4 Day Private Wellness and Yoga Retreat in the Caribbean Coast of Puerto Viejo, Limon

Facilities

Stephanie will draw on decades of experience in multiple modalities of healing including yoga, yoga therapy, breathwork, meditation, and more, to create a transformative journey. Your first day will begin at 5 p.m. with Candlelight yoga in the yoga studio; dinner follows and then your days unfold with care and attention from Stephanie and Samasati's entire staff. Everyone at Samasati looks forward to sharing a slice of paradise in the rainforest with you.

• There will be an option for half-day community service with the Peace Through Yoga Foundation.

General Daily Schedule

• Morning yoga
• Breakfast
• Free time
• Lunch
• Evening yoga
• Dinner

Your Days at the Retreat Center

Samasati literally means awareness and balance. The tranquil environment is perfect for reflection, relaxation, and rejuvenation for a naturally supported return to wellness. At Samasati, you move at your own pace, exploring, and delighting in the abundant surroundings with guided nature treks, waterfall hikes, dips in a natural pool, bird watching, and daily yoga classes.

Feel free to master the art of doing nothing but relaxing in your hammock or taking a long, leisurely soak in the jacuzzi; and rest assured that your adventures will be fueled by delicious, fresh meals and round-the-clock coffee and tea served in the open-air restaurant.

The Samasati sanctuary is situated amidst 250 acres of pristine Costa Rican rainforest on the unspoiled Caribbean side of the country. While you enjoy nature’s healing embrace, you’ll also enjoy all the comfort and conveniences of a modern retreat designed to maximize your serenity, peace, and connection to nature and to your deeper self.

How close is the beach?

The nearest Caribbean beach is a short shuttle ride away, only 15 minutes to Puerto Viejo.

What is the weather like?

Mornings are generally sunny and afternoons will often bring in tropical rain.

Will you encounter wildlife?

Yes, Samasati shares the rainforest with all creatures; including insects who may make a guest appearance in your room. The lodging is screened and closed off, however, Samasati recommends no food items outside of the restaurant to avoid attracting rainforest friends.

Do you need a 4x4 to stay at Samasati?

No, a 4x4 shuttle service is provided to transport guests up and down the mountain road. If you bring a non-4x4 vehicle to Samasati, you’re welcome to use the secure parking at the base camp. If you bring a 4x4 vehicle to Samasati, you can park it securely in the sanctuary.

How far away is Samasati from San Jose International Airport (SJO)?

Samasati is four to six hours away from the airport by car or shuttle van. If you prefer to take a flight to Limón International Airport (LIO), it is 30 minutes by air and then another 45 minutes by shuttle to Samasati.

Samasati is a yoga and wellness retreat, a sustainable eco-lodge, and adventure getaway destination. The rainforest is a paradise for travelers who love:

• Venturing off the beaten path
• Discovering new unspoiled cultures
• Nature, wildlife, and hiking
• Yoga
• Spa treatments or meditation
• Outdoor or adrenaline adventures

Please note that encounters with insects, spiders, poisonous frogs, scorpions, or snakes are possible as you will be in a rainforest. Sometimes they also make it into the rooms so it is important to make sure all doors and windows are closed whenever possible.

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Dining: Farm-to-Table Delicacies

Sitting in the mountain overlooking the lush rainforest and the Caribbean Sea below, Samasati's covered but open-air restaurant provides a dramatic and unique dining experience. Samasati serves three buffet-style, organic, locally sourced meals daily. The selections range from Caribbean fusion, Mediterranean-Asian, to Central American.

Samasati bakes bread and pastries fresh daily. Be ready to indulge in delectable desserts which often feature chocolate made from organic local cacao. If you have any day trips or tours planned, Samasato will be happy to pack your lunch for you.

Farm-to-table, sustainable, and organic has long been a way of life, especially on the Caribbean side of the country, which is among the least modernized. This means that the fishermen still catch fish while the farmers still grow their livestock, fruits, and vegetables the way their great grandparents did.

Samasati purchases fish from the fishermen the same morning they are caught and nearby farmers deliver produce to the retreat center multiple times a week. You just cannot get any closer to farm-to-table than this; most of Samasati's cuisine is vegetarian, although fresh fish and chicken preparations are available upon request.

The restaurant also includes a specialty bar that serves rich Costa Rican coffee, tea, wine, beer, and fresh cold-pressed juices. The staff will happily accommodate any requests made in advance such as raw, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or soy-free dishes.

What if you're not a vegetarian or if you have dietary restrictions, requests?

Fish (9 USD) and chicken (7 USD) are available for every meal. Samasati is vegetarian but can accommodate vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, and almost any dietary restriction; just notify them of your needs prior to arrival.

While the retreat is its own serene sanctuary, you are by no means isolated, so if you enjoy exploring local culture, beaches, and shops, Samasati will shuttle you to nearby Puerto Viejo where you’ll find pristine Caribbean beaches with aquamarine waters that are home to both world-class surf and incredible snorkeling.

In addition to sun and sand, this laidback yet lively town features an array of outstanding restaurants, boutiques, bars, coffee shops, and even local farms.

Revitalizing “Forest Bathing” (“Shinrin-Yoku”)

Developed in Japan in the 1980s, Shinrin-yoku is a preventative healthcare and wellness practice that literally means “taking in the forest atmosphere” or “forest bathing.” And what better place to enjoy the restorative benefits of Shinrin-yoku than in the 250 acres of primary rainforest that surround Samasati?

Japanese and Korean researchers have produced an impressive body of research that scientifically proves the benefits of immersively walking in nature which include boosting your immune system, lowering your blood pressure, diminishing your stress levels, and improving your overall mental health.

It’s not just about the fitness benefits of walking, trees release phytoncides which are air-borne anti-microbial chemicals that help protect them and the surrounding, supportive plants against germs and insects. This benefit extends to humans, as research shows inhaling phytoncides lowers stress hormones and supports natural killer cell activity. You can enjoy this holistic anti-aging practice every day during your stay at Samasati.

Wildlife at Samasati

Your stay at Samasati comes with unlimited wilderness! A nature enthusiast’s paradise, from prime bird watching to vibrant butterfly sightings to unique wildlife encounters, the protected primary and secondary rainforest sanctuary offers a once in a lifetime immersion. Here, you’ll experience the perfect example of why Costa Rica is one of the world’s best destinations for eco-tourism and adventure travel.

The package includes one complimentary Thai Yoga or Ayurvedic Massage during your stay.

Restorative Massages and Wellness Treatments

Experience unique relief and rejuvenation with the Samasati signature treatments, delivered by acclaimed guest therapists and gifted local practitioners. Rooted in nature and unique village healing practices, Samasati's treatments feature all-natural Caribbean superfood ingredients derived from the flowers, leaves, bark, roots, seeds, and fruits of indigenous, naturally cultivated plants.

Samasati uses only the finest virgin coconut oil, local salt crystals (for exfoliating body scrubs), aloe vera, and Costa Rican cacao to maximize treatment efficacies. You’ll emerge from each treatment with results you can see, thanks to the antioxidant, rejuvenating, hydrating, healing, and anti-aging properties of these nutrient-rich living foods for your skin that Samasati's beauty and wellness experts artfully create and apply.

• Twice daily private yoga classes
• A guided nature trek through the rainforest
• 3 nights accommdoation
• 1 Thai Yoga or Ayurvedic Massage
• Daily vegetarian buffets for breakfast, lunch, and dinner

• Airfare
• Transportation to and from the airport
• Additional massages
• Local, sustainably-sourced chicken and fish
• Additional activities
• Personal expenses

Recommended Airports

• A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.