​PANAMA FAQ's AND RETREAT POLICY

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• DO THE ROOMS HAVE AIR CONDITIONING? 

Yes! Every room has A/C.

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• DOES SANSARA HAVE A POOL? 

Yes! Sansara has a beautiful beachfront saltwater pool! Also, our luxury room, Casa Om has a private infinity pool 

 

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• DO I HAVE TO SHARE A BED OR ROOM WITH SOMEONE ELSE? 

No, you don't have to share a bed. In the photos, you'll see king-sized beds. All king beds can be converted to 2 single beds.

Most of our rooms are either double or quadruple occupancy. We have 1 single occupancy room available for $3,495 Early Bird,  $3,795 regular price after Sept 13, 2021 

 

 

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• CAN I BOOK A SINGLE OCCUPANCY ROOM? 

Yes, We have 1 single occupancy room available for $3,495 Early Bird,  $3,795 regular price after Sept 13, 2021   *Link to booking page here* 

 

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• ARE TOILETRIES INCLUDED?

Yes! There are organic spa products in every room, as well as bathrobe, and bath and beach towels

 

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• IS THERE WIFI?

Yes, however because Sansara is off the beaten path, the speeds and connectivity may not be the same as what you are used to at home. We encourage you to embrace this time to ‘disconnect to reconnect’ and let go of the need to be connected to your phone and computer while retreating with us. Of course there is a landline in case of emergencies.

 

Getting there:

• WHAT DATES AND TIMES SHOULD I BOOK MY FLIGHT FOR? 

Please arrive in Panama City on or before April 23rd. The earlier you can get to Panama City on April 23rd, the better (just in case your flight is delayed). If you plan on departing Panama City on April 30th, please book your flight for after 6 PM. But to be safe, it may be best to book one night in Panama City and fly out on May 1st.

 

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Traveling there: Off the Beaten Path

Because Sansara Resort is located in the  small town of Cambutal, we will take you off the beaten path.  This town is so special, with a virgin beach- meaning no vendors, no groups of umbrellas, and very few people on the beach, maybe just a few local fishermen from the town. 

To make the journey to this special place,  all guests must arrive by the evening of April 23rd. You will  fly in and spend a night in one of our recommended hotels in the beautiful ‘Casco Viejo’ neighborhood of Panama City . The morning of April 24th, we will pick you up at your hotel, and we will all take a  luxury shuttle bus together through the breathtaking jungle and countryside of Panama, to the resort. 

 

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Hotels We Recommend

$$ Magnolia Inn    www.magnoliapanama.com

$$$ Central Hotel     www.centralhotelpanama.com

$$$$ American Trade Hotel      www.americantradehotel.com 

$$$$ Las Clementinas     www.lasclementinas.com

 

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• WHERE SHOULD I STAY IN PANAMA CITY?

Accommodations in Panama City are not included in the retreat price. Sansara recommends these hotels in Casco Viejo, Panama City:

 

$$ Magnolia Inn www.magnoliapanama.com

$$$ Central Hotel www.centralhotelpanama.com

$$$$ American Trade Hotel www.acehotel.com/panama

$$$$ Las Clementinas www.lasclementinas.com

 

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Our bus will leave from one of the above hotels (TBD).

 

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• HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET FROM PANAMA CITY TO SANSARA RESORT?

Sansara Resort is located in the small and remote town of Cambutal. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to get there from Panama City. We'll be traveling in a comfy "luxury" bus together and will provide a ton of local snacks and water. The bus ride is a perfect opportunity to connect with your fellow retreat go-ers!

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We'll leave Panama City (exact location TBD) at 8AM on April 24th.

 

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•  IS TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM SANSARA INCLUDED?

Yes! The group shuttle from the selected hotel in Panama City to Sansara and back is included.  If you miss the bus, you will be responsible for paying for your own transportation. Traveling on alternate days costs between $300 and $360. Traveling to and from the airport is available at an additional price. 

 

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About Panama:

• WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE IN PANAMA IN APRIL? 

Get ready for hot tropical weather! Generally, Panama's dry season is from January to mid-April. In April, temps can get as high as 90 degrees and as low as 78 degrees. Just like in any tropical and humid area, rain is always a possibility and we'll make the most of all weather conditions!

 

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• IS PANAMA SAFE FOR TOURISTS?

Panama is one of the safest countries in Central America. Of course, it is also one of the most economically viable — with the geographical advantage of the Panama Canal, it is considered a world center. Panama is generally safe, but you should take precaution on the streets of any major city, and after dark. Be wary of pickpockets and know your surroundings. 

Source: https://www.travelsafe-abroad.com/panama/

 

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• WHAT LANGUAGE DO THEY SPEAK IN PANAMA?

Spanish! However, Most of the staff at Sansara are fluent in English.

 

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•  WHAT'S THE CURRENCY IN PANAMA? 

The US dollar. So if you're traveling from the US, there's no need to exchange money.

 

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• WHAT ARE SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT PANAMA? 

