The tropical weather, dense biodiversity, beautiful beaches, active volcanoes and pura vida in Costa Rica approach make it an ideal setting for inner exploration and outdoor adventures.
Here are 5 reasons to plan a wellness retreat in Costa Rica.
1. Nourish your body with food from the land
Costa Rica has a tropical climate that’s ideal for growing a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices, including papayas, soursop, kale, ginger, and turmeric. No matter the season, fresh produce tends to be within reach. Even in the urban areas, weekly farmers’ markets such as Feria Verde in San José make it easy to stock up on nutrient-dense foods.
Some retreats, like Chilamate Rainforest Eco-Retreat, serve healthy and hearty meals made from organic, locally-sourced ingredients right down to the organic coffee while others, such as Kinkara, create restorative “earth-to-plate” meals made mostly from ingredients found in their on-site farm and garden. Guests at Kinkara can take a farm tour to learn about the medicinal properties of the plants and the sustainable practices the team employs.
2. Feed your soul with meditative activities
Costa Rica covers only 0.03 percent of the earth’s surface, yet boasts almost six percent of the biodiversity. Surrounded by nature, you’ll be inspired to slow down and pay attention — to the songs of the birds, the smell of the rain, the brilliant colors of frogs and butterflies that flit by. This country is a natural beauty and an ecotherapy paradise; the wilderness is conducive to an abundance of wellness and contemplative activities such as yoga, meditation, sound healing, birdwatching, and ”forest bathing,” a guided session of invitations intended to create a mindful experience in nature.
3. It’s home to one of only five “Blue Zones” in the world
“Blue Zone” is the term used by National Geographic fellow and author Dan Buettner to describe places in the world where people live the longest and healthiest. He’s identified just five of these in the world; Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica is one of them.
If you’re looking for the secrets to a long and healthy life, you may find some here. Plan your next wellness retreat at The Harmony Hotel in Nosara, located near the Pacific coast on the Nicoya Peninsula. With the help of Harmony’s Health Concierge, you can custom-create a Blue Zone-inspired program that incorporates a balance of movement, bodywork, and personal development to complement the menu of fresh fruits, fish, and other healthful eats at this healing center by the sea.
4. Have your beach and rainforest, too
Costa Rica truly has something for everyone: sun-soaked beaches, active volcanoes, dense rainforests, adrenaline-inducing adventures, and healing hot springs. Pairing heart-pounding activities — such as plunging into a waterfall deep in the jungle — with restorative experiences and spiritual journeys, that may include massage and sweat lodge ceremonies, can facilitate personal growth from the inside out.
Costa Rica is also a generally safe and friendly country, accustomed to hosting visitors. You’ll find something to suit a range of budgets and tastes, from rustic to luxury. When it comes to planning, many boutique properties and event companies like Blue Butterfly Events are happy to help you design a fully customized wellness retreat.
5. Pura Vida is a way of life
Locals use pura vida (pure life) to mean many things: “hello,” “goodbye,” “no worries,” and “all is good.” But it’s more than a popular phrase; it’s an attitude and a way of life in Costa Rica that you’ll see reflected in relationships with nature, friends, family, and food. When you host a wellness retreat, you want your guests to relax into a comfortable, peaceful pace. And what better place to do that than a country whose mantra is pura vida?
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