IMILOA PRESENTS

A 6-day, all-inclusive retreat uniquely designed to nourish your well-being and growth.
Rest. Connect. Renew. Nurture. Reset. Transform.

February 4-9, 2024

Book Now!
I Have More Questions

About The Retreat

You do so much for others. Who is taking care of YOU?

Anchored in the philosophy that support, self-awareness, community, and intentional rest are necessary pillars for productive and fulfilling careers in Medicine, this retreat offers an opportunity for physicians to pause, connect and renew. As you break free from stress and exhaustion, this immersive retreat experience will equip you with the skills to realign with what matters most to you, so that you can step forward with joy, clarity, freedom and vibrant fulfillment.

With a biopsychosocial model of personal and professional development across the lifespan, we invite you to reconnect with your core values and priorities, embrace your self-agency, and open your heart with ease to what is next. Through transformative physician wellness workshops, you will have the opportunity to learn, grow, expand and discover in a joyful and healing environment.

A catalyst of transformation for your career and life, this retreat will allow you to develop new knowledge and skills that will overflow into all areas of your life. It is time to uplevel your life and fully step into a newly defined era of a life well-lived.

Break free from feeling stressed, stuck or exhausted. Get empowered to create anything you want with your career and your life.

Are you ready to transform your life?
Book Now!
I Have More Questions

What You Will Learn

Experience freedom from feeling burned out, stressed, or stuck.

Rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit to reignite your joy for life and work.

Rediscover your internal compass and realign with your core values, priorities, and interests.

Identify new strategies to tackle work/life challenges while remaining the author of your life.

Uplevel your relationship with yourself and everyone in your life.

What You Will Gain

  1. Given the structure of the physician wellness retreat, you will have ample time for rest, quiet time, outdoor activities and exploration with fellow physicians. You will discover just the right experiences to nourish your mind, body and spirit so that you leave feeling restored.
  2. Through transformative physician wellness workshops, you will have the opportunity to learn, grow and discover in a joyful and healing environment. This is your invitation to develop new knowledge and skills that will impact the rest of your life.
  3. Experience deep renewal through activities that are intentionally designed to help you embrace your personal and professional development.
  4. Return home with knowledge and skills that reverberate change in your daily habits, allowing you to create and sustain long-term joy and implement life-long practices to support your well-being. Earn up to 24 hours AMA PRA Category 1 CME ™ while enjoying the experience of a lifetime

Your Host

Kathy Stepien, MD, FAAP

Physician, Coach, Leader

Dr. Stepien is a board-certified Pediatrician in active practice and Certified Physician Coach. She founded the Institute for Physician Wellness in 2016, and is dedicated to improving physician well-being through coaching, retreats, and education. When she is not working, you can find her out on hiking trails with her two teenage sons and their Golden Retriever pup, Maddie.

Here’s what other physicians have said about previous retreats

In the insanity of the current medical environment (covid), this was a fabulous way to hit pause, spend time thinking about medicine and life, and plan for a future change.
- Alexis Christie, MD

This conference is truly life-changing. I am a repeat attendee and every time I take away so many actionable things and thoughts that are specific to my life yet applicable to all. This community is amazing.
- Judith Borger, DO

It’s such a joy to interact with so many physicians from different backgrounds and parts of the country and connect around what we have in common.
- Candace Good, MD

Having a wellness community experience with educational support and peer to peer support–priceless.
- Anonymous

This retreat was truly life altering and life saving for me! I am an ER doctor having survived working in the busiest ER in the state of California for two years during the pandemic. I went to the retreat feeling beaten up and broken. I was suffering and my family was suffering. I really was considering leaving medicine. After the retreat, I feel renewed and now understand things about medicine and about myself that I didn’t understand before. With a few more of these retreats, I think that I will not only make it to retirement, but will be able to thrive in medicine. Thank you so much to the IPW team for making this happen for me!
- Brecken Armstrong, MD

The coaching and mindset-skills helped me realize how much control I have over work and life. This is life-changing.
- Anonymous

I was not prepared for the full extent this program would have on me. Positively life-changing for the good. Amazing!
- Tanya Skager, MD

Family Medicine

Physicians need to have the time and space to take care of their needs and recharge. They also need sustainable tools to ensure they remain happy in their work. IPW did all of this
- Anonymous

This was my 4th IPW retreat. The entire experience creates intentional time, connection, and environments to recover and unwind from busy physician lives. I feel grounded, whole, and content when I’m here and every year I bring skills, peace, and change home with me.
- Kara Pepper, MD

Kathy validated work challenges and also helped me to see what changes were totally under my own control to make meaningful change. I felt empowered in a space that at times feels out of control.
- Amy Brockmeyer, MD

Excellent retreat! Especially with all that we have been through over the past 2+ years with covid. I appreciate this much time and energy for rest, relaxation, reflection, encouragement and support.
- Anonymous