  • Panama is the only place in the world where you can see the sunrise on the Pacific and set on the Atlantic.

  • The Panama canal generates fully one-third of Panama's entire economy.

  • "A man, a plan, a canal; Panama." is a palindrome.

  • Panama was the first Latin American country to adopt the U.S. currency as its own.

  • The population of Panama in 2016 was estimated by the United Nations at 3,990,000, which placed it as number 132 in population among the 233 nations of the world, and the smallest population in Central America.

  • The cargo ship Ancon was the first vessel to transit the Canal on August 15, 1914.

  • The City of Panama boasts the oldest, longest, continuously running Municipal Council in the American continent.

  • Seven out of ten Panamanians haven't heard of the song "Panama" by Van Halen. Ha!

  • The Panama Hat is really made in Ecuador.

  • In Panama, you can swim in the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean on the same day.

  • The oldest continually operating railroad is in Panama. It travels from Panama City to Colon and back.

  • Panama City is the only capital city that has a rain forest within the city limits.

Source: https://www.barefootpanama.com/travel-resources/fun-facts-about-panama

 

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• TRAVEL TIPS? 

  • Make sure your passport is up to date and doesn't expire within 6 months of travel dates. 

  • Double check flight arrival and departure times and dates, give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the airport on time, without feeling rushed or anxiety of missing your flight

  • Confirm your Panama City hotel stay and send to retreat coordinator 

  • Check that you have all of your tickets, passport and travel documents in a separate (waterproof) pouch. Make copies of them and email them to yourself so in case they are lost or stolen, you easily access them. Also, leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home. It's always better to have a backup. 

 

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Retreat Polices 

• WHAT'S YOUR CANCELLATION POLICY?

-Retreat payments are non-refundable, and non-transferable; all payments; including deposit and subsequent payments made, reserve your unique spot on this retreat. We are unable to offer refunds or credits, as we are holding a space specifically for you, including transportation, yoga, accommodations and meals; any cancellations will result in the loss of your investment as we will not be likely able to fill your spot or recoup costs associated with your reservation. 

-Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies. No refunds or credits will be given for failure to attend or failure to complete the retreat, or for arriving late or leaving early. Travel insurance is REQUIRED and may cover some of the above circumstances.

-No refunds or credits will be given in the case of a negative experience.

-If the retreat is canceled due to force majeure (i.e. a pandemic, destructive earthquake, or fire, etc.) we will do our best to reschedule the retreat in a timely manner that works best for all students, however there is no guarantee. 

 

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• TRAVEL INSURANCE IS REQUIRED. HOW DO I PURCHASE IT?

We understand that giving yourself the gift of a retreat is a sizable financial investment. No one books an adventure like this with the intention of canceling, but unexpected life events do happen.

 

To prepare for all circumstances, we REQUIRE all participants get travel/trip insurance. Your insurance must cover BOTH travel and medical expenses, in the unlikely event you have an accident while on the retreat.

 

We recommend World Nomads' "Explorer Plan" (about $110). The Explorer Plan can cover the cost of medical expenses due to injury from any of our planned activities as well as the travel costs of potentially the full price of the retreat, flights, and accommodations. The "Standard Plan" covers all planned activities but you would not be able to claim the full retreat cost in case of emergency cancellation.

 

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• WHAT ABOUT COVID?

If the retreat center cancels our reservation or the borders close, we will do our best to postpone the retreat, but this will ultimately depend on the agreement the retreat center is able to make at that moment.

Participants may be required to get tested for COVID before flying to Panama and before returning to the U.S. Testing will be paid for by the participant.

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• CAN I BRING MY KIDS?

We love kids! And we know how special family travel can be! However, due to Sansara’s intimate nature and tranquil surroundings, we are unable to accommodate children under the age of 18 years.

 

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How to prepare for the retreat:

• WHAT SHOULD I PACK?

  • Be practical about what you are bringing. Unless absolutely necessary, valuables are best left at home. It will make your packing easier and your bags lighter. 

  • Pack a journal or note pad. We will do some writing during the retreat.

  • Pack comfortable, light clothes for warm weather and yoga. In addition, I recommend a cover up, a long sleeve and a pair of pants for evening, dresses & shorts. 

  • Bring comfortable shoes/sandals + A pair of sneakers to trek around and sandals you don't mind losing. 

  • Don't forget your bathing suits! If you're planning on surfing (or learning how to surf) rash guards can be nice to have for extra protection.

  • Protect yourself from the sun. Don't forget your sunglasses, waterproof sunblock and hats. 

  • Stay hydrated. Bring a water canteen to refill and avoid the use of plastic. The resort will have fresh, clean, water everyday to fill your canteen. 

  • Essentially pack for warm weather, yoga, water activities, and hiking. No need to bring yoga mats or props unless you want to. The yoga shala is fully stocked

  • Short list of items you might want, but are not a must: 

    • Bug spray/repellent 

    • Headlamp 

    • Camera 

    • Book 

 

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Policies:

• All participants must obtain travel insurance. Pineapple Sage Retreats LLC, Hosts and Employees are not responsible for any changes, cancellations, or unforeseeable events that prevent travel. 

