YOU CAN UKE
Find your musical PASSION in the WILDS of Coastal Costa Rica!
If you’re a ‘ukulele enthusiast who is ready to amplify your musical gifts to the world and bring joy and abundance to your music making – then join us in coastal Ostional, Costa Rica for a soul-stirring never-to-be-forgotten voice and ‘ukulele retreat.
IS THIS YOU?
- you yearn for uke-nique, LIFE-changing experiences
- you CONNECT to your community through music making
- you crave freedom and time to RECHARGE and nurture your creativity
- you DESIRE adventure
- you seek the SPACE to connect with other like minded music makers to exchange ideas and possibilities
If you answered yes to 3 or more of these, then this ukulele and voice retreat was made JUST FOR YOU… That’s why you’re going to LOVE this You Can Uke retreat on the west coast of Costa Rica!
Pura Vida. Meaning: pure life. This is the Costa Rican motto. With connotations translating to “Full of Life” and “This is Living!”. Purely said, it’s a way of life. In Costa Rica, you’ll find that carefree, laid back and optimistic spirit as you explore your musical aspirations at the intersection of the jungle and ocean.
Everyday in Costa Rica is a new canvas to inspire you. Inspiration can be found around every bend from chasing waterfalls and sunsets to exploring the essence of Pura Vida. Nature’s symphony is at the heart of Costa Rica. Get lost in the beauty of Costa Rican simplicity where there is nothing but good vibes and blue skies.
Pura Vida moments, one string at a time.
Connect. Cultivate. Create.
It’s 7 days and 6 nights of adventure, delicious food, music making, connection, rejuvenation, learning – and FUN!
There is something about the magical energy of Ostional, nestled between rainforests and the Pacific Ocean, that will give your imagination permission to run free.
In the warm light of the sunsets, we will gather together to explore new musical frontiers, let our inner storyteller run free, and share our gifts with each other. You will find the freedom in releasing your fears in this space to open yourself to new musical possibilities. Take yourself to the next level now.
What YOU are going to walk away with…
So what can you expect if you spend 7 incredible days and 6 nights solely focusing on your music AND rediscovering yourself in the jungle of Costa Rica?
-> Well, what if you got the exact INSPIRATION you needed to perfect your ‘ukulele playing and singing?
-> What if you were finally able to release into your own UNIQUE sound with professional guidance?
-> What if you had access to like-minded individuals who are willing to SHARE ideas?
Would THAT be worth coming to Costa Rica? Absol-UKE-ly!
There are limited spots available because we want to create an intimate environment where everyone receives individualized attention and gains life-long friendships along the way.
Our Venue: Rayos Del Sol
Our immersive home for the week is Rayos Del Sol. Located on the Nicoya Peninsula, along the Pacific Coast, in between the towns of San Juanillo and Ostional on Route 160, just 10km north of Nosara. The property sits up on top of a hill overlooking the ocean and a 10 minute walk to the black sand beaches of the Ostional Wildlife Refuge.
Liberia International Airport is 2 hours driving distance.
The Nicoya Peninsula, in the Guanacaste Province, is one of the world’s 5 blue zones. What is a Blue Zone you ask? It is a region in the world where people are claimed to have exceptionally long lives beyond the age of 80 due to a lifestyle combining physical activity, low stress, rich social interactions, a local whole-foods diet, and low disease incidence. Isn’t that what YOU need?
You will spend a week at the intersection between the peaceful rainforest and the majestic Pacific Ocean, soaking in all this blue zone has to offer. Rayos Del Sol is an intentional community centered on spiritual growth and healing through nature. They are guided by the four pillars, four seasons, four directions… The Village. Sacred Practice. Embodiment. Regeneration.
Life is better when surrounded by nature, come find out for yourself!
Lodging consists of spacious rooms in villas and a main house around the property, featuring modern amenities such as air conditioning, on-demand hot water, organic soaps and bath products with gorgeous jungle and/or ocean views. All rooms are located within a 3-5 minute walk from the main common area / pool and have patios for lounging outdoors and taking in the expansive ocean views.
The common areas are WiFi-enabled with high-speed fiber optic connection and include the restaurant, bar and lounge, meeting areas, pristine pool, and sunset viewing deck. Or maybe you want to take this opportunity to fully unplug from the electronics that can distract us from our work.
Private Chef Dining
Our Private Chef will delight your senses and keep you fueled for the week ahead. Rayos Del Sol works to source seasonal, local ingredients, focusing on fruits, vegetables, and protein sources abundant in this region of Costa Rica. Aiming to use whole foods that bring immense flavor and high nutritional value all on their own – your tastebuds are in for a true coastal feast!
