Thread: Planning a Feb. dance retreat to Costa Rica

I would love advice and suggestions on this. I hate winter by February 6th, so I decided to plan a music and dance retreat to a place I love, the lower peninsula of Costa Rica. I'd rather teach dance to people than most other activities, so a working vacation sounds great! Naimah, a fabulous tribal dancer, and upcoming teacher at Rakkasah Spring Caravan, is interested in teaching as well.
My ex husband lives there, and can help us on the ground with local details...
I know I need to call Onca and Artemis and other friends who have run camps, but if you were thinking of doing this or going to this, what would your questions be? Email me at nindances@gmail.com please?

This first year will probably be small- I want it to go really well, and then I'll know all those things that I 'should've' known before- expect to see something spectacularly perfect in 2011!

Hi Nina Amaya, I don't have much advice for ya, but 2011 sounds like a great time (money and work wise) for me to go. Sounds like a great idea.

Hi,
Is this going to be geared towards American dancers as a dance vacation? Something similar to what Rachel Brice does here every year? If it's a Tribal event, you might want to get in touch here with Caro Dumanni...she's our local Tribal Gal and she organzes alot of Tribal fests here.
Not quite sure what you mean by the lower penninsula....you mean Osa or Nicoya?
If the retreat is going to be geared towards tourists, then Osa or Nicoya are very tourist oriented and that would be a perfect location for your event. If you want to gear it towards local dancers however, then San Jose would be a much better choice because locals won't go in large numbers if the distance or location or access isn't convenient to them. Osa and Nicoya are reached from San Jose fairly conveniently by ferry...or also by land but its a huge detour that takes anywhere from 4 to 8 hours by car, depending on the route one takes.

I LOVE Costa Rica. I lived there for 3 months. I wish I could go back again... Sigh...

Amani

I'm thinking geared toward Americans who want to get away. I mean Osa. Naimah will be our tribal teacher - [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2VFiIsN_-s]YouTube - Naimah at Rakkasah West 2007[/ame] - and she would be worth visiting!!!
Vintage American Oriental is the closest description to my style- lots of veils and swords and joy. It would be great to do a San Jose workshop while we're there- just a day workshop- can you put me in touch with Dumanni? Could you give her the ninadances@gmail.com address or my website, Nina Amaya, Bellydancer

There are discounts available for your nondancer friend, and the best deal is if you sign up before October 31st!
There is a local dancer who did decide to come long with us, too! Yay! We'll be looking to go oUT the nights of February 6th and the 13th- any ideas? We'd be up for watching or performing in San Jose!
..g.:

Hold it on Isla Sorna. I understand the wildlife is out of this world!

ooh- I'll look it up! We're already booked on the Osa peninsula, but I'll look up the Isla Zorba, I mean Sorna! We are going to take one day off from dancing to do some kind of excursion... I just love the sloths in Costa Rica! They are so funny! I want to see one hurry one day.

ooh- I just realized that if I can link to youtube, i can link to this site:
Nina Amaya, Bellydancer
that's where information on the trip is! Get your plane tickets! Come on down! Wheee!

Hi Ninaamaya
I just pm'd you. We're very interested in organizing something while you're here.

Escape Winter! Costa Rican Bellydance Retreat! | Facebook
It's there too- friend me on facebook if you are on there!
I've extended the early bird registration for two more weeks-
We want a few more dancers! So just jump in! The water's warm....

Tropical Belly Dance Retreat! Early Bird Discount extended fifteen more days!
Sign up and put down a deposit by November 15, 2009, and get the early bird rate of just $975, dbl. occupancy, for an inclusive retreat: room, board, belly dance classes in the paradise of Costa Rican warmth and hospitality! In-country travel to and from the retreat provided.
We have a enough dancers to make the trip happen, but we have room for more! Give yourself a treat, escape winter, and come study, or just hang out with three dance teachers of very different styles. Modern Tribal Fusion w/ Naimah! Hula Fusion with Typhrodisia and Vintage Cabaret and Veil with Nina Amaya! Combinations, choreographies and more. Non-dancer discount; bring a friend! Sign up now with paypal or by check:
Nina Amaya, Bellydancer

I hope some of you can make it!

Oh a show in San Jose sounds great!,r:;

Wow! Was just on your website and now my S.O. is on there as well. He has just about lost it with the thatched hut accomodations! Soooo coool! Maybe.........

Since you're looking for advice....

Don't tag your ads on facebook with the names of people who don't appear in the photo and have not indicated any plans to attend the event.

sorry Shira- I've gotten plenty of LOLs on that one, but I hear you- I should only do that to people I know, anyway. Won't happen again.

Azalea- we'd love to have you! Canada in February, or Costa Rica? Canada , Costa Rica? hmmmm... :-)