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A magical island getaway on Panama’s Caribbean Coast
If you’re an aerial enthusiast who’s craving time to get away, train new skills, and experience new cultures - we invite you to join us for 8 days of deep immersion in the pristine nature of the Caribbean jungle. With time to focus on your own skills and artistry, you’ll come home with a renewed passion for your aerial practice along with new lifelong connections.
Join your new circus family and invigorate your skills in paradise! This unique retreat experience is curated by Paper Doll Militia & CircAsana and takes place on YOUnicorn Island in Bocas del Toro, Panama.
Air
Earth
Earth
Aerial Skills Classes on a Sailboat and Outdoor Rigs (crashmats provided)
Earth
Earth
Earth
Partner Acrobatics + Handstands
Water
Earth
Water
Mermaiding and Snorkeling in the ocean
Fire
Earth
Water
The Spark of Creativity
Winding jungle paths
lead you to the island’s picture perfect beaches, where we have our freestanding rigs and ocean-front yoga deck.
Keep your eyes open and stay alert
to see all the unique plant and animal life as we make our way down to class. You may spot some monkeys, brightly colored birds, insects, and teeny tiny red frogs….what this area is named after! If you’re extra lucky, you’ll spot a sleepy sloth high up in the trees taking his afternoon nap.
Take some shade
under the palm trees and sun shades, sipping fresh coconut water and get ready for aerial class on the beach!
Stroll down to the gorgeous marina
If you’re in the boat group for this session (we rotate for each workshop), you’ll be strolling down to the gorgeous marina, where we’ll board the incredible 62’ sailboat equipped with all our aerial equipment and mats for an exhilarating experience you’ll never forget.
We value safety
We appreciate the trust you’ve put in us to create this once-in-a-lifetime experience, and we know that the foundations of an amazing retreat is your health and safety. We do all the legwork so that you can completely relax and de-stress.
Here are some of the ways we strive to create a safe container for this retreat:
- Safe drinking water provided for the entirety of your stay
- Crash mats for all our classes, with the exception of when the aerial point is over the water (from the sailboat)
- Structural engineer approval for the freestanding rigs
- Diligent inspection and maintenance practices for all aerial equipment and hardware
- Vetted and trusted boat drivers for our transportation around the island
Aerial on a sailboat? Tell me more...
All aboard the ROCKWELL: a 65’ sailboat that’s been rigged just for our specialty aerial classes.
With one aerial point ON the boat, and the other one suspended over the water, you have plenty of options for shaping your class experience.
You might want to focus on learning the material on the boat, with hands on spotting, and stay dry for a little while. Or, maybe you want to go out over the water in your bathing suit so you can jump in after your turn. (Most people choose to do a little of both).
We have a shade structure on the boat for when you're watching the instructor demo, or cheering on your friends. We have a shade structure on the boat for when you're watching the instructor demo, or cheering on your friends. Grab a buddy to take a video or some epic photos while you twirl and hang over the gorgeous blue water in the dazzling sunlight.
Oh, and keep your eyes out for dolphins, they may make a special appearance.
Throughout the week, you’ll alternate between morning boat classes and evening boat classes. In the morning classes, taking a dip in the water is extremely refreshing. In the evening classes, the sunset over the water is especially breathtaking.
For those of you who are more susceptible to motion sickness, aerial classes on a boat may sound….well, like not a lot of fun. We assure you, the location that we anchor the boat has very calm waters. The boat is not moving while we have classes, and it is much more stable than you may think. We’ve had folks join us with varying degrees of motion sickness. There are tricks you can try (one of our participants swears by motion sickness bracelets like these). We also provide Dramamine and ginger chews to anyone who needs them!
The great thing about the aerial sailing experience is that it happens all week long. This is not a one-and-done novelty experience. You get an entire week to revel in it….the salty sea air blowing gently while you dance suspended in the most magical of places.
There’s something magical about traveling out of your comfort zone and into great beauty. An experience like this opens you to possibilities that you never could have imagined.
What am I going to experience on this retreat?
Our workshop schedule balances relaxation time with ample time for learning new skills and training hard. In addition to the classes, we have 2 aerial rigs set up on the beach for open play time, accessible to you any time you want some extra airtime.
We have free time in the afternoon each day, and a rest day mid-week. Use this time to relax by the poolside in the palm-tree garden, explore endless beautiful bays, snorkel with starfish and savor the serene, Caribbean vistas.
Gear up for a group excursion on the final day of the retreat, where we explore all the unique ecology the island has to offer.
Mermazing Moments
Have you ever wanted to be a mermaid? (or merperson! Gender inclusive merfolk over here at this retreat ;) ) We offer a special class on how to swim with a tail! Fins and tails provided, and you are welcome to bring your own if you have it.
Meals
Catered meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Our chef sources local seafood and veggies to create colorful and balanced dishes.
Dietary restrictions? We got you covered. Our delicious, healthy meals are prepared to cater to a variety of dietary needs.
Nightlife and Culture
We’ll take a trip into Bocas Town (a 15-min boat ride from our retreat location) for a night out on the town at one of our favorite local restaurants.
Experience the vibrant Panamanian Island culture with delicious cuisine, time to stroll the streets for evening shopping, and live music!
What are the highlights?
Flying in paradise
The vibrancy of the jungle
The vibrancy of the jungle
The number 1 highlight of this special retreat is the exhilarating feeling of being suspended off the side of the sailboat over the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean. Both exciting and serene, this experience is a bucket list item for sure.
The vibrancy of the jungle
The vibrancy of the jungle
The vibrancy of the jungle
You know those “jungle sounds” tracks that people play to help to relax? Being at Red Frog Beach is the real life version of that. In our yoga shala, we will be warming up and practicing yoga with the jungle as our backdrop. Don’t be surprised if some of the (mostly) friendly monkeys come to pay us a visit during our classes.