A Typical Retreat Day
Although we have curated bountiful days filled with engaging workshops and private consultations, we have left time for you to explore, rest and rejuvenate on your own terms. You are welcome to create the day you want.
The morning could include a cup of tea on the porch, followed with a nourishing breakfast. A late morning group workshop with Marnie, and plenty of time for a refreshing walk on the property to find inspiration in the many colorful vistas.
After a hearty lunch, your afternoon might include a stimulating private consultation with a facilitator or a workshop with Danielle Ate the Sandwich, our Guest Facilitator. And there is still time to take a walk around the property for inspiration.
In the evening, we’ll be treated to a mouthwatering dinner followed by the possibilities of sunset bathing, where the sun meets the horizon creating a visual wonderland. Maybe an early bed time for extra rest and recovery, or some music making with new friends.
Workshops will be tailored to each retreat based on the unique desires of the participants – that’s you!
What’s Included:
- Seven inspiring days together with daily deep-dive sessions for personal growth
- Transportation to/from the airport in Liberia (LIR) on 3/16 and 3/22 (coordination needed)
- All coaching and group workshops in Costa Rica
- Two private consultations (30 minutes each – one with Marnie and one with Danielle)
- Six delicious breakfasts
- Four beautiful lunches
- Six mouth-watering dinners
- Personal down time for relaxing, an ocean walk, waterfall exploring, hiking, napping and more!
- The Salon of Sharing – a time for sharing and music making in celebration of our final night together
- Spacious room options with forest or ocean views (priced $1,997-$3,297 depending on room choice)
Plus:
- Pre-retreat group zoom Meet & Greet
- Post-retreat group zoom Follow-Up Coaching
- Group field trip to the Nosara Farmers Market with local vendors for souvenir shopping and connecting with the local culture (transportation included)
- Group field trip to Marbella Beach and TikiHut Restaurant for an afternoon/evening of playing and dining under the palm trees (transportation, meal, non-alcoholic beverages, and tip included)
What’s NOT-Included:
- Your round-trip airfare from home to Costa Rica
- Other non-included items would be: souvenir shopping, massage and spa treatments, additional activities not listed (ie. activities outside the retreat, equipment rental, guided tours, other transportation not already included, etc)
- Personal spending money
- Passport fees and associated costs
- Personal, medical or trip cancellation insurance (we HIGHLY recommend trip insurance)
- Special dietary needs (most can be accommodated with notice)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Staff gratuity
Travel Planning
Arrive: Sunday, March 16, 2025
- Rayos Del Sol is a 2 hour shuttle from the Liberia Airport (shuttle included)
- Dinner will be served the evening of arrival day
Departure: Saturday, March 22, 2025
- Breakfast before you depart for the airport
- Shuttle to Liberia Airport
About the Guanacaste Coast
Located in the northwest corner of Costa Rica, Guanacaste [gwana’kaste] is a tropical paradise with a pristine shorelines, beautiful mountain ranges, national parks, and volcanoes.
Visitors dive into a vibrant cultural, witness awe inspiring natural landscapes, and view abundant wildlife, on and off land.
Guanacaste is not just a geographic location; it’s a celebration of life as envisioned by the Ticos (Costa Ricans).
With endless options for exploring natural and cultural offerings, this region of Costa Rica is unparalleled. After all, it’s the #1 vacation spot for Costa Ricans.
Are you ready to experience this paradise?
During pre-Columbian times, the Guanacaste region was dominated by the indigenous Corotega of Nicaragua. Many unique cultural traditions from this tribe are still present today. Because of this influence, the region embraces a slightly different personality than the rest of the country.
This lively province is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica! Spanning the northwestern corner of the country, travelers can do everything from surfing, ATV tours, snorkeling, zip line, horseback riding, hiking and more.
We will take an afternoon/evening trip to Marbella Beach and the TikiHut Restaurant, a once-sleepy fishing village that is growing in popularity in the surfing community but still offers less-crowded beaches in the area. Playa Pelada and Playa Azul are great for swimming and water sports.
Playa Ostional is one of the wonders of the natural world. With its beautiful black vocalnic sand beaches, The World Wildlife Fund, has pinpointed Playa Ostional as one of the two most important nesting sites in the world for the Olive Ridley turtle. This nesting ritual, “Arribada”, is at its height from September to October. The waves in this area are powerful and provide surfers a huge hollow waves to catch.
