Heading to a yoga retreat in Costa Rica frightened and excited me all on the identical time, should you’re seeking to attempt to get away and observe some yoga with some skilled and enlightened academics, you may strive locations such because the retreat in Costa Rica, in addition to locations like right here too. The intimidating half was that it had been over a yr since I had practiced any yoga; my mat was getting dusty behind the closet and my downward canine regarded extra like a lazy cat stretching. The thrilling half was that I might be spending a complete week at Blue Osa Yoga Retreat + Spa on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, positioned on the nations southern Pacific coast.
Blue Osa is thought for working towards morning silence, exercising sustainable tourism, having a secluded beachfront property, wholesome farm-to-table meals and as being a spot to nourish the physique, thoughts and spirit.
Who couldn’t use somewhat nourishingbird
GETTING THERE
From Costa Rica’s most important metropolis of San Jose I boarded a teeny, tiny twelve-seater NatureAir aircraft heading to the Puerto Jimenez airport. Not being a fan of flying normally, the scale of this prop aircraft made me uneasy, but it surely sounded significantly better than the eight hour drive it might have in any other case been. Although this idea was severely questioned because the pilots navigated us by way of a storm the place gray clouds engulfed the aircraft and rain pounded in opposition to the home windows. As I gripped on to my seat and the hula dancer on the sprint swayed, the pilots calmly smiled placing us all extra relaxed.
This was widespread territory and no trigger for fear to them.
A couple of minutes later we hit clearer, much less bumpy skies. Phew. Shortly after, we realized the profit to flying a small airline. When one of many passengers noticed whales down beneath the pilot stopped his present flight path and circled the water so everybody may get a glimpse. That wouldn’t occur on a United flight. Forty-five minutes later we landed on the airport or fairly the Puerto Jimenez touchdown strip alongside the Osa Peninsula.
I wished to kiss the bottom.
THE PROPERTY
The shuttle picked me up only a few ft from the place the aircraft landed and we headed eight miles South of the city of Puerto Jimenez to Blue Osa Yoga Retreat + Spa. Positioned in a principally vacant part of the Osa Peninsula, on a gravel highway, I discovered my house for the subsequent seven days.
Strolling by way of the picket gate instantly introduced a way of serenity.
It may have been the luxurious inexperienced foliage that laid earlier than me or the sounds of waves crashing within the distance or just the truth that I wasn’t on that miniature aircraft any longer.
To the left was the backyard, the place herbs, fruit and veggies had been being grown to be used within the kitchen. To the suitable a gaggle of rooms with the open-air yoga studio on the second ground. I walked additional to the out of doors eating space surrounded by snug seating. The pathway from right here led to the secluded seashore the place I might be watching many sunsets. Looping across the property clockwise by way of the grass, I used to be greeted by the beautiful royal blue lap pool which was subsequent to the spa.
My room was simply steps away from right here. How handy.
Apart from the three resident canine and one cat, the Blue Osa grounds was full of wildlife: white-faced monkeys within the timber, ginormous spiders that gave the impression to be completely planted on their webs, leaping toads and colourful macaws.
Every morning I used to be woken up not by the standard rooster again house, however as an alternative by howler monkeys within the timber and the seemingly thousands and thousands of birds overhead.
There are such a lot of superb species of birds in Costa Rica. A very good pal of mine even got here right here on a chicken watching tour. You’ll be able to be taught extra about chicken watching excursions in Costa Rica right here: https://www.costaricafocus.com/.
Every night I might enter my room questioning what critter was going to be my roommate for the night time. One night it was a black centipede, one other a lightweight inexperienced lizard and on a specific enjoyable night time, the biggest cricket-like bug wished to share a mattress.
MY ROOM
My room was true to the properties identify, decked out in a dozen shades of blue. It was absolutely outfitted with two beds, rest room, bathe and sink. Although, there have been no hair dyers or flat irons allowed as a result of the retreat is operated by solar energy with minimal energy utilization.
Reality be informed, I used to be wanting ahead to not having to “do” my hair and spending the week with out carrying a sew of make-up. The monkeys weren’t going to thoughts.
Apart from the soothing coloration of the room, the hammock positioned on the entry was what instantly caught my eye.
Who actually wants a mattress when there’s a hammock?
I spent fairly just a few lazy hours in that hammock studying, writing, reflecting and even napping. However, after I was not lounging there I laid in my mattress, coated by a mosquito internet, that made me really feel like I used to be a comfortable little one in my very own little tent. The primary night time I laid in mattress, not watching a rerun episode of ‘Buddies’ (what would usually be occurring at house), however as an alternative gazing on the ceiling watching a firefly blinking overhead and listening to the raindrops on the roof till I fell asleep.
