We come to this work carrying grief in many forms. Some of us are grieving the loss of someone we love. Others are holding quieter, less visible losses—changes in identity, relationships, or the life we once imagined. The Waves of Grief Retreat is a space where all of this belongs. Here, we tend to what aches within us, gently and at our own pace, while remembering that we are not alone. We practice staying present, connected and open-hearted, allowing our grief and love for life to exist side by side.
Riding the Waves
Grief is raw, messy and unpredictable. Like the ocean, it moves in waves—sometimes gentle and familiar, other times unexpected or overwhelming. We can’t always control what arises, but we can learn to meet ourselves and our grief with greater compassion, presence, and trust.
At the Waves of Grief Retreat, we create space to honor our losses, without losing sight of the life unfolding around us. Through shared experiences, mindful exploration, and the healing presence of community, we invite you to discover new ways of being with grief while remaining open to gratitude, wonder, and joy. There is no right way to grieve, no expectation to feel a certain way, and no destination you need to reach.
Ocean Medicine. Community Connection. Ritual.
The ocean offers more than a beautiful setting for this retreat. Its rhythms, movement, and vastness can be a helpful metaphor for grief, and a source of reflection and connection as we learn to navigate it. Together, we create a compassionate space to share our stories, honor what we've lost, and be witnessed without judgment or expectation. Through guided practices and time in the water, you’re invited to notice what’s here, allow what needs to move, and discover that grief and love can coexist.
Drawing from the generous hospitality and heart of our Moving Through Grief retreats and the nature-based practices of the Waves of Grief Collective™, our time together consists of guided grief circles, meaningful nature rituals, mindfulness, self-compassion, somatic awareness, and creative expression. The ocean becomes a companion in this work. Whether we sit and listen to its steady rhythm, are overcome by its heavy current, or exhilarated by riding a wave of joy.
We’ll incorporate somatic practices informed by Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore the different parts of ourselves that emerge in grief—those carrying sadness, anger, fear, or longing, as well as those that work to protect us from difficult feelings. Through guided exploration, we’ll learn to meet these parts with curiosity and compassion, making room for all that is present without needing to change or fix anything.
“The ocean teaches us about the ebb and flow of life, the impermanence of all things, and the power of surrender. In its depths, we find a reflection of our own souls, and a reminder that we are all connected.”
Holding it all…together
Healing isn't about getting over it or moving on. It's about learning to live alongside grief, while making space for what’s changed, and remaining connected to what matters most. We can carry sorrow, experience joy, express anger, and enjoy peace. We can honor our grief without allowing it to define every moment of our lives. We can miss what was, and also appreciate what is.
Through nature-based modalities and meaningful connection, we offer experiences and tools that empower you to push back against the cultural norms of grieving in isolation and embrace the healing power of community. As we tend to our inner worlds, we may find ourselves opening outward again to connection, meaning, possibility, and the simple pleasures of being alive.
A Place to Feel, Connect and Belong
One of the most meaningful aspects of our retreats is the community that forms when people come together with openness, honesty, and compassion. Around the table, in our circles, during shared adventures, and in the quiet moments between, connections emerge that remind us of our shared humanity.
Come on your own, with a friend, or a loved one. Whatever brings you here, you'll be welcomed into a community where grief is understood, stories are honored, and the fullness of life is embraced. Come prepared to feel deeply, rest fully, laugh freely, and make meaningful memories together.
Your Home in the Jungle
Nestled in the lush hills above Santa Teresa, our private retreat home, The Nëst, offers a beautiful balance of comfort and thoughtful design. From spacious jungle lofts to private tree villas, each accommodation invites you to slow down, settle into the rhythms of nature, and make yourself at home. Guests also enjoy access to the tree bar, swimming pool, jacuzzi, sauna, cold plunge, spa, yoga shala, and communal areas.
Read our guest reviews from past TwoCan Retreats
Your Hosts & Facilitators
Meet Mike and Stacy
Mike and Stacy McCrory are partners in life and co-founders of TwoCan Retreats, as well as Regional Directors for the Waves of Grief Collective™. In addition to leading grief retreats in Costa Rica and weekend retreats Santa Barbara, they host monthly Waves of Grief community gatherings at the beach in Santa Barbara.
After the loss of their oldest son in 2016, they committed themselves to creating spaces where grief can be met with honesty and compassion. Their work invites participants to learn how to carry loss while continuing to engage fully in life.
Rooted in their love of the ocean, family, and community, Mike and Stacy believe grief is meant to be carried together and that healing happens in community.
Stacy McCrory
Stacy is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California, the founder of TwoCan Retreats, and the Santa Barbara Regional Director for the Waves of Grief Collective™. For more than 25 years, she has supported individuals, couples, and families navigating grief, trauma, divorce, and other major life transitions. Stacy also volunteers her time as an end-of life doula in Santa Barbara. Her work is grounded in mindfulness, self-compassion, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and a deep respect for the complexity of being human.