You don’t want to miss the Boca Nosara (where the ocean meets the inland Nosara river) since this area is home to a multitude of marine life. Boca Nosara is the start point for stand up paddlers, kayakers, and boat trippers who wish to explore the jungle mangroves, and experience a true up-close and personal interaction with the incredible wildlife of the Guanacaste jungle. If you’re the kind of person looking for relaxation, a spectacular natural ambiance, and a true taste of Costa Rican culture than a visit to the Boca Nosara rivermouth is a must-do.
Your Facilitators
… are professional musicians and teaching artists who will guide you through this transformative experience with musical breakthroughs, challenging creative exploration, and helping you find your authentic musical voice.
Meet Marnie Ward
Marnie deeply believes that music is for EVERYONE. Sharing music amongst others is a fundamental joy and responsibility and her passion is to give the gift of music to anyone she meets, without judgement. She is happy to share her knowledge of over 30 years as a performer and 15 years as a teaching artist.
As a performing artist, Marnie has been seen on a multitude of musical theatre stages to Carnegie Hall, from jazz bands to swing bands, her Andrews Sisters Tribute Act – Reveille 3, and has presented at various ‘ukulele festivals. She has been an arranger and performer with the Rocky Mountain Ukulele Orchestra since 2015.
A certified James Hill ‘Ukulele Initiative (JHUI) teacher and a 2024 graduate with a Certificate of Hawaiian Music from the University of Hawai’i’s Windward Community College. As a teacher, she provides private and group instruction as the owner of Marnie Ward Voice & ‘Ukulele Studio based in Denver, Colorado.
ANNOUNCING our Guest Facilitator: Danielle Anderson (aka Danielle Ate the Sandwich)
Combining soft, lilting vocals with poignant honesty and wit, Danielle Ate the Sandwich (Danielle Anderson), writes songs for the biggest and smallest moments of life. A songwriter, ukulele and guitar player, and performer, Danielle first found her place at open mic nights and coffee shops in Fort Collins, Colorado, and is now based in Kansas City, MO. Growing a fan base through her homemade videos on YouTube, Danielle performed and toured extensively from 2009-2018, leaving an impression on audiences across the country, and fans around the world.
Danielle has released 7 albums of original music, over 200 YouTube videos, and conducts an annual 24 Hour Album project, writing and producing new songs with the help of her patrons in only twenty four hours.
With appearances at ukulele festivals and events around the world, Danielle has been able to share her creative and collaborative teaching style. Incorporating the same performance chops she uses to interact and engage with her audiences during shows, Danielle leads with humor and honesty to help students feel at ease, and leave with a fresh take on a new skill.
We are so excited to join you on this magical journey!
Thank you for choosing us.
What participants think of You Can Uke Retreats
★★★★★
“A week of a lifetime.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Grand Lake ’24 Participant
“I’m Excited to Play”
“Amazing experience for an absolute beginner of the Ukulele in a beautiful area of Colorado. If it wasn’t for this retreat, I would had given up the Ukulele until the preceptors identified that the problem was not so much the users fault, but my playing may benefit from some minor adjustments to the instrument . Now, I’m excited to play and the sound is cleaner.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Joe, Madison, WI
“Like Minded Ukulele Players”
“Marnie and Cynthia were fantastic hosts! The setting was great and all the sessions were a fun and great learning experience. And we got to share this with a great group of like minded other ukulele players.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Perry, Vero Beach, FL
“No Judgement”
“I loved my time at the You Can Uke Retreat! Not only were the classes helpful and fun, but I also enjoyed meeting new friends. It felt like a safe space to share music….no judgement and great encouragement!”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Jeanie, Durango, CO
“Highly Recommend”
“I found this retreat an excellent learning experience. The small number of participants, with 2 highly capable instructors, made for a very focussed learning opportunity. Much material was covered and the instructors were able to successfully target all levels of learners. I would highly recommend this retreat to anyone interested in expanding their ukulele and singing skills. Thank you Marnie and Cynthia!”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Marlene, Vancouver, Canada
“Knowledgable”
“Marnie is soooo knowledgable and down to earth, and she connects with people and supports. She is tops.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Grand Lake ’24 Participant
Accommodations
Rayos Del Sol offers a variety of accommodations from the main house to stand alone casitas. All rooms are located within a 3-5 minute walk of the main common area and have air conditioning, on-demand hot water, organic soaps and bath products, and stunning ocean or forest views.
If you would like to bring a musical friend and share a room we have a double occupancy rate for a limited number of rooms; we do not assign roommates outside of the dorm location. Double occupancy friendly rooms are noted below (2 people in 1 room).
Los Rayos Private Suite
Single Occupancy: $3,497
Double Occupancy: $2,937 each ($5,874 total for Bring a Friend)
Immerse yourself in this tranquil private suite. Located in the main house, Los Rayos suites are a large bedroom with a private bath, ocean views, and steps from the pool and common area. Perfect for musical couples who are retreating together.
