An Immersive Mindfulness & Nature Retreat
Join us for a week-long guided mindfulness meditation and yoga retreat in the stunning Costa Rican rainforest!
We’ll spend our days mostly in silence immersed in mindfulness and compassion practices while enjoying the prolific nature of the Costa Rican jungle.
Our daily retreat schedule will invite us to rise (somewhat!) early for morning movement practice and meditation before breakfast and will support us through the day and into the evening with a sequence of sitting and walking meditation practice, loving kindness practice, gentle yoga and movement led by Tim and Raizelah.
Each day will also include a wisdom talk to encourage our practice, and a spacious period after lunch for individual practice, exploring and resting.
Nature walks into the surrounding jungle with local guides are also a part of the retreat experience! As we open our senses and our hearts in meditation our senses are more open to the surrounding rainforest.
Location & Accommodations
This retreat will be held at Selva Verde Lodge – a peaceful eco-tourist inn interwoven into a beautiful 500 hectare primary forest reserve in central Costa Rica. This will be our fourth Rainforest Retreat at this magical place. Raised walkways and lovely rooms are nestled in a rainforest garden adjacent to an old growth rainforest.
Large double occupancy rooms are included; single occupancy can be chosen at registration for an additional fee. If you’d like to room with someone else who is registering, please specify this in the comments section of the registration below.
The buffet style Costa Rican cuisine is varied and accommodating of a variety of dietary preferences and needs.
Plus It’s a Fundraiser!
This retreat helps to fund our Accessibility Fund. Your sliding scale tuition choice and any additional donations made during the registration process allow us to offer scholarships to the communities we serve with our programs and pro bono mindfulness training programs for non-profit organizations. Mindfulness Northwest is a 501c(3) non-profit organization.
Thank you for your support!
SCHEDULE
May 9 – 16, 2027
Arrive in Costa Rica any time on May 9th.
See Logistics below for more details.
TEACHERS
LOCATION
COST
$1,800 – $2,790 sliding scale (or $300 – $465/month with a no-interest 6-month payment plan). One scholarship available.
Paying higher on the scale funds our Accessibility Fund – thank you!
- Inclusive package: Food, double occupancy lodging at both the airport hotel and the retreat lodge, shuttle bus to the lodge, guided nature walks, and instruction are included in your registration tuition.
- Lodging: Single lodging at the airport hotel and retreat lodge is available with surcharge.
- Scholarship: Available until filled. No need to apply; just choose the scholarship tuition during registration.
- Mindful Massage: 60 minute mindful massage with Raizelah is available with surcharge.
- Payment Plans: No-interest, 6-month payment plan option is available during registration.
EVENT POLICIES
- Detailed logistics for this event are found below.
- Do review our Rainforest Retreat Cancellation Policy before registering.
Teachings
Lead Teacher Tim Burnett will give daily talks on a fundamental Buddhist teachings, tropical ecology, and the rich intersection between the two. These explorations will underline connections to the biology of our natural surroundings at La Selva Verde and how we experience the environment and ourselves. Both Tim and Raizelah have deep relationships to time in nature. Plus, in addition to his mindfulness and Buddhist training, Tim holds degrees in biology and environmental studies and has worked as a field botanist and environmental educator.
Yoga teacher Raizelah Bayen will share her deep knowledge of the body through her offerings of daily gentle yoga classes. Raizelah is also a deeply experienced massage therapist and will be offering individual mindful massages (sign up and surcharge required).
Whether in circumstances that feel extraordinary to us, like spending a week in a tropical rainforest, or in circumstances that feel quite ordinary, we heal and grow when we are fully present. In the practices and teachings of this retreat we will explore ways of feeling, understanding, and experiencing full presence in every moment of our lives.
MINDFUL MASSAGE
Unwind and settle more deeply into yourself during the retreat with a Mindful Massage. This style of massage is gentle, yet firm, emphasizing body and breath awareness. By putting your attention on the contact and quality of touch, Mindful Massage encourages and supports your awareness of sensation and emotion. This is an opportunity to deepen your practice of mindfulness.