A longtime student of grief, embodiment, and conscious living, Stacy brings both clinical depth and lived experience to the spaces she facilitates. She believes grief and gratitude can coexist — and that healing happens most powerfully in community and in connection with nature.
Read more on Stacy’s background here.
Mike McCrory
Mike has spent his career in hospitality and tourism, and at TwoCan Retreats he brings both professional experience and lived depth to the retreats he co-hosts. He oversees logistics — from travel coordination and transportation to local partnerships and daily retreat details — ensuring that guests feel safe, supported, and free to focus on their experience.
The loss of his son profoundly shaped his understanding of grief, resilience, and the importance of community. While he does not facilitate formal sessions, Mike’s lived experience, along with his steady, compassionate presence is an integral part of the retreat container. Participants experience him as grounded and attentive.
Whether coordinating behind the scenes or offering encouragement during an activity, Mike helps create an atmosphere of safety, care and genuine connection.
Sandy Schmidt
Sandy K. Schmidt is a certified yoga teacher, meditation guide, and Ayurveda practitioner, teaching in Costa Rica for several years. Her approach is focused on understanding yoga as a philosophy of life, and as a support system in assisting individuals as they navigate through their grief and major life transitions, including the death of a loved one.
Her approach is focused on understanding yoga as a philosophy of life, and support system for daily life off the mat. On the mat, yoga frees and opens the body through movement and breath, but off-mat, practice opens our mind and perspective. By practicing both, we grow in the totality of our being, and more easily experience the union of all aspects of life.
Find more info on Sandy’s background here.
Sofia Caraballo
The breathwork and sound healing experience performed by Sofia Caraballo is a conscious practice at remembering your genuine essence and rewiring your whole potential. It’s an invitation to become aware of your natural rhythm, flow at our own pace and trust your intuition.
Each experience is an opportunity to connect deeply with yourself and observe your breath with mindful attention. It’s about making every little corner more breathable. We breathe with intention in order to feel more deeply, to trust, let go, and surrender to the waves of life’s ups and downs through prana and vital energy.
This 90-minute practice includes breathwork, skilled guidance and sound healing, immersed in nature, expanding our awareness and releasing stress, toxins, pent up emotions and stored memories in the body.
Davide Cruciani & Michelle Jimenez
Husband and wife team Davide Cruciani and Michelle Jimenez own and operate The Girl & The Sea Surf School in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. TwoCan Retreats’ go-to teachers when it comes to surf instruction, Davide and Michelle don’t take surfing lightly – it is their passion and lifestyle. Their surf lessons are designed to be fun and insightful for every woman, man, or child who wants to learn – regardless of age or surfing ability.
They break surfing down into easy-to-understand steps and drills that make for an exhilarating day on the water. The result: a life-changing, transformative surf experience in magical Santa Teresa, a place where time slows, shoulders drop, and spirits soar. The ocean is the biggest place on this planet and once you connect with Davide and Michelle in a Santa Teresa shorebreak, there is no turning back.
Read more information on Davide and Michelle’s background here.
Beautiful Costa Rica
Costa Rica offers an extraordinary invitation to slow down, reconnect with nature, and embrace the beauty of being alive. From lush, tropical rainforest and abundant wildlife to warm waters of the Pacific ocean, the Nicoya Peninsula is a place where adventure, tranquility, and natural beauty come together. Near the laid-back coastal community of Santa Teresa, you'll discover pristine beaches, breathtaking sunsets, and countless opportunities to experience the wonders of this remarkable slice of paradise.
Santa Teresa is a charming little bohemian surf town known for its year-round surf and Pura Vida vibes, where the community comes together each day to pause, take in the sunset and be grateful for another day. The beaches are beautiful and uncrowded, the ocean warm and inviting. Close by are natural tide pools in Manzanillo and Malpais, a breathtaking secret beach and Montezuma Waterfalls, just to name a few of the many opportunities you’ll have to experience the awe and delight of this incredible jungle paradise.
Nourishment from the Heart
Gathering around the table is one of the simple joys of retreats. Throughout our time together, we’ll enjoy fresh, nourishing, farm-to-table cuisine thoughtfully prepared by our private chef, Glenda Saborio. A nutritionist and gifted chef, Glenda draws inspiration from her life between the jungle and the sea, bringing together locally sourced ingredients, vibrant Costa Rican flavors, and culinary influences from around the world. From leisurely breakfasts to shared dinners, mealtimes offer space to slow down, connect, and savor the pleasures of being together.
Accommodations & Pricing
The Nëst is more than a place to stay; it's an immersive wellness experience where nature, community, and tranquility come together. A luxurious treehouse retreat nestled in the lush jungle of Santa Teresa. This eco-friendly sanctuary features 13 thoughtfully designed sleeping spaces with king-size beds, beautiful pools, and stunning indoor-outdoor living spaces, equipped with everything you need, including A/C and WiFi.
