Pilates & Projects

Atenas, Costa Rica

Visit Costa Rica.

Move Your Body.

Start Or Finish Your Project.

3 and 5 NIGHT STAYS. The Calendar is Open!

(Longer stays by request.)

Are you ready to do the damn thing?

To start a project, make significant progress on a project, finish something, or submit it…

Have you been feeling stuck?

Like a new environment might do the trick; warm sun, natural beauty, the sound of birds all day every day, and a fresh breeze on your skin…

Want more to move your body or exercise?

Enjoy a daily private Pilates session , plus access to the studio and fitness equipment throughout your stay, and local walking paths…

With Pilates & Projects Finally Make Time for YOU (and your project).

  • Finish that script or manuscript

  • Turn in your grant application

  • Complete your thesis

  • Start your book proposal

  • Draw, paint, and create

  • Finish that presentation

  • Design a course

  • Do Research

  • Work Remotely

  • Rest and nap

  • Read

  • Move Your Body Daily with Pilates

YOUR STAY

THE ACCOMMODATIONS

Private suite on the 2nd FL

Bedroom w/ balcony

Private Living Room/Lounge w/ built-in desk

Private Bathroom

Fully Gated Home

Secure Parking

(1st Floor: Shared entrance, living room, dining room, laundry room, full bathroom, two porches, hammock, outdoor work area, and Pilates studio)

THE STUDIO

Receive a Daily private Pilates Session w/ Amy Loder (option to add more sessions)

Daily access to the Pilates studio & gym equipment for personal practice time (kettle bells, weights, yoga mats & blocks, TRX, jump rope, and more)

Join group Pilates mat classes

ABOUT ATENAS, COSTA RICA

Just 30 mins. from the San Jose (SJO) airport.

The studio and house are located in the El Güisaro neighborhood of Atenas. One of the most walking- accessible areas in town.

Walking Distance (5 - 15 mins.)

Grocery store and food markets

Bakery

Coffee Shop

Main Square / Park

Restaurants & Central Market

Health Food Store / Macrobiotica

Shops (clothing, shoes, hardware store, florist, cell phone store)

Town Center

Pharmacy

Post Office

Farmer’s Market (Thurs / Fri.)

Walking paths, pastures, cows & horses

30 mins. to 1 hour drive

Waterfalls

Beaches

Mountain Hikes

Volcano / National Park

San Jose City Center

Coffee Shops | Restaurants | Bars

Movie Theater

5 star spa and resort

Coffee farms & tour

Fútbol Stadiums

Music Venues

More About Our Offerings

Sleep

High ceilings, airy, and light-filled rooms. 

You may never want to leave. 

  • Bedroom: Full size bed with a combo memory foam mattress from Costa Rica’s leading Jiron brand. 

  • Built-in desk

  • Two built-in closets

  • Organic cotton sheets

  • Lounge: comfy seating and SmartTV so that you can access your apps (room has additional closet and desk space)

  • Your own private balcony with seating

  • Flashlight in the desk just in case and a waterproof poncho in the closet in case it rains.

Bathe

Enjoy your own private bathroom and an additional full bathroom downstairs.

  • You have a private bathroom on the second floor with toilet, sink, and shower

  • Upstairs bathroom is equipped with towels, shampoo/conditioner, and blow dryer

  • All bathrooms are stocked with toilet paper

  • 2nd bathroom on the first floor has toilet, sink, and shower

Play

Move your body in our at-home gym.  Equipped, weights, kettle bells, yoga blocks, yoga mats, resistance bands, TRX, and more. We also have a Pilates Reformer and tower, and all Pilates props. Reformer is reserved for those with experience with the Pilates reformer, instructors, or book a private pilates session. 

