6 Day Individual Yoga Holiday in The Central Mountains of Costa Rica
Costa Rica Yoga Holiday
Have a break from your busy life and give yourself time to unwind. Enjoy AmaTierra's yoga while relaxing in this nature retreat, you will feel refreshed and rejuvenated after and you will feel inspired to take whatever comes your way.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 1 yoga class per day
- Daily guided meditation session (except on tour day)
- Full-day tour to Carara National Park and (optional) Jaco Beach
- Full-body massage and other activities
- 5 nights accommodation
- Daily meals
- Transfers to and from the airport
Skill level
- Beginner
Yoga styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Spa
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Garden
- Smoke-free property
- Terrace
- Yoga shala
AmaTierra is a sustainability-minded eco-resort featuring:
- 10 beautifully appointed private casitas, each with its own outdoor patio
- A breath-taking open-air yoga pavilion with 270° views of the lush jungle valley
- A spa and wellness center offering massage, energy therapies, spa services, nutritional consultation, detox programs, and integrative herbal medicine with expert practitioners
- Organic gardens, hydroponic greenhouse, and free-range chickens for eggs and veggies served farm-to-table at the gourmet restaurant on-site
- Quiet walking trails, meditation benches set among nature, hammocks in the shade, and an infinity-edge pool for relaxation and reflection.
Meditate immersed in nature. Visit the nearby waterfall for a refreshing soak in crystal-fresh waters. waters. Relax in a hammock in the shade or poolside in the sun. Let the scents, sounds, and healing energies of nature soothe your soul. Committed to rainforest conservation and sustainable agriculture, herbalist owner Jill Ruttenberg has created an organic garden, hydroponic greenhouse, and an atmosphere of discovery for learning about and healing with tropical plant medicine. Jill offers educational herb walks for you to learn about the plants and their many medicinal uses.
In the evenings after dinner, take a movie back to your room from the wide DVD library, or curl up with a good book. Remember what it’s like to rest in the peace and quiet of nature outside your window. At AmaTierra, give yourself time for reflection, meditation, and renewal. Feel at home cradled by nature amidst the mango trees and sounds of the living forest in your simple, elegant suite. Allow yourself to truly relax in the comfort and peace of the mountains that Costa Rica is famous for. Settle into a cool evening with a bottle of Chilean Cabernet and watch the sunset from your private terrace.
In the morning, awaken to the sounds of nature. Take a walk to the stream or hike to where you can see the Nicoya Peninsula in the distance. Meditation is an extra special experience here in Costa Rica. Enjoy all of the amenities and allow us to lift your spirits, and rejuvenate both body and soul, as you escape to the possibilities of this beautiful area of Costa Rica. Tastefully designed with unique decor to allow you to enjoy the serenity of your surroundings, each Suite comes with its own bathtub, private terrace, and garden with outdoor seating.
Hardwood furniture and a ceiling made of teak bring the ambiance of the forest into your room. The sleeping area has a comfy queen-sized bed and an additional double bed can be arranged in the living room if needed. Ceiling fans, a refrigerator, coffee/tea maker complimentary snacks and Fiber-optic Wi-fi is a new and reliable feature at the resort. Open-air yoga pavilion for yoga retreats, inspirational conferences, and workshop space for group gatherings and meetings. Enjoy a cool evening with a bottle of organic Chilean Cabernet and watch the sunset from your private terrace.
In the morning, awaken to the sounds of nature. Take a walk to the stream or hike to where you can see the Nicoya Peninsula in the distance. Meditation is a divine experience here in the forests of Costa Rica. For the well-being of their guests, AmaTierra is a non-smoking property. AmaTierra welcomes you with an inviting natural ambiance. Allow the place to lift your spirits, and rejuvenate both body and soul, as you escape to the possibilities of this beautiful paradise in the heart of Costa Rica.
Sustainable property
The owners and staff of AmaTierra are dedicated to supporting the local Costa Rican community and protecting the natural environment, reducing waste, and conserving, reusing, and recycling resources. Much of the produce used in the kitchen comes directly from AmaTierra’s farm - including organic gardens, a hydroponic greenhouse, and free-range chickens for eggs. The AmaTierra Foundation is committed to helping the local town of San Pablo meet basic needs in education, environment, and waste management.
AmaTierra, loosely translated as “Beloved Earth”, embodies the belief that human beings exist as part of the delicate web of nature and, as vital members of the Earth community, must be conscious of minimizing your impact on the Earth’s ecosystems, especially in a place with so much diversity. Virtually 5-6% of all the plant and animal species on the earth are found here in Costa Rica.
