Learn everything you
need to know about Moving to Costa Rica while also exploring & relaxing at a

Resort & Spa in La Fortuna!

 

May 11 – 17, 2025 | Sunday – Saturday
LA FORTUNA, COSTA RICA

Check out our past events + reviews 👇

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Hi there!

It would be our honor to host you at our 10TH Costa Rica Expat Retreat in La Fortuna, Costa Rica! 

We have created this event for you all to come have some fun and also learn the major essentials you need to know if you are planning or considering a move to Costa Rica! We are dedicated to making the move to Costa Rica as smooth as possible and most importantly. making sure you are hooked up with the right resources while you are here. That being said… I am VERY excited about our lineup of guest speakers who will be sharing their knowledge with you during the week. 

The goal is for you to enjoy yourself, experience the magic of Costa Rica, and also leave prepared and educated to make the best decisions you need for your potential move! Besides getting expert advice from expats, attorneys, real estate agents, and other guests, you and your guest will also experience some of the best activities Costa Rica has to offer.

Thank you to everyone for all of your continued support and I will see you here in Costa Rica!

Warmly, 

Sarah Elena & michael alan

Here are a few things you’ll learn…

💸 Unveiling the Actual Cost of Living in Costa Rica: Exposing the undisclosed expenses of food, groceries, and rent overlooked by relocation advisors.

🔐 Debunking the Safety Myth: Examining the reality of crime in Costa Rica, including home invasions, and highlighting the safest residential areas.

🤫 The Unspoken Realities of Relocating to Costa Rica: What prominent sources like “International Living” omit, potentially impacting your relocation success.

🛫 Understanding Expat Repatriation: Exploring why over half of expats return home after two years in Costa Rica and strategies to prevent a similar outcome.

🎗️ Attaining Luxury Living in Costa Rica within Your Current Means: Strategies to elevate your lifestyle without increasing your U.S. income.

🛑 Enhancing Expat Safety: Tips to surpass the safety standards of most expats and avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

🪪 Streamlining Visa Acquisition: Discovering the quickest and simplest route to obtaining an immigration visa for Costa Rica.

🏡 Essential Property Purchasing Protocol: Identifying the pivotal document crucial for initiating construction on any Costa Rican property.

💰 Mastering Negotiation to Avoid Overpayment: Proven tactics to evade inflated prices, applicable to various purchases like cars, properties, and rentals.

🚙 Optimal Car Acquisition in Costa Rica: Where and how to secure the best deals on car rentals or purchases, along with minimizing annual tax expenses.

🫰 Strategic Real Estate Transactions: Guidance on finding the most favorable deals when renting or buying property in Costa Rica.

⚖️ Navigating Corruption in Costa Rica: Acknowledging the existence of corruption and providing strategies to steer clear of compromising situations with government officials.

🐶 Pet Relocation Made Simple: Affordable and safe methods for bringing your pets into Costa Rica without causing distress.

📚 Legal Distinctions in Costa Rica: Highlighting significant differences in laws between Costa Rica and the U.S. that expats must adhere to in order to avoid legal repercussions.

📖 Accelerated Spanish Language Acquisition: Techniques for swiftly acquiring conversational Spanish skills and integrating into the local community.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Building Expat Connections: Tips for locating and networking with fellow U.S. expatriates in Costa Rica, along with savvy grocery shopping strategies to avoid inflated prices.

Where you’ll stay:

Montaña De Fuego Resort & Spa

While Getting All Your Questions Answered, You & Your Guest Will Experience Some of the Best Sights and Local Activities this tropical paradise offers…

Resort Details

History

30 years ago, Don Leo the founding partner of Montaña de Fuego Resort & Spa, started a reforestation process in his lands intending to unite at some point the important biological corridors of the Caribbean and Monteverde.

At that time, most of the farms located in La Fortuna were dedicated entirely to the livestock sector and pastures were the predominant landscape.

Today, happily and thanks to the great vision of the owners, the resort is surrounded by 80 acres of secondary forest, a habitat for many species of flora and fauna. These riparian or transition new rain forests play a very important role as they act to protect the Arenal River and La Palma River, important rivers that belong to the Biosphere Reserve Water and Peace, created by UNESCO in 2007.

Rocca Grill & Restaurant

  • Serving local and sustainable food.
  • Enjoy our menu steeped in the culture of the “Spirit of the Fire” with an exquisite
  • Every time you taste Mother Earth’s fruit, it’s a new opportunity to nourish your body and light the flame of its spirits so that we can live in harmony. The Volcanic rock as a gastronomy concept transforms the ordinary into extraordinary thanks to the simplicity of nature. Lava Grill gives our food a special and unique flavor guaranteed

 

ACCOMMODATION

The Bungalows & Suites offer plenty of room and privacy. 

