BARAHONA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

March 3-7, 2021

Be ready to dig deep into Mother Nature and immerse in its powerful healing effects. Barahona is a region located in the Southwest of Dominican Republic. It is the most biodiverse reserve in the island. A place where fresh water cascades turn into natural pools and birding heavens are tucked amid mountain ranges. This hidden gem is an area declared by the UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve.

Join Shayne Cohen in collaboration with ‘Rising Sol Collective’ on this 5-days, 4 nights voyage filled with yoga, sacred rituals and adventures. Open to all levels of yoga practitioners.

Through the practice of self-love, yoga, breath work, meditation, sound baths, kirtan, temazcal, organic food, daily nature excursions, and wellness treatments we will open our Anahata Chakra and find spiritual grounding through holistic healing methods.

Casa Bonita

Location

Barahona province is in the south of the Dominican Republic. This stunning area reveals multiple ecosystems that range from dry forests to cloud–rising over 2,000 meters (7,500 feet) where unique species make their home. These include at least 180 species of orchids, of which 32 are endemic, rhinoceros iguanas, and over 100 species of birds along marked trails. Complementing this wilderness are rivers cascading down to meet the Caribbean Ocean. Caves tucked in thick fern forests leading you towards refreshing blue sinkholes natural pools.

Our home, Casa Bonita is the former Schiffino family summer home. Today, it is a proud member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. The site offers the most unforgettable views of the Caribbean Sea, mixed with a tropical jungle of The Sierra Barahuco Mountains where its rivers meet the ocean. A magical place to experience wellbeing and enjoy the biodiversity of this unique region. Casa Bonita is a hidden gem.

The property has 12 Deluxe rooms, each featuring a private balcony overlooking the tropical jungle and partial sea view out to the Caribbean. Deluxe King rooms are outfitted with a king bed. Deluxe Double rooms have 2 queen size beds.

There are 5 River Suites, each its own private villa. This area of the hotel is settled inside the forest overlooking Rio Sito. The Villas include a large terrace with view of the river, private outdoor bathroom with jacuzzi.

Casa Bonita Casa Bonita
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Team

Shayne Cohen

CO-FOUNDER / YOGA INSTRUCTOR

Born and raised in Bogota, Colombia, Shayne Cohen grew up as a competitive gymnast, developing strength and flexibility at a very young age. During her college years in New York City, she was initiated into yoga by Sri Dharma Mitra and for the last 29 years she has remained fully committed to her yoga path.

Adriana Vergara

CO-FOUNDER / DIRECTOR

Adriana was born and raised in Bogota Colombia and moved to Miami in 2000. Immediately she became engraved in the arts and culture scene of the city, becoming involved with many local and national art institutions. She’s currently a contemporary art consultant.

Rising Sol Collective

YOGA INSTRUCTORS / WELLNESS PRACTICIONERS

Samantha Ross

Samantha grew up in a small town in New Hampshire surrounded by nature and the mountains. She was raised learning about acceptance, openness and understanding of all walks of life.

Let's press the reset button in our lives and return to our much needed internal sense of balance, harmony, and joy
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Anahata Experience

“The body benefits from movement, and the mind benefits from stillness.”

Sakyong Mipham

Morning Sun practice
led by Shayne Cohen

Vinyasa Yoga is an energetic form of yoga where students fluidly move from one pose to the next while synchronizing their breath to their movements. Shayne’s classes integrate a dynamic flow with the application of precise alignment, meditation, visualization, intention and chanting to create an inner journey towards healing and empowerment.

Classes begin with chanting to prepare the mind for a deeper state of consciousness and meditation during asanas (physical practice.) Shayne likes her students to recognize yoga as a sacred practice, she believes if it’s not devotional then it’s not yoga. Each class is designed to systematically stimulate the organs, glands, nervous system and move freshly oxygenated blood to the entire body as you release tension and simultaneously develop faith and intuition.

Daily Excursions
e.g. Bahia de las Aguilas

Bahia de las Aguilas is an 8 km long beach along the southwestern coast of the Dominican Republic near the southernmost part of the border with Haiti. The bay is part of the Jaragua National Park, and it is considered by many Dominicans as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Evening Moon Practice
led by Rising Sol Collective

Mind Body Sound Bath Yoga

Designed for all levels. It can be described as a Ying Yang Yoga class with a mix of Hatha. You will experience a beautiful combination of stress relief and deep stretching engaging not just your body but your mind and spirit as well. Class will finish with a sound bath awakening a sense of love and devotion.

Kirtan / Sacred Ceremonies

Kirtan is a sing along of mantras, through which we find our way back to our core, our heart and our relationships with each other.

