Hello! We are so happy that you are interested in joining Partner Dance in Paradise. Please read over these Details and Frequently Asked Questions. We hope that your advance questions get addressed, and you can have an easy time planning your trip. Let Helen know if we can answer any other questions that you don’t see listed below. We hope you decide to register for this most relaxing adventure!

How do I register?

Click on any button that says RESERVE YOUR SPOT. There’s button at the bottom of this page. You will then be able to complete to a short registration form. At the bottom of the page, you can click on the PayPal button, and submit your deposit of $310. This deposit is non-refundable. You could choose to pay for the entire retreat today, or just pay the deposit. You can also give Helen a check for the deposit/retreat payment. Please contact Helen Tocci at the email or phone number below.

What about COVID?

As we all know, the future path of Covid-19 continues to be unknown. At this moment, it looks very hopeful and positive, both in the United States, as well as in Costa Rica. However, policies continue to change rapidly both in the US and in Costa Rica; we all need to make plans with the utmost care, flexibility, and attention to local regulations and guidelines. Our highest priority is the collective health not only of our participants, but also the local Costa Rican community that hosts us during our retreat. We thank you for reading this closely, and encourage you to be in touch with questions.

Vaccine & Testing Requirements to Attend the Retreat:

All participants must be fully vaccinated (proof of vaccination required). Proof of vaccination is required for the retreat, no exceptions. Additionally, we strongly recommend anyone eligible for a booster to do so prior to the retreat. 

All participants must demonstrate proof of a negative PCR test for Covid within 72 hours of the general participant arrival day of Feb 11. The logistics and expense for this test is your responsibility.

All participants will do a rapid test in the morning before boarding our bus to the coast. 

Testing Requirement to Re-Enter the United States:

Currently, proof of a negative Covid test (either PCR or rapid antigen) is required to reenter the United States (and possibly other countries). Currently, there are rapid tests available 24 hours a day, with an appointment, at the San Jose airport for $65. There are also PCR tests in Puerto Viejo for $65 – 130. This test will be your financial responsibility.

We will do our best to support this process to create ease and a streamline. Due to the time needed to receive results, we strongly recommend you do not book your return flight to the US (or anywhere requiring a negative covid test) before 2pm on Saturday February 25.

We will be monitoring local testing options — most of our information comes from this website, which is an excellent resource & is frequently updated.

Contingency Planning & Refund Policy

In the very unlikely event that you test positive for Covid-19 while in Costa Rica (or contract any other illness/injury), please consider what your isolation plan would be. We will do our best to support you in this plan, but any extended stays outside of our retreat are your financial responsibility.

If you contract Covid-19 at the time of the retreat, or before your flight to Costa Rica, we are willing to offer a full refund.

We are excited to have this opportunity to gather together in Costa Rica! We will continue to monitor travel requirements and covid-related health guidelines, and will keep you all updated if changes to these plans are needed. Thank you for your attention to these policies; we appreciate your help in ensuring an easeful and safe gathering for everyone!

Booking Flights

You’re registered for the Retreat - hooray and congratulations! Now to book your travel. Travel is your financial responsibility. We will all meet in San Jose for the first evening, and travel together by way of a private shuttle to The Goddess Garden the next morning.

An important detail: For your flight home, it is best to book a flight sometime after 2:00PM on the last day of the retreat, as we will be traveling together by way of a private shuttle from The Goddess Garden to the airport. If you choose to stay on in Costa Rica, or travel on a different day, go for it, however, your shuttle to the airport is your responsibility at that point. Many people choose to spend at least one additional night in San Jose to make travel home easier.  If you choose this, room and board will be your financial responsibility, but we can easily help you book a night at the Adventure Inn.  

Arrival in Costa Rica

Imagine yourself arriving in a new country, just getting through immigration, and bursting out of the airport into the tropical warmth and sunshine. Taxis and people everywhere, folks beginning their adventures! Welcome to Costa Rica! To get us all landed and arrived, we will all meet up at a hotel close to the airport, The Adventure Inn on February 17th. This stay at the hotel is included in our Retreat’s cost. We’ll all meet up here, and the next morning, travel together to The Goddess Garden, refreshed and ready to sink in!

The shuttle from the hotel to the The Goddess Garden is about 4 hours. It’s a beautiful, scenic drive, and we’ll stop for bathroom breaks and snacks along the way.

Room and roommate choices

When you register, let us know your room preference: dorm, triple, double or single, and if you have a person or people with whom you’d like to lodge. If you don’t have a roommate preference, we will help match you with a great roommate(s)!  Note that there are limited single rooms available, so if that is your preference, sign up soon.

The Retreat

Helen and Jaycelle are so excited to be your facilitators and hosts throughout your experience. We will offer two movement classes every day of the retreat excluding excursions, all will be open levels classes (see below). All classes are optional, as you are welcome to nurture your own rhythm of movement any way that feels right for you. We invite you enjoy the retreat for your own needs and desires. Please let us know in advance if you have any requests. We’ll do our best to address your needs, interests and curiosities.

Dance Experience

We welcome all levels of partner dance, although it’s ideal if you become at least acquainted with the basics of partner dance connection in a lead/follow relationship before arriving on this retreat. We will tailor the classes to the group as a whole, offering options for different abilities, listening to people’s requests and interests. If there’s a desire for it, it is possible to offer more more in-depth or challenging workshops for those with more experience who are wanting to lab more advance practice. Some of our offerings are not physical in nature at all, and gift you with the opportunity for self growth, as we use discussion, games, partner work and visualization/ improvisation techniques as a vehicle for deeper personal work.

Our movement workshops have deepened connection with self and others in a moving way. We look forward to witnessing your growth.

Excursions

As the time comes closer, we will send you a list of excursions to look over, and you can decide what you might want to do once you arrive at the Goddess Garden. There is no need to plan ahead. You can decide if and what you want to do once you are immersed in the setting of the retreat. We give you this list to get you excited about the possibilities, if you choose that route!

There are many excursions available to you during your stay in Costa Rica. You may choose to experience a lot outside of the Goddess Garden’s retreat setting, or you may want to stay close to home. At some point during the retreat, we will all travel together for a day at the Cahuita National Park, a wonderful exploration of the jungle, its flora and fauna, with the wondrously beautiful Caribbean Sea at the jungle’s edge.

How much money do I need to bring?

For the most part, once we arrive at the Goddess Garden, all of our needs are taken care of and no money is “needed”  There are some things you may choose to add on such as massages, excursions, wine with your meals…

Other than that, on the day you arrive at the Adventure Inn, you may want to get a meal at the restaurant there.  Breakfast is included in your stay, and then we do stop along the road on the way to the Goddess Garden where you may want to buy lunch or a snack.

Everywhere we have been in Costa Rica takes US dollars, though they will mostly give change in colones.

You can get by with very little spending money, but most people bring a couple of hundred dollars and find that more than enough.  You may also want to bring some small bills for the occasional tip.

There are safes in both the Adventure Inn and The Goddess Garden.

Have more questions?

Please contact Helen at 917-882-7916 or partnerdanceinparadise@gmail.com. Helen and Jaycelle look forward to supporting you!