Program
This special retreat offer is a great opportunity to visit safe and beautiful Costa Rica where you can truly escape and allow the healing green of nature to wash over your whole being. All this at a very affordable price. Take walks to the stream, lie in a hammock or on a raft in the pool, get back in shape with yoga and hiking, and have a bit of adventure. Take some time to relax while experiencing the magic of Costa Rica.
The five-night relax in nature package is the perfect vacation escape to integrate the healing essence of nature into your entire being. Plus, you will stay in shape with daily yoga classes, healthy gourmet meals, a swim in the pool, hiking trails through the forest to the stream, and a jungle-to-beach wildlife adventure. Your journey awaits.
Yoga classes
Begin your day with a gentle Hatha yoga class in AmaTierra’s open-air yoga studio overlooking the lush jungle valley. The yoga classes are tailored to suit everybody, no matter your age or ability.
Meditation
The meditation is loosely based on an ancient Buddhist form called Vipassana which means “clear vision”; however, there is nothing religious or ritualistic in how it is practiced. Mindfulness meditation, the most commonly practiced Vipassana technique, is designed to help you let go of constant thinking and worldly worries in order to find stillness and deep understanding, to better get to know what some people call the “True Self”.
Mindful meditation is simply a practice of heightening one's awareness of the here and now, taking time out to observe what is going on in the body, and in the mind. When one attunes their mind to be in a state of constant awareness, you can learn a great deal about how the mind and body work. Resonant singing bowls often enhance the meditation experience at AmaTierra. Retreats such as this sound healing immersion are also options for a more in-depth experience.
AmaTierra's yoga philosophy
Practicing yoga is about more than being fit - it is about tuning in to your true self, getting quiet, being fully present in your moments, and breathing into all corners of your being with focus and intention. AmaTierra’s commitment to gentle Hatha yoga honors the traditional roots of yoga’s ancient history, offering a strong foundation for your physical yoga practice, grounded in a spiritual tradition that has stood the test of time - a few thousand years, at least.
Jill’s method of teaching is closely aligned with one of her teachers, Jean-Pierre Marques from North Africa who was a pioneer in bringing Eastern traditions to the U.S. in 1971, and who later initiated the Spiritual Awareness Center at Canyon Ranch Spa in Tucson, Arizona.
Included excursions
On a full-day tour, head to Carara National Park, where you are given a guided tour by Vic's Tours complete with explanations of Costa Rican plant and animal life. After your rainforest tour, you can choose to spend the rest of the day at nearby Jaco Beach.
Instructors
Jill Ruttenberg
Jill Ruttenberg is a professional nutritionist, certified practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and professional clinical herbalist registered with the American Herbalist Guild. Jill has been leading people in detox programs for many years at AmaTierra's facility in Costa Rica.
Retreat location
AmaTierra lies on the winding but wonderfully pothole-free Highway 27, 19 kilometers past Puriscal toward Orotina, about an hour's drive southwest of San Jose. Make AmaTierra your safe home base as you venture on day trips to a variety of area attractions. AmaTierra is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with three lush acres of mountain forest - home to two types of toucans and hundreds of varieties of birds and butterflies.
The white-face monkeys swing between the trees in the early mornings, and scarlet macaws squawk as they fly across the valley. A stream, hiking trails with stunning views, dozens of mango trees, and reforested pochote hardwood are all part of AmaTierra’s tropical ecology.
Unique features
Activities
- Spa
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
General
- Dining area
- Garden
- Smoke-free property
- Terrace
- Yoga shala
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
At AmaTierra, guests can enjoy some of the freshest foods in all of Costa Rica. The cuisine is international, with an emphasis on fresh fruits and vegetables, some home-grown in organic gardens. Meals are accented by delicious spices such as fresh turmeric, ginger, basil, and lemongrass grown on the permaculture farm. Guests enjoy family-style meals served on the balcony. The dishes are either vegetarian or include fresh fish or hormone-free chicken.
AmaTierra wants to do its best to honor individual dietary concerns and it can adapt our menu for vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free diets. Because of AmaTierra’s unique reputation as a wellness center, you have the opportunity to consult with a professional nutritionist or herbalist about a diet that is best for you and begin implementing that protocol while you are here at the retreat. This session also opens a door to self-discovery and new possibilities for helping health issues.
You will be seen not just as a person whose symptoms need soothing, but as a unique individual with underlying causes for imbalances that are unique to your body. A session with owner Jill Ruttenberg, registered AHG (American Herbalist Guild) herbalist will help create a dietary regimen and lifestyle shift, as well as address your health problems by using herbal and homeopathic remedies.
