We see them promoted everywhere – retreats. From surf camps, cycling tours and yoga workshops, these week long travel programs hosted in desirable locations around the world have boomed in recent years. While retreats have long provided travelers with alternative experiences for going abroad, there is still varying hesitation. Retreats in general aren’t cheap. The immediate sticker shock of a 7-day package, which does not include airfare, can turn many travelers off.

As a generation of vagabonders who prefer to DIY their trips (occasionally I am one of them), we are confident we can find a better price with all the new digital resources available to us – which is partially true. As a result of the recession, consumers and travel providers, have figured out a way to travel on even the smallest budget. Book a room or an entire apartment on Airbnb and you'll save on hotel expenses, as well as food if you choose to cook in, rather than eat out. There is no shortage of great hotel deals or ways to cash in your credit card points for air miles. Realistically, you can travel all for a far cheaper price than a retreat.

So why are they so expensive? Retreats by design focus on an area of interest. To bring you the best surf, tennis or yoga instructors, they are flown in to your remote destination, and they don't work for free. The best retreats are filled with excursions and activities to integrate you with the local culture, which also has a direct correlation to the price you pay. The more activities you want packed into your trip the more you'll end up spending. Typically, these host cities are off the beaten path, not a 200-room resort in a major city, which means sourcing those expected conveniences and luxuries on the road. A retreat planner, is busy working behind-the-scenes to coordinate a personal chef, private drivers, cleaning services, and purchasing the safest food and water available.

While, retreats require a sizable investment to run, they can also save you time and money. The best of them make it their business to build the best relationships with vendors. Overtime, they book an extraordinary amount of volume, putting them in the position to negotiate better rates on services and excursions. These savings are passed down to consumers, keeping package prices down. It's not just your planners who can save you money, but also your fellow retreat goers. You share in all of the experiences, as well as the cost. Take for example, transportation to and from an excursion. The more people in your party, the more ways to split the cost.

"The biggest advantage in booking a retreat versus arranging the itinerary on your own, is the confidence in knowing that you will be experiencing the highest quality of service, lodging, excursions, food and guides available without having to contemplate the options." shares Nina Ornstein, owner and founder of Paraiso Adventures, a luxury curator of worldwide wellness retreats. "With Paraiso curating the itinerary you can be sure your experience is a well thought-out, meticulous crafted vacation. A retreat with Paraiso is a true taste of the destination's best, while allowing for enough down time to completely relax and disconnect."

With an itch to travel to warmer weather, and less than two weeks to plan an entire trip, I had to decide between burning through hours of research and planning or go the path of least resistance and enlist a tour operator. Paraiso Adventures presented a 6-night beachfront yoga getaway in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, located on the Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. Being a yoga enthusiast seeking to still my mind, catch a wave and add a new coat of color to my skin, it was an opportunistic match.

Prices for a Paraiso retreat start at $1,900 for 6-nights ($316 per night). So what does one get exactly for your money on a yoga retreat? Read up on my journey to Costa Rica with Paraiso Adventures to find out how I spent 7 incredible days in paradise and what was included.

Reader Perk! Receive a complimentary 60-minute massage when you book a Paraiso Adventures Retreat and use promo code TIHPERK.

Alexandra Avila