Team bonding with Ralia Retreats in Costa Rica
Eden Carpenter reviews this corporate break near Liberia, where she discovers her inner chef, magic team moments and lessons for the future
I’d been looking for a way to bond with my remote team in an inspiring location. Our company had had massive success in the previous year and we wanted to celebrate. We also wanted to bond, recharge and set our next set of goals. When I founded the business, four years ago, I’d no idea it would grow into a thriving company, so being able to take my colleagues on a luxury retreat was my way of showering them with appreciation and celebrating all that we had built together.
As a team, we create digital resources and educational content about an awareness system called Human Design. We’re a team of six core team members, ranging from 25 to 30 years old, and after countless hours of working remotely and chatting on Zoom, we’ve formed close relationships. It felt like time we all came together in person. Unfortunately, only four of us could make the retreat.
“I wanted a space that inspired awe, that amplified our gratitude, and transformed work acquaintances into soul sisterhood through once-in-a-lifetime moments”
From the get-go, I just knew the Ralia retreat in Costa Rica was going to be the perfect place to unwind, bond as a team, and deepen our own individual spirituality. This retreat was a big deal to me and my team, and the environment needed to be nothing short of immaculate. I didn’t see my team bonding by playing Two Truths and a Lie under fluorescent lighting in a hotel conference room. I wanted a space that inspired awe, that amplified our gratitude, and transformed work acquaintances into soul sisterhood through once-in-a-lifetime moments.
Before the retreat we connected with the whole Ralia team virtually to set intentions and get to know the incredible crew. We all held the intentions of bonding, breakthroughs, recharging, and celebration. and we chose the word ‘bliss’ as our official theme. We already felt the Ralia team were part of our group and it was like going to visit friends.
The retreat’s founder Mya helped us arrange all the flights (from three different countries) and had a van waiting to pick us up right outside Liberia airport. During the 45-minute drive to the beachside villas, we took in the stunning scenery of Costa Rica, sipping on cold drinks. The intention setting ceremony was a beautiful surprise to start off the retreat and it helped us to feel connected to our hosts.
Our accommodation was in two adjacent two-bedroom villas that had their own fully stocked kitchens, spacious bathrooms, balconies in the bedrooms, and back patios that overlooked the pool, the beach, and the most stunning sunsets. We loved the sustainable touches like electric golf carts, biodegradable soaps and skincare products, and organic local farm produce in the fridge.
The true luxury of this retreat was getting to meet the amazing people on the Ralia team. We had chef Dania and wellness concierge Marian with us every day, but also got to meet some of their friends and family.
The food was a major highlight of the retreat. I have celiac disease and Dania was able to make the entire menu gluten-free while still keeping it absolutely delicious. Watching Dania work her magic in the kitchen was a beautiful experience, and what a privilege it was to learn about her home and culture through her food. Having Dania teach us how to cook was delightful - I am now confident in my tortilla-making skills, and I will be putting shredded carrots in my omelettes forever.
Marian led our yoga classes and cacao ceremony, and also acted as our guide through the activations (activities) for most of the retreat. I’d chosen the activations and they were as I hoped – we truly experienced magic with team bonding, healing, cultural immersion and celebration.
On one of the days, we went on a boat with Marian, her father and his crew, spotting dolphins as we headed to a private beach where we gave offerings to the land of Costa Rica in gratitude for all the healing and energy she had given us throughout our stay. One of the other days we made pottery in a local shop and learned about their traditional methods for gathering the materials and using homemade tools.
When we were not on an activation (or eating), we spent our time walking on the beach, lying by the pool, exploring the local town on our golf carts, or getting lost in late-night conversation around the villa. The itinerary was a perfect balance of playful adventures and down time to relax and take in the beautiful environment.
The Ralia team kept on giving even after we got home. On another call a little over a month after our retreat, we processed what we learnt, and we got support from the Ralia team on how to integrate our learnings into our lives back home.
For me personally, I realised that I want to prioritise my health and stop working so much. Slowing down on the retreat reminded me of how inspired and creative I am when I am relaxed and well rested. I have already booked my next retreat with Ralia!