Airborne Arts
Airborne Arts
5
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Exhilarating Flying Trapeze and aerial classes open to the public! Retreats and accommodations also available. Come experience an adrenil-filled 2 hour class with our professional staff. All ages and experience levels welcome. We are located above Dominical, Costa Rica overlooking Diamante Falls, Costa Rica's tallest waterfall and near Nauyaca Falls! More information is available on our website - please call ahead to verify class times.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles57 reviews
Excellent
54
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
1
Terrible
1

simaisnon
Montreal, Canada8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Solo
I was not there as part of a retreat; I spent 5 nights with meals included and also did a flying trapeze class. The quiet remote location, the standard trapeze rig with a very comfortable net to fall in, the complete aerial arts studio, the amazing views from everywhere, the landscaping, the artsy one-of-a-kind house with little pool and many hammocks are properly exceptional, which I think explains the high price.

Owner and staff were very friendly and low-key. I had a bed in the shared-room near the kitchen and it was comfy with a view of the mountains. I also had it to myself since nobody was there! I went to Nauyaca falls one day by foot (quite a hike coming back up!) and it's also possible to visit the Diamante falls, the ones you see from the Airborne, but I was just too happy to relax onsite. I did yoga on my own for free in the aerial studio.

Flying was awesome even though I had to adjust : it was my first time in a standard rig with a net, and sometimes hearing the instructions while outside is a bit difficult when you still fly with safety lines because they make noise. There was also no catcher available at that time but the price was lower. I didn't see many bugs but you have to expect them when you're in the wild like that. And geckos are in every house in Costa Rica.

Payment is easy if you pay cash or use an app like Wise. It is better to have a car if you want to visit the area because the hills are steep and there are no buses that pass nearby. You have to take a taxi from Dominical to get to the Airborne (instructions clearly indicated on their website). Another bus passes in Tinamaste.
Written February 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

nc123530
Dallas, TX32 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Friends
Cost: $2000 USD
Length of Stay: 7 days
Purpose: Trapeze & Aerials Retreat

Pros
1. The access to nature is beautiful (waterfall, mountain views, stars at night, etc.)
2. Trapeze class only: The experience is fun and the staff directions are clear while flying (though, hard to hear sometimes). Equipment is rigged well and safe.
3. Aerial studio is beautiful
4. Lots of hammocks across the property!

Cons
1. Chores on vacation: I have been on over 200 trips in my life (including multiple retreat centers, even another aerial retreat in Costa Rica) and I have never had chores on my vacation until this trip. Chores include: (i) dishes 3x/day, (ii) empty trash daily, (iii) cleaned/mopped room 2x due to an ant outbreak (from a bug that died in the room), (iv) laundry 1x, and (v) finding and restocking toilet paper (yes, I asked staff and no, after waiting the entire day, it was never done).
2. Borderline unsanitary practices: We we were asked to not wash our towels or meal napkins, which are used 3x a day, for the entire week (7 days). This becomes even more of a health hazard when you factor in the jungle location (i.e. even left outside, towels never fully dry). One girl told me her hair smelled like mildew. Medical and scientific research also shows that bacteria, microbes, and other skin and fecal pathogens build up on towels (and worse if they are not getting fully dry). Towels should be washed every 2-3 days (in the jungle, likely every other day). Kitchen and dish towels are worse. Research shows that 89% of frequently unwashed kitchen towels test positive for E. coli and 25% with fecal bacteria.
3. Staff are not proactive (only reactive at best): From property maintenance (ex: screen doors had large hole for bugs to come in and eat us at night and there are no mosquito nets) to rarely being on time (or close to on time) for activities. Throughout the trip, I felt like we were waiting on the retreat staff to make sure THEY had a great vacation at the expense of our own vacation.

Other things to know (but not necessarily a pro or con as it depends on the person)
1. No hot water for showers (warm at best)
2. Beds: A few have not been maintained and feel like sleeping on wood boards, but others have been replaced.
3. Pillows: Feels like they were stuffed with wood chips.
4. Location is in the jungle: Amazing, but no where else to go
5. Pool: Amazing views. It's the size of a hot tub.
6. Bugs: To be fair, if you sign up for a jungle retreat, you should expect bugs. Here: (i) Locust the size of 2 adult fists, (ii) frogs, (iii) snakes, (iv) beetles, (v) ants, (vi) butterflies, (vii) geckos, (viii) spiders, and (ix) mosquitos. This did not bother me, but it did bother others on the trip.
7. Food: They hire a local family to cook the meals and she is a wonderful cook. However, since it is not a chef, you will generally be eating a rotation of chicken, tofu, rice, and beans. One day, we had no meat in any meal. This is tough for training.
8. Prices: 25% higher vs. USA; 78.5% higher vs. local (Costa Rica)

Jonathan and the staff are very nice people, but I think it is very unfair to market this as a "retreat center." It is more of a "work/study facility" and/or "renting a shared room at an AirBnB." Having been at the aerial retreat center in Santa Teresa Costa Rica (and many others globally), other retreat centers have (i) no chores, (ii) proactively clean the property and your room every other day, (iii) proactively wash towels and kitchen rags daily, (iv) have a chef, and (v) cost the same or less!

Overall, I felt like we were getting "nickel and dimed" throughout our stay and (even if unintentional on their end), it also felt like they were taking advantage of the group. Again, I don't think this was their intention, but still incredibly disappointing.

