As you listen to the gentle babble of the creek, a powerful realization stirs within you. The land all around you—once forced to be farmland with non-native grasses—has been lovingly restored to its wild, natural beauty. It’s a quiet reminder that you, too, can reclaim your true essence.

Surrounded by this nurturing forest and supportive women, you feel empowered to let go of what makes you feel “less than” and reconnect with dreams long forgotten. You can almost hear the land whisper, “You, too, can return to who you were meant to be.”

Step onto your private deck and listen to the forest’s music—the bubbling creek, rustling leaves, songs of distant birds. With big, bright windows that let the light in and offer stunning views of the forest, these spaces feel warm and inviting, like a home away from home.

At Verdesana, the buildings aren’t just structures—they’re sanctuaries for your body and spirit. The Temple/yoga shala, zen garden, and The Nest offer welcoming spaces to gather, reflect, and rejuvenate. Thoughtful details and eco-friendly touches are woven into every detail, creating a space where your heart can open, your mind can rest, and new possibilities can unfold.

The Journey

Imagine stepping into a week of profound renewal where your only responsibility is to slow down, reconnect, and be present. From the moment you arrive in Costa Rica, your journey will be infused with intention and care. You will be met at the airport and travel in a comfortable, private SUV shared with your fellow retreat participants to Verdesana, a sanctuary of serenity reserved exclusively for you and your fellow retreat participants. 

As the sun sets on your first evening, you’ll gather around a crackling bonfire for the opening ceremony. This is no ordinary welcome; it is a symbolic portal into the heart of the retreat. Together, we will set intentions and begin shedding the layers of busyness and societal expectations, creating space to rediscover your essence.

Throughout the week, you’ll explore Costa Rica’s breathtaking natural wonders, such as hiking to a hidden waterfall for a soul-nourishing immersion and, if you’re feeling adventurous, a cold plunge. A day trip to the majestic Irazú Volcano offers awe-inspiring vistas and moonlike landscapes, followed by a restorative soak in natural hot springs—a chance to let go of what no longer serves you and emerge renewed.

This retreat is as much about stillness as it is about exploration. Between guided activities, you’ll have ample time to stroll the verdant trails, savor the peace of journaling, or indulge in spa treatments tailored to your needs. These treatments, available at your own cost, can be scheduled directly with the spa, offering a personalized way to enhance your relaxation and renewal during the retreat. Evenings bring opportunities for reflection and connection, sharing stories and insights with kindred spirits as you embrace your journey of self-discovery.

As our time together concludes with a heartfelt closing ceremony, you’ll leave with more than just memories. You’ll carry home a renewed sense of clarity, confidence, and a commitment to living authentically. This retreat is not just a pause but a pivotal step toward embracing your unique gifts and stepping fully into the life you were meant to live—feeling truly alive.

Benefits

Bonuses

• Two pre-trip group Zoom calls to get to know each other, cover trip logistics, and answer any questions.
• One post-trip group Zoom call to ensure continued focus and integration on all you learned during our transformative time together.

Why Verdesana?

Picture yourself stepping onto land with a story of renewal that inspires you to rediscover and renew your own life. Verdesana by Imiloa invites you to experience firsthand how nature is capable of amazing renewal. This land was once weighed down by society’s expectations as farmland, covered in non-native grasses and worn out by chemicals. After dedicated work to heal the soil, the jungle flourished again, and the birds and wildlife returned, creating a vibrant, living sanctuary. This lush landscape seems to whisper: no matter how long you’ve been living someone else’s version of you, you too can come back to who you really are.

The name Verdesana—’green’ and ‘health’—says it all. Surrounded by the soothing sounds of the creek and vibrant colors of over 20 species of hummingbirds, you’ll feel the energy of this special place, inviting you to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with parts of yourself that may have been forgotten. At Verdesana, nature’s story inspires your own.

Trip Leader ~ Karen Richter

My passion for nature has been a guiding force throughout my life, shaping my path from joyful explorations in hiking, camping, skiing, biking, and kayaking to leading adventures for my family and Girl Scout troop. Nature has always been my go-to place for things like relaxation, escape, stress relief, and renewal. Despite this lifelong connection, it wasn’t until a transformative SCUBA diving experience as an adult that I recognized a profound sense of belonging, filling a yearning I had often felt but had never been able to define.

However, the true power of nature in healing and personal growth became clear to me years later while dealing with my own personal struggles with stress, self-doubt, grief, exhaustion, and resulting health challenges. It was then that I discovered Forest Therapy, which played a crucial role in my recovery and helped me fully realize the impact a deeper relationship with the natural world could have on one’s health and well-being. 

This realization steered me toward guiding others to explore their connections with nature. Leveraging my corporate experience, which was focused on maximizing professional potential, I continue to aim to empower women entrepreneurs and businesswomen, but using nature as our classroom and our teacher.