THE FOOD
Meals had been served 3 times a day (plus snacks), buffet type with a farm to desk, clear consuming idea. Being a restaurant proprietor, chef and self-proclaimed journey foodie I’m overly crucial about meals. However, this was a number of the most scrumptious.
Nearly all of the breakfasts included do-it-yourself baked items like chocolate-orange muffins, recent reduce fruit and inventive eggs (suppose ginger spiced scrambled or Shakshouka Israeli Eggs).
The fruit that wasn’t eaten at breakfast was then typically changed into an naturally sweetened juice to quench your thirst all through the day.
Lunch and dinner had been each equally as eclectic and scrumptious. The primary nights meal had probably the most unbelievable coconut crusted purple snapper, inexperienced mango salad, cauliflower gratin with coconut milk, black beans with Chinese language 5 spice and a Coconut flan with roasted pineapple to high all of it off.
All the opposite afternoon and night meals had been simply nearly as good because the premiere.
The one dish that was the preferred the complete week amongst the company was the fried onion rings. After an hour and a half of yoga every day, adventurous excursions and wholesome consuming, these bought devoured inside minutes.
The cooking was performed by Marie, who was raised within the South of France. She is a self-taught chef who’s extremely gifted. She is at the moment writing a cookbook referred to as Voila, one I’d positively purchase as a result of she managed to make wholesome meals style flavorful and be filling.
If you’re thinking about her type do that Gluten Free Banana Bread Recipe. It’s not solely gluten free, however wheat free, sugar free and scrumptious!
GLUTEN FREE BANANA BREAD
INGREDIENTS
4 eggs
3 medium overly ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
2 tsp Baking Soda
2 1/4 cups almond flour
1/2 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 levels F. In a bowl, combine eggs, banana, honey, coconut milk, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix the remaining components. Mix each mixtures and stir till effectively included. Grease a bread pan and pour in batter. Bake for 35-50 minutes
Final, however positively not least, I can’t overlook to say my favourite hour at Blue Osa: Cocktail hour.
Every night time they featured a unique specialty drink like a Carambola Mojito, Caipirinha or a Sizzling Maracuya. You can watch because the bartender muddled recent fruit, greens and herbs for each.
THE YOGA
The morning after I arrived at Blue Osa, my first yoga class was scheduled and I arrived twenty minutes early as a way to safe a spot within the absolute again row.
I didn’t need all the opposite attendees to see how a lot of my time could be spent on my knees, bent over in childs pose.
The peaceable yoga room was positioned on the second ground of the property, which allowed for the ocean and inexperienced foliage to poke by way of. The open shuttered home windows made it really feel as if we’d be doing yoga fully outdoors.
Why didn’t they’ve a hammock in right here?
The bell chimed, which was not solely used to point supper time, however meant it was time to start our yoga class. Our teacher was none apart from Blue Osa proprietor, Yogi Aaron.
He started, not solely our top quality however each class, with a twenty minute discuss yoga, life, peacefulness and every part in between.
When it was time to do the precise yoga, the tempo was at a stage that pushed my limits, however was not so overwhelmingly arduous that I wished to curve up within the nook like a crying child. Although, one vital factor we discovered was that working towards yoga is individualistic and about listening to what your physique was telling you.
Justification for working towards loads of childs pose.
pictures by Anna at Loopy within the Rain
SPA & POOL
Within the afternoon of my third day at Blue Osa I used to be scheduled on the Spa for a facial. My second one ever in my life. Sometimes, the spa is just not my inside my consolation zone.
I can depend the occasions I’ve been to a spa one on one hand.
However, within the skilled fingers of Laura, I closed my eyes and relaxed as she unfold lotions and potions on my face. In direction of the top, she paired the seven chakras with aromatherapy, ringing a bell after each.
This hour was a really soothing expertise, similar to the yoga that morning, the observe of silence and whole Blue Osa expertise.
After my spa remedy I continued my rest within the tub water temperature lap pool. If I may get my night cocktail served right here it might have been an ideal day.
WHAT ELSE TO DO
Although you might by no means need to depart the serenity of Blue Osa, in addition they provide bucket record worthy excursions. Whereas I used to be there, I did the 100 foot waterfall rappel, cacao farm tour, browsing class and even participated in a child turtle launch.
waterfall pictures by Anna at Loopy within the Rain
On the final day on the yoga retreat we had been requested what our expertise had been like for the week and I summed it up by saying:
“I used to be very nervous about coming to my first yoga retreat as a result of I’m not an skilled yogi. However, what I discovered was that Blue Osa was way more than only a place to do some yoga. It’s a spot to be taught, to develop, to be peaceable and to get in contact with your self. In fact, yoga has one thing to do with all of that, however simply being on the grounds positioned in rural space of the Osa peninsula provides to the expertise and assists in releasing your thoughts from the traumatic atmosphere by which you could have simply come from.”