This optional enhancement to your retreat experience is $130 for a 60 minute massage and can be added to your retreat during the registration process.
TEACHERS
Tim Burnett
(he/him) Senior Teacher and Founder
As a Senior Mindfulness Teacher, and Founder of Mindfulness Northwest, Tim has been leading multi-day retreats in both the mindfulness and Zen Buddhist styles for many years. For these retreats Tim loves offering a universal ("secular") mindfulness retreat experience while also plumbing the depth of Buddhist texts and philosophy that form one of the deep roots of this work. You can explore an example of Tim's teachings at a prior retreat.
Raizelah Bayen
(she/her) Visiting Teacher
Founder and Director of Open Pathways Institute for Integrative Massage, Raizelah has been teaching massage, yoga and wellness workshops for over 20 years. She is a registered yoga teacher and a nationally approved massage CE teacher. Her teaching style is grounded in Zen Buddhist breath meditation and body awareness practices. As a yoga teacher and bodyworker, Raizelah is most passionate about teaching embodiment as a path to presence. With a broad background in the healing arts, she brings to mindfulness workshops a variety of holistic self-care techniques that support your deepening connection to body, mind and heart.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Rainforest Retreat Logistics
ESSENTIAL LOGISTICS
Arriving in Costa Rica
Arrive at the San José International Airport (SJO) (Juan Santamaría International Airport) any time on Sunday, May 9th, 2027.
A booked room at the DoubleTree Hilton Cariari near the airport will be waiting for you to spend your first night in the country. From the airport, you can wait for the hourly hotel shuttle (directions) or go to the official taxi stand and order a taxi – it should be no more than $20 US. All tourist-related businesses accept US dollars in cash and most accept cards.
Communication En Route
We’ll be connected via a group text using the WhatsApp communications app. This will allow us to easily check in and coordinate during our journeys. (WhatsApp is also widely used in Costa Rica for texting and phone calls.) Expect an email about 10 days before the retreat with instructions on how to set up WhatsApp and connect with our group on your phone.
Proceeding to the Retreat Site
On Monday morning, May 10th, at 10am, we’ll gather in the lobby at DoubleTree Hilton Cariari to load our chartered bus for a 3-hour journey, with lunch along the way, to Selva Verde Lodge where we will remain until the end of the retreat on Sunday morning, May 16th.
Returning to the San José Airport
Our chartered bus is expected to arrive back at San José International Airport (SJO) (Juan Santamaría International Airport) at 11am on Sunday, May 16th. Flights home made after 1pm should be fine.
Coming Early or Leaving Later?
We encourage you to consider personal travel in Costa Rica before or after our retreat.
Personal travel before the retreat: you are welcome to meet us at Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiquí, Costa Rica to start the retreat at about 4pm on May 10th. Contact us if you will not need the DoubleTree Hilton Cariari hotel night on the 9th and/or if you will not be joining us on the chartered bus to Selva Verde Lodge on the 10th.
Personal travel after the retreat: you could also depart from Selva Verde for personal travel at the end of the retreat at 8am on May 16th. Contact us to discuss your logistics if you are not joining our chartered bus to or from the San José (SJO) Costa Rica airport.
Business and Details
Donations – If you chose to donate to our Accessibility Fund we extend to you our deep gratitude for your generous support of this fundraiser. Thank you for supporting our mission to make mindfulness as broadly accessible as possible. The donation portion of your tuition is tax-deductible and a donation receipt will be sent via email.
Cancellation Policy
A special cancellation policy applies to this retreat due to our obligations with our transportation and hotel partners for this retreat. This policy supersedes our regular policy:
If you cancel your Rainforest Retreat registration…
- Before March 1st: full refund less a $100 administrative fee
- Before March 15th: full refund less $500
- Before April 1: full refund less $1500
- On or after April 1: no refunds can be granted
- Registrations are non-transferable. We do not provide credit for canceled registrations.
