Nature, Ritual and Renewal
July 12-17, 2026
Costa Rica
More than a retreat. A one-of-a-kind experience to support those who spend their lives helping others.
It’s no secret that helpers and healers are burning out.
The pace is relentless, the needs are endless, and the weight you carry often goes unseen. You’ve learned how to hold space for others, but when was the last time someone truly held space for you?
This retreat was created for that moment — the moment you step away from it all and let the natural world tend to you. Through quiet mornings, grounding rituals, and time to simply breathe, you’ll remember what it feels like to be restored, not just resilient.
"Melissa led our group with her heart and soul and seems to have a natural gift at facilitating. I’ve been on many retreats but this one really brought me back home to myself, highly recommended."
— Kristen P.
The 2026 Nature, Ritual and Renewal Retreat: a one-of-a-kind experience
-
Nature Immersion
Experience pristine Costa Rican nature with rainforest trails, tropical wildlife, and the soothing sounds of the jungle all around you.
-
NBCC Continuing Education Hours
Earn NBCC-approved continuing education hours while engaging in experiential practices designed for healing professionals.
-
Shared Experience, Lasting Connection
A community of fellow healing professionals offers connection, understanding, and support—reminding you that you’re not alone on your journey.
-
Daily Facilitated Horse Experiences
Connect with Tula Vida’s gentle, intuitive horses through daily facilitated sessions designed to foster presence, reflection, and connection.
-
Luxury Hot Springs Outing
New this year: Soothe your senses in the world-famous Tabacón hot springs—natural thermal pools nestled at the base of the stunning Arenal volcano.
-
Extras to Enhance Your Experience
Enjoy a sound healing and plant essence ceremony, optional massage, yoga and qi gong, hiking, birding, and swimming in the pond.
"The Nature, Ritual, & Renewal retreat was a tender, nourishing, transformative experience. Much of the potent healing power of the experience emerged from unseen forces that move between animals, humans, and the elements of the Costa Rican mountainside. The practical elements - container, programming, learning, etc - were impeccable as well. Seamless harmony between natural and organized elements. I absolutely plan to return."
— Becca B.
A retreat experience co-created by wild haven and tula Vida
-
Melissa Rosinski MS, LPC
FOUNDER & COACH, WILD HAVEN
This retreat was born from Melissa’s longtime dream to offer nature-based experiences in Costa Rica—a place close to her heart where she once lived and has returned to many times. That dream deepened during the pandemic, when Melissa turned to the natural world for inspiration and healing. These practices sparked a renewed sense of purpose: to share the healing power of reconnecting with nature.
After visiting Tula Vida and working with Sally and the horses, Melissa knew this was the perfect place to bring her vision to life. She weaves together her background as a therapist and group practice owner with advanced training in Somatic Experiencing, Ecotherapy, and Reiki, along with her certification as a Morning Altars Teacher. Guided by these practices, Melissa creates retreats designed to invite helpers and healers reconnect with themselves, the natural world, and the deep wisdom that lives within
-
Sally Nilsson
CO-FOUNDER, TULA VIDA
A relentless pursuer of authenticity and personal growth, Sally Nilsson's journey from the corporate corridors of London lawyer life to the vibrant rainforests of Costa Rica was guided by a golden thread—her profound connection with horses. During her corporate career, horse riding vacations were Sally’s escape to solace and rejuvenation. A pivotal encounter with a horse named Beauty in Costa Rica sparked a profound shift, a path of personal re-alignment and a deep dive into the practice of horse-led coaching. Today Sally lives in Costa Rica and, in collaboration with Beauty and the horse herd, guides others on the path of authentic self-discovery. Sally invites individuals to bridge the gap between life in the comfort zone and aspirational dreams, utilizing the transformative power of the nervous system and the natural world.
-
Eric Kolesar
CO-FOUNDER, TULA VIDA
Eric Kolesar is co-founder of Tula Vida with Sally Nilsson, guiding people to self-empowerment through experiences with horses, yoga, coaching and adventure. With understanding, compassion and mindfulness as the cornerstones of his beliefs and life work, Eric uses a variety of techniques firmly grounded in neuroscience to balance both mind and body, and to liberate the authentic self to share its gifts with the world. As well as the transformative power of nature and horses, Eric is an expert in multiple modalities of energy work and movement and weaves these in to create profound, personalized and powerful adventures in personal growth.
Your Stay at Tula Vida
Ready for an unforgettable stay? Tula Vida’s 80-acre off-grid ranch offers the perfect blend of rugged beauty and modern comfort. Explore jungle trails, share space with the beloved horses, and taste the rich flavors of authentic Costa Rican cooking. Here, you’re not just visiting nature—you’re living it, fully immersed in the rhythms of the land and the heart of pura vida.
Explore miles of hiking trails through lush rainforest, share quiet moments with the resident jungle dogs, and watch scarlet macaws and toucans fly overhead. As the day winds down, settle in for breathtaking sunsets during our shared dinners, or sit beneath the stars listening to the hum of the jungle. Tula Vida is more than a retreat space—it’s a living, breathing sanctuary where every path, every view, and every sound invites you deeper into connection.
Choose your room
Private Room
A private Villa or Lodge room with full or king size bed and a private bathroom. Add $100 for payment plans.
shared room
A shared Villa or Lodge room with 2 full or single beds and 1 bathroom. Add $100 for payment plans.
Cancellation policy: Your $750 deposit is nonrefundable as it helps us prepare this experience for you. If you need to cancel, you’ll receive a full refund (minus deposit) before March 14, 2026 or a 50% refund before April 12, 2026. After April 12, all payments are nonrefundable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Need more info? We’ve got you covered!