And, yes, we did bring this up on the morning of Day 2 of the trip. However, the aerial host did not want to address it directly. While I strongly disagreed with this decision, I respected it.
Written February 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kimberly D
Vancouver Island, Canada29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Family
Myself and three of my children ages 5, 8 and 10 just got back from flying with Jonathan, Theo and Darren. We enjoyed it SO much. I couldn't believe how much we each accomplished in two hours. We did swings, flips, catches and conquered fears along the way. The instructors were so kind and encouraging and we can't wait to go back again and see what else we are capable of!
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eugene
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Friends
Amazing accommodations, great location, heathy food! Jonathon is a great host and great teacher!
We had a great time! Appreciate very much!
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John K
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018
We have done a lot of really cool things in Costa Rica but this experience really takes things to a whole new level. The experience is amazing, the views are incredible and the staff is the best.
Written November 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We're so very glad you found us!
Written November 5, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

gwenra
Chicago, IL8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Family
Very spacious, lots of beds, hammocks, pool, BEAUTIFUL views! You need to be a good driver to get up there, but it is worth it!
Written October 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much. We're glad you love our Avalon!
Written October 28, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Renee D
Atlanta, GA37 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2018 • Family
We did not stay at the retreat, but just signed up for a session on the trapeze and silks for our 14 year old daughter. She is just a beginner, but has has some experience so was able to catch on to the trapeze basics fairly quickly. Jonathan was an encouraging and patient instructor. The silks were more of a challenge, but she enjoyed working with Melissa who gave her some good tips. My husband and I were not so brave, but we enjoyed the gorgeous surroundings. I loved walking around admiring the view and plants, and taking photos.There are also a lot of cute doggies! I recommend Airborne Arts for anyone interested in aerial arts. Thanks for a great day!
Written August 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

greeneyesdunn
Athens, GA9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Couples
There are so many amazing things about this place it is hard to figure out where to start.

Let’s start with the people. Jonathan and Christine are just flat out good people. The love and kindness that they exhibit in the relationship is absolutely infectious and they truly make you feel at home.

Every day began like you were waking up in heaven on earth. You have never felt so happy to be awake at 5:30 in the morning with the sounds of the jungle and the natural sunlight gently warming your body.

The view of the landscape is unparalleled, and almost seems surreal. From the valleys of the jungle, to the beautiful waterfall, to the view of the ocean all the way down to Manuel Antonio is simply pure beauty.

We were warmly greeted every morning with a fresh juice smoothie made with all local organic fruits, and Coffee like you’ve never tasted before. Every meal was homemade fresh, simple yet plentiful.

Every morning we started with the flying trapeze, then transitioned to some other adventure before the afternoon rainstorm came at just the perfect time to rest and relax before the evening.

Our other activities included a trip to Nayuca waterfall, and paragliding which were both equally amazing despite being on opposite ends of the thrill spectrum and both extremely high on the beauty of nature scale.

We would highly recommend!
Written June 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Yiannis P
Paris, France10 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2018 • Friends
I went into a week-long aerial retreat at Airborne Arts with NO expectations, as a trapeze friend of mine had planned everything, & yet, somehow, my expectations were blown out of the water. Jonathan Conant & Christine Van Loo are super hosts & instructors, who are as giving of their time and knowledgable in their respective fields as two people can be. Like moths to a flame, Christine & Jonathan have surrounded themselves with equally loving & lovely people, from Hilario—a jack of all trades who you may see tending to the property's lush landscape or holding your safety belt on the trapeze platform…always ready w/ a smile & wave—to the chefs and masseur who help Jonathan & Christine tend to their guests minds, bodies & souls. In addition to the intensive aerial training—which included silks, trapeze & acro-balancing—Jonathan & Christine arranged a number of local adventures, including Salsa lessons, river hikes, rappelling, visits to waterfalls & a trip to the beach. It's amazing how much there was to do in the immediate vicinity of the property! &, speaking of the property, it's a lush, tropical paradise that is very clearly a labour of love of its inhabitants. The buildings & landscape are very much in harmony, & provide a comfortable experience no matter the size of your group. Whether you're an aerial enthusiast, a newbie or an expat looking for something out of the ordinary to do in Dominical, I'd highly recommend Airborne Arts for your next adventure.
Written March 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We loved having you dude and look forward to more fun together!
Written March 3, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Emma C
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2018 • Friends
Staying at Airborne Arts for a week was an amazing experience. It gave me an opportunity to restore and revitalize spirit, mind, and body. Everyone there is a joy to be around. The enthusiasm and love put into what they do is apparent whether it's in the delicious (and I mean off the charts) home cooked meals, or in the care and attention up on the trapeze. Everything is done with a sense of joy and love.
I have spent the majority of my life in one training space or another and I have never trained in a place so peaceful or inspiring. Standing on the board I felt connected to the space and people around me, and when I got to fly, I had the sensation of soaring in open air. A rare experience and one I was truly sad to leave this is the perfect trip for working professionals and recreational artists alike! Anyone who loves nature and circus will have a hard time packing their bags to come home. I have already begun looking into when I can go back, and will at the first available opportunity. This is an ideal retreat to get peace, perspective, and adventure.

Places like this are rare- If you have the opportunity to go, go.
Written January 25, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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AIRBORNE ARTS: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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  • Sun - Sat 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM


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