reune rainforest reset
— November 7-16, 2026 —
Unplug and unwind at Rios Lodge in Costa Rica.
Reconnect with body and nature in a vibrant, secluded rainforest.
During this 8-day retreat at Rios Lodge in Costa Rica, we’ll explore breath and body. Through daily breathwork sessions, movement practices, jungle adventures, and conservation work, we’ll reconnect with ourselves, our bodies, and nature. We’ll savor a slower pace of life together, unplugged, surrounded by river and jungle.
Accessible only by foot or raft, Rios Lodge is in a secluded tropical paradise on the Pacuare River. It is home to thousands of species of plants and animals and has been an integral part of formative conservation efforts within Costa Rica.
reconnect with self
-
Settle into your body and tune into your nervous system through breath. Explore different breathing techniques and how each influences your body.
-
Explore the body through qigong, movement practices, and jungle adventure. Connect your body and breath.
-
Take time to reflect, time to just be. In this rich ecosystem, take inspiration from the river, the jungle, and the people around you.
reconnect with nature
-
Engage in conservation efforts to support the river and rainforest. Connect deeply with place and give back through conservation work.
-
Learn about the rich biodiversity of this ecosystem. Feel the vibrant energy of life in the rainforest as monkeys and birds move overhead. Hike, zipline, and float through this secluded tropical rainforest.
-
Be awed by the beauty and ingenuity of Nature. Surrounded by jungle and river, immerse yourself in the rhythms and patterns of the natural world.
reconnect with community
-
Play, work, live, and eat with a small group of like-minded individuals in a secluded tropical rainforest. Learn from one another and your experiences, both past and present.
-
Reorient to your sense of place and purpose. In the community of a supportive group, imagine what is possible and develop tools/plans to carry home.
-
Build bonds within the group that nourish and expand your sense of community. Carry these connections with you as you return home.
Who should join…
In a world that can often feel overwhelming and overstimulating, this retreat offers a chance to rediscover simplicity and purpose. At Costa Rica’s beautiful, remote Rios Lodge, we’ll slow down and reconnect with ourselves, nature, and community. This retreat is designed for people who:
Crave a meaningful escape: If you want a break from the pressures of the daily grind, this retreat offers an immersion into the beauty of a secluded tropical rainforest. You’ll work hands-on to help further conservation efforts to protect the river and surrounding rainforest.
Seek greater balance in body and mind: Through guided breathwork and movement, you’ll be invited to playfully explore different techniques reconnecting you with your body, settling your nervous system, and building a greater sense of presence.
Desire to build genuine connections: As we play, work, live, and eat together, we’ll create a cohesive community that will support each of us as we reconnect to our sense of self, sense of place, and sense of purpose.
If you’re ready for an experience that blends restorative practices, playful exploration, and meaningful action in a stunning tropical setting, this retreat is for you. Whether you're new to or experienced in breathwork, all are welcome!
Where we’ll be…
Rios Lodge stewards 250 acres of primary and secondary rainforest along the Pacuare River, home to thousands of species of plants and animals. It has a long history of conservation in action through rainforest restoration, biodiversity species protection, and protecting the Pacuare River from being dammed. The lodge is sustainability built with reclaimed wood, totally off-the-grid with hydroelectric power, and locally staffed. It is recognized as a model of eco-tourism and has won numerous awards over several decades for conservation projects on site and in the region.
Nestled in the rainforest, Rios Lodge is only accessible by trail or river. Despite being so remote, it has all the modern comforts — in-room electricity, screened rooms, lighted walkways. Meals are made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and offer vegetarian and vegan options.
