Lida Anne Elliott earned her Master’s degree in Contemplative Psychology from Naropa University in 2002. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado, Lida Anne brings over 25 years of meditation practice to her work. She has served as an adjunct teacher and meditation instructor at Naropa University and led retreat and renewal meditation programs at Drala Mountain Center in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Her spiritual journey includes studying in the Shambhala Buddhist tradition under various teachers, drawing inspiration from luminaries such as Chögyam Trungpa, Pema Chödrön and Thich Nhat Hanh.The Contemplative Psychology MA program at Naropa University emphasizes cultivating inner peace, insight and compassion through traditional meditation practices tracing back to the Buddha. These teachings, rooted in the Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibet, are presented in a culturally relevant manner for Western audiences.For the past 25 years, Lida Anne has supported and led many meditation retreats, always striving to offer an experience that preserves the essence of traditional meditation practices while providing opportunities for contemplative relaxation in natural environments.
Details of this retreat
Experience the ultimate blend of relaxation and introspection with our Contemplative Meditation Retreat and Vacation – a journey designed to enrich your mind, body and spirit. Immerse yourself in six days of de-stressing through mindfulness practices amid Costa Rica's breathtaking biodiversity. Enjoy ocean swims, rainforest strolls, jungle expeditions and beach stargazing by night, all while delving more deeply into the realms of stillness, insight and compassion through formal meditation.
Embark on a transformative journey as we collectively engage in three-to-five hours of daily meditation, supplemented by user-friendly guidance on self-guided mindfulness practices. Each day, we will broaden our experience with meditation instruction, dharma talks and peaceful walking and sitting sessions. Transition effortlessly between the serenity of meditation and the joyful spontaneity of exploration beyond the shala.
Discover the art of living authentically as we work to shed layers of stress and distraction, including those from social media and tech, allowing you to connect more fully to the present moment. Learn practical techniques for managing obstacles and overcoming overstimulation – applicable both during meditation and in real-life situations.
Our retreat is designed to harmonize the benefits of mindfulness with the vibrant pura vida culture and natural wonders of Costa Rica. Disconnect from the chaos of the modern world and surrender to a rhythm of gentle practice, reconnecting with your senses and true self along the way.
General information about this retreat:
Meditation sessions will be offered in blocks of time throughout the day. You may attend all or just some of these, depending on what you are comfortable with. There will be cushions and chairs available to use in the shala, or you may bring your own. Light yoga and stretching will also be incorporated into the sessions. This meditation retreat is appropriate for all experience levels.
Getting Here
Nereus Retreats, Playa Platanares conocida como Playa Preciosa a 4 kmts del aeropuerto de Puerto Jimenez, Puntarenas Province, Puerto Jiménez, 60702, Costa Rica
Directions
By air…
Sansa Airlines
www.flysansa.com for details and to make a reservation.
Once you check in at the Domestic Terminal for Juan Santa María airport (SJO), within two hours you could be standing on our beach. Sansa is the principal national airline, flying to 13 locations in Costa Rica. They operate Cessna Caravan airplanes with capacity up to fifteen passengers.
The flight to Puerto Jiménez (PJM) is only 40 minutes long and will take you over the mountains in the central valley and along the Pacific coast, cruising over the “Whale’s Tail” near Uvita, the Sierpe River Delta and the Gulfo Dulce. It’s a wonderful opportunity for some jaw-dropping photos.
Once you land in Puerto Jiménez it’s a quick transfer of approximately 5 km to Nereus Retreats.
By road …
Shared taxi-van shuttles can be arranged and are about $450/one way. Capacity depends upon the driver's vehicle and how much luggage.
Waze is the most commonly used navigational app in Costa Rica. Google Maps is also a reliable tool. Search for “Hotel Nereus, Puerto Jiménez”. The apps may offer you a variety of routes but our best advice is to take highway #27 (autopista) west, before heading south on #34 over Río Tarcoles, where you can stop and see crocodiles from the bridge, and then highway #2 before turning right onto road #245 to Puerto Jiménez. All the roads, until the last few kilometers are paved and in very good condition. The last 5 kilometers are on a flat, municipality-maintained dirt/gravel road. Overall the journey takes in the region of six hours, but it’s a wonderful opportunity to take in the Pacific coast, palm plantations, and jungle. You would have a partiuclarly memorable experience if you chose to do the journey over a couple of days and stop off at the National Park of Manuel Antonio or hike to the Nauyaca Waterfalls.
The only time to depart from the instructions that Waze or Google Maps gives you is when you are in the last kilometer of your journey. Continue past the entrance for Iguana lodge and ignore the right-turn to Agua Dulce Resort and the beach. Follow the road until the end, where you will find Nereus Retreats.
Accommodation
Our versatile accommodation is arranged across a clutch of single and two-story villas. All rooms have generous storage for each guest, USB charging for devices, air-conditioning and powerful fans.
Room categories:
En-suite deluxe double occupancy, where each room has two queen-sized/double beds, to sleep up to four guests
En-suite triple occupancy, where each room has three XL single beds, to sleep up to three guests
Single rooms, where each room has one queen bed and shares a bathroom with one other room, to sleep up to two guests
Double occupancy with a king sized bed is also available
Triple
Spacious triple with extra long twin beds.
Double
Double room with 2 XL Twin beds.
Deluxe Single w/ Private Bathroom
Spacious room with private bathroom.
Single w/ Shared Bathroom
Private room with a queen bed. Shared bathroom with one other room.
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
Nestled amidst serene landscapes, Nereus Retreats offers a tranquil environment away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Our venue boasts a state-of-the-art yoga deck, meditation gardens, and peaceful nooks for personal reflection.
