Samasati Nature Retreat

Overview

Description

Samasati Nature Retreat is a prime example of Costa Rica's wilderness and exuberance. Your experience begins by driving up a gravel road with huge trees and exotic flowers through the coconut groves and wild beaches of the Caribbean coast. You will find yourself deep in one of the most magnificent natural settings on Earth: the tropical rainforest. At the top of the hill, you will be able to enjoy a superb view of the sparkling ocean down below. There, a secluded, unique, self-contained world of traditional Caribbean cottages and houses awaits you.

Samasati is nestled in a 250-acre (101-hectare) biological reserve, overlooking the Caribbean ocean. Nine hundred feet above sea level and four miles from the beach, Samasati's cottages, restaurant, and conference room are exquisitely private, blessed with a constant breeze, shaded by abundant vegetation, and surrounded by beautiful gardens.

The large jacuzzi with sundeck is the hotspot where one can relax and sunbathe while listening to the sounds of the forest and gazing at the ocean.

Samasati Nature Retreat is the ideal place for a healthy vacation: relaxation and adventure combined with the practice of yoga. We offer daily yoga classes, ongoing retreats, workshops and first-class yoga teacher training.

Rooms

10 cottages with private bathrooms and 8 classic rooms with a shared bathroom.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 19

Percentage of local employees: 100%

Samasati's employees are all local people from the town of Hone Creek. 80% of them have worked with us for at least 10 years. They all have social security and their families are well taken care of. Many of the employees were young and inexperienced when they first started and have grown into the job, moving forward in their careers according to their abilities and willingness. Our manager started working at Samasati when she was 18 years old, and she is now running the whole place impeccably! Samasati is a good source of income in the small town of Hone Creek. The excursions and tours offered are also organized by local agencies.

Rates

$101 – $150

Rates include accommodations, three daily meals, one daily shuttle to the beach, and taxes. Discounts of 10-30% are offered from August 1 to September 30.

For more information about rates, please visit:

• www.samasati.com/samasati/rates.html (available in English).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: San José (SJO)

Nearest local/national airport: Limón (LIO)

Travel time to nearest airport: 45 minutes

Distance, by land, to the nearest airport: 37.5 miles (60 km).

If you arrive at the San José airport by 1:30 pm, we can help organize direct transportation to Samasati with a private minivan. If the flight lands after 1:30 pm, we can book a hotel in the city for you and organize transportation to Samasati for the following morning.

Additional Information

Additional Web sites

• www.ecotourisminamerica.com/lodgings/79/ (available in English). Samasati's profile on the Ecotourism in America website.
• www.planetasostenible.net/alojamientos_sostenibles_en_costa_rica/costa_rica/samasati_nature_retreat/ (available in Spanish). More information about Samasati Nature Retreat on the Planeta Sostenible website.
• www.viajesresponsables.com/excursions/view/80 (available in Spanish). More information about Samasati's yoga retreat on the Viajes Responsables website.
• www.responsibletravel.com/preview.asp?PageID=2&ProductID=1084 (available in English). More information about Samasati's rainforest retreat on the Responsible Travel website.

Date This Information Was Provided

August 2011.

Photos courtesy of Samasati Nature Retreat, Costa Rica, for SustainableTrip.org.

• Samasati's YouTube Channel

• Samasati Nature Retreat