Planning a SALTY fitness retreat in Costa Rica? Here is what you need to know about the Osa Peninsula before you book your flight.

December through April is dry season on the Osa Peninsula, with sunny mornings, warm ocean, low humidity, and the odd dramatic jungle rain. SALTY runs its Costa Rica retreat in January, which lands in peak dry season and doubles as the best possible answer to a northern winter. Whales are often passing through the gulf then too.

Fly into the airport named on the retreat page. For the Osa Peninsula that means San José, Costa Rica's main international airport. From there it's a short domestic flight to Puerto Jiménez, and SALTY arranges ground transfers from there to the retreat. The small-plane leg sounds intimidating and ends up being everyone's favourite photo op.

Costa Rica is one of the most established travel destinations in Central America, and the Osa Peninsula is remote and tourism-friendly. You're with a group and SALTY coaches the whole week. Transfers are arranged, and the venue team has run wellness weeks here for years. The biggest hazard is a monkey eyeing your breakfast. If you have any concern before you fly, message us and we will talk it through.

Costa Rica is visa-free for most North American and European passports for short tourist stays. Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. Check your government's travel site before you fly, since rules vary by nationality.

Costa Rica's currency is the colón, but US dollars are widely accepted at hotels and restaurants. Cards are accepted in most places on the Osa Peninsula, though it's smart to carry some small bills in local currency or US dollars for tips and market stalls.

Expect warm, sunny days with low humidity for tropical standards. January sits inside the dry season, so rain is the exception rather than the rule. Mornings are ideal for training outdoors, and the ocean stays warm all week.

Meals are all-inclusive and cooked on-site at Blue Osa: fresh and local, with dietary needs handled if you flag them ahead. Expect tropical fruit that ruins grocery-store fruit forever and big post-workout spreads. Dinners are eaten with the ocean in earshot.

The retreat includes a pro surf lesson at Pan Dulce, one of the best teaching waves in Costa Rica. It's gentle and forgiving, great for first-timers, and experienced surfers can paddle out for extra sessions. Swimming happens at the beach and in the pool at Blue Osa.

The Osa Peninsula has no mall and no chain anything. It's primary rainforest running straight into the ocean, scarlet macaws overhead, sloths in the trees, and howler monkeys that will make their presence known at sunrise whether you asked or not. It's a slower, wilder corner of Costa Rica than the resort towns most travellers picture.

Beyond the standard SALTY packing list, bring a light rain layer for the odd dry-season shower and reef-safe sunscreen for the beach and surf sessions. See "What to Pack for a SALTY Retreat" for the full list.

Read the full destination page at getsaltyretreats.com/destinations/costa-rica, and see the retreat page at getsaltyretreats.com/retreats/costa-rica-fitness-retreat for dates and pricing.

Message us at [email protected], or on WhatsApp at https://wa.me/14318291135. Nate or Erin will get back to you as soon as possible.