.

Our Costa Rica Wellness Retreat is an invitation to rest, reconnect, explore, and experience the beauty of Pura Vida, together.

We can't wait to share it with you.