Overview
Some places make it surprisingly easy to relax. This is one of them. For four nights, we'll stay at a family-run rainforest lodge tucked into one of Costa Rica's most beautiful corners. Built from wood harvested on the property, the cabins are rustic, comfortable, and full of character, with comfortable beds, hot rain showers, fireplaces, and porches made for slow mornings. The days begin with fresh Costa Rican coffee, often paired with rich drinking chocolate made from cacao grown just up the road. Meals are a highlight of the retreat, with much of what you'll eat coming directly from the farm, from fresh vegetables and herbs to eggs collected that morning. This is the Costa Rica most visitors never experience. The people welcoming you all live in the nearby village. It's a working farm, not a polished resort, and that's exactly what makes it special. Everything feels genuine, relaxed, and connected to the land. You'll have plenty of free time to enjoy the property however you'd like. Swim in the river or natural swimming hole, jump from the rocks, relax in a wood-fired sauna, walk rainforest trails, fish in the lake, ride horses, or take a farm tour where you can even try milking a cow. If you'd rather spend an afternoon reading in a hammock while listening to birds overhead, that's a great choice too. One day we'll hike to a brilliant blue river fed by the same mineral-rich waters that create Río Celeste, one of Costa Rica's most remarkable natural wonders. Throughout the retreat, you'll also have the option to earn your Reiki Level I or Level II certification. Whether you're completely new to Reiki or continuing your practice, this peaceful setting is an ideal place to learn, reflect, and reconnect. More than anything, this retreat is about remembering what makes you feel most like yourself. Fresh food. Time outside. Meaningful conversations. A slower pace. It's amazing how quickly the noise disappears when you're surrounded by nature. Sometimes five days is all it takes to feel like yourself again.
The Experience
Wood-fired Hot Tub
For many years, there was no electricity at this lodge. When the owner decided he wanted a hot tub, he found another way. Today, it's heated by firewood, and soaking in it right beside the river has become one of the experiences guests remember most.
Night Walk
Have you ever experienced the rainforest after dark? This photo was taken on this very walk with nothing more than a phone. As the rainforest comes alive at night, we'll join local naturalist guides to explore a private reserve just 25 minutes from the lodge. Following well-maintained gravel trails, we'll keep an eye out for colorful frogs, sleeping birds, sloths, insects, and other nocturnal wildlife that most visitors never get to see. The walk lasts about two hours, is mostly flat, and is suitable for all fitness levels. A little bug spray is all you'll need to keep mosquitoes at bay, making it easy to enjoy one of the most unique experiences of the week.
Explore the Farm
We take a behind-the-scenes tour of the farm that makes this lodge so special. You'll meet the cows, goats, chickens, and pigs, stroll through fruit trees and vegetable gardens, and see firsthand where so many of our meals begin.
Traditional Cooking Methods
There's no rush in this kitchen. Meals are prepared over wood-fired stoves and ovens using ingredients grown just steps away. Expect smoky grilled meats (from animals on the farm), fresh fish, tropical fruits, garden vegetables, homemade gallo pinto, and dishes that reflect the traditions of rural Costa Rica.
Open-Air Dining
We'll gather for family-style meals served on handcrafted wooden tables in an open-air dining room, with candlelight, a crackling fire, and the sounds of the rainforest all around us. Fresh ingredients from the farm take center stage, and the kitchen happily accommodates vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary preferences. One thing that surprises many guests is how comfortable the setting is. Even though you're surrounded by rainforest, there are remarkably few bugs, making it easy to linger over dinner and enjoy the outdoors long after the sun goes down.
Authenticity
The greatest luxury isn't extravagance. It's having nowhere you need to be and nothing you need to prove. Good food, thoughtful planning, warm hospitality, and the freedom to enjoy each day at your own pace make that possible.
Comfort in Nature
The cabins are handcrafted from wood harvested on the property, giving them a rustic charm that's perfectly in tune with the surrounding rainforest. But don't mistake rustic for roughing it. Each cabin features a beautiful stone rain shower with plenty of hot water, fresh towels each day, and the kind of comfortable "Goldilocks" mattress that's not too soft, not too firm, just right. Soft linens and the sounds of the rainforest make for some of the best sleep you'll have all year. The cabins are intentionally simple. Small windows let in enough natural light to gently wake you with the morning sun and help keep your body's natural rhythm in sync, while the interiors remain cool, cozy, and restful. A few thoughtfully placed lamps provide light after dark, but you'll likely find yourself spending more time on the porch, by the river, or under the stars than inside your room. And while you may occasionally spot a tiny gecko or a curious insect, this isn't an Amazon survival experience. The cabins are comfortable, welcoming, and thoughtfully designed so you can enjoy being immersed in nature without giving up a good night's sleep.