All suites and villas feature:

Air Conditioning
Private Bathroom & Shower
Towels & Free Toiletries
Mini-Bar & Coffee Machine
In-Room Safe
Balcony / Lanai Terrace
Cable TV
Hairdryer
Hot water

Helechos Wet BAR

Find your refuge by the main pool and enjoy our special “fish ceviche”, nachos, and handcrafted burgers. The menu includes refreshing tropical cocktails, national beers, and cold drinks.

What else is there to enjoy at the resort?

In addition to these amazing activities at the resort, we have some special offsite experiences planned for you below (optional of course!)

 

Daily Itinerary

**ALL ACTIVITIES AND SEMINARS ARE COMPLETELY OPTIONAL!**
We want you all to come and enjoy your time however you feel is best for you

If you feel the need to skip out on anything and just relax, please feel free to do so!

DAY 1 (Sunday, May 11th)

2:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Arrive at Montaña De Fuego Resort & Spa, unpack, and explore your new home for the next 7 days.

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Meet with your fellow guests, Sarah, Michael Alan & others for cocktails as the sun sets.

6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Welcome dinner buffet (traditional Costa Rican food) as well as entertainment.

DAY 2 (Monday, May 12th)

7:00 am – 8:00 am
Breakfast

8:00 am – 8:15 am
Welcome from your hosts

8:15 am – 9:30 am
Session 1 – Costa Rican Culture: Michael Alan 

10:00 am – 11:30 pm
Volcanic Healing Mud Bath Experience

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Lunchtime!

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Session 2 – How to Structure your Move: Sarah Elena

2:00pm – 3pm:
Session 3 –  Mistakes People Make: Michael Alan, Sarah Elena & Johnny Umaña

 

3:00pm – 4:00pm
Session 4 – Insurance (health, car + home): Freddy Pacheco

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Free time to explore the resort & relax! Hang by the pool, enjoy the mineral pools or go hiking.

6:00pm – 8:00pm

Dinner time! 

DAY 3 (Tuesday, May 13th)

7:00 am – 8:00 am

Breakfast

8:00 am – 11:00 am

Zipline through the jungle

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm 

Lunch

 

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Session 1 – All about Residency: Andres Gomez

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Session 2 – Real Estate, Due Diligence, & How to Vet Your Agent: Matt Rosensteele
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Session 3 – Medical Care in Costa Rica: Johnny Umaña

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Relax & enjoy the resort

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Dinner 
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Baldi Hot Springs! The BEST at night time… relax in the many pools and hot springs (activity included in the price)

DAY 4 (Wednesday, May 14th)

6:30 am – 8:00 am
Bird-watching jungle hike tour (grab breakfast or a snack beforehand)
8:00 am – 9:00 am

Breakfast

9:00 am – 10:00 am

Session 1 – Areas + Rentals: Sarah Elena

 

10:00 am – 11:00 am

Session 2 – Shipping: Pablo Arias

11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Session 3 – Home inspections & building: Christopher Drown

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Lunch

 

 

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

River Tubing Adventure

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Dinner
7:30 pm – 10:30 pm
Evening hang out

 

 

DAY 5 (Thursday, May 15th)

7:00 am – 8:00 am
Breakfast

8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Hanging Bridges

 

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Lunch

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Session 1 – Car Purchase
2:00 – 3:00pm
Session 2 – Costa Rican Culture + Spanish Lesson
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Session 3 – Getting Started with Freelance Work – Jeanne Bellew

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Relax & enjoy the resort!

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Dinner
7:30 pm – ? pm
Bar hopping in La Fortuna with your hosts! Let’s have a night out on the town together!

 

DAY 6 (Friday, May 16th)

7:00 am – 9:00 am

Breakfast – have a slow morning and come eat when you’re ready

9:00 am – 10:30 am

Session 1 – Varied topics + Open Q&A (budgeting, banking, bringing pets, packing, phones + more!): Sarah Elena

10:30 am – 11:30 am

Speakers Panel – Open Q&A with your hosts to ask any last questions you have and get each person’s unique perspective!

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Our last lunch together!

1:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Horseback Riding OR ATV ride through the jungle!

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Dinner time!
Farewell celebration
All good things come to an end. Or do they have to?

