What are the entry requirements for visiting Costa Rica?
How do I get to Ikara Retreat Centre?
We are located in the beautiful lush subtropical jungle zone of Southern Costa Rica. International travelers should book a flight to Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose (SJO). Ikara Retreat Centre is located ~2.5hrs (130km) hours south of San Jose. You may also catch a domestic flight from SJO to Quepos Airport and we can pick you up from there.
If you prefer to self drive there is plenty of parking available at our retreat centre. A 4wd is recommended when renting a car in Costa Rica. We are located close in the mountains above the town of Portalon and we can send you directions via Whatsapp.
If you are driving. our centre is only 20 minutes from the Dominical Community, 10 minutes to Matapalo beach, 30 Minutes to Manuel Antonio National Park and 45 minutes to The Whale Tail at Uvita's Marino Ballena National Park.
What should I pack for my trip to Costa Rica?
Swimwear
Sun Protection - oils, creams, hats, sunglasses
Walking shoes
Torch/head torch - Costa rica has regular, but short, power outages
What is the weather like at Ikara Retreat Centre?
The weather at Ikara Retreat Centre is beautiful throughout the year. In the dry season, more tourists visit the area so it is busier. The days get hotter during these months but as we are situated in the mountains close to the ocean, our nights are always accompanied by cooling ocean breezes.. We personally rarely put the air conditioning on, preferring to be a part of the environment. The month of May, officially marks the beginning of the wet season, but really the main rainy months are Sep to Nov with October being the wettest. The rain often comes just in the afternoon and creates a thriving ecosystem. It quieter in the rainy season, prices are cheaper and everything is lush.
Can I stay for additional nights?
Yes, if we have availability and we offer discounted room rates for retreat guests who wish to stay on after the retreat. We are centrally located to many sites of interest - North of us you can do days trip to Manuel Antonio National Park, Jaco. To the south of us you can satellite around to Dominical, San Isidro, Uvita, Nauyaca Falls, Catarata Verde, Alturas WIldelife Sanctuary, the WhaleTail at Uvita's Marino Ballena National Park, Caño Island Biological Reserve, Finca 6, Corcovado National Park, Drake Bay and so many other great sites of interest.