What we’ll do…
November 7 (Day 0): Arrive in San José — airport pickup and lodging provided
November 8 (Day 1): Group breakfast and travel to Rios Lodge — transport from hotel to Pacuare River, transfer to rafts for raft (Class I–II, about 2–3 hours) or hike (1.5 km along the Pacuare River Trail, about 30–45 minutes) in to Rios Lodge
November 9-14 (Days 2-7) : Stay at Rios Lodge — daily breathwork and movement sessions with optional adventure activities like jungle/waterfall hikes, tubing in the river, or ziplining through the canopy; two conservation projects during the week focused on the river and trees; all meals and activities included
November 15 (Day 8): Travel to San José — guided rafting (Class III-IV) through Pacuare Gorge or hike out and bus trip back to San Jose; lodging provided in San José
November 16: Return home — airport transfer provided
Rooms and Rates:
Eco Room
$2050/person
Shared room in Eco Lodge
with shared bath house
Double Deluxe
$2820/person
Double occupancy Deluxe room
with private bathroom
Multi-person occupancy rooms may be booked with accompanying guests. If you are looking to be paired with someone, enter their name(s) at checkout or email info@reunemedicine.com
Single Deluxe
$3590/person
Single occupancy Deluxe room
with private bathroom, and
private single room in San José
Cost includes all lodging, transport in country, breakfasts at hotel in San José, and food at Rios Lodge.
*Airfare and dinners in San José not included
Register now:
Unplug and unwind at Rios Lodge in Costa Rica. Reconnect with body and nature in a beautiful secluded rainforest.
Who your facilitator is:
Thea Sittler
As an educator for nearly 15 years, Thea worked with a variety of schools in different parts of the world, in classrooms ranging from the traditional academic setting to full experiential immersion. She spent many years living and traveling through remote places with groups of students teaching everything from environmental science to leadership. Her students emerged with a greater sense of themselves, care for their interactions, and respect for and connection to the natural world. As an educator and facilitator, Thea’s goal was always to help her students recognize their impact on the world around them, both socially and ecologically, and strive to redefine those relationships to be as sustainable and generative as possible. In an effort to work ever more holistically and thoroughly, Thea returned to graduate school in 2016, earning a Masters in Acupuncture with a specialization in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Her training provided the groundwork for her to integrate a focus on our inner relationships – with mind, body, emotions. Now through reune medicine, Thea is creating spaces, whether one-on-one in the treatment room or as a group at a retreat or workshop, where we can experience and tend to our relationships with self, body, community, and nature to generate greater ease, balance, and harmony in our lives and in the world.
FAQ
-
The retreat price includes:
Airport transfer to/from hotel in San José
Two nights at a hotel in San José
Seven nights and eight days at Rios Lodge.
Whitewater rafting or hiking into and out of the lodge.
Daily breathwork and movement sessions.
Optional activities:
Guided rainforest hikes (waterfall hike, waterslide creek hike, hummingbird garden walk, and night hike).
Zipline canopy tour.
Pacuare River tubing.
All meals from breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on Day 8. Juice, tea, and coffee included.
Group transport between San José and Rios Lodge.
13% VAT tax.
The retreat price does NOT include:
Airfare or other travel expenses to and from Costa Rica.
Travel insurance.
Cocktails, beer, wine, and additional food or snacks beyond included meals.
-
You should book your flight to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica, airport code SJO. [Be sure it is NOT San Jose, CA (SJC).]
-
You should plan to arrive in San José, Costa Rica (airport code SJO) on November 7. Lodging is provided for that night. We will be traveling to Rios Lodge together in the morning on the 8th.
You should book your return flight for November 16, as we will not be back in San José until late afternoon on the 15th. Lodging is provided for you that night.
You are, of course, welcome to arrive in Costa Rica earlier or stay longer after the retreat. We can help coordinate your transfer to the hotel on November 7 and from the hotel on November 16.
-
The Eco Rooms are hostel style accommodations with extra comfort and built in storage areas for all your things. The beds are built as bunks, but they are very solid and have full size mattresses. The shared bath house has private shower stalls.
The Eco Rooms will not be filled to capacity unless you plan to come with seven other friends. -
We will be a small group of 8-12.
-
You will be given a suggested packing list one month before the trip. It is a tropical climate, so it will be warm during the days and there will likely be some rain.
-
Withdrawal more than 60 days prior to a retreat start date: 100% refund minus transaction fees (approximately 3%).
Withdrawal less than 60 days prior to retreat start date: no refund, but full amount may be transferred to a future retreat.
Failure to pay remaining balance by due date will result in forfeit of deposit and loss of registration.
-
US Residents only need a valid passport for travel to Costa Rica. Make sure your passport does not expire before you return home.
Click here for info on traveling to Costa Rica
-
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance for your trip. Consider adding “Cancel for Any Reason” coverage.