DAY 7 (Saturday, May 17th)

7:00 am – 9:00 am

Breakfast

9:00 am – 11:00 am

Enjoy the resort, before checking out and making your way home or your next destination!

What is included in this
Costa Rica Expat Retreat?

The price includes:

  • 6 nights accommodation at Montaña De Fuego Resort & Spa
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner + snacks)
  • Seminar ticket
  • Transport to/from SJO Airport + transport to/from activities during the week
  • Baldi Hot Springs Pass
  • Taxes

You’ll have unlimited access to all the facilities at Montaña De Fuego, including: 

  • Thermal Mineral Pools
  • Volcanic Healing Mud Baths
  • Rainforest Hiking Trails
  • Pool bars & everything else the resort has to offer!

Plus you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a myriad of group and individual activities in and around the resort, go on group excursions and so much more.

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Choose From One Of Four Room Types:


6 nights Accommodation: Price varies by package and number of people

Payment Plan Available:
1/2 Payment Due: To reserve your spot
1/2 Payment Due: 60 days prior to the event

Standard Bungalow 

1 Double Bed + 1 Individual Bed

With the natural warmth and simplicity of a wooden bungalow, surrounded by an exotic tropical garden, you will see the majestic volcano from the terrace of your room. Capacity: 3 people (1 Double Bed and 1 Twin Bed).

 

$2,266 – All inclusive for 1 person!

$2,949 – All inclusive for 2 people!

(all-inclusive, including all meals, accommodation, seminar training, sightseeing, activities, and more)

BOOK NOW

Superior Bungalow  

1 Queen Bed or 2 Double Beds

The charming Superior bungalows feature private balconies with brilliant views to Arenal River Canyon and volcano view to greet you each morning. Capacidad: 4 personas o 2 personas. Una cama queen o dos camas dobles.

 

$2,381 – All inclusive for 1 person!

$3,153 – All inclusive for 2 people!

(all-inclusive, including all meals, accommodation, seminar training, sightseeing, activities, and more)

BOOK NOW

Garden Deluxe 

1 King Bed + 1 Sofa Bed

Comfortably decorated and spacious the room has a separate living room area. Each room has private bath, Jacuzzi… Capacity: 4 people.

 

$2,679 – All inclusive for 1 person!

$3,763 – All inclusive for 2 people!

(all-inclusive, including all meals, accommodation, seminar training, sightseeing, activities, and more)

BOOK NOW

Junior Suite  

1 Queen Bed + 1 Double Bed

Perfect for couples! A delicate and natural wood interior feature with a lovely jacuzzi on the terrace make this room a perfect place to relax and live the romance. The rooms offer a big space for 2 or 4 people.

 

$2,822 – All inclusive for 1 person!

$4,048 – All inclusive for 2 people!

(all-inclusive, including all meals, accommodation, seminar training, sightseeing, activities, and more)

BOOK NOW

Not included in price:

*Airfare 
*Alcohol purchases (a $50 pass can be purchased/day for unlimited drinks of any kind!)
*Traveler’s insurance (we recommend being covered in case of accident/emergency)
*Additional Tours (ATV, Zip-line, Horseback Riding, Tubing, Hanging Bridges)

Your Hosts

Sarah Elena – Relocation Expert

Sarah Elena is a relocation expert in Costa Rica. She runs her own company Costa Relocation & Travel LLC that offers advice and support services for moving and living in Costa Rica.

She also has her own Youtube channel where she shares practical information to assist ex-pats on the relocation process: from the initial planning stages to the Know Hows of settling-in.

“I am passionate about empowering my clients to determine how they want to feel and live each day. Your move is not only going from point A to point B. Your move is about truly deciding how you want to live your life here in Costa Rica!”

michael alan – Relocation & Travel Expert

Hi, I am michael alan of TravelCostaRicaNOW.com I have lived in Costa Rica for 18 years. I have over 900 videos about living and traveling in Costa Rica. I have talked and interviewed hundreds of expats to get their experience and perspective on living in Costa Rica. Combined with my own knowledge of living here, I share the information on my YouTube Ch. so folks can make up their own mind whether Costa Rica is right for them or not. 

My favorite thing about doing what I do, is meeting YOU, hanging out with you and answering your questions and sharing my experiences. Costa Rica is not for everyone.

My promise to you is after this relocation retreat is over, you will know if Costa Rica is right for you or it’s, ‘Honey, we’re going to Belize”. pura vida and hope to see you in an upcoming Relocation Retreat Very soon.