Prepare For Your Journey to Blue Osa for Yoga Teacher Training

Check out this blog that was written by a past attendee of a 28-Day YTT on what to pack:

Read our packing list for yoga teacher trainings.

In addition to what you’ll find on that list, we recommend bringing along these items:

1. Are there any special pillows or props for your meditation and yoga practice? Blue Osa provides straps, blocks, yoga chairs, sandbags, blankets, and yoga mats. Many people prefer to bring their own mat.
2. A notebook and pen and/or iPad and/or computer to take notes. There will be A LOT of verbal information given. (Bring extra notebooks and pens in case of any electronic issues!)
3. A computer or iPad to work on the online self-study portion of the training while you are at Blue Osa.
4. We strongly encourage you to add some supplements to your diet before coming and during your time at Blue Osa. Supplements will help your body and immune system deal with the stress of traveling to a new environment. This is really important for those participants who are either leaving their homes for the first time or rarely travel outside North America.

Read Yogi Aaron’s suggested supplements to bring with you to Costa Rica. 

Additionally, it can be helpful to:

1. Consult with your doctor before coming to bring any medication that you think you might need.
2. Consider what kind of herbal supplements may benefit you that can support stress caused by traveling, the climate, new water sources, different sleeping cycles, etc.
3. Start taking healthy bacteria supplements and bring them with you. (Make sure you bring bacteria that does not need to be refrigerated.)

If you would like to travel around Costa Rica after or before the Immersion, please check out these two resources.

• Click here to discover Costa Rica.
• Go to this link to discover some hidden gems.

Laundry is not included. The cost is $29/bag of laundry.

However, if you purchase the “Staff Appreciation Tips,” you will receive one bag of complimentary laundry per week.

Prices are as follows:

• 14-Day: $150 (includes two bags of laundry)
• 28-Day: $250 (includes four bags of laundry)

Please note: You may have selected this add-on when you made your initial $300 application fee; however, the fee will not be charged to your credit card as only cash is accepted for tips. Please bring the appropriate amount in cash to submit upon arrival.

To wash your laundry, please bring a bag (it can be any bag) with your name on it.

Laundry service follows this protocol:

• Your clothes will be taken from your bag and put into the washing machine.
• The clothes are washed with biodegradable soap in cold/warm water.
• The clothes are placed into the dryer.
• From the dryer, they are folded and returned to you within 24-48 hours.

We do not deviate from this system at all. In other words, please do not bring clothes that you do not want to be damaged, placed in the dryer, or need special attention. We are unable to accommodate ANY special laundry requests. If you bring clothes that need special attention, we have an area where you can hand-wash them yourself. Bring your own soap.

We suggest bringing $400 – $1000 for a month-long stay.

Here are some things to consider when deciding how much cash you will need:

• If you take a taxi into town, go on excursions, or receive spa treatments, the cost of these services will be charged to your room (excluding tips). You can pay for them using a credit card upon check-out.
• If you take a taxi into town, go on excursions, or receive spa treatments and wish to tip your guide or masseuse, you will need to have cash to tip them directly.
• If you plan to leave a tip for the Blue Osa staff when you leave, they are only accepted in cash. See “Do I have to Tip” for more details.
• Credit cards are readily accepted at most stores and restaurants in town.
• There are two banks in town from which you can withdraw cash. Please note: ATMs will dispense Colones, not dollars.
• Juice, beer, or wine purchases at Blue Osa will be charged to your room and can be paid for upon check-out with a credit card.

Blue Osa accepts cash, Visa, AMEX, Mastercard, and Discover.

See “What other expenses should I be aware of” below for more information. 👇🏻

Our staff works very hard to make your stay comfortable while you are at Blue Osa. Leaving a tip is the best and most effective way to show your gratitude. While it is not required, we do encourage it. And, of course, our staff greatly appreciates it.

If you do choose to leave a tip, here are some things to consider:

• We only accept cash tips
• Tips can be dropped into the blue tip box at the manager counter upon check-out
• All tips are pooled and divided evenly among our staff of about 18 people who work in the kitchen, garden, office, and housekeeping staff.
• If you would like to tip individually, you may do that also at check-out.
• As a guide, we suggest a tip of $20 -$40/day.
• Tips for individually booked spa treatments, eco-tours, and taxis are left to your discretion.

YTT participants are invited to purchase “Staff Appreciation Tips, " including one bag of complimentary laundry per week. Prices are as follows:

• 14-Day: $150 (includes two bags of laundry)
• 28-Day: $250 (includes four bags of laundry)

Please note: You may have selected this add-on when you made your initial application fee payment; however, the fee will not be charged to your credit card as only cash is accepted for tips. Please bring your chosen amount in cash to submit upon arrival.

See “Is Laundry Included” for more details. 👆🏻

Accommodations, meals, and training classes are included in your YTT fee.

These expenses are not included:

• Tips for Blue Osa Staff. See “Do I have to Tip” for more information.
• The shuttle service from and to the airport is NOT included. The fee for this service is $45 each way.
• Laundry service, which is $29 a load. (See “Is Laundry Included” for details.)
• Store items such as bug spray, sarongs, artisan crafts, sunscreen, etc
• Taxi rides into town.
• Drinks (beer, wine, smoothies, sodas, etc.) from the bar at Blue Osa. We do not allow outside alcohol in our dining area or bar. These will be charged to your room and paid at check-out.
• Spa services (everyone receives a $50 gift certificate as a gift if you review Yogi Aaron’s book on Amazon) are to be used towards three separate services (not including acupuncture and reiki). These will be charged to your room and paid at check-out. Check out our spa menu here for pricing.
• Eco-Tours / Adventures, click here to see what we offer.

Here’s a helpful article to understand the costs associated with living in the Osa.

Please submit the following form to report a violation of the Blue Osa Yoga Teacher Training Code of Conduct. This Grievance Reporting Form must be completed completely within 1 month of the date of alleged misconduct to be accepted for review. Blue Osa will not act upon anonymous complaints. Upon receiving your completed form, Blue Osa management will reply within five business days with the next steps.

Please click here to access the form.