Breakfast
Serving up a variety of seasonal fruits, traditional Costa Rican “gallopinto” rice and bean dish, fresh farm eggs from our own chickens, whole grain bread, and organic coffees and teas, AmaTierra guests feel pampered and satisfied. Leaner options such as oatmeal with goji berries or yogurt and granola with soaked seeds and flax are also available. A consultation with one of their health professionals can lead you to a diet appropriate for your goals and they can help you get started on detoxifying or making dietary changes.
Dinner
The local cooks serve up delicious dishes made with fresh fish, such as their coconut-crusted mahi mahi, chicken dishes (orange/mango chicken with coriander, served with brown rice is one favorite) or vegetarian dishes such as fresh spinach enchiladas and vegetarian Thai curry over rice. Enjoy a glass of organic wine or Costa Rican beer with dinner, (these are the only alcoholic beverages served on the property). Snacks are available as are a variety of healthy fruit or green smoothies and coconut water straight from the coconut.
As the goal is healthful, enjoyable dining, you will feel good about AmaTierra’s attention to freshness and wholesome ingredients. A beautiful salad with fresh greens from the greenhouse is part of every day. They use only healthful oils,(no trans-fats) real butter, and local honey, often substituting honey or “dulce” (minimally processed sugar cane) for white sugar. Desserts are homemade, gluten-free, and generally light, though they accommodate everybody’s love for chocolate. Restaurant facilities feature an expansive dining area and balcony with wide-open views of the lush jungle valley.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Seafood
Things to do (optional)
Adventure Park Costa Rica
If you ever wanted to have a canopy tour involving multiple waterfalls this is an adventure that is going to satiate you completely. When you come to Costa Rica for an adventure holiday this is the way you would like to spend it. The unique 25 zip lines over 11 waterfalls canopy adventure, Fly like Superman with no camera trick, The biggest High Ropes Course in Costa Rica, ATV FunPark, and horseback riding tours.
Beach day
Choose from Jaco Beach, a bustling area where you can have a surf lesson, shop, or relax, or a more secluded, quiet beach at Esterillos Oeste.
Bird watching
AmaTierra is being called a "newly discovered hot spot" for viewing birds of the Pacific slope Woodland area. More than 65 species of birds have been identified within the eight acres of AmaTierra Hotel & Retreat.
Equine experience
For a unique experience at beautiful Sweet Prince Ranch (a scenic one-hour drive from AmaTierra), join equine professional psychotherapists Marsha and Mark Friedman for a profound three or more hours of in-depth session with some very special horses for a fun, safe, and powerful equine and human bonding experience. Sweet Prince Ranch is not for riding horses but for equine-assisted psychotherapy. No previous horse training is required, most activities are done on the ground.
Other optional tours
- Horseback riding at Turubari Tropical Park
- Jaco - Surfing beach
- La Paz Waterfall and Poas Volcano
- San Jose historic city tour
- Tortuga Island - Snorkel
- Zip-line canopy tour
Massage and spa treatments
1. Aromatherapy foot bath (30 USD)
Pamper tired feet and remove accumulated toxins in a bath of Epsom salts and doTerra Aromatherapy oils. Foot massage follows.
2. Aromatouch special treatment (95 USD)
A 60-minute personalized aromatherapy massage treatment with doTerra Organic Essential Oils. Reduce stress, balance your nervous system, reduce inflammation, enhance immunity, and detoxify your body.
3. Deep tissue or sports massage (80 USD)
A 60-minute massage that works deep to ease knots in muscles and fascia. Sports massage is similar and focuses more on limbs and stretches.
4. De-stress and relax with aromatherapy (80 USD)
A 60-minute relaxing massage customized for your body's needs and designed to release tension: the classic massage.
5. Ear candling (40 USD)
Detoxify sinuses and ear canals with this safe, effective process. You will feel clear and hear better.
6. Exfoliation scrub (75 minutes - 100 USD)
Choose from green tea, lemon, or coconut salt scrub. Removes dead skin cells for healthier, softer skin. Light massage follows this treatment. Ask about the luscious chocolate mask for the face.
7. Hands and feet treat (40 USD)
Aromatherapy foot bath, exfoliating scrub, and massage for 30 minutes.
8. Head, neck, and shoulders (40 USD)
A 30-minute massage relaxes tension and clears the head. Adding an aroma foot bath for a luxurious soak will cost an additional 15 USD.
9. Manicure or pedicure
Manicure done at the pool or go into town for a special cultural experience at the salon (12 USD). Pedicure: Also at the pool or in town (22 USD).
10. Mind or body counseling and the equine experience
Psychotherapists Mark and Marsha Friedman can help you re-reframe negative thinking and learn better communication skills to transform engrained patterns. The end result is a healthier self-image and more joyful interactions with others. For a unique experience with horses that will increase your self-awareness, inquire about equine-assisted psychotherapy, a fun way to get to know yourself in the presence of beautiful horse beings. Advance notice is required.
