Go to a Yoga Retreat. Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

Heading to a yoga retreat in Costa Rica frightened and excited me all at the same time, if you’re looking to try and get away and practice some yoga with some experienced and enlightened teachers, you could try places such as the retreat in Costa Rica, as well as places like here too. The intimidating part was that it had been over a year since I had practiced any yoga; my mat was getting dusty in the back of the closet and my downward dog looked more like a lazy cat stretching. The thrilling part was that I would be spending a whole week at Blue Osa Yoga Retreat + Spa on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, located on the countries southern Pacific coast.

Blue Osa is known for practicing morning silence, exercising sustainable tourism, having a secluded beachfront property, healthy farm-to-table meals and as being a place to nourish the body, mind and spirit.

Who couldn’t use a little nourishingbird

GETTING THERE

From Costa Rica’s main city of San Jose I boarded a teeny, tiny twelve-seater NatureAir plane heading to the Puerto Jimenez airport. Not being a fan of flying in general, the size of this prop plane made me uneasy, but it sounded much better than the eight hour drive it would have otherwise been. Though this theory was seriously questioned as the pilots navigated us through a storm where grey clouds engulfed the plane and rain pounded against the windows. As I gripped on to my seat and the hula dancer on the dash swayed, the pilots calmly smiled putting us all more at ease.

This was common territory and no cause for worry to them.

A few minutes later we hit clearer, less bumpy skies. Phew. Shortly after, we realized the benefit to flying a small airline. When one of the passengers spotted whales down below the pilot stopped his current flight path and circled the water so everyone could get a glimpse. That wouldn’t happen on a United flight. Forty-five minutes later we landed at the airport or rather the Puerto Jimenez landing strip along the Osa Peninsula.

I wanted to kiss the ground.

THE PROPERTY

The shuttle picked me up just a few feet from where the plane landed and we headed eight miles South of the town of Puerto Jimenez to Blue Osa Yoga Retreat + Spa. Located in a mostly vacant section of the Osa Peninsula, on a gravel road, I found my home for the next seven days.

Walking through the wooden gate immediately brought a sense of serenity.

It could have been the lush green foliage that laid before me or the sounds of waves crashing in the distance or simply the fact that I wasn’t on that miniature plane any longer.

To the left was the garden, where herbs, fruits and vegetables were being grown for use in the kitchen. To the right a group of rooms with the open-air yoga studio on the second floor. I walked further to the outdoor dining area surrounded by comfortable seating. The pathway from here led to the secluded beach where I would be watching many sunsets. Looping around the property clockwise through the grass, I was greeted by the stunning royal blue lap pool which was next to the spa.

My room was just steps away from here. How convenient.

Besides the three resident dogs and one cat, the Blue Osa grounds was filled with wildlife: white-faced monkeys in the trees, ginormous spiders that seemed to be permanently planted on their webs, jumping toads and colorful macaws.

Each morning I was woken up not by the typical rooster back home, but instead by howler monkeys in the trees and the seemingly millions of birds overhead.

There are so many amazing species of birds in Costa Rica. A good friend of mine even came here on a bird watching tour. You can learn more about bird watching tours in Costa Rica here: https://www.costaricafocus.com/.
Each evening I would enter my room wondering what critter was going to be my roommate for the night. One evening it was a black centipede, another a light green lizard and on a particular fun night, the largest cricket-like bug wanted to share a bed.

MY ROOM

My room was true to the properties name, decked out in a dozen shades of blue. It was fully equipped with two beds, bathroom, shower and sink. Though, there were no hair dyers or flat irons allowed because the retreat is operated by solar power with minimal power usage.

Truth be told, I was looking forward to not having to “do” my hair and spending the week without wearing a stitch of makeup. The monkeys weren’t going to mind.

Besides the soothing color of the room, the hammock located at the entry was what immediately caught my eye.

Who really needs a bed when there’s a hammock?

I spent quite a few lazy hours in that hammock reading, writing, reflecting and even napping. But, when I was not lounging there I laid in my bed, covered by a mosquito net, that made me feel like I was a cozy child in my own little tent. The first night I laid in bed, not watching a rerun episode of ‘Friends’ (what would typically be happening at home), but instead gazing at the ceiling watching a firefly blinking overhead and listening to the raindrops on the roof until I fell asleep.