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
Our kitchen is stocked with local, seasonal produce, making the most of what nature brings us, and our vibrant, regularly changing menus are ingredients-driven.
What's Included
Three daily family-style set-menu meals crafted to cater to individual needs
Villa-style accommodation, combining luxury with a touch of nature
Full access to state-of-the-art facilities, including meditation zones, relaxation areas, and communal spaces
Complimentary pick up from local airport (PJM)
What's Not Included
Domestic travel, tours.
Customer Reviews
4.92 out of 5.0 average rating
5.0
Verified
Live your best yoga life at Nereus Retreats!
Keen attention to all the little details is what this new yoga retreat centre is all about. The care and consideration shows up in everything the team does to make your stay into an outstanding experience.
Nereus provides you with three amazing gluten free and super tasty meals every day, made from scratch and with so much love and care.
The grounds are peaceful, immaculate and well-tended - and located only moments from the crashing waves of the ocean and miles upon miles of beachfront sunrises.
The yoga shala is top rate - open to the beautiful surrounding jungle sounds but protected from the elements. It is a treat in itself.
And the yoga training and practices are just beyond exceptional. Michelle is incredibly talented and her love of the craft of yoga shines through all she does. She is the perfect compliment to the ownership team of Jen and Stuart. These three are making magic together.
Do yourself a favour and make the trek to the Osa Peninsula to deepen your practice and wrap yourself in the bliss and joy that is Nereus Retreats!
5.0
Verified
The Best Decision for RYT200
Choosing to complete my RYT200 at Nereus Retreats was one of the best decisions I’ve made! As I reflect on the three weeks spent at Nereus, I can’t help but have a huge smile on my face. This experience exceeded my expectations of what a teacher training could look like. The instruction, accommodations, location, staff, and overall vibes of this place are magical! This training gave me the necessary steps to start teaching yoga, while simultaneously leading me through a journey of growth, discovery, and connection.
Jen and Stuart are incredible hosts and will make sure you have all of your needs met during your stay. The food, cultivated through an Ayurvedic perspective, was equally nutritious and tasty. The family-style approach to meals allows you to put exactly what and how much food you want on your plate, offering a truly customizable experience. They also provide filtered water, coffee, and tea throughout the day! In any free time, we were able to enjoy the most breathtaking beach just steps away from the rooms, as well as a refreshing saltwater pool in the hub of the retreat center.
Our daily yoga practice in the beautiful shala was another unforgettable experience. Michelle fostered an open, inspiring, and authentic environment to practice yoga and prepare us for teaching. The yoga instruction was engaging, well-rounded, and empowering – I couldn’t have asked for better. Overall, the RYT200 course was well-planned, all-encompassing, and adaptable to meet the needs of our group.
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to come to Nereus Retreats, and I can’t wait for the day I’ll be back. I learned more about yoga than I could have anticipated, underwent significant lifestyle changes, and created a number of life-long connections. Thank you, Nereus!!
5.0
Verified
Unwind in Paradise
This experience was so much more than just gaining my 200hr YTT certification. I made friends for life and grew as a person in many ways. Everyday you practice yoga with Michelle who holds space for each student to learn and grow. All of her classes were new and exciting. She will provide you with all the tools you need to leave Nereus feeling confident and excited to teach yoga. The beach was one of the most beautiful and peaceful I have ever been to, and only steps away from the rooms. Speaking of rooms, you are living in luxury. With AC, comfy beds, private bathrooms, laundry service and shelving so you can unpack and settle in. The food here exceeded my expectations. All gluten free with vegetarian/vegan options, healthy, delicious and lots of variety. Filtered water, coffee and tea station available all day. Pool is a real treat for a quick refreshing dip and sunbathing during breaks. Jen and Stuart go above and beyond to make guests feel welcome and cared for. This wouldn’t be possible without their vision, hard work and of course the dedicated staff behind the scenes. I could go on and on about how wonderful this place is but my review is getting long. Overall I would highly recommend coming here, for retreats, YTT or just to unwind in Paradise.
4.0
Verified
February 2024 Yoga Retreat
Telling Family , friends and peers that this was probably the most relaxing holiday of my life.
Yoga Studio is perfect and I appreciated being able to take in nature as we did Yoga!
Beach was a quick walk away.
Sunrise every morning at 5:30 followed by a long walk in either direction in solitude. Loved it!
Great trees to put hammock up for the morning.
Cool pool to get re-freshed from the heat and humidity of the "jungle".
Healthy meals ! Fresh caught Tuna was my favourite!
Gracious, helpful hosts ! and Girlie!
5.0
Verified
Retreat with Dagmar Spremberg
It was absolutely magical to practice yoga in the beautiful jungle shala. The meals prepared by the Nereus kitchen team were very healing and absolutely nourishing. Other highlights were the sunrise swims in the sea and all the amazing flora and fauna all arounf. I felt completely restored from the bustling city life after a week here. Thank you, I will be back!
Select your options
Available Dates
Select your Dates
Select a Room
Triple
$1,600.00
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Spacious triple with extra long twin beds.
Double
$1,800.00
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Double room with 2 XL Twin beds.
Deluxe Single w/ Private Bathroom
$2,200.00
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Spacious room with private bathroom.
Single w/ Shared Bathroom
$1,900.00
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Private room with a queen bed. Shared bathroom with one other room.
Refund & Cancellation Policy
The event is 100% refundable for cancellation 60+ days before the event start date. The event is 50% refundable if cancelled 30-59 days before the start date.