Getting to Finca Renacer
Closest Airport:
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in San José, Costa Rica
Options to reach us from SJO
🚙 By Rental Car (4x4 recommended)
Drive time: ~4–5 hours
Route: SJO → Route 34 (coast) → Dominical → Tinamaste → La Florida de Barú
Use our written directions – GPS apps often suggest rough roads.
🚕 By Shuttle or Taxi
Private drivers or shuttles available upon request
We can help organize transport from San José, San Isidro, or Dominical
🚌 By Bus
Take a bus to San Isidro del General (Perez Zeledon)
From there: taxi to La Florida de Barú
Approx. 5-6 hours total
🛩️ By Domestic Flight
SANSA flights from SJO to Quepos
From Quepos: taxi to Finca (about 1 hour)
📍 We will send full written instructions after booking.
What’s Included in the Price
Where You’ll Sleep
You’ll sleep outdoors in a pre-built jungle shelter covered with a mosquito net – fully immersed in nature.
Prefer your own gear? You’re welcome to bring a hammock, tarp and mosquito protection.
The base camp is a short walk downhill from the parking area – best to pack everything in a comfortable backpack.
Meals & Food Style
We cook together on an open fire – simple, fresh, vegetarian meals with regional ingredients.
Vegan options are available upon request.
This is part of the experience: we prepare and enjoy each meal as a group.
Teaching & Experience
Learn essential survival skills like fire-making, shelter-building, water purification and more – all guided by our experienced instructors Sonja & Ivo.
We don’t teach hunting or animal catching techniques.
The focus is on practical, ethical and nature-connected survival skills – no prior experience needed.
Must-Haves
• Sleeping bag or blanket
• Sleeping pad / mat
• Sharp fixed-blade knife
• Water bottle
• Headlamp or flashlight
• Rain jacket
• Towel & swimwear
• Toiletries (eco-friendly)
• Notebook & pen
• Sunscreen & mosquito repellent
Clothing
• Light long pants & shorts
• T-shirts & long sleeves
• Quality shoes (sneakers or boots)
• Extra socks
• Optional: gloves, flip flops, snacks
🎒 What to Pack
- Pack in a backpack – you’ll walk a jungle path to reach base
- Go light: You won’t need extra outfits or “just-in-case” stuff
- Bring gear you’re not afraid to get dirty or smoky
- We have limited charging options – go unplugged when possible
If you’re missing something essential, we offer limited gear for rent. Just let us know!
Want to Stay Longer?
If you’d like to arrive a few days earlier or stay longer after your course, we offer simple but beautiful eco-lodges right here on site. You’ll have time to relax, explore the surroundings and enjoy the full jungle experience.
Let us know what you’re looking for – we’re happy to help you plan.
Jungle Hikes
Explore hidden trails, spot wildlife and feel the calm power of the rainforest.
Fishing Trips
Join a local fisherman and discover Costa Rica’s rivers or coastlines.
Surfing Excursions
Ride the Pacific waves – just an hour away from Finca Renacer.
🔒 Ready to Book?
Your spot is almost yours – just one last step!
To officially reserve your place in the course, we ask for a $200 deposit. Once we receive your payment, we’ll send you a confirmation along with everything you need to get ready.
You’ll find full payment instructions in your confirmation email.
We keep our groups small – so spots are limited and usually fill up quickly.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous survival experience?
Not at all. The course is designed for beginners. You’ll be guided step by step through each skill – no pressure, no judgment. All experienced participants will deepen their skills.
Can I come alone?
Absolutely. Most participants travel solo and end up connecting with the group quickly – this is a community experience at heart.
What happens if I cancel?
Our cancellation policy:
• 90% refund if cancelled ≥ 8 weeks before the course
• 50% refund if cancelled ≥ 4 weeks before
• No refund <14 days before the course
→ Exception: medical reasons (80% refund or date change possible with certificate)
→ If we cancel, full refund or rebooking
Is it safe in the jungle?
Yes – the finca is a private, secure area with experienced staff. Basic safety guidelines will be shared on arrival.
What language is the course in?
The course is held in English, but Sonja & Ivo also speak German. Ivo speaks Spanish & Italian too. The group adapts naturally – no worries if English isn’t your native language.
Master tropical survival.
You’ll leave this workshop with real life skills, new confidence and a deep connection to nature. This isn’t a retreat. It’s transformation through experience.
The part of the course that I liked the most was how we all together made a fire and used it to cook our own food in the “Cooking Pit”, our full survival meal was therefore my best experience.
With all the skills learned from making fire to building tools with bamboo that I’ve acquired throughout the course, I can say safely that I now have the skill to survive in the wild. The course really equips you with a wide range of skills necessary for me to be able to live outside of the civilisation.
Kilian
Villach, Austria
Taking the survival course at Finca Renacer was a once in a lifetime experience. One of my favorites was heating up rocks in the fire to boil water and cook food in bamboo container over the open fire.
Thank you Sonja and Ivo for sharing your wealth of knowledge and for making this experience an unforgettable one.
Gabriela
New Jersey, United States
Del curso de sobre-vivencia en la montaña, me enseñó muchas cosas , fue muy interesante dormir en la montaña, el realizar fuego me encantó y una de las cosas más importantes para mí, fue el realizar el ejercicio donde representábamos los animales .
(translation)
From the survival course in the mountains, it taught me many things, it was very interesting to sleep in the mountains, I loved making fire and one of the most important things for me was to do the exercise where we represented the animals.
Flor
San Jose, Costa Rica
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