11. Nutritional or herbal consultation (95 USD)
Make a new start and address health issues that perhaps have been ignored. Perhaps you are looking to change your diet or discuss what supplements might enhance your health. In an in-depth session that can take up to one and a half hours, registered herbalist Jill Ruttenberg (AHG) will guide you toward lifestyle changes and a treatment protocol to set you on the right track.
12. Sound therapy tune-up (80 USD)
Re-balance your chakras (energy centers), raise the vibratory level of your entire being, and address specific areas of concern through the use of Quartz singing bowls and other sound tools. Come away feeling light and balanced.
13. The Gemstone mat (20 minutes for 15 USD or four sessions for 45 USD)
A bed of amethyst crystals for healing. Experience the strength of the powerful far-infrared rays, soothing your muscles and nerves; generated through a mat of amethyst crystals, powerful healing properties of negative ions.
14. Uplifting facial (50 USD)
35-minute galvanic current treatment purifies, revitalizes, and keeps the signs of aging at bay. Try twice during your stay for the best results.
15. Got your back (45 USD)
30 minutes of aroma treatment for the back, neck, and shoulders.
16. Wraps (90 minutes - 105 USD)
Choose among three different offerings:
- A special mud or clay from Costa Rica's volcanoes (recommended for normal to oily skin types)
- Dead sea minerals
- Vitalizing cinnamon heating therapy wrap
All three draw toxins out through the skin and leave you feeling oh so soft. Plan to become a burrito, wrapped snugly for 20 minutes while the clay does its work.
Spa treatments
One relaxing one-hour full body massage by AmaTierra Spa and Wellness Professional is included in the price.
What's included
- Daily yoga and meditation classes (except on tour day)
- Full-day tour including transportation
- 1 relaxing one-hour full body massage by AmaTierra Spa and Wellness Professional
- 1 30-minute session on the healing gemstone mat
- 5 nights accommodation
- 3 delicious gourmet meals per day
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- All hotel taxes
What's not included
- Airfare
- Extra activities
- Extra meals
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Juan Santamaría International Airport
27 km
Transfer included
Driving directions from San Jose or Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) (old road)
- From San Jose or Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), there are two ways to go. The new highway cuts off about 15 minutes but does involve a dirt road for about 15 minutes of the journey.
- Directions for the slower, meandering but paved all-the-way road.
- Take the road to Ciudad Colon. Once you are in Ciudad Colon, look out for a sign saying "no hay paso" which means you are going on to a one-way street.
- Instead, turn right at the gas station and then left at the next street and you will see a green AmaTierra sign up high (on a car wash building) stating you are 35 kilometers from the hotel.
- Go to the top of the hill through the town of Cuidad Colon and turn left before the dirt road.
- You will see a University of La Paz (Peace) sign on the left. Make sure you follow the road out of town (do not turn right to the U. of Peace), but veer right towards Puriscal and Turubari Park.
- After about 20 minutes, you will arrive in Puriscal.
- About 300 meters past the gas station on the right, you will see a sign for Turrubaris/Orotina/Jaco - turn left in front of the Red Cross/Ice building.
- Follow about three blocks past the church, and just after the stop light, you will see a white sign that will say Turrubaris/Orotina/Jaco then you must turn right after the sign.
- Then, you will follow the signs to Amatierra/Turubari Park. The hotel is located 17 kilometers or 20 minutes once you leave Puriscal.
- You are on the right side of the road 2 kilometers before San Pablo and you will see several Green AmaTierra signs to let you know you are close. Always know that if you follow the signs to Turrubari Park, you are on the right track.
- It is easy to find and the road is paved the entire way - simply look for the long bamboo fence and wooden gate. If the gate is closed, just honk, and the guard will open the gate.
Driving directions from San Jose or Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) (new highway)
- Start out the same way as above, from the airport.
- Once you pass Escazu, Outback, and the Forum, you will get to where you need to make a decision to go toward Ciudad Colon, or towards Guacima and Orotina. *You can choose to go straight ahead on the New Highway to Orotina, which is a toll road. You will need colones.
- Go straight on this road, past two tolls, the last one is Atenas. Past Pan de Azucar too, exit at Escobal.
- At the top of the exit, turn left, then right at the end, onto the frontage road. Follow this to its end (about 1.2 kilometers) and turn left.
- You stay on this little dirt road for about 15 minutes, over a one-lane bridge, until you eventually get to a town called San Pablo, with a town square on the left.
- Go straight past the town about two to three blocks and you will see Soda Francini on the right. Turn left there, toward Puriscal.
- AmaTierra will be on your left side about one kilometer up the road.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on departure.
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