Chanting mantras connect us with the spiritual wisdom. These ancient chants contain a transformative power and healing energy. We will sing, drum and dance to express our love and devotion.

Rates

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River Suite
Single Occupancy

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Couples River Suite
Couple Occupancy

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Deluxe
Single Occupancy

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Deluxe
Double Occupancy

What's Included

  • 5 days / 4 night accommodation at Casa Bonita.
  • Daily yoga, meditation, sound healing, spiritual ceremonies, & kirtan.
  • 3 daily meals inspired by local cuisine. (Fish and eggs will be offered.)
  • Daily excursions to nature: jungle, beach, waterfalls, and rivers.
  • Air transportation from Santo Domingo to Barahona by private chartered plane for those traveling with the group.

Payment and Cancellation Policy

  • Reservation can be made with the full payment or a 50% deposit.
  • Payments are non-refundable.
  • Credit card payments will incur in a 3% additional fee.
  • To avoid the additional 3% fee, other payment options include checks, Venmo, and direct deposits. Contact Us
  • We highly recommend you purchase insurance for your trip. The following link offers different options: Insure My Trip
  • Keep in mind that due to COVID-19 airlines are now waiving any change fees.

Wellness and Spa Treatments

not included in retreat package

We recommend you schedule with us any of the treatments below before we travel. Limited slots will be available so that treatments do not interfere with our busy daily schedule.

Reiki by Sam
Reiki, "universal-life force energy", is a beautiful ancient Japanese method of working with spiritual energy, intention, and your intuition. Reiki is a used to balance your chakra energies and helps in cleansing and balancing your aura.
Reiki is a gentle and safe healing practice that is geared towards removing any energy blocks in our system caused by emotional, mental or physical stress and pain.
60 mins: $80
Vedic Thai Massage by Madhu
Vedic Thai Bodywork is a divine folk art + medicine of ancient Siam, Thailand.
This style of bodywork produces profound pleasure and inspiring tranquility physically and psychologically by replacing old, restricted energy patterns within the body and spirit. It is commonly reported to revitalize and balance cerebral (emotional) and somatic (physical) ailments instantly.
60 mins: $80
Spa Services by Casa Bonita
The Spa is surrounded by a natural and virgin site. Set amongst diverse and magnificent surroundings with a greater sense of eco consciousness, The Spa designs special treatments with all natural products. It is the perfect ambiance for health, beauty, wellbeing and harmony. During our retreat we will receive 20% discount from Spa prices listed below:
Relaxing Massage: 50 mins. US$80
Deep Tissue Massage: 50 mins. US$80
Sports Massage: 50 mins. US$80
Tropical Facial: 60 mins. US$99

Frequently Asked Questions

American citizens do not need visa to travel to the Dominican Republic.
There are no mandatory vaccines traveling from the US to the Dominican Republic.
We do recommend taking Thiamine/Vitamin B1 a couple of weeks before traveling. This helps keep mosquitoes away.
If you are flying from Miami we recommend flying with us as a group. Once you book your spot we will send you flight details to Santo Domingo for booking.
We will be flying to Santo Domingo International Airport
From Santo Domingo Intl Airport we will charter a flight to Barahona
We recommend all guests to travel on the same flight with one of our team members. From Santo Domingo Intl Airport we will take a 35-min chartered flight to Barahona. The cost for the chartered flight has been included in the retreat rate. Each passenger is allowed a 35 lbs carry-on and a personal item. No additional luggage can be taken.
If you plan to travel on a different flight or date, please send us your itinerary so we can help you make arrangements for ground transportation at your own cost, once you have booked your plane ticket .
All prices listed are per person.
Absolutely! We will arrange accommodations for those who want to share room and are traveling alone. Please send us an email when booking your spot.
Casa Bonita offers three organic meals per day based on our daily chef’s menu. Please let us know your needs when booking your spot, will do everything possible to accommodate your requests.
You can reserve your spot directly on our website or by emaling us. A reservation requires payment in full or a 50% deposit. Cancellations are non-refundable.

Credit card payments will incur in a 3% additional fee. To avoid this fee, other payment options include checks, Venmo, and direct deposits.
Bathing suits, yoga clothes, shorts, tee shirts, flip flops, water shoes for excursions. A light sweater in case the night is a little chilly.
Small backpack or waterproof backpack, bug spray, sunscreen and hat.
Mats and all yoga props will be provided.
We are taking all health and sanitary precautions necessary for the group.
Our home Hotel Casa Bonita is a member of SLH ("Small Luxury Hotels of the World"), therefore, they are keeping up with high international santization standards.
We have arranged so that no other guests stay at the hotel during our retreat.
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