. . . Verify it Off Your Bucket Record . . .
Location/Info:
Costa Rica is a Central American nation bordered by Panama and Nicaragua, plus the coasts of the Caribbean and Pacific. The Osa Peninsula is the rugged southwestern headland that has the Pacific Ocean to the west and Golfo Dulce to the east. It’s a primitive haven of about 5 thousand the place the rain forests are pristine, most of the streets are unnamed and white-faced capuchins swing within the timber.
Getting There:
The Osa Peninsula will be reached by aircraft by way of Costa Rica’s capital metropolis of San José, The day by day flights to Puerto Jimenez airport takes roughly 45 minutes. My flight was with Nature Air (www.natureair.com) who is named the world’s first carbon impartial airline, lowering their carbon footprint to zero. Alternatively, you may fly with Sansa Air (www.flysansa.com). It is usually doable to drive from San Jose, by renting a automobile with Stable Automobile Rental (www.solidcarrental.com), the journey would take about 6-8 hours. Taking a bus will be difficult should you converse completely no Spanish and usually are not an skilled traveler, however it may be performed. Transportes Blanco Lobo gives a day by day bus service from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez, the principle city within the Osa Peninsula. The fee is at the moment $13 and departs from the intersection of Calle 12 and Avenidas 7/9 Blanco Lobo Station at 8:00am and 12:00pm (tel. 2257-4121).
Language(s):
Spanish is the official language, although English is extensively understood.
Forex:
Costa Rican colón, US {dollars} are extensively accepted.
Electrical energy:
Plug Sort A/B, 120v. Most retailers are the identical because the two-prong American-style, although some is not going to embrace a spot for the third prong. So your 3-prong units might have an adapter, although you shouldn’t want a converter.
When to Go:
The Osa Peninsula persistently sees common daytime temperatures between the excessive 70s to low 80s all year long, although there are two seasons; dry and moist. The perfect time to go to is in the course of the dry season (mid-November to late April) when the rainfall may be very restricted. Although this time can be the height vacationer season, the Osa Peninsula doesn’t draw the identical crowds because the mainland, so you’ll nonetheless be capable of take pleasure in lounging on the almost empty seashores and mountaineering barren rain forests. Moist season is from Could to mid-November, and in the course of the peak months (September and October) the rainfall could stop you from touring to the extra distant components of the world, particularly when the potholed filth roads change into difficult even for probably the most rugged sports activities utility car. If you’re in search of a little bit of a discount, touring low season in early Could or November could also be your greatest wager. The rains may have simply began or ended throughout these months and retreats could provide discounted charges.
Easy methods to Go to/Planning:
Yoga retreats in Costa Rica, together with the Osa Peninsula, are usually weeklong, live-on-premise experiences. The toughest resolution you’ll have to make is which retreat to go to, as every has totally different instructors and methods. It’s greatest to take a look at the upcoming retreat calendars on their web sites to find out what falls consistent with the kind of expertise you need. My enjoyable week was spent at Blue Osa (www.blueosa.com), which is thought for working towards morning silence, exercising sustainable tourism, having a secluded beachfront property and wholesome farm-to-table meals. Different good choices within the peninsula are the Iguana Lodge (www.iguanalodge.com) or Ojo del Mar (www.ojodelmar.com).
Getting Round:
The Osa Peninsula is a distant location and has very restricted transportation selections whereas there. Most retreats will present shuttle service from the Puerto Jimenez airstrip to the lodging and tour operators will provide pick-up/drop-off providers (charges could apply). Between spending time on the retreat and the additional excursions your time needs to be fairly effectively stuffed up. However, if you are interested in exploring by yourself it should require both renting a automobile, hiring a driver or catching a journey in one of many few taxis.
The place to Keep:
You can be resting your head at your chosen retreat on most nights, however should you want an evening in San Jose earlier than catching your early flight house, strive Journey Inn (from $94) who contains an all-you-can-eat breakfast and a free shuttle to the SJO Worldwide airport. If you wish to do some exploring within the metropolis, take pleasure in an evening on the historic Grano del Oro (from $167) or Aranjuez Resort (from $46), only a brief stroll from town middle.