Packing and In Case of Emergency
We’ll also include this information in the Confirmation Email we send to you after registering.
What to Bring
- A pair of binoculars for birding if you have them (if you’ve been thinking about investing, we recommend full-sized 10×42 binoculars for birding).
- Warm-weather clothes in layers – the climate is warm and damp, but it does cool off in the evening and early morning. It can rain (sometimes very strongly) generally in the late afternoon.
- Rain coat AND umbrella – we’re walking between buildings. It is likely to rain every afternoon. This is the tropics.
- A flashlight. The lodge is reasonably well lit but we walk between buildings in the early morning and evening and we will be going on a nature night walk.
- Meditation cushions / supplies – if you have a meditation cushion(s), a bench or other sitting gear that’s easy to pack, bring it. Chairs are available at the lodge.
- Yoga Mat – not essential for our gentle mindful movement, but if you can fit a yoga mat you’ll enjoy having it.
- Shoes that are easy to slip on and off are helpful at meditation retreats – we will be taking shoes off in the practice room.
Emergency Contact Info
We’ll have cell phones turned off as much as possible during the retreat. Plus not all U.S. cell phones will work in Costa Rica. Leave your loved ones the following contact info. If they call or email Selva Verde Lodge using these numbers the lodge will get the message to you:
Selva Verde Lodge phone numbers:
-
- 833-344-5835 for U.S. and Canadian guests
- 506-2761-1800 for Costa Rican guests
- 001-352-377-7111 for those outside Costa Rica, U.S. and Canada
- Selva Verde Lodge email: reservaciones@selvaverde.com
Questions?
Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at office@mindfulnessnorthwest.com or 360-830-6439 x0.
We look forward to practicing with you in Costa Rica!
Who this retreat is for
- Students of mindfulness and compassion interested in deepening and maintaining their practice
- Mindfulness teachers who’d like to strengthen their understanding of the Buddhist roots of contemporary mindfulness
- Those who have taken a course in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindful Self-Compassion, or Mindfulness for Healthcare Professionals
- Adults age 18 and over
YOUR FIRST LONGER RETREAT?
Before sitting a multi-day retreat we recommend that you have teacher-led experience with mindfulness or related contemplative practices. Please contact us if you have questions about whether this retreat will be appropriate for you.
General Info on Our Residential Silent Retreats
Residential Retreats are multi-day, teacher-led silent meditation retreats. After initial introductory greetings and information, your instructors will explain how silent retreat practice works to support you in a deep experience of practice. The daily schedule will include gently guided sitting and walking meditation, morning teachings, mindful movement, and the body scan, as well as compassion cultivation and loving-kindness meditations.
WHO COMES TO RETREATS
All are welcome! We are honored to support each participant in their meditation practice regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual identity, age, physical ability, political affiliation, or religion. Our retreats are suitable for beginning through experienced practitioners.
We are committed to offering support for any accessibility needs you have as we are able. Please contact us with any questions or requests related to accessibility prior to registering for a course.
YOUR FIRST LONGER RETREAT?
Before sitting a multi-day retreat we recommend that you have teacher-led experience with mindfulness or related contemplative practices. Please contact us if you have questions about whether this retreat will be appropriate for you.
IS RETREAT RIGHT FOR YOU? Meditation retreats are not right for everyone. If you have a history of trauma or acute psychological issues consider checking with a mental health professional to decide if intensive retreat practice would be supportive. If you have questions or concerns about whether a retreat is right for you, please contact us at office@mindfulnessnorthwest.com.
STRUCTURE AND PARTICIPATION
FOUR DAILY PRACTICE SESSIONS
- Mindfulness and compassion practices are offered in four blocks daily: early morning, morning, afternoon, and evening.
- Participants are expected to attend all sessions and follow the printed schedule you will receive on site as fully as possible.
However, we are flexible and always willing to work with you on what your body and mind can reasonably do. Speak with the retreat teachers if you have concerns about following the complete schedule.