-
Your retreat fee covers everything you need for a fully immersive, restorative experience:
Airport transfers to and from Liberia Airport
Accommodations for 6 days / 5 nights on the ranch
All meals, prepared with fresh, local ingredients
Continuing education workshops (CEs) for healing professionals
Daily facilitated horse experiences to connect and reflect
All classes and activities, including yoga, qi gong, and more
Day trip to Tabacón hot springs, including entrance fees
Plant healing and sound essence ceremony
Exclusive use of the ranch, including hiking trails and quiet spaces
Two follow-up community calls in August and October to stay connected after the retreat
Everything is designed to help you relax, reconnect, and deepen your practice in nature.
-
While your retreat fee covers most of your experience, the following items are not included:
Flights to and from Costa Rica
Travel insurance (required for your protection)
Alcoholic beverages – Tula Vida does not serve alcohol, though you’ll have the option to purchase drinks at Tabacón Hot Springs and during the optional Beach Weekend add-on
Massage – optional, available for an additional fee
-
No prior horse experience is required. During the retreat, we do not ride the horses—all activities are focused on gentle, facilitated interactions, presence work, and connection with the horses on the ground. Everyone, regardless of experience, can safely participate and benefit from these experiences.
-
Yes! A valid passport is required to enter Costa Rica. It must be valid for the duration of your stay—and ideally for at least six months beyond your entry date.
U.S. citizens do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
-
Please book your round-trip flight to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Costa Rica.
Important: Your flight should arrive before 2 PM on July 12, 2026.
All major U.S. airlines—Southwest, American, United, and Delta—fly into Liberia.
Your return flight will depart from LIR, whether you leave on July 17 or stay for the optional Beach Weekend.
-
The Beach Adventure Weekend is an optional two-day extension after the retreat, designed to give you extra time to relax and explore Costa Rica’s beautiful coastline. We’ll travel to Tamarindo, where you’ll enjoy:
A sunset sailing excursion on the Pacific Ocean
An ATV beach tour for an adventurous coastal ride
Plenty of time to swim, shop, and soak up the sun
This add-on is a great way to connect further with fellow attendees, experience the vibrant energy of Costa Rica’s beaches, and take some time to integrate your retreat experience before returning home.
See more info and register for this optional add-on here: https://wildhaven.thrivecart.com/beach-weekend-add-on/
-
Hosting a retreat like this requires significant early investments—securing the venue, accommodations, staff, and resources well before the event begins. The $750 nonrefundable deposit ensures your spot is reserved and allows us to make these commitments on your behalf.
Our refund policy is designed to be as fair as possible while honoring these advance costs:
Before March 14, 2026 (120+ days prior): Full refund, minus your deposit.
Before April 12, 2026 (90–119 days prior): 50% refund, minus your deposit.
After April 12, 2026: All payments are nonrefundable because we’ve already committed resources to make this experience happen for you.
We require travel insurance to protect your investment in case of unexpected changes.
Melissa has a gentle, attentive presence as she seamlessly adapts to the needs of the moment. Whether adjusting plans in response to the weather or intuitively sensing the group's energy, she leads with both professionalism and heart. Her ability to go with the flow while holding space for each member creates a nurturing and transformative retreat experience.”
— Kristin A.
Sample Retreat Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Meet your fellow retreat travelers at the airport and journey together to Tula Vida in shared transportation. Arrive just in time to savor your first delicious Costa Rican dinner while watching the sun melt into the horizon. After settling in, we’ll gather for an opening fire circle beneath the stars—setting intentions and beginning our journey in community.
Day 2: orienting
Wake on your first morning to misty volcanic views and the soothing sounds of the jungle. Today you’ll meeting the land and the beings who call Tula Vida home and partner with your horse. Experience the wisdom of the herd through nervous system regulation practices with Sally and the horses, then deepen your connection with somatic healing in nature led by Melissa. Close the day with mindful movement on the yoga deck.
Day 3: Connection
Begin the day by tapping into nature and creativity during an earth altar workshop with Melissa. In the afternoon, explore connection and herd dynamics with Sally and the soulful Tula Vida horses. As evening falls, settle into a plant essences and sound healing ceremony—sipping cacao or herbal tea as a famous Tula Vida sunset colors the sky.
Day 4: Giving back
Begin the day with Qi Gong with the horses, moving mindfully and connecting with their grounded presence. Next, head to the local village of Tierras Morenas for a meaningful service project, offering gratitude and giving back to the land and people who have welcomed us. In the afternoon, nurture yourself with a visit to the luxurious Tabacón Hot Springs, soaking in thermal waters to restore body, mind, and spirit
Day 5: Integration
Spend the day connecting with the land and exploring ways to bring nature into your everyday life and practice. Build a community altar with Melissa, Sally, and the horses, integrating the week’s experiences. Close with a fire ceremony, where we will gather as a community to share our gratitude, reflections and support each for other’s transformations beyond the retreat.
Day 6: Departure
Enjoy one last incredible breakfast at Tula Vida before we say “til next time.” Then we’ll take shared transportation back to Liberia Airport for your flight home, or onward to Tamarindo to begin the optional Beach Weekend, where you can relax, explore, and soak in the beauty of the Costa Rican Pacific coast.
Not ready to go home?
Add a weekend at the beach!
After the retreat, keep the magic alive with our Optional Beach Weekend Add-On. We’ll unwind in a private house at a charming boutique hotel, savoring the ocean breeze and laid-back vibes. Your adventure includes an exhilarating ATV ride to secluded beaches and ends with an unforgettable sunset sail along the stunning Pacific coast. See more of the incredible beauty Costa Rica has to offer while taking time to integrate your retreat experience before heading home.
