After breakfast the group will depart for Puerto Viejo Talamanca.  This 5 hour drive, in an air-conditioned luxury coach bus gives everyone time to get to know one another and see the breathtaking countryside.   

We will arrive to Samasati in time for check-in, a late lunch and an overview of the property by the staff.  The food is locally sourced and each meal is a treat.  Though the cuisine is vegetarian, chicken or fish is available during dinner for a small additional fee. As you get settled into your new home, you may choose to take a dip in the pool, hot tub or hike in the mountainous surroundings.  

You may also choose an optional massage, one on one sound therapy with Dale or a yoga therapy, lesson or meditation with Amanda.  

Our first yoga class will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner in the villa.   

After morning yoga and breakfast, you may choose from a variety of excursions or choose to go directly to the beach for suntan and a dip in the ocean.  Afterwards, enjoy a picnic lunch and then spend the afternoon  shopping in the adorable and vibrant town of Puerto Viejo.  Evening yoga will be offered followed by dinner back at Samasati. 

Optional Excursion: Jaguar Rescue Center  $28.00

The JRC Sanctuary is unlike any animal experience you’ve had before. The most educational and entertaining tour for all audiences and ages. During the hour and a half of the visit our expert guides will show you the resident wildlife animals, explain their stories, characteristics and the challenges they face. You can see iconic animals like monkeys, sloths, birds like macaws or toucans, deer, snakes, etc. https://www.jaguarrescue.foundation

Following yoga and breakfast, you can choose to relax at samasati or hike to the Volio waterfall.   The Volio waterfall is one of the BriBri waterfalls that is most hidden in the rainforest. This beautiful 15 meters high waterfall is located within the Bribri Indian Reservation.

We return to Samasati in time for lunch.  

After yoga and breakfast, we head to a wonderful destination where you will experience the Cacao Forest Experience tour at a local cacao farm and chocolate factory.    The owner or guide will teach you everything you need to know about cacao, chocolate history, tropical wildlife and of course chocolate making.  

After lunch at Samasati, the afternoon will be spent at a local community center called  "Girls for Success" Center with  children (ages 7-12). We will enjoy doing a variety of games, crafts and implementing educational enrichment stations with the girls.  We encourage interaction and co-creation over gift giving.   In the past, we've done flower arranging, balloon animal lessons, games, created a video mock interview, and many other fun and interesting ideas may blossom before our trip. This has truly become one of the most enjoyed parts of our retreat. 

After dinner, there is a special evening of sound therapy with Dale.  Dale utilizes the power of the Gong, supported by other transformative instruments.  It aids  in releasing pent-up emotions and blockages. Results of a gonging experience may include a profound sense of calmness and happiness.  It is a time of deep mediation and relaxation that may transform your emotional and spiritual well being.

After yoga and breakfast, we head to Cahuita National Park for an unforgettable day.  One of the reasons why people love the Caribbean coast is the abundant wildlife. Cahuita National Park is one of the best in Costa Rica to see animals because of the year long lush rainforest.   Cahuita is a wonderful place to see monkeys, sloths, toucans, lizards and even friendly raccoons. 

After our morning hike, you can choose to relax on the beach or stay in Cahuita for an alfresco lunch on your own and take a taxi back to Samasati.    

We will head back to Samasati mid-afternoon for a late lunch, with the remainder of the afternoon available for an optional massage spa, swimming pool or some some relaxation and reflection on your private hammock.  The evening yoga consists of a closing reflection circle, followed by a celebratory closing dinner and dancing.   

With an early departure from Samasati, we head to a full day of adventure white water rafting.    The Pacuare River offers Class III & IV rapids and is world famous for its sheer beauty.   A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. Here you will enjoy the feeling of total isolation from urban life and the realness of being connected with nature.  The 18 mile, one day run includes a total of 52 rapids.  Few rivers in the world can offer you so many.   This raft trip is optional and is professionally operated by Exploradores Outfitters.   Those who decline the raft trip will head directly to the hotel in San Jose on a comfortable coach bus.  

Arriving from the river trip to San Jose around 7:00 p.m., We will have a celebratory dinner in San Jose and enjoy our new friendships and memories created.   Most participants leave for home the next day but some choose to stay another day at an additional cost. 

Our last and final day together in San Jose, we meet at breakfast to say our goodbyes before heading to the San Jose airport on the hotel shuttle.   There remains a special bond created amongst us that cannot be broken.   

We laughed and we cried.  

We opened our hearts. 

We played in nature. 

We learned how to connect deeply with our soul.

We moved beyond our comfort zone.

We nourished and cleansed our bodies.

We unveiled our most authentic self.  

And when we left, we were able to see beyond our limited minds and to once again experience the fullness of our being.  

As time passed, each of us felt a lingering innate sense of contentment that was independent of circumstances or external conditions.  And once we tasted this inner peace and the natural feeling of joy that comes from giving and serving rather than acquiring and achieving, our spiritual growth became a steady and enjoyable journey towards an ever greater awareness of our true nature.  

Through purposeful travel and meaningful experience, you will begin to to feel connected to your true nature ever more deeply and begin to feel the universal energy that connects every human, animal, plant, wave, mountain and cloud. You will discover an inner-strength and a crystal clear vision that you may have perhaps forgotten, and it will drive you to grow to keep going — everyday, cultivating a deeper sense of peace, wellness and and spirituality.  

We hope you will join us!

Peace & light,

Lynda & Amanda