We will be providing one shuttle to and from the airport on the 6th and 10th of January.

IF NEEDED, we are happy to arrange private transportation. The cost is $200 for a shuttle for up to 4 people (+$10 additional per person over 4) and $190 for a private car.
Uber/taxis are available from SJO airport (not from Selvática to SJO) and you are more than welcome to arrange your own transportation, however we will not be responsible for any issues corresponding with this.

• The local bus: you can catch a local bus from Parrita bus station and Esterillos bus stop to the south (Manuel Antonio, Uvita, etc) or to the North (Jaco, San Jose, etc). To get to the bus stop, you can take a private car for ~$50 down the hill or from the restaurant 2km away you can take another bus down the hill to a bus stop and then catch the local bus north or south.

What is the specific address to give to the customs agent upon arrival at SJO?
1800 m oeste de Mirador y Restaurante Donde Andres, Guapinol, Parrita, Puntarenas.

Do I need a visa to enter CR?
US and Canadian passport holders do not need a visa upon entry for stays <180 days.

Please check the requirements for your passport prior to travel.

What will I be asked upon arriving at immigration in CR?

• Duration of your stay
• Where you will stay
• Proof of exit ticket
• Your profession
• Purpose of your stay
  

Do I need travel insurance?
Travel insurance is highly recommended for your stay at Selvática Eco Retreat.
We recommend “https://www.trawickinternational.com/” for affordable and comprehensive travel insurance quotes.
You will be required to sign a standard liability waiver upon arrival to Selvática Eco Retreat, as well as on many tours.

Is CR safe to travel to?
CR is a country famous for eco-tourism and there is no shortage of tourists. That being said, please be mindful of bringing valuable items, especially those that hold emotional value to you. *Selvática is not responsible for any lost or stolen items during your stay or on affiliated tours.
Upon writing this document in March 2024, the US embassy declares CR as a Level 2 travel
advisory-tourists should take extra precautions when traveling.
As with traveling anywhere in the world (including the US) it is recommended to be mindful of your surroundings, lock your doors at night and when not in your room, do not flaunt your wealth, etc.
We recommend adding trip protection to your travel insurance in case of any unforeseen
circumstances.

I don’t speak Spanish - will I be able to get around in CR?
Yes! As previously mentioned, CR is used to tourists and many tour operators, hotels, restaurants, etc. speak English.
We recommend downloading Google translate or Spanish Dict to help you communicate with locals. Both apps are free and operate offline.
The owners of Selvática are bilingual in both Spanish and English (and one in Dutch!) so no worries about communicating with us at the Eco Retreat.

The climate in Esterillos Oeste, Costa Rica is warm and humid. Bring comfortable flowy clothing; linen, skirts/dresses, shorts, etc. You may also want clothing for yoga in the mornings, swimwear, sleepwear, sandals, and comfortable walking shoes. Leave expensive jewelry and other valueables at home.
Pack your own toiletries in small bottles. Remember your sunscreen, lip balm, water bottle, bug repellent, medications and vitamins, diarrhea medicine, and pain reliever. Also, hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes are useful. Sleep aid or sleeping pills. Antibiotic (prescribed by your doctor, in case of illness.)

Airfare is not included in the price of your reservation for this retreat.

You will need to purchase your own plane ticket that arrives and departs within the time frames that we provide for pickup/drop-off. We will be providing ONE shuttle ride to and from the airport. You will need to fly into the San Jose International Airport (SJO) arrive January 6th, & fly home January 11th). You must arrive at SJO before 11:00am on January 6th (Costa Rica time) for pickup. The retreat center is a 2.5 hour drive from the airport. If you arrive later, you will need to provide your own transportation to the retreat center (See Tours & Transportation for guidance & pricing). Once we arrive, we will have a refreshing fruit plate snack, followed by a tour of the center, and a welcome dinner.

When booking your flight times to go home, keep in mind there will only be one shuttle ride to the airport on January 11th departing the center at 10am and arriving around 1:30pm.

It is very important that you book your flights accordingly. If needed, you can always arrive a day or more early, and just make sure you are back at the airport by 11am on January 6th for the shuttle pick-up.

Selvática is located in a tropical climate, about 200m above sea level and temperatures average between 85°-95°F (29°-35°C).
Dry season (December-April) visitors can expect full days of sun. As many waterfalls and rivers stem from the mountains, there will still be water but less than can be expected during green season.

Visiting CR is an opportunity for you to experience another way of life; connected to nature, living in harmony with Mother Earth and all living Beings. We want to share this way of living with you and want to provide you with as many comforts as possible to make your stay incredible. That being said, you may find yourself outside of your comfort zone at times and while we believe this is a wonderful opportunity for growth and new understanding, it may not suit everyone. With an open mind and compassionate mindset, we are sure that you will adore our space that we have put so much love into creating.

First off, expect to be warm. If you don’t like the warmth, CR is probably not for you.
Selvática is proud to offer you a pool with the average water temperatures warm during the day and cooler at dawn and dusk. We also have an ice bath that will keep you cool and focused throughout your day.
Selvática is a green retreat center and is equipped with industrial-powered ceiling fans in each room. With the bathroom door open, the rooms have a nice breeze from cross ventilation. We find that with a cool shower before bed and following these guidelines, that you will be comfortable throughout the night.
Your room may have an AC unit that you can request for use for a small additional charge. Please do not leave AC running when you are not in the room in an effort to save electricity and reduce your carbon footprint.
Are there bugs at Selvática?
Yes! We are located in the jungle and do not use chemical pesticides or sprays on our property. Expect to see critters, bugs, and many different animals of all kinds during your stay. Most of our building is open air with butterflies, birds, frogs, and bugs freely moving in and out. Our rooms are closed and screened so these friends are few and far between. We are happy to help you remove any critter friends from your room should they make their way in, and we encourage guests to think twice before killing Mother Nature’s friends.
And yes, there are mosquitos. The worst time for mosquitos is the hour surrounding sunset. We recommend bringing bug spray with you. The fans significantly help deter the mosquitos.

How much money should I bring to my retreat?
While we will be providing the excursion to Nauyaca, there are many other experiences available to you. If you know that you want multiple massages or souvenirs, we recommend you bring more cash.
We also accept Venmo, Paypal, Zelle for tour/transport/massage payments when booked through Selvática (guest is responsible for any additional fees/conversion rates).

What is the local currency in CR?
CR uses the CR colones (CRC). As of March 2024, the exchange rate is 500 CRC = $1.
USD are widely accepted though the exchange rate may vary per tour operator/restaurant and is often in favor of the seller.

On the shuttle ride from the airport to the retreat center, we will stop at a grocery store where you can purchase any snacks & drinks you may need throughout the week. This would be the time to grab snacks for our full day at Nauyaca Falls!

In case of your requested cancellation: We treat each case fairly, please send us an email explaining your situation. It can be transferable towards another person that either you know or someone that is on our waiting list can go to your place. We do not do refunds if you simply change your mind.

You will not receive a refund one and a half month’s prior to your trip for any reason, as your spot on this retreat was paid upfront.

**If we cancel the retreat , we will refund all your money minus 6%.