This retreat was a great opportunity to rest, recharge and reflect. An outstanding investment in myself.
- Beth Deckers, MD

It was so good to relax and focus on me for a while. I loved learning about self-compassion. This retreat is just what I needed.
- Anonymous

IPW understands the pursuit of wellness/happiness in our professional and personal lives. Physicians have a unique calling and unique challenges. This conference highlights both self awareness, support, understanding and collegiality, gives us resources and encourages our personal growth above all.
- Beth Brady, MD

Family Medicine

The Physicians Wellness retreat was what I needed to be able to unwind, recharge, and discover how to develop skills to become more self-compassionate. I am confident that this will translate into improved work/family/life relationships and productivity.
- Melissa Mosel, MD

This retreat is a great mix of structured sessions with time and guidance for introspection with unplanned periods that let me do what I needed to truly rest and renew.
- Kim Randell, MD

I have a better appreciation for protecting my own boundaries. I can say “no.”
- Kristina Loomis, MD

This was an excellent retreat to meet like-minded colleagues who are striving to grow, learn, and focus on self-improvement.
- Anonymous

I have received many new tools to accept my worth and create change to improve my life and way I practice medicine.
- Anonymous

Absolutely recommend for any physician looking for a moment to breathe and grow.
- Paul Warner, MD

This retreat should be mandatory for all physicians.
- Anonymous

Kathy and her team do a great job of making us feel comfortable and validate our feelings and challenges as physicians. The retreat allows you to grow and acknowledge our worth and gifts.
- Anonymous

Ticket Pricing

DOUBLES

$5,000

PER PERSON
Double occupancy in a Geodesic Dome with views of the jungle.

SINGLES

$7,000

PER PERSON
Single occupancy in a Jungle Bungalow with views of the jungle.

SINGLES

$9,000

PER PERSON
Single occupancy in your own private Bali style suite with beautiful jungle views.

VIP SINGLES

$11,000

PER PERSON
Single occupancy in your own private, 200-Year-Old Balinese villa with a private deck and stunning views of the jungle and ocean.
Included

A completely private campus; available to your retreat group only. Access to a private waterfall, nature paths, incredible flora and fauna, and an ocean view infinity pool. Also included is a dedicated team of 20+ local professionals to coordinate everything for your enjoyment, from touch down to take off.

​

Gourmet plant-based cuisine prepared using all local and organic produce. Full meals, snacks, teas, coffees and fruit trays available throughout your stay.

Private, Imiloa passenger plane from the International airport to our campus; a private driver and transportation to our campus in Imiloa Mountain.

What’s Not Included

Flights to SJO, Spa Services

BOOK NOW!
I Have More Questions

THE VENUE

You will be immersed in a 22-acre jungle oasis in Dominical, Costa Rica.

This enchanted mountainside jungle venue is ten minutes from the beach and it is the perfect setting to experience deep healing, embraced by nature, yet completely luxurious.

While staying at Imiloa you will enjoy our nature paths, our private waterfall, our salt-water pool, stunning views and delicious and nutritious meals by our five-star vegan chef.

Accommodations

Included in each accommodation is the comfiest mattresses, 850 thread count sheets, storage space and dry rooms as needed, fiber optic internet, daily cleaning service, private en-suite bath, indoor/outdoor design for every accommodation with a focus on nature and being your private refuge, and full service, thrice-filtered private well for drinking water throughout the property.

BALI VILLAGE

Bali Village is perched 1200 feet about the Pacific Ocean, on a ridge line of flora, fauna and wildlife every direction you look. These 5 accommodations are 160-200 year old homes imported from Bali. Each with their own en suite bathrooms, the homes bring you back and create a self space for rejuvenation and transformation.

BALI MASTER SUITE

200 Year Old Homes from Bali. Imported from the Java Islands, these homes boast outdoor showers, full kitchen access, surreal vista views to the Pacific, their own salt water plunge pools and hand-carved art that is as old as the houses.

JOGOLO HOUSE

Perched on the edge of the cliff, at the furthest end of the property, sits a 170 year old home from the Java Islands we call Jogolo. Complete with a writer’s desk, outdoor Balinese shower, hand-carved architecture that will transport you to another land and time, Jogolo is teeming with history and comfort. Your cold plunge pool is adjacent to a warm bath, both outdoor. Full kitchen, too.

POTOO HOUSE

This two-floor imported home from Bali will have you wishing you’d never leave. Complete with a King Bed and a twin in the corner of the 180 year old home, Potoo has modern luxury with 360 views of the Pacific. On the lower level, a plunge pool and private spa. Potoo also includes many outdoor chairs, hammocks and a full kitchen, too.

BUNGALOW HILL

Six Jungle Bungalows built on the side of the mountain on the pathway to our very own private waterfall. Bali inspired, the interiors feature natural finishings and a gorgeous exposed shower and bath tub.