  • Read or swing in the hammock on the back porch

  • Walk to the central park in just 10 minutes

  • Walk the back roads to see horses, cows, and chickens

Work | Rest | Create

Both your bedroom and lounge have built-in desks

  • There is plenty of floor space to spread out

  • Stick post-its to the walls as you map your ideas

  • Sit out on our two porches or your balcony for a change of scenery or to get inspiration

  • Need a day with a faster pace? Head into San Jose to one of the many great coffee shops or restaurants. We can make recommendations. Picnic, Wokapi, Blackbird, Doma Escalante, Sin Domicilio Fijo, Gracia, and more.

Eat

Our kitchen is equipped with a double sink, stovetop, french press, electric kettle, air fryer, Instantpot, herbs & spices, olive oil, cutting boards, knives, a blender, ricer cooker, plates-dishes-bowls, flatware, and an array of cooking utensils.

  • We have travel coffee  mugs and water bottles for your use.

  • There is an Ecofiltro tank for drinking water. They are a Costa Rican company. It is a clay, carbon, and colloidal silver filtration tank.  Note: The public water in Costa Rica is safe and can be used for drinking, cooking, cleaning, etc.   

  • The closest restaurant Pequeña Polonia is a 5-minute walk full menu, coffe, wifi, and a free lending library.

  • Crema y Nata The closest coffee shop with sweet and savory options is a ten-minute walk. It is Tico-owned and offers a solid bagel. The owner lived in NJ and learned the art of bagel making while in the US.

Tech

High-speed internet throughout the house

  • A Samsung SmartTV in your private lounge/living space and can hook up to any of your devices via bluetooth or cable. 

  • The house is fully enclosed with a privacy fence and automatic gate. You’ll have keys to open/close the gate, front and back doors.

  • There is a wireless bluetooth speaker for your use.

  • Loftie alarm clock in the bedroom, which doubles as a sound machine.

Clean

  • There is a washer and dryer on the ground level of the house 

  • The home is professionally cleaned after each stay and every week on Wed.

  • For those staying a week or more, each Wednesday your space will be cleaned and linens are changed.

Cool

  • There are ceiling fans and tower fans in your bedroom and lounge area.

  • Living room and dining area both have ceiling fans and great airflow. Doors windows can be opened for cross-breeze.

Policy

  • Please no pets, no smoking, and no parties

  • Check-in 3:00 pm; Check-Out 11:00 am

  • 50% payment is due upon booking 

  • 50% is due 14 days prior to stay 

  • Fully refundable 14 days prior to booking 

  • A cleaning fee is included in your rate 

  • $150 will be held one day prior to your stay as a damage fee and will be released 3 days after your stay

  • There is private, gated parking onsite.

  • We can provide Airport pickup/drop off - Fly into SJO

Need Ideas? Please Ask Us. We Will Share Our Guide of Local Restaurants, Cafes, And Excursions.

Your Host

Amy Loder is a business development professional turned Pilates instructor and writer with a real-life understanding of what it means to move effectively in your body, life, and business. She has lived in Costa Rica for three years.

After practicing Pilates for more than 20 years, in 2022 she pursued her Pilates training through Balanced Body and opened her own studio, Pilates Atenas in Atenas, Costa Rica. Amy is also the lead Pilates instructor at The Retreat Costa Rica.

Prior to teaching Pilates Amy worked in business development for 12+ years and has experience in the fashion industry, psychology/research, sales & marketing, hospitality, and higher education. These experiences allow her to authentically connect with a wide variety of clients and inform her Pilates teaching style. In addition to teaching Pilates, Amy continues to provide business development and research consulting services for clients.

In 2022, Amy rescued a puppy named Carlita.  Like many rescue dogs, she has a special story. In Costa Rica, mixed-breed dogs are called Zaguates.  Carlita is about 22 lbs / 10+ kgs  and has access to the fenced yard and 1st floor of the house.  

Carlita does not access the 2nd floor unless invited. She loves humans, so if you’re a dog lover she will welcome the attention and human-time.   You are welcome to play with her, sit with her, and take her on walks. At night, Carlita sleeps in the laundry room and does not have access to the house.