3 Rooms Available
Casa Azul
Bedroom 1, Single Occupancy: $3,217
Bedroom 2, Single Occupancy: $3,217
Nestled in the forest, Casa Azul has 2 private bedrooms with air conditioning, a shared bathroom, and lush forest views. These large bedrooms give you privacy for resting or practicing. Wake up to the whispering sounds of the jungle! Perfect for 2 musical friends to share the whole casita.
Option for 2 couples or 4 friends to share the whole casita – please contact Marnie for pricing and details. Bring your friends and double the fun!
Casa Lora
Bedroom 1, Single Occupancy Forest View: $3,217
Bedroom 2, Single Occupancy Ocean View: SOLD
Casa Lora has 2 private bedrooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom. Bedroom 1 is darker and cooler (in picture). Bedroom 2 is ocean facing. These large bedrooms give you privacy for resting or practicing. Perfect for 2 musical friends to share the whole casita.
Casa Colibri
Bedroom 1, Single Occupancy Forest View: SOLD
Bedroom 2, Single Occupancy Ocean View: SOLD
Casa Colibri has 2 private bedrooms with air conditioning and a shared bathroom. Bedroom 1 is darker and cooler. Bedroom 2 is ocean facing. These large bedrooms give you privacy for resting or practicing. Perfect for two musical friends to share the whole casita.
Mono Dorm
Mono Dorm: $2,477 each
A woman’s shared dorm with 6 twin beds, 2 showers, 2 toilets and 4 sinks. A practical way to board if you are on a budget as a single traveler. Or gather a group of like minded musical friends and make a slumber party feel!
This large room, appointed with teak wood beds, ceiling fans, air conditioning, a shared veranda and views of the Costa Rican forest.
6 Beds Available (need to meet minimum of 3 dorm residents, if the minimum is not met, the participant will be given a choice to upgrade to a casita or private room depending on availability)
Rayos 3 Dorm
Rayos 3 Dorm: $2,477 each
A men’s shared dorm is appointed with 4 twin teak beds, air conditioning, and a ceiling fan. The shower, toilet, and sink are shared. A practical way to board if you are on a budget as a single traveler.
This dorm, tucked within the main house, is steps from the pool and common area with delightful forest views.
4 Beds Available (need to meet minimum of 3 dorm residents, if the minimum is not met, the participant will be given a choice to upgrade to a casita or private room depending on availability)
F.A.Q.’s
Payment Schedule & Cancellation Policy
- If accepted, a $500 non-refundable retainer and signed Participation Agreement is due to reserve your place
- 50% of remaining balance is due on or before November 16, 2024
- Remaining balance is due on or before January 16, 2025
Refund Schedule
- 100% refund (minus non-refundable retainer) before November 16, 2024
- 50% refund (minus non-refundable retainer) before January 16, 2025
- After January 16, 2025, NO REFUNDS can be made. In some extenuating circumstances, a credit may be applied to a future retreat.
Can I share a room with another participant?
Absolutely! Outside of the dorm rooms, we do not assign roommates but you’re welcome to invite a friend or we can introduce you to someone else who is interested. The casitas are set up to have 1 participant in each bedroom to create a tranquil space to focus through the week.
May I bring along a non-playing guest or partner?
Of course, we welcome guests! Rate is dependent on the room of choice.
I’m new to ‘ukulele and singing, can I still participate?
All are welcome, even beginners. We typically have a wide variety of skill levels at each retreat. Since a lot of the participation is individualized it gives you a chance to grow at your own pace during the week.
How do I get from the Libera International Airport (LIB) to Rayos Del Sol?
We will be arranging shuttles to pick up guests. Coordination is needed to schedule the shuttle to pick up participants arriving within a close time span.
Is the tap water drinkable?
Yes, the water comes from a private well on the property and is safe to drink, even from your bathroom faucet!
I have dietary restrictions, do they make accommodations?
Most dietary restrictions can be accounted for, just let us know in advance.
Is Rayos Del Sol mobility-accessible?
The facilities at Rayos Del Sol are nestled amongst hills and cliffs with gravel paths and uneven surfaces. Movement around the property involves a fair amount of walking, various path surfaces, and some stairs depending on location.
More glowing reviews from You Can Uke Retreat participants.
“Bonding”
“So much fun and bonding on our final evening. Sharing is living.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Grand Lake ’24 Participant
“Motivational”
“It was informative and motivational.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Perry, Florida
“Thank You”
“This was a great experience. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
— Joe, Wisconsin
Still have questions?
Let’s talk. Sign up for a no-stress meet and greet below.