November 1–7, 2026
Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste · Costa Rica
From Letting Go to Letting In
ART AS A MIRROR
It's 7-day creative immersion where process-based art becomes a mirror — revealing internal patterns, dissolving what’s in the way, and opening space for embodied clarity.
LETTING GO
Activities such as painting with your non-dominant hand can reveal how you meet loss of control
QUIETING THE MIND
Being in silence often flourishes a new relationship with your inner voice
LETTING IN
Layering, tearing, or reworking an image mirrors how you embrace changes in your life
These moments aren’t interpreted or analyzed.
They’re experienced — and that’s what makes them transformative.
Art becomes a way to notice your patterns as they’re happening, gently and without judgment.
This is why the work lands so deeply — and why it continues long after the retreat ends.
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Why The Art of Letting Go?
There are moments in life when effort stops working.
You may be doing everything “right” — staying busy, being responsible, moving forward — yet still feel disconnected from yourself. Many people arrive at this place saying:
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“I don’t even know what I want anymore.”
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“Something needs to change, but I can’t put my finger on it.”
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“I feel stuck, distracted, or numb.”
This often happens during transitions: becoming an empty nester, questioning your work, redefining relationships, or realizing the life you built no longer reflects who you’re becoming.
Letting go is not about giving up.It’s about clearing the internal noise that keeps you from hearing your own inner guidance.
This retreat offers space — not to fix yourself, but to listen again.
Let this retreat be your reminder:
You are enough, exactly as you are.
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This Is the Time.
This Is the Place.
To pause the hustle.
To exhale the expectations.
To come home to yourself.
In the lush embrace of the Costa Rican jungle, this 7-day self love journey invites you to find balance and joy.
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The Experience
Each day is intentionally curated to help you unwind, reconnect, and awakenwith space to rest, reflect, and express – No pressure participation. Take the retreat at your own pace:
CREATIVE LIBERATION
The Letting Go Art Experience: guided creative sessions that blend art, movement, breath, sound, and intuition. No art skills needed. You’ll create from soul, not ego.
THE INNER PATH TO LIGHTNESS
Guided meditations, yoga, mindfulness experiences, abundance mindset, wellbeing workshops for stress, brain health, weight and sleep management.
CEREMONIAL TRANSFORMATION
- Fire Ceremony: Let go of what no longer serves
- Cacao Ceremony (New Year’s Eve): Open the heart and call in joy
- Full Moon Ceremony: Anchor your intentions and embody your essence
NATURE AS A MIRROR
Swim in the river, be cleansed by waterfalls, walk among ancient trees.
Nature is not your backdrop—it’s your reflection.
BREATHWORK & SOMATIC RELEASE
Gentle yet powerful practices to regulate your nervous system, release held tension, and feel grounded in your body again.
PLANT BASED CULINARY ART
Gourmet vegan meals, artistically plated and lovingly prepared. Each meal nourishes your body and elevates your senses.
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“I went to the Lighten Up! Retreat knowing it was a time of transformation for me. Through the meditations, movement, activities, and just the whole ambience and atmosphere in there, I realized there were some things that needed to be cleared deep, deep, down. I gained clarity, a sense of purpose and guidance. That’s the real gift of being there.”
- Paula Croskey
Your Trained Facilitators
This retreat is lovingly co-led by two experienced facilitators who walk the path of creativity, mindfulness, and transformation in their own lives.
Kathryn Remati
You may have met her on the Insight Timer meditation app or at the Sedona Yoga Festival or attended a Kaiser Permanente class for stress, sleep, weight or wellness. Kathryn is a published author of “Befriend Yourself: The Self Love Path to Peace”, a Health Educator, certified meditation instructor and creator of the Tranquil Me meditation app. Ms. Remati’s voice is a gift that leads even the most anxious to inner peace. She will help you find the perfect type of meditation for you and your lifestyle.
Priscila Soares
Priscila is a Certified Art Life Coach, Breathwork Instructor, Mixed Media Artist, and Founder of The Letting Go Art Experience. Originally from Brazil and hard of hearing, she has turned her personal journey into a source of strength—using the arts to advocate for self-acceptance, representation, and empowerment. Her work bridges creativity and healing, guiding individuals through transformational journeys using art, breath, and intentional self-expression. Known for her community-engaged projects, Priscila has created impactful visual art experiences around the globe—each rooted in connection, release, and personal power.
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You’ll Leave With…
PRACTICAL
TOOLS
EMBODIED
WISDOM
COMMUNITY
CONNECTION
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Your Epic, Luxurious Retreat Experience
Starting at $4,799
Flexible monthly payment plans from $167/month* available.
Your 7-Day Transformation Includes:
(Over $12,000 in value)
What’s not included:
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Accommodation Choices
There are limited spots and accommodations available.
*Monthly Payment Plans available as low as $167/month using Affirm
Click on the image to see more:
“The longer we silence our creative voice, the harder it becomes to hear. Take the first step toward reclaiming this essential part of yourself.”
We’re keeping this experience intimate, so space is limited.
Want to Chat?
To ensure this experience aligns with your needs, we invite you to schedule a no-obligation conversation with Priscila and Kathryn. This isn’t a high-pressure sales call—it’s an opportunity to explore whether this retreat is the right next step on your path.
You May Be Wondering…
(F.A.Q.)
No. You are responsible for your flight from your home airport to SJO airport.
San Jose (Juan Santamaria) International Airport. The airport code is “SJO.”