• Retreat payments are non-refundable, and non-transferable

• $50 service fee added to all payment plans. 

• The deposit is non-refundable. View our detailed cancellation policy.

• Retreat must be paid in full by February 1, 2022. Any bookings after February 1 must be paid in full. 

• All terms and conditions are available to view when paying for your deposit. 

 

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COVID INFO 

 

Sansara is committed to creating a safe environment for our staff and guests alike. In light of the spread of the Covid-19 Virus we have taken a resort wide health and safety assessment and implemented all the necessary measures to maintain our environment as such. Our staff have been fully trained on the safety protocols and are ready to provide you with the highest standard of service. We want to use this opportunity to share with you what we have implemented, and at the same time provide you with some simple guest guidelines so that you can actively contribute to the collective of maintaining Sansara a safe and healthy escape.

 

Resort Wide General Measures

•  Ensured designated space of two meters between guests at check-in.

• Furnishings arranged to allow suitable space for social distancing throughout the property.

• Signage and distance markers in key areas to remind guests of social distancing and precautionary protocols

• Disinfection of guests’ luggage upon arrival.

• Temperature checks for all guests and employees will be expected upon arrival. (Employees checked daily)

• Sansara’s employees will use personal protection equipment during interaction with guests (reception team,

• restaurant team, wellness team)

• Hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the property in public areas at guests’ high-contact

• points, as well as back-of-house areas

• Enhanced sanitation procedures in all Sansara’s key areas of business

•  Increased frequency of cleaning and disinfection of public areas (including reception rancho, Yoga Shala,

• Buddha Bar and Restaurant, restrooms, wellness rancho, pool area, etc.)

•  Enhanced disinfection of floor in reception, restaurant, yoga shala and other high-traffic areas

• Frequent disinfection of handrails and chairs

• Highlighted cleaning and sanitation protocols for public restrooms

• Provision of protective masks and gloves for our guests on request

 

Guest Cabañas

• Enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols in guest cabañas focusing on high-touch points (light switches, door/window handles, remote controls, thermostats, faucets, hangers, etc.)

•  Linen and towels in guest cabañas will be changed on a daily basis

•  Daily housekeeping service during a guest’s stay may be modified in accordance with specific guest requirements, however cannot be refused. All occupied cabañas will be serviced daily.

• Contactless option for drop-off and pick-up at the door available for room service delivery.

•  Commercial grade nebulizer air diffusers in all cabañas to stop airborne viruses. Guest cabañas will be

• vacant for a minimum of 24 hours between guest stays with the nebulizer active.

 

Buddha Bar & Restaurant

•  Food and beverage services have been adjusted in accordance with current ministry safety regulations.

•  Enhanced food and safety, and hygiene protocols (front and back of house).

• Enhanced cleaning and sanitation protocols for all surface areas with specific attention to high contact

• surfaces (tables, chairs, bar tops, etc.).

• Reservations are required and we kindly ask that guests wait to be seated.

• Seating allocated to safeguard social distancing.

• Food services will be predominately a-la-carte style service.

• Guest menus are replaced with chalk-board menus, digital, or staff read/presented offerings.

• Daily deep disinfection of kitchen areas, all food preparation and service ware, and table linens.

• Wellness Rancho, Yoga Shala and Beach Areas

•  Furnishings and equipment in the spa, yoga shala, beach and pool areas rearranged to encourage social distancing

• Increased frequency of cleaning and disinfection of wellness areas (massage tables, pools, yoga shala equipment, beach lounges, etc.)

• Reservations for spa treatments are mandatory. 30 minutes between treatment times is ensured for deep disinfection and cleaning.

•  Use of personal protection masks is mandatory in the wellness rancho for both guests and therapists.

 

How you can help​ | 

While we are taking every necessary measure to keep Sansara safe, we ask our guests’ to

do their part. Below are some of the protocols that we kindly ask you to put into daily practice during your stay.

 

• Please practice frequent hand-washing throughout the day, utilizing either your private cabaña or our various hand sanitizing stations found throughout the resort.

• Please respect social distancing standards in all public areas, including with other guests and our employees.

• We have protective masks and gloves available upon request. Please visit our reception rancho if you wish.

• Please let our reception or management know if you feel at any point there is a health and safety risk during your stay.

• Please let our reception or management know immediately if you feel any symptoms that could possibly

• indicate infection (fever, cough, sore throat). These cases will be handled with the utmost discretion and professionalism.

 

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Our Closing Remark​ 

All of Sansara’s employees are fully trained with all the prescribed procedures in this situation and are educated to provide information and assistance to our guests as needed. We have been and will continue to closely monitor the Covid-19 situation both locally and globally. In accordance with developments and the ministry of health, we are prepared to introduce any new measures that will keep our guests and team safe and well. In the meantime, we look forward to a brighter healthier future and welcoming you back to our special piece of paradise off the pacific coast of Panama.