Costa Rica
Where Whitewater Meets Inner Work
Mental Training for Whitewater Performance
This Costa Rica immersion is a rare integration of technical whitewater instruction and evidence-informed mental training, designed for paddlers who want to perform with clarity, confidence, and composure on the river. Days are spent developing paddling skills, river reading, and decision-making alongside deliberate mental training—nervous-system regulation, focus under pressure, and tools for working with fear. Evenings unfold at a remote jungle lodge with world-class cuisine, a yoga deck overlooking the river, and daily practices of meditation, reflection, and embodied recovery. This is not a passive retreat; it is an intentional training environment where presence, performance, and personal growth are cultivated together—on and off the water—through deep immersion in nature, skillful instruction, and thoughtful psychological support.
At a Glance
Itinerary
August 3rd: 90 minute group coaching session
August 15th: Arrival, fly into San Jose, Costa Rica, welcome dinner
August 16th: Transfer to Rios Lodge on the Pacuare River, a raft-in destination with world-class cuisine and immersion in the Costa Rican Rainforest
August 17th-19th: Rafting instruction (paddle and oar both offered) on the upper Pacuare River (class II and III), combined with daily mindfulness and mental conditioning
August 20th: Adventure activities around Rios Lodge. Zip lining, rain forest walks, and inner tubing are all options!
August 21st: Capstone boating on the Lower Pacuare (Class III and IV) and return to San Jose
August 22nd: Departure day
You are welcome to extend your travels in Costa Rica before or after the trip — we highly recommend exploring!
Where Will We Stay?
Rios Lodge on the Pacuare River. This lodge offers a unique and unforgettable experience immersed in the Costa Rican rainforest. Rios is an off-grid and upscale destination with a strong emphasis on conservation and sustainability.
What is Included?
✔ 1 group coaching session prior to arrival on August 3rd, 6 PM MST
✔ 5 full days on the river with professional instruction
✔ 1 day of jungle adventure
✔ All meals, transportation, and lodging
✔ All rafting equipment (boats, oars, safety gear)
✔ Airport transfers
✔ Leadership and mindset coaching woven into each day
✔ Logistics group call July 16th 6 PM MST
What’s Not Included
✘ Flights to/from Costa Rica
✘ Bar tab
✘ Personal travel/medical and cancellation insurance (required)
✘ Personal boating gear
✘ Instructor Tips. 10-20% is the industry standard
How Much Does It Cost?
$3680
Do I need to be in great shape to join?
Not at all! You don’t need to be an athlete to paddle in Costa Rica — just adventurous and willing to learn. We’ll provide you with a simple fitness routine ahead of time so you feel confident and prepared, and we’ll pace each day to match the group’s energy and ability.
What if I’ve never paddled before? Or what if I am an expert paddler?
Perfect — this course is for everyone. We have something to offer everyone, whether you’re brand new or have hundreds of river miles under your belt. This couse is about more than technical boating (although that is a big part of it), this course is about learning how to show up as the best version of ourselves when the going get’s tough and the rapids get big. Instruction, both mental and technical, builds progressively, so you’ll feel confident and supported each step of the way.
Meet Your Instructors
Jess Lewis
Founder
I’m Jess Lewis — river guide, coach, and founder of Wyld Heart. For over two decades, I’ve led teams and expeditions across Antarctica, Africa, South and Central America, and the American West. No matter the terrain, my work has always centered on one thing: helping people find courage and clarity in wild places.
I’m an American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer (Level 5 Raft) and a Level 4 Swiftwater Rescue Instructor, and I currently serve as Chair of the ACA Rafting Committee. I’m also AMGA-trained as a mountain guide, an avalanche instructor, and a Wilderness Medicine Instructor.
Along the way, I’ve founded nonprofits, taught at the university level, written as an author, and guided complex international expeditions.
Through Wyld Heart, I bring all of that experience together—mindset coaching, leadership training, and embodied resilience—to help people navigate challenges, lead with heart, and step into the biggest version of themselves.
Weston Smith
Instructor Extraordinaire
Wilderness therapy guide/trainer, licensed mental health therapist, & ACA instructor. Wes has 18 years of experience guiding individuals & groups in building community, creating culture in group settings, developing communication skills, & self-discovery. His first love in the outdoors was climbing, and at age 14, he competed locally & nationally out of his hometown in Houston, TX. He later moved to Colorado to further pursue this passion. Wes spent 7 years as a wilderness therapy instructor, where group culture & mindfulness techniques were central to the training. He is a lifelong explorer of people & locations, from the canyons of Southeast Utah to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and, most recently, the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Whitewater boating has been important to Wes for 2 decades, as many of his lifelong friends have been found on the river. For the past 8 years, he has worked as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor, licensed in Colorado & North Carolina, specializing in adolescent & young adult men, fathers, & families. Wes can be seen playing in the river, laughing around the campfire, or connecting with close friends as deep connection feeds his life.
The Nitty Gritty Details
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This trip is $3680, and you can reserve your spot directly through our website. Initially a non-refundable deposit of $920 is due at checkout. Terms of payment will be determined on an individual basis thereafter.
We accept payments via credit card or Venmo @WyldHeartCo. Please note that credit card payments may include a small processing fee.
Have questions or want to talk it through first? I’d love to connect with you directly:
Email: jess@wyldheartco.com
Phone: 719.395.5546 -
A 25% deposit is due at registration. Of this, $920 is non-refundable and non-transferable.
More than 120 days prior to departure: Full refund of any payments made, less the $920 non-refundable portion of your deposit.
91–120 days prior: 50% refund of trip cost, less $920.
61–90 days prior: 25% refund of trip cost, less $920.
60 days or fewer prior: No refund.
If Wyld Heart cancels a trip for reasons other than force majeure (natural disasters, political instability, pandemics, etc.), you’ll receive a full refund, including your deposit. If cancellation is due to force majeure, we’ll make every effort to refund recoverable costs or apply your payment toward a future trip.
All cancellations must be submitted in writing via email to: jess@wyldheartco.com.
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Wyld Heart requires all participants to carry travel insurance that includes emergency medical and evacuation coverage for the full duration of the program.
For all international trips, participants are also required to carry trip cancellation and interruption insurance. Travel insurance is an essential part of participating in Wyld Heart programs and helps protect your financial investment if unforeseen circumstances prevent you from joining the trip or require you to leave early.
Wyld Heart does not provide refunds for circumstances beyond our control, including but not limited to weather, safety considerations, illness, political conditions, partner availability, or participant inability to attend. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance is the participant’s primary financial protection in these situations.
Wyld Heart is not an insurer and does not guarantee reimbursement of trip costs. Participants are responsible for selecting a policy that adequately covers their needs and their full trip investment.
Popular providers our guests use include Allianz, Travel Guard, World Nomads, and AIG Travel. Some participants also use coverage offered through their credit card provider or airline; however, it is the participant’s responsibility to confirm that such coverage meets the requirements above.