Our private ground transportation will depart from SJO domestic airport at 2:00PM on the arrival day of your retreat. Please account for time to go through customs and immigration. This process can take as little as 15 min, and as much as 2.5 hours, depending on the day at the airport and how busy it is. After you exit the airport we will have a representative waiting for you with a sign, and the representative will guide you to the domestic terminal where you will wait with the rest of your group for departure at 2:00PM.
We do not offer refunds for the Lighten Up! Retreat. There are only a limited number of spots available, and so by registering, you are committing to paying the full amount for the room you select.
You will depart Verdesana at 9:00AM, and the estimated arrival to SJO international airport is 11:00AM.
Typically, it is suggested to be at the international terminal 2.5 hours prior to your international departure. Please book your departing international flight accordingly, knowing that you will be at the airport at 11:00AM on departure day.
If you book your departure flight earlier than this, you will be responsible for your own transportation to SJO airport and any extra cost incurred.
Approx. 1.5 hours
Yes we do have recommendations, please see below:
Located 25-30 minutes from SJO airport, this hotel is walking distance to La Sabana Park, National Stadium, and nearby restaurants. This hotel is a good choice if you would like to explore a bit of San Jose and its surroundings; just be mindful of travel time and transportation options to/from SJO airport.
An upscale Marriott hotel, located approximately 10 min from SJO airport. We recommend this hotel if you prefer to have a nice property experience and want to be close to the airport.
For a more economical option, you may stay at the Hampton Inn, located right across the street from the airport. The hotel offers a free shuttle between the airport and the hotel.
Hotel Alta Las Palomas is located 30-40 minutes from SJO airport in Santa Ana. It is a beautiful and contemporary hotel with quality service and great accommodations. You can add transportation and meals to your room booking; reach out directly to the hotel for details.
Please review the official entry requirements for Costa Rica here: https://www.visitcostarica.com/en/costa-rica/planning-your-trip/entry-requirements
We do not require you to purchase travel insurance, but we highly recommend it to protect your travel investment. This the the travel insurance provider we recommend:
Global Rescue
Verdesana is located in the central mountains of the country, in the province of Cartago, about 1.5 hours from the capital city San Jose. It is a quiet, secluded and peaceful environment at 1600 meters of altitude, surrounded by mountains and cloud forest. You can look up ‘Verdesana Forest’ on Google Maps to get the specific geographic location of the campus.
Verdesana is located in the mountains and in the cloud forest which has its own microclimate. It is affected by the Caribbean climate, which makes the weather unpredictable and ever-changing. Some days will be sunny and some days will be rainy, most likely many days will include a bit of both sun and rain. The temperatures usually range between 60F – 77F, with the coldest months being December, January and February. The driest months tend to be March, April and May. From May through December the weather tends to be hotter, more humid and with good chances of both sun and rain in one day.
All rooms come with a full queen sized bed per person. We provide a full bath series (shampoo, conditioner, body wash). Hair dryer. Essential oils & diffuser. A heater and extra blankets for cooler evenings. Some cabins have a writer’s desk. All cabins have a furnished private patio/deck with views of the gardens, forest, or mountains. Umbrellas and headlamps are available. All cabins have standard North American power outlets, so make sure to bring an adaptor if your appliances work with a different system.
Yes, we have a cabin designed for people with special needs, which is extra spacious and accessible.
The closest town Cartago is approx. 25 min away, and there is a hospital here.
The accommodations/cabins are located relatively close, and each is about a 1-2 min walk from the dining/community space. Some of our trails fx. to the river and yoga space are steep, so it’s a good idea to bring comfortable and practical closed-toed shoes for these trails.
Yes we have wifi in all structures/cabins onsite except for El Templo yoga shala. The speed is around 100megas, but can get affected it it’s very rainy or windy. Overall the wifi is pretty strong and very reliable.
Yes! We have several small trail systems located directly onsite. Hikes offsite the property are also available. Please inquire with our onsite team if you want to book a guided hike.
We do not police our guests — we are sharing our values and why they’re important to us. If you are seen with alcohol on campus, you will be reminded of why we have an alcohol-free campus once, and if we observe it again publicly, we will respectfully ask you to leave.
Before arrival, you are sent a form to include all of your personal information, such as allergies or dietary needs. Our kitchen team will ensure that all of your allergies are considered while preparing your food.
See our recommended packing list here:
Packing list:
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Organic sunscreen
- Organic mosquito repellent
- Reusable water bottle
- Boots or comfortable closed toe shoes *(our forest trails can get muddy and slippery, so make sure to bring comfortable and practical footwear keeping this in mind)
- Swimwear (optional: if you want to swim in the river)
- Yoga attire/comfortable clothes
- Clothing to make art freely, without worrying about your outfit. (We’ll provide aprons, but creativity can get messy.)
- Hiking/fitness wear
- Rain jacket
- Warm sweater & warm socks
- Binoculars (if you want to do some birdwatching)
- All white outfit
Yes! Our water is triple-filtered UV from our mountain’s well and perfectly healthy and safe to drink from all faucets on the property.
We serve three big meals daily. Between meals, we also serve fruits, snacks, nuts, juice, etc., and coffee and tea are available at all times throughout the day. If you get hungry between meals and snacks are not sufficient, please let our kitchen staff know, and they will be happy to provide extra food for you.
Send us an email at lightenupretreat@gmail.com or book a chat with us. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have.