Premium Private Tree Villa | Roble - $4495 (single) · $3695 (shared, per person)
For those seeking an extra touch of privacy and luxury, Roble (above) offers a secluded two-story jungle villa surrounded by lush tropical gardens. This beautifully designed villa features a spacious bedroom with an ensuite, bathroom, kitchenette, private plunge pool, and suspended lounging net. A inviting space for rest and reflection. Beds can be separated into singles upon request.
Private Tree Villa Suites | Ceiba & Pochote - $3995 (single) · $3495 (shared, per person)
Nestled among the trees, Ceiba (above) and Pochote (below) feature two spacious private bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms. Each villa also offers a shared kitchen, plunge pool, and relaxing hammock nets, surrounded by lush jungle. An inviting space for those seeking privacy and comfort. Beds can be separated into singles upon request.
Bamboo Lodge (below) features two private ground-floor rooms and three spacious two-story loft suites, each with individual king-size beds on separate levels, a shared bathroom and a kitchenette. Guests also enjoy access to the tree bar, swimming pool, spa, yoga shala, and communal dining area.
Private Jungle Suite - $3795 (single) · $3295 (shared, per person)
Located on the ground floor of Bamboo Lodge, this inviting private suite features a spacious bedroom with a king-size bed and ensuite bathroom with soaking tub. A peaceful, comfortable, retreat space with easy access to the lodge’s shared spaces.
Semi-Private Jungle Loft - $3495
Each two-story loft accommodates two guests in separate sleeping areas with a shared bathroom and kitchenette. Sleeping spaces vary in layout and are assigned in order of registration with consideration for individual needs.
What’s Included
Activities and excursions subject to change.
Your six-day/five-night retreat experience is thoughtfully designed to offer a balance of meaningful grief work, restorative practices, connection, and adventure.
• 5 nights luxury accommodations with exclusive use of The Nëst in the hills above Santa Teresa
• Round-trip domestic airfare between San Jose and the Nicoya Peninsula, with coordinated ground transportation to and from our retreat property, on Costa Rica Green Airways
• Private airport transfers and ground transportation for the duration of your stay
• Delicious, nourishing, farm-to table meals, prepared fresh daily, by our private chef, Glenda Soborio
• Daily group practices, including yoga, meditation, mindfulness and journaling
• Waves of Grief™ Circles, nature-based rituals, and opportunities for shared reflection
• IFS-informed somatic practices for self-exploration, emotional awareness, and self-compassion
• Guided breathwork and sound healing
• A group surf lesson with professional instruction and equipment - The Girl & The Sea Surf School
• A guided horseback ride through the jungle, rivers and along the shore with Ario Tours
• Spacious time for rest, relaxation and personal reflection
• Unlimited access to The Nëst’s beautiful gathering spaces, yoga shala and wellness amenities, including sauna, cold plunge, pools, jacuzzi, spa, and Tree Bar
• Daily housekeeping and personalized care from your five-star TwoCan Retreats team
• Our signature “give back” community fundraising event TBD, with a portion of your retreat fee donated to one or more of our nonprofit partners
What’s NOT included
• International airfare to and from Costa Rica
• Additional activities, spa or wellness treatments
• Gratuities for local staff & activity/tour operators
• Travel insurance
TwoCan Retreats Personalized Service
At TwoCan Retreats, we believe that thoughtful details and personal attention make all the difference. With years of experience hosting retreats in Costa Rica, we've cultivated trusted local relationships, and a deep appreciation for the people, places, and experiences that make this region so special. From helping you prepare for your journey to coordinating the details of your stay, we take care of the logistics so you can relax into the experience. Our intention is to make you feel welcomed, cared for, and free to focus on what matters most.
Don’t just take our word for it, read past TwoCan Retreat guest reviews!
We Make Getting Here Easy
TwoCan Retreats is proud to partner with Costa Rica Green Airways, a Costa Rican family-owned airline committed to Costa Rica’s environmental stewardship. Included in your package price is a round-trip flight, which will take you from the Domestic Terminal at San Jose Airport (SJO) to the small local airport in Cobano (ACO), located a short drive from your final destination. This convenient 25-minute flight eliminates the 4-5 hour drive from the San Jose airport.
The domestic terminal is located just outside SJO International Airport, about a five minute walk to the left. Just follow the yellow line all the way there, and check in for your flight at the Costa Rica Green Airways front desk.
Upon landing in Cobana, you will be welcomed by TwoCan staffers who will transport you on a scenic drive through the lush Costa Rican countryside to your destination, which has been reserved exclusively for the Waves of Grief Retreat in order to create a safe container during your stay.
Reservations:
• Deposit to hold your spot: $1000 due at booking.
• 50% of balance due 90 days prior to the start of the retreat.
• Final balance of trip package price due 60 days prior to the start of the retreat.
Cancellation Policy:
• Full refund, less $500 cancellation fee, for cancellations requested 90+ days prior to the start of the retreat.
• 50% refund for cancellations requested 60-89 days prior to the start of the retreat.*
• No refunds will be given less than 60 days prior to the start of the retreat.*
*Unless…
1. YOU are able to transfer your retreat package to another qualified person.
2. WE are able to sell your package to another qualified person.