PRACTICING IN SILENCE
- After the initial orientation and introductions on the first evening, our residential retreats are held in silence.
- Participants are expected to follow guidelines around silence and participation:
- not speaking to other participants including close friends or partners you are attending with
- not using technology of any form
- not reading books, magazines, flyers, or any reading materials
- reducing interpersonal contact through the eyes or other body language
- Necessary communication with the retreat teachers can be done via a notes station or by taking them aside.
The intention of silent retreat is to settle deeply into your own experience and to not interact with others, allowing everyone space to have the retreat they need to have — including you!
PERSONAL AND INTERPERSONAL SAFETY
- Participants are expected to be sensitive and responsive to these guidelines and the needs of fellow participants as fully as possible.
- Please do not take photos or make recordings of other participants or the teachers.
- Do not use alcohol or mind altering drugs of any kind.
- Venue staff and Mindfulness Northwest instructors will make sure you receive incoming messages promptly while your phone is off. If you are expecting an urgent message please let your instructor know.
- Instructors are available at all times to offer support, including conversation if needed
WHAT TO BRING
WHAT TO BRING- A pair of binoculars for birding if you have them (if you’ve been thinking about investing we recommend full-sized 10×42 binoculars for birding).
- Warm-weather clothes in layers – the climate is warm and damp but it does cool off in the evening and early morning.
- Rain coat AND umbrella – we’re walking between buildings. It is likely to rain every afternoon. This is the tropics.
- Toiletries and overnight things.
- It’s okay to bring a notebook if you wish to do some writing, but remember this is a silent, contemplative retreat.
- A flashlight. The lodge is reasonably well lit but we walk between buildings in the early morning and evening and we will be going on a nature night walk.
- Meditation cushions / supplies – if you have meditation cushion(s), a bench or other sitting gear that’s easy to pack, bring it. The lodge will also provide a mat and cushion for each of us. Chairs are also available.
- Shoes that are easy to slip on and off are helpful at meditation retreats – we will be taking shoes off in the practice room.
LODGING
Lodging assignments will be available on check-in at the venue. The Base Tuition includes a double occupancy room with single occupancy available with a supplement.
EXTENDING YOUR STAY: COSTA RICA TRAVEL SUGGESTIONS
Interested in further explorations? Selva Verde Lodge is itself an excellent area for birding and ecotourism and is near several other excellent areas. Come early or stay after the retreat at Selva Verde Lodge (please arrange directly with them) and book a birding tour at La Selva Biological Station (15 minutes drive from the lodge). You could also do additional birding tours at the Lodge.
Interested in regular Costa Rican culture and/or Spanish language studies? The town of Heredia is 30 minutes from the airport and also has a stop on the commuter train into San Jose itself (note that the airport is in Alajuela, not San Jose proper). We recommend Hotel Hojarascas in Heredia – a delightful and affordable family run hotel. There are highly recommended Spanish language schools in Heredia as well.
Interested in nature and seeing more of Costa Rica? Travel to one or more of these nearby nature hotspots:
1) The Carribean coastal area of Tortuguero: see coastal bird and amphibian species, a flooded rainforest, sea turtles and many other species in a warm laid-back environment. About 3 hours drive plus a 1 hour boat ride from Selva Verde Lodge.
2) The Arenal Volcano. The Volcano itself is impressive and many forest bird species can be seen. Nearby hot springs at La Fortuna are a delight as well. About 2 hours drive from Selva Verde Lodge.
3) The Monte Verde Cloud forest, one of the most impressive cloud forest regions in the Americas. 3 hour drive on from Arenal Volcano.
Travel independently or arrange with an outfitter. For an outfitter we recommend Aratinga Tours who will help you create an at-your-own pace itinerary. Please tell them you’re part of the Mindfulness Northwest group.
Reminders
We recommend reviewing the retreat logistics and our Rainforest Retreat Cancellation Policy before registering.
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