The artful balance achieved within the environment of this eco luxury resort makes this an ideal destination for nature lovers, yoga practitioners, group activities and individuals looking for a special, exotic vacation.

Central America : Costa Rica

Samasati Nature Retreat is located 130 miles South of San José, the capital of Costa Rica, and 30 miles South of Puerto Limón on the Caribbean coast.

Getting to Samasati is easy and the drive is beautiful. The road is safe, paved, and the sightseeing breathtaking. You will cross the Braulio Carrillo National Park which is the largest virgin protected area in Costa Rica, and the Santa Clara flatlands where most of the country crops are grown. Then the road unwinds along the beach in the middle of coconut groves and sweet water canals.

Right after Cahuita National Park, four miles before the village of Puerto Viejo, you will find a large sign "Samasati Nature Retreat" that will direct you to a side road. Samasati's entrance gate and reception area is about 800 meters from the main road. From the reception, we will transport you with our 4x4 vehicles up the hill to Samasati's restaurant and accommodations.

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PUERTO VIEJO VILLAGE / BEACH: 4 miles away from Samasati, Puero Viejo beach is a black sand volcanic beach with none to mild waves. Also North of Puerto Viejo, you will find the best surfing beaches on the Caribbean Coast. Transport is $ 7.00 per person, minimum 4 pax. Less than 4 pax, $ 20.00 total

CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK BEACH: Cahuita National park consist of several miles of white beach and dense tropical jungle. Nearby you will find Cahuita village, which is a small typically Caribbean settlement. The coral reef of Cahuita National Park includes approximately 240 habitats. There are 123 different species of fishes, 44 species of crustaceans, 140 shellfish and 1281 seaweed species identified. We can also observe 35 different coral species such as the fire coral, the red coral and the black coral which is unique to this area. Transportation: $ 8.00 per person, minimum 5 pax. Less than 5 pax, $ 25.00 total.

PUNTA UVA (GRAPE POINT) BEACH: The editorial in 2001 Outside Magazine Travel Guide called Punta Uva beach "one of the best seven beaches in the world". A white sand beach located at the entrance of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Punta Uva is a "must" destination for people visiting the Caribbean Coast. Emerald waters, lots of coconut trees, very secluded. Transportation: $ 8.00 per person, minimum 5 pax. Less than 5 pax, $ 25.00 total.

MANZANILLO BEACH: In the heart of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Manzanillo white beach extends for few miles south all the way to the Panama border. Manzanillo village is a very small Caribbean settlement. $ 10.00 per person. Less than 5 people: $ 40.00 per mini van.

ECO TOURS

Samasati Nature Retreat is located in the Talamanca/Carribean region of Costa Rica. It is completely surrounded by National Parks and protected areas: Cahuita National Park, Tortugero National Park, Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuse, Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve, Bri-Bri and Cabacar Indigenous Reserves, to name a few.

We offer the following daily, guided activities as well as organized packages that include the most popular excursions which are "must see" before you leave Costa Rica. You can pay for the excursions with cash or credit cards directly to the tour operator once you are at Samasati.

Rainforest Canopy Adventure

: Ten minutes away from Samasati, eight aerial platforms and 1200 meters of cable are nestled deep into the jungle. After a short walk ...the adventure starts. Our professional guide will take you from one platform to the other explaining facts about the vegetation, the animals, and how the local indigenous use some of the herbs you will see. An incredible opportunity to "dive" into the jungle and enjoy it from up above.

Surfing Lessons

: Learn to surf the waves of the Caribbean. You don't need to be a professional surfer to experience the thrill of riding a wave. Our instructor is experienced and the Caribbean sea is gentle with first-time surfers. Don't miss the opportunity! We will provide you with a surfing board and promise you the time of your life!

Cacao Trail

: The complete cacao tour includes a guided visit to each one of the sections of the park (Corn plantation, Cacao plantation, Botanical garden, Medicinal garden, Iguana farm), canoes tour in the Cacao Trails canals, walk through the Cahuita National Park, visit to the Cahuita Turtle nesting beach and a Caribbean style buffet lunch, fresh fruits and juices.

Samasati Biological Reserve

: Samasati's virgin rain forest harbor thousand of known life forms and thousand yet to be described. Resonating with the songs of birds and the screams of the howler monkeys at dawn, the rain forest is quiet in the heat of the day, its stillness punctuated by the insect-like call of poison dart frogs, the rasping of cicadas or the whistled notes of wrens and antbirds. The dark, cool interior of the primary forest is surprisingly free of entangling vegetation. Only where light manages to filter through the interlocking canopy to the forest floor does vegetation proliferate. Walking into the rain forest is like taking a step back on time. The modern world and all its stresses fade into insignificance.

Birdwatching guided tour

: Immerse yourself in the 250 acres of biological reserve of Samasati Nature Retreat. Leaving at 5:30 AM from the restaurant, our experienced guide will take you through the many trails of the property where you will have the opportunity to have a close look at the inhabitants of the forest floor, the middle and the upper layer of the canopy. Slaty-Tailed Togon, Violaceus Togon, Blue-Ray Tanager, White Hawks, Laughing Falcons, Chestnut-Mandibled Toucan, the Daring Collared Aracari and other parrots are some of the birds who will welcome you !