The place to Eat:
One other perk to nourishing at a yoga retreat is that the majority provide scrumptious and wholesome meals. However, if you wish to enterprise into the “huge metropolis” of the Osa Peninsula, head to the coastal city of Puerto Jimenez and indulge within the ceviche on the oceanfront Marisqueria Corcovado. Or go for a style of Italy with a thin-crust, wood-fired pie at PizzaMail.it (piazza central; 506 2735 5483). For a particular deal with head north to Drake’s Bay for a meal of fish tacos and tuna at Gringo Curt’s Seafood (Agujitas de Drake; 506 6198 5899). For those who spend additional days in San Jose strive Ram Luna (www.restauranteramluna.com) for Tierra Tica (Typical Evening) the place each Wednesday and Thursday night you cannot solely eat conventional casado, but additionally take heed to marimba music and see genuine Costa Rican folks dancing.
Close by Should-Dos (moreover yoga):
- Spend just a few hours assembly the inhabitants on the Osa Wildlife Sanctuary (osawildlife.org), a middle centered on rehabilitation. There shall be alternatives for have contact with the animals, whether or not it’s feeding a sloth taking part in with a monkey or petting a porcupine.
- Take a tour by way of a standard cacao plantation at Finca Kobo (fincakobo.com; $32). See the totally different species and style the recent fruit from a chocolate tree.
- Hike amongst the monkeys and toucans at Corcovado Nationwide Park (corcovadoguide.com). With over 100,000 acres of tropical rain forest there are various picturesque trails to select from.
- If you’re an adrenaline junkie, go waterfall rappelling with Everday Adventures (psychotours.com). They’ll take you on a hike up a sequence of waterfalls, as soon as on the high you can be instructed on deal with the rappel down two waterfalls (one 45 ft and the second 100ft). A coronary heart pumping bucket record expertise! Additionally they provide a enjoyable tree climb the place you’ll scale up the trunk of a 200-foot strangler fig. The combo bundle for each adventures is $130, completely well worth the 5-6 hours of adrenaline.
- Take a guided kayaking tour by way of the Mangroves with Aventuras Tropicales (aventurastropicales.com; $45). The paddle will take you thru the Preciosa Platanares Wildlife Refuge to be taught in regards to the ecosystem by way of your experiences with nature.
Important Data:
- People usually are not required to get a visa to enter Costa Rica, although they do want one upon exit. It may be bought on the airport and the fee is $26 per traveler.
- For those who solely be taught just a few Spanish phrases earlier than you go, make it possible for two of them are “pura vida”, as it’s labored into nearly each paragraph, if not sentence. This actually interprets to “pure life”, but it surely goes past this definition. It’s actually a lifestyle within the Costa Rican tradition, encompassing a mindset of not sweating the small stuff, letting go of what you can’t management and understanding there are various individuals in worse positions than your self.
- The Osa Peninsula is a rural space, so don’t count on to have the ability to get your morning triple shot latte at Starbucks – that is a part of the attraction.
- For those who lease a automobile, be cautious whereas driving as a result of the filth roads will be full of potholes and there are nearly no road indicators.
Packing Suggestions:
- For those who overlook something, make certain it’s not bug repellant! The tropical, humid local weather attracts many little pesky bugs that might like to eat you for dinner. You’ll be able to’t simply name minnesota exterminators pest management like you may at house; it’s time to take issues into your individual fingers!
- Although most retreats may have yoga mats for lease and/or buy, it’s at all times good to deliver your individual.
- A small flashlight is useful on the photo voltaic powered retreats the place the walkways could also be dimly lit. This can assist discover your method round whereas ensuring that you don’t step on any critters in your path. You’ll be able to simply use your smartphone as a flashlight too, however don’t let bringing it out of hiding tempt you from the peacefulness of being disconnected with the true world.
- The Osa Peninsula’s tropical local weather and casualness lends itself to easy, snug clothes. A mixture of Yoga, lounge and beachwear works in most conditions.
- Costa Rica is one other nation the place the energy of the solar will be deceiving, so deliver numerous sunscreen.
Useful Web sites:
Costa Rica Consultants (www.costaricaexperts.com); Go Go to Costa Rica (www.govisitcostarica.com); E book Yoga Retreats (www.bookyogaretreats.com)
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This put up was supplied in a partnership with Blue Osa Yoga Retreat + Spa. All opinions my very own. This put up could include affiliate hyperlinks. For those who make a purchase order by way of my hyperlinks, I earn a fee that helps to maintain this weblog operating—at no additional price to you. You’ll be able to learn my full disclosure right here.