Our epic photoshoot!
Our epic photoshoot!
Our epic photoshoot!
Experiences are there to savor, and nothing can compare to being truly present in the moment. But it sure is nice to have some stunning photos to bring home to show all your muggle friends. This is why we dedicate an entire afternoon to a photoshoot on the boat with a professional photographer. Added bonus - the photoshoot is SUPER fun!
Friends for life
Our epic photoshoot!
Our epic photoshoot!
Make friends for life with other aerial adventurers. Our retreats are all about creating conscious community. We value collaboration, not competition. We encourage you to show up with an open mind and an open heart and see what magic we can co-create with one another.
Sample schedule
Those who know us, know we love to pack it in. All of our workshops are optional, so we leave it up to you to find the perfect balance of training hard and relaxing or exploring the island.
SOLD OUT Week 1: Sling, Lyra, Acro & Aerial Yoga
Tell me more about where we’re staying…
We’ll be hunkering down at Red Frog Beach, which is on the Island of Bastimentos, a part of the group of islands called Bocas Del Toro.
Red Frog Beach is very remote, and is surrounded by luscious green jungle, with crystal clear Caribbean beaches.
You’ll feel like you’re deep in the jungle with all the beautiful plant and animal life that surrounds our cozy accommodations.
Our venue offers a range of accommodation options, from comfortable 4-bed dorms (with AC) and budget friendly privates, to jungle facing standard rooms and deluxe bungalows. All housing options come with hot water, AC, and WiFi.
Even though all your meals and coffee/tea is provided by the retreat, you are welcome to utilize the restaurant/bar at any point during your stay to purchase a tasty mid-afternoon snack or late night cocktail.
The restaurant features live music and other fun activities occasionally throughout the week. (trivia anyone??)
There is also a spacious co-work area, complete with speedy WiFi, in case you need to check any emails while you’re here.
Accommodation options
4-Bed Community Room | Co-ed rooms, might be shared with non-retreaters, 2 bunk beds, shared bathroom and storage lockers
Private Standard (+ jungle view) | Queen bed, private bathroom, free toiletries and a jungle view
Private Standard (+ jungle view)
Teepee | Queen bed, private bathroom, free toiletries, jungle surrounds.
Teepee
Teepee
Deluxe Bungalow | King bed, private bathroom, sofas and chairs, private balcony, insulated and sound-proofed walls
Deluxe Bungalow
Deluxe Bungalow
Investment & inclusions
We have several pricing options to help fit your budget. There are limited spaces for each of these options. They are first come, first serve.
Note - there are limited Deluxe Bungalows available, so act fast!
*Prices are listed in US dollars. To pay in a different currency, the amount will be determined by the equivalent value of your currency on the date of payment.
Rates refer to one person’s tuition.
Bunk with a Buddy: Interested in sharing a private room with a fellow retreater? We have discounts available for bed buddies who register together, email to inquire.
Couples / Significant Others (not attending workshops) are welcome to join. The cost is $600 for the week, and includes all meals, accommodation (sharing with you) and excursions, as well as access to the pool, cowork space and WiFi. Please double check bed size when choosing your accommodation package.
Return Retreaters! If you have come to one of our retreats before, you are in the family. Take an additional $200 off the total price of this retreat. This includes any Paper Doll Militia Retreat or CircAsana Retreat.
Price includes: all meals, classes, RT transportation from Isla Colon, Bocas del Toro, excursions, and drinks on sangria night.
Additional costs include: massages, alcohol (other than on sangria night), shopping / gifts, and extra activities (including transportation as required). We also highly recommend that you purchase an individual travel insurance policy.
Payment Methods: Payment options specific to your currency will be provided to you upon registration. We accept a range of payment methods including bank transfer, checks, and Wise. We can accommodate most major currencies from around the world.
Panama, here I come!
Getting there
For the fastest and most direct route, fly into Panama City Airport (PTY), take a 30min taxi to Albrook Gelabert Airport (PAC), then a 1-hr direct flight to Bocas del Toro with Air Panama.
For a more economic but time consuming route, fly into San Jose and take a Caribe Shuttle to Bocas del Toro (approx. 10 hrs, departing San Jose around 6am, arriving around 4pm - includes lunch).
Arrival and departure dates
Week 1: Sling, Lyra, Acro & Aerial Yoga
Week 1 arrival day: Sept 30th, 2023
Workshop days: Oct 1st - 6th, 2023
Departure day: October 7th, 2023
SOLD OUT
Week 2: Silks, Sling, Acro & Aerial Yoga
Week 2 arrival day: October 8th, 2023
Workshop days: Oct 9th - 14th, 2023
Departure day: October 15th, 2023
Arrival day information
From the Bocas Airport or Caribe Shuttle arrival pier in Bocas, take a 5 minute walk to Selina Bocas. See reception to ask for your complimentary boat taxi ticket to Red Frog (let them know you are part of the retreat). Relax at the restaurant or bar (WiFi is available) until the next boat over to Red Frog.
Boat taxi times from Selina Bocas (Isla Colon) to Red Frog are: 7am, 10am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm and 6.30pm. If your itinerary does not line up with the scheduled boat taxi times, we will arrange a private taxi.
When you arrive at Red Frog Resort dock, someone will meet you to drive you up to our location.
Departure day information
Our final meal together will be breakfast on departure day.
We will then have time to pack our bags before checkout at 11am. You are welcome to leave your bags with reception if you plan to stay onsite beyond that time.
Boat taxi times from Red Frog back to Selina Bocas (Isla Colon) are: 7.40am, 10.30am, 1pm, 4.30pm and 7pm.