THE FOOD

Meals were served three times a day (plus snacks), buffet style with a farm to table, clean eating concept. Being a restaurant owner, chef and self-proclaimed travel foodie I am overly critical about food. But, this was some of the most delicious.

Almost all the breakfasts included homemade baked goods like chocolate-orange muffins, fresh cut fruit and creative eggs (think ginger spiced scrambled or Shakshouka Israeli Eggs).

The fruit that wasn’t eaten at breakfast was then sometimes turned into an naturally sweetened juice to quench your thirst throughout the day.

Lunch and dinner were both equally as eclectic and delicious. The first nights meal had the most incredible coconut crusted red snapper, green mango salad, cauliflower gratin with coconut milk, black beans with Chinese five spice and a Coconut flan with roasted pineapple to top it all off.

All the other afternoon and evening meals were just as good as the premiere.

The one dish that was the most popular the entire week amongst the guests was the fried onion rings. After an hour and a half of yoga each day, adventurous tours and healthy eating, those got devoured within minutes.

The cooking was done by Marie, who was raised in the South of France. She is a self-taught chef who is incredibly talented. She is currently writing a cookbook called Voila, one I’d definitely buy because she managed to make healthy food taste flavorful and be filling.

If you are interested in her style try this Gluten Free Banana Bread Recipe. It’s not only gluten free, but wheat free, sugar free and delicious!

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

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl, mix eggs, banana, honey, coconut milk, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. Combine both mixtures and stir until well incorporated. Grease a bread pan and pour in batter. Bake for 35-50 minutes

Last, but definitely not least, I can’t forget to mention my favorite hour at Blue Osa: Cocktail hour.

Each night they featured a different specialty drink like a Carambola Mojito, Caipirinha or a Hot Maracuya. You could watch as the bartender muddled fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs for each one.

THE YOGA

The morning after I arrived at Blue Osa, my first yoga class was scheduled and I arrived twenty minutes early in order to secure a place in the absolute back row.

I did not want all the other attendees to see how much of my time would be spent on my knees, bent over in childs pose.

The peaceful yoga room was located on the second floor of the property, which allowed for the sea and green foliage to poke through. The open shuttered windows made it feel as if we would be doing yoga completely outside.

Why didn’t they have a hammock in here?

The bell chimed, which was not only used to indicate meal time, but meant it was time to begin our yoga class. Our instructor was none other than Blue Osa owner, Yogi Aaron.

He began, not only our first class but every class, with a twenty minute talk about yoga, life, peacefulness and everything in between.

When it was time to do the actual yoga, the pace was at a level that pushed my limits, but was not so overwhelmingly hard that I wanted to curl up in the corner like a crying baby. Though, one important thing we learned was that practicing yoga is individualistic and about listening to what your body was telling you.

Justification for practicing a lot of childs pose.

photos by Anna at Crazy in the Rain

SPA & POOL

In the afternoon of my third day at Blue Osa I was scheduled at the Spa for a facial. My second one ever in my life. Typically, the spa is not my within my comfort zone.

I can count the times I have been to a spa one on one hand.

But, in the professional hands of Laura, I closed my eyes and relaxed as she spread lotions and potions on my face. Towards the end, she paired the seven chakras with aromatherapy, ringing a bell after each one.

This hour was a truly soothing experience, just like the yoga that morning, the practice of silence and entire Blue Osa experience.

After my spa treatment I continued my relaxation in the bath water temperature lap pool. If I could get my evening cocktail served here it would have been a perfect day.

WHAT ELSE TO DO

Though you may never want to leave the serenity of Blue Osa, they also offer bucket list worthy tours. While I was there, I did the 100 foot waterfall rappel, cacao farm tour, surfing class and even participated in a baby turtle release.
waterfall photos by Anna at Crazy in the Rain

On the last day at the yoga retreat we were asked what our experience had been like for the week and I summed it up by saying:

“I was very nervous about coming to my first yoga retreat because I am not an experienced yogi. But, what I learned was that Blue Osa was much more than just a place to do a little yoga. It’s a place to learn, to grow, to be peaceful and to get in touch with yourself. Of course, yoga has something to do with all of that, but just being on the grounds located in rural area of the Osa peninsula adds to the experience and assists in freeing your mind from the stressful environment in which you may have just come from.”