DOMELAND

Six Buckminster Fuller inspired Geodesic River Domes, among the best made in the world and partially powered by solar energy, sit perched on the edge of our private river with the fresh, flowing water feeding up to the domes. Experience the soothing sounds of relaxing and sleeping next to flowing water. Amazing!

THE HOUSE OF MASTERS

The House of Masters, located in the center of the property, is a 2,000 square foot Balinese structure hanging 100 feet in the Jungle canopy. Adjacent are restrooms and a yoga storage room for mats, blocks and more. The space can be converted for any type of retreat, workshop or dance party.

THE HEART OF IMILOA

A sprawling 3,000 square foot space that is the “Heart of Imiloa,” our social space features loungy, multicultural inspired furnishings, couches, and 5 imported tables from Bali, all under a Polynesian style roof.

THE PATHS

Jungle paths connect the 20+ acres at Imiloa, with hand-made stairs and lighting, creating an immersive, easy experience for you and guests.

THE WATERFALL

Beyond the Jungle Bungalows is a path that leads to our own private waterfall. Descend into what feels like an enchanted jungle forest as you bask in the magic and beauty of the surrounding nature.

Food

At Imiloa, we are a proudly conscious comfort food campus. That means we serve healthy, locally-sourced, gourmet vegan meals that are as artistically plated, scientifically nourishing and delightfully crafted for all of our retreat guests.

Spa

Imiloa’s world-class spa is a curated, sensual and deeply moving experience. Choose from Ayurvedic massages and practices, to a shamanic masseuse from our team members who are from the Boruca indigenous tribe here in Costa Rica, to more traditional Swedish, relaxation or Thai yoga massages, body wraps and others. A full list of spa offerings and a link to book during your free time will be provided to you before you arrival.

LUXURY TRANSPORTATION

  1. Schedule your plane to arrive at SJO. In order to access your private plane charter, all guests must be at the Domestic Terminal at SJO San Jose, Costa Rica no later than 3PM on the arrival day.
  2. Once landed, proceed to customs and instructions will be provided to meet Imiloa concierge.
  3. Proceed to baggage claim with concierge and proceed to Domestic Terminal (3 minute walk from International Terminal). Please be at the Domesitc Terminal at SJO San Jose, Costa Rica no later than 3PM on your day of arrival.
  4. Private Imiloa plane will be waiting to fly you to Quepos.
  5. Private ground transport shuttles will pick you up in Quepos and bring you to Imiloa.
  6. If you are already in Costa Rica, ground transport may be coordinated from Quepos, Dominical or Uvita as inclusive.
  7. Please do not plan to drive to Imiloa on your own. It is not permitted.
  8. If you need to arrive the day before, please stay at the Hampton Inn across from the airport, or plan to be in the San Jose Domestic Terminal for private flight to Imiloa by no later than 3PM (instructions will be emailed).
  9. You will depart Imiloa at 9AM, and arrive at the landing strip at 9:30AM, with an estimated arrival to SJO airport at 10:30AM. The domestic terminal is a 5-10 minute walk to the international terminal at SJO. Typically, it is suggested to be at the international terminal 2.5 hours prior to your international departure. Please book your departing international flight accordingly, knowing that you will be at the airport at 10:30AM on departure day.

Questions? Email us: impact@imiloainstitute.com

TRAVEL INSURANCE

  • Imiloa has partnered with a comprehensive travel insurance provider that meets the entry requirements for Costa Rica and offers “cancel for any reason” plans to maximize coverage: www.globalrescue.com/imiloa (additional cost)
  • We follow cleansing and sanitization protocols as per Ministry of Health to ensure a safe environment
  • Staff and retreat participants are asked to follow and safety guidelines such as social distancing, washing of hands, and proper mask wearing.

Team

Our team, the Welcome Home Team at Imiloa, from kitchen to property, gardening to coordination, logistics to transportation, will be available to you throughout your stay with anything you need. They have a ready smile, answers to most of your questions and can quickly support so your experience is easy and fulfilling.

Location

Imiloa is located in the jungle, at the top of a mountain, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Our lush retreat center is located adjacent to the second most biodiverse land on the planet.

Dominical, only 13 minutes away, is a beach town with surfer vibes, great coffee and plenty of shopping. Just north of our municipality is Quepos and to the south, Ojochal and Uvita, which is known as the Whale’s Tail.

Just 45 minutes east sits Costa Rica’s second largest city, San Isidro. Within an hour of Imiloa in all directions, you have access to airports, cafes, beaches, waterfalls, biodiversity and happy people ready to show you the lush, lovely area we call home.

You’ll arrive easily on our private plane, and your group will enjoy unlimited transportation to and from the beach, to and from the airport and throughout your stay with us.

Reserve My Space!
I Have More Questions