Pilates & Mindful Movement Wellness Retreat in Costa Rica's Rainforest

The retreat is the creation of Ilona Hefty and her husband Benno, who built Pandanus Lodge & Retreats as a place where classical Pilates meets the Pura Vida lifestyle. Ilona has owned movement studios since 1986, is a Peak Pilates Teacher Trainer Level II, and a Second-Generation Pilates Master Instructor certified by Lolita San Miguel, one of the few Pilates Elders personally trained by Joseph Pilates. That depth of experience shows in the teaching, which adapts to every level from complete beginner to seasoned practitioner.

The daily schedule keeps a consistent shape without feeling rigid. Mornings start with fresh fruit and tropical juice, followed by a Pilates mat or mindful movement session. After a substantial organic brunch, the middle of the day is entirely yours—swim, read on your terrace, book a massage, or join an optional excursion to the area's waterfalls, hot springs, or hanging bridges. Late afternoon brings a Pilates equipment session split into two small groups by level, and dinner is a communal, plant-based affair with a few restaurant visits worked in on selected evenings.

What sets this apart from a typical resort holiday is the setting and the scale. The lodge sits in the jungle with views toward the Arenal Volcano, a 45-minute drive from La Fortuna. It's alcohol-free and smoke-free, which keeps the atmosphere calm and clear-headed. With only four bungalows, you're not sharing the space with strangers from a hundred different groups—you get to know the people you're eating and practicing with, and that's very much the point.

What's included

- Airport Pickup & Drop-off - 7 nights accommodation - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Pilates classes - Group excursions/activities - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Cooking class - 1 hour treatment - Pre and post retreat support from our team - Transportation during the retreat - Parking - Wifi connection

What's not included

- Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Additional treatments - Additional activities not included in the itinerary