Climate
One of the reasons we love this area is its climate. At about 1,800 feet above sea level, the days are warm enough for swimming in the river and relaxing outdoors, while the evenings cool off beautifully. We sleep with the windows open, and while every cabin has a fan if you'd like one, air conditioning simply isn't needed. As the sun goes down, we gather around the fireplaces with a cup of tea, a good book, or great conversation. It's one of those simple pleasures that makes this place feel so special.
Accommodation
Single Occupancy in Cozy Lodge Room (Main Lodge)
Enjoy your own bed and a shared bathroom. These rooms are in the middle of the action at the main lodge. There are 4 rooms that share a living area. This selection is perfect if you'd like your own space for sleeping and communal areas for relaxing.
FROM$1,700.00/pp
Single Occupancy in Rustic Room with Queen Bed (Garden Lodge)
Enjoy your own bed and a private, en-suite bathroom. These rooms are set away from the main lodge and river area.
FROM$2,200.00/pp
Cabin #1: Triple Occupancy in Shared Riverside Cabin (same gender) with Fireplace (Single Bed)
This large cabin has 1 king bed, 1 queen, and 2 singles. This selection is for a Single Bed.
FROM$2,400.00/pp
Cabin #1: Triple Occupancy in Shared Riverside Cabin (same gender) with Fireplace (Queen Bed)
This large cabin has 1 king bed, 1 queen, and 2 singles. This selection is for the Queen Bed.
FROM$2,550.00/pp
Cabin #1: Triple Occupancy in Shared Riverside Cabin (same gender) with Fireplace (King Bed)
This large cabin has 1 king bed, 1 queen, and 2 singles. This selection is for the King Bed.
FROM$2,700.00/pp
Cabin #2: Double Occupancy in Private Cabin above River with Fireplace (King Bed)
Enjoy your own king bed and a private, en-suite bathroom. The photo below is of the porch overlooking the river. Book with a friend. Price is per person.
FROM$2,240.00/pp
Cabin #2: Single Occupancy in Private Cabin above River with Fireplace (King Bed)
Enjoy your own king bed and a private, en-suite bathroom. The photo below is of the porch overlooking the river.
FROM$3,200.00/pp
Cabin #3: Double Occupancy in Riverfront Cabin with Fireplace and Hot Tub
Enjoy your own private porch, hot tub, and fireplace. This cabin has 1 King and 1 Single bed with an ensuite bathroom. Book with a friend. Price is per person.
FROM$3,100.00/pp
Cabin #3: Single Occupancy in Riverfront Cabin with Fireplace and Hot Tub
Enjoy your own private porch, hot tub, and fireplace. This cabin has 1 King and 1 Single bed with an ensuite bathroom. Book with a friend. Price is per person.
FROM$4,700.00/pp
Cabin #4: Single Occupancy in Private Cabin Above River with Hot Tub & Fireplace (King Bed)
Enjoy your own King bed, hot tub and rustic cabin. This cabin is referred to as the "honeymoon" cabin.
FROM$3,500.00/pp
Cabin #4: Double Occupancy in Private Cabin Above River with Hot Tub & Fireplace (King Bed)
Enjoy your own King bed, hot tub and rustic cabin. This cabin is referred to as the "honeymoon" cabin. Book with a friend. Price is per person.
FROM$2,450.00/pp
Cabin #5: Triple Occupancy in Large Shared Cabin (same gender only) with Fireplace, large deck, hot tub (Queen Bed)
This large cabin has 3 rooms. This selection is a Private Room, Bathroom, and Queen Bed. The photo is of part of the deck.
FROM$2,600.00/pp
Cabin #5: Triple Occupancy in Large Shared Cabin (same gender only) with Fireplace, large deck, hot tub (King Bed)
This large cabin has 3 rooms. This selection is a Private Room, Shared Bathroom, and King Bed.
FROM$2,800.00/pp
Cabin #5: Triple Occupancy in Large Shared Cabin (same gender only) with Fireplace, large deck, hot tub (Double Bed)
This large cabin has 3 rooms. This selection is a Private Room and Bathroom, and Double Bed. The photo is of part of the back deck.
FROM$2,400.00/pp
Cabin #6: Triple Occupancy in Large Shared Cabin (same gender only) Above River with Wraparound Porch (Double Bed)
This large cabin has 2 rooms. This selection is for a double bed in a room with another double bed. The bathroom is shared with a total of 3 people. The cabin is up a set of long stairs and sits higher than any of the other cabins (view of the sunset, cabins, and horses).
FROM$2,400.00/pp
Cabin #6: Triple Occupancy in Large Shared Cabin (same gender only) Above River with Wraparound Porch (Queen Bed)
This large cabin has 2 rooms. This selection is for a queen bed in a private room. The bathroom is shared with a total of 3 people. The cabin is up a set of long stairs and sits higher than any of the other cabins (view of the sunset, cabins, and horses).
