VNO Retreat invite you to surf, relax and replenish in Costa Rica
VNO Retreat FAQ
How do I get to VNO Retreat?
We are located on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Our location is a remote gem of lush, tropical forests and uncrowded beaches, so please take into account travel time to get here. Private shuttle transfers to and from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) to our location are included in your VNO Retreat package. The shuttle will drive you from the capital city of San Jose to Puntarenas where you will board a ferry for a beautiful 1.5 hour ride across the Gulf of Nicoya. There you will re-board the shuttle for a drive through the jungle to our VNO Retreat location. More details will be in your welcome packet. We highly recommend booking flights to Costa Rica that coordinate with the complimentary private shuttle pick-up. On your own, you can also reach us from SJO Airport by plane and taxi. Sansa Airlines and Green Airways offer daily flights to Tambor. Just let us know if you need assistance with the bookings. We are here to support you and are excited to meet you!
What is the retreat itinerary?
A copy of our VNO Retreat itinerary will be included in your welcome packet. Please visit our What is VNO? page for a bit of what's included.
What are the current travel situations for Costa Rica and the USA right now?
As of April 1, 2022, entry into Costa Rica is allowed for tourists from all countries. *IMPORTANT UPDATE COSTA RICA* It is the sole responsibility of each VNO Retreat participant to stay informed of any shifts or changes in Costa Rican travel policy. You can check for current details here: visitcostarica.com. There are no Covid-related entry requirements for US citizens returning to the USA. *IMPORTANT UPDATE USA* It remains the sole responsibility of each VNO Retreat participant to stay informed of shifts and changes in USA travel policies. Check for current details here: cr.usembassy.gov. *IMPORTANT NOTE* There is so much confusing info out there about post Covid-19 travel, and the last thing you would want when planning your trip is to be misinformed. Please reach out to us with any concerns you may have. We are here to help and support you in your booking process.
Is it typical to travel solo-dolo to VNO?
Costa Rica is a simple and safe introduction to traveling in Central America. The majority of our retreat guests are solo travellers and find themselves making friends and connections here that last a lifetime.
Do I have to surf to attend?
Not even. You can enjoy lounging on the beach, playing in the warm ocean, relaxing by the pool, or trust our competent and compassionate surf coaches who will support you in achieving your ultimate expression on the waves. We welcome all shapes, sizes and skill levels to experince the sensational release of dancing with the ocean.
What travel documents do I need for Costa Rica?
You will need a valid passport and a retrun flight ticket to enter and exit Costa Rica. Your passport must have at least six months remaining before the expiration date to be valid. Costa Rica does not require a Visa from most countries. Check with the Costa Rican Embassy for more information on travel documentation, immunizations, and requirements and matters pertinent to your country. http://www.costarica-embassy.org/.
Do I need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to attend a VNO Retreat experience?
Nope. While we take precautionary measures to ensure safety and compliance with Costa Rican protocols, we feel vaccination is a still a personal choice and is not required for participation at VNO. We do require all booked guests to complete our Covid-19 screening form prior to arrival at VNO. This form will be in your welcome packet.
BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation by VNO
VNO Retreat reserves the right to cancel any retreat if it is not meeting the trip mimimun of participants. If a retreat is canceled by us, we will move your booking to another retreat date or offer a full refund. If a retreat is cancelled or rescheduled due to Covid-19, we will move your booking to another retreat date or offer a full refund. If a retreat is cancelled or rescheduled due to natural disasters, fire, national emergencies, political instability, terrorism, civil or military authority, war, pandemic, mechanical or power supply breakdown, acts of God, or any other external events outside of our reasonable control, that make it no longer viable to safely operate as planned, we will move your booking to another retreat date or offer a partial refund of remaining balance, less any unrecoverable incurred expenses.
Liability Release Forms
After booking your spot, you will receive liability release forms to fill-in and sign before attending a VNO experience. Participants who do not provide the signed liability release forms will not be allowed to attend and forefeit all refund eligibility. There will be NO exceptions to this policy.
VNO Retreat Welcome Packet
After booking your spot, you'll receive a VNO Retreat welcome packet with waivers for the retreat, tips on what to pack and helpful info about the local area and activities to explore.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellation by Participant
VNO retreat deposit is not refundable under any circumstances. We'll refund 50% of paid retreat balance if you cancel 45 days before your retreat. We do not offer discounts or partial refunds for unforeseen circumstances including, but not limited to: flight cancellation, late arrival, early departure, or illness. We are mindful that life happens sometimes with unexpected shifts and encourage all retreat attendees to purchase travel insurance that includes trip cancellation prior to booking with us to protect your investment.
Activities
All VNO activities, while under supervision of qualified instructors, carry an assumption of risk both to the individual and equipment. Some of our activities require a reasonable standard of health and fitness. To minimize risk we require all participants to inform us of any medical conditions, illnesses or allergies they may have and any prescribed medication they might be taking prior to booking. We recommend you not do any activity if you are not feeling well, if you have a heart condition, if you are pregnant, or if you are under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication which may adversely affect your physical abilities.