: The coral reef of Cahuita National Park includes approximately 240 habitats. There are 123 different species of fish, 44 species of crustaceans, 140 shellfish and 1281 seaweed species identified. We can also observe 35 different coral species such as the fire coral, the red coral and the black coral which is unique to this area. Miles of white beach and dense tropical jungle. This tour will start with a boat trip to the coral reef where you will be snorkeling. Then will follow a guided walk on the Cahuita National Park's trail, where wild animals are easily spotted in the middle of the abundant and colorful flora. The rest of the day is to be enjoyed lying on the white sand beach or visiting Cahuita Village.

Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve

: The western region of Samasati Natural Retreat is bordered by the Bribri Indigenous Reserve. Further into the forest and higher into the mountains is the Cabecar Indigenous Reserve. The Cabecar and Bribri Indians are among the oldest inhabitants of Costa Rica. Their community and culture are intact and have been hidden from the curiosity of the average tourist. More than 600 native people live in the reservation, still in close contact with Mother Nature and keeping alive ancient knowledge on the use of plants and natural resources. In the area, you will also have the opportunity to visit Volio Waterfall. Please remember that sustainable tourism is vital to the survival of these tribes.

Shaman Tour

: A 40-minute drive will take you to the heart of the Bribri indigenous reserve in Suretka. A small boat will help you cross the Sixaola river and a ride of 30 minutes will bring you to the oldest and best maintained area where two of the last shamans from the Bribri tribe live and exercise their healing power. You will be able to ask questions and be in the “healing house,” a sacred space where rituals and healing take place. This tour takes you back in time where the connection with nature is still pure and uncontaminated.

Waterfall Trekking

: Guided trekking to a majestic waterfall. Forty minutes to an hour walk in the jungle, in the river, up and down big rocks. Healing and powerful, the waterfall is like a jungle's baptism. Jumping under the strong jets will massage and renew anyone!

Sea and River Kayaking

: At the beautiful beach of Punta Uva, with the help of a trained guide, you will kayak in the ocean with a sea kayak. Than you will slide towards the Punta Uva River, that unwinds into the jungle into a paradise of birds, wild animals and tropical plants, leaving behind you nothing but ripples. After the kayaking, the options are: exploring the Punta Uva promontory, snorkeling and sunbathing at the beach either way, this is a day full of adventure and wonders!

Horseback Riding at the beach

: Exquisitely trained horses and an expert bilingual guide/teacher will accompany you in this adventurous excursion on the wild beach of Cahuita National Park. At first, in order to make friends and to get used to the horse's pace, you will be taken on a brief horse's walk in the jungle where is also possible to observe animals. You will then come to the beach where the horses can either keep walking, trotting or take you for a breathtaking gallop along the shore. Of course a stop for swimming and resting on the beach is included on the day's program.

White water rafting

: The Pacuare river is world famous for its sheer beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. You will see waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides. Wildlife is abundant, with sloth, toucans, parrots, coatis, morpho butterflies and colorful frogs being common sights. Other inhabitants of this jungle include monkeys, jaguars, peccaries and tapirs, but these animals generally stay more hidden. It is not an overly challenging river, but it has many rapids that will make your adventure very interesting and fun. The 18-mile-one-day-run includes a total of 38 rapids. Few rivers in the world can offer you so many rapids in such a short stretch of water.

Upon arrival to the river you will get geared you up with a life jacket, helmet and paddle and then briefed with a full safety orientation talk by our expert guides. The first 4 miles consist of class II-III rapids, a great time to test your new river skills, gain confidence in your team, and have fun. Here you will find very beautiful pockets of secondary forest. After about 40 minutes we will enter the Pacuare River Gorge, which is 5 miles of some of the best white water Costa Rica has to offer. After the gorge the river opens up to another 5 mile stretch called"Valle del Pacuare." The river here changes and becomes wide open, giving you the opportunity to rest a bit and watch the varied wildlife. The final 3 miles are filled with class III rapids which carry you all the way to the end.

YOGA

Our resident yoga teacher, Courtney Bell is a certified yoga instructor, licensed massage therapist, and has a degree in Anthropology. She began practicing yoga ten years ago and has been teaching for four years. She has roots in the Iyengar approach, yoga philosophy, and has most recently trained with Shiva Rea in the Vinyasa Krama tradition. She accompanies her yoga practice with fire spinning and kirtans (devotional songs). Courtney's classes are designed to awaken the flow of yoga within each student. They embrace the essence of the day with music, meditation, and enlivened sequences of poses. They are adapted for beginners and intermediate practitioners alike. By cultivating the current of breath and movement of the body, we awaken to deep peace and inspired life.

SPA

Complete your journey into the rain forest with a soothing massage or a relaxing and exotic spa treatment. Indulge in the centuries of wisdom and tradition that cultivate a sense of balance. Our massages will make your body forget the sensation of stress. Our exclusive treatments fuse together ingredients indigenous to the mystical regions of Costa Rica. Water used in the spa is collected from the gentle rain or from the property water springs. When combined with this moisture and oxygen rich environment, ideal conditions for healing manifest.

Contact

Samasati Nature Retreat
Hone Creek
Puerto Viejo de Limon
Costa Rica

PHONE NUMBER: 800 563 9643
WEBSITE: www.samasati.com
EMAIL: Send an Email to Samasati Nature and Yoga Retreat