FROM$2,700.00/pp
What's included
What's Included
Pre-trip & Logistics Support
Arrival gift
Coffee farm tour and tasting
Transportation to and from Liberia airport (LIR)
All meals
Farm Tour
Night Walk in the Rainforest
Daily Meditation and Movement Class (morning)
Hike to Turquoise Blue River
Access to Swimming hole and Private Lake
What's Not Included
Roundtrip airfare to Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR)
Travel insurance (we have recommendations for you to explore)
Reiki Sessions
Reiki Training
Any meals during traveling that take place before or after you meet the group
Specialty drinks (smoothies or alcoholic beverages)
Additional Activities or Spa Services
Hosts
Our retreats are led by a small, collaborative host team that brings together complementary expertise, genuine hospitality, and thoughtful on-the-ground support. Together, we create an experience that feels well organized, welcoming, and easy to settle into, so you can focus on being fully present, connecting with others, and enjoying the journey.
Lindsay Eldridge
Lindsay Eldridge is the founder of Away Retreats, where she designs and leads small-group experiences that combine adventure, movement, meaningful conversation, and connection in extraordinary places around the world.
For more than 20 years, Lindsay's career has centered on creating meaningful experiences through travel and the outdoors. She has led adventure and educational programs across the U.S. and internationally, including guiding sea kayaking trips in the U.S. Virgin Islands, leading expeditions in Ecuador and the Galápagos, Thailand, Australia, and South Africa, teaching English in South Korea, and completing a 75-day National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) expedition in the Alaskan wilderness.
She also spent more than seven years with Broadreach, a leading study abroad organization, where she directed international programs and helped thousands of students experience the world through travel and education.
In addition to founding Away Retreats, Lindsay also built her own Pilates business and is a comprehensively certified Pilates instructor through Balanced Body. She believes movement is one of the best ways to clear the mind, build resilience, and create space for fresh perspective.
As an entrepreneur and mom of two, Lindsay understands the challenges of balancing ambitious goals with everyday life. She created Away Retreats to offer the kind of experiences she wanted for herself: thoughtfully designed adventures that inspire curiosity, encourage meaningful conversations, and create lasting connections.
Gallery
FAQs
What is the cancellation policy?
Deposits are refundable for 10 days.
If cancellation occurs more than 120 days prior to the retreat start date, you will receive a 100% refund, less the deposit.
Cancel 90-120 days prior to retreat start date and receive a 50% refund, less the deposit.
Cancel 46-90 days prior to the retreat start date and receive a 25% refund, less the deposit.
Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for cancellations that occur 45 or fewer days before the retreat start date.
However, we CAN apply any amount paid toward a future AWAY retreat!
What is the payment policy?
A 25% deposit is required to reserve your spot on the retreat.
The remaining balance is due 120 days before the retreat start date.
Please reach out if you'd like to chat about a payment plan that might work better for you.
Is everything really optional?
Yes! This is your trip. Every scheduled activity is available to you, and you are in no way pressured to join any or all of them. There is freedom in doing what you would personally like to do, each day.
Please read about the options available during the volcano hike.
Can my dietary needs be accommodated?
Yes! There are options for vegetarians, pescatarians, omnivores and carnivores alike.
Gluten-free diets can be accommodated as well.
Are vaccinations recommended or required?
You may read about the current CDC recommendations and guidelines here.
Is there WIFI?
Yes. While it’s nice to unplug from the outside world, many of us have lives at home that require some communication.
We understand. While in Antigua and on the coffee farm, there is WiFi in rooms and around the property. On the Acatenango hike, there is no WiFi and cell service will be limited, so it's a great chance to unplug!
May I see a list of available activities in the area?
If you'd like to schedule one of the many activities that are offered, we're here to help!
Check out the noncomprehensive list below:
- Massage/Spa Services
- Mountain biking
- Horseback riding
Why do you require travel insurance?
As experienced travelers who’ve learned to expect the unexpected, we require travel insurance.
Travel insurance helps protect your investment in the retreat and provides coverage for unexpected events such as illness, injury, family emergencies, travel delays, lost luggage, or trip interruptions.
Because retreat payments are subject to our cancellation policy, we require all guests to carry travel insurance so they have protection if plans change unexpectedly. It's best practice to purchase a policy shortly after booking (and we provide a recommended insurance provider in your confirmation email).
What is on the packing list?
You'll receive a packing list which will include things like:
✔ Swimsuit
✔ Layers for warmer days and cooler evenings
✔ Sun hat & sunglasses
✔ Hiking boots and comfortable walking shoes
✔ Activewear for excursions
...and not much else!