. . . Check it Off Your Bucket List . . .

Location/Facts:

Costa Rica is a Central American country 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 is a primitive haven of about five thousand where the rain forests are pristine, many of the streets are unnamed and white-faced capuchins swing in the trees.

Getting There:

The Osa Peninsula can be reached by plane via Costa Rica’s capital city of San José, The daily flights to Puerto Jimenez airport takes roughly 45 minutes. My flight was with Nature Air (www.natureair.com) who is known as the world’s first carbon neutral airline, reducing their carbon footprint to zero. Alternatively, you can fly with Sansa Air (www.flysansa.com). It is also possible to drive from San Jose, by renting a car with Solid Car Rental (www.solidcarrental.com), the trip would take about 6-8 hours. Taking a bus can be tricky if you speak absolutely no Spanish and are not an experienced traveler, but it can be done. Transportes Blanco Lobo offers a daily bus service from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez, the main town in the Osa Peninsula. The cost is currently $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, though English is widely understood.

Currency:

Costa Rican colón, US dollars are widely accepted.

Electricity:

Plug Type A/B, 120v. Most outlets are the same as the two-prong American-style, though some will not include a spot for the third prong. So your 3-prong devices may need an adapter, though you shouldn’t need a converter.

When to Go:

The Osa Peninsula consistently sees average daytime temperatures between the high 70s to low 80s throughout the year, though there are two seasons; dry and wet. The ideal time to visit is during the dry season (mid-November to late April) when the rainfall is very limited. Though this time is also the peak tourist season, the Osa Peninsula doesn’t draw the same crowds as the mainland, so you will still be able to enjoy lounging on the nearly empty beaches and hiking barren rain forests. Wet season is from May to mid-November, and during the peak months (September and October) the rainfall may prevent you from traveling to the more remote parts of the area, especially when the potholed dirt roads become challenging even for the most rugged sports utility vehicle. If you are looking for a bit of a bargain, traveling off-season in early May or November may be your best bet. The rains will have just started or ended during these months and retreats may offer discounted rates.

How to Visit/Planning:

Yoga retreats in Costa Rica, including the Osa Peninsula, are generally weeklong, live-on-premise experiences. The hardest decision you will have to make is which retreat to go to, as each has different instructors and techniques. It’s best to look at the upcoming retreat calendars on their websites to determine what falls in line with the type of experience you want. My relaxing week was spent at Blue Osa (www.blueosa.com), which is known for practicing morning silence, exercising sustainable tourism, having a secluded beachfront property and healthy farm-to-table meals. Other good options in the peninsula are the Iguana Lodge (www.iguanalodge.com) or Ojo del Mar (www.ojodelmar.com).

Getting Around:

The Osa Peninsula is a remote location and has very limited transportation choices while there. Most retreats will provide shuttle service from the Puerto Jimenez airstrip to the lodging and excursion operators will offer pick-up/drop-off services (fees may apply). Between spending time at the retreat and the extra tours your time should be pretty well filled up. But, if you have an interest in exploring on your own it will require either renting a car, hiring a driver or catching a ride in one of the few taxis.

Where to Stay:

You will be resting your head at your chosen retreat on most nights, but if you need a night in San Jose before catching your early flight home, try Adventure Inn (from $94) who includes an all-you-can-eat breakfast and a free shuttle to the SJO International airport. If you want to do a little exploring in the city, enjoy a night at the historic Grano del Oro (from $167) or Aranjuez Hotel (from $46), just a short walk from the city center.

Where to Eat:

Another perk to nourishing at a yoga retreat is that most offer delicious and healthy food. But, if you want to venture into the “big city” of the Osa Peninsula, head to the coastal town of Puerto Jimenez and indulge in the ceviche at the oceanfront Marisqueria Corcovado. Or opt for a taste of Italy with a thin-crust, wood-fired pie at PizzaMail.it (piazza central; 506 2735 5483). For a special treat 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). If you spend extra days in San Jose try Ram Luna (www.restauranteramluna.com) for Tierra Tica (Typical Night) where every Wednesday and Thursday evening you can not only eat traditional casado, but also listen to marimba music and see authentic Costa Rican folk dancing.

Nearby Must-Dos (besides yoga):

• Spend a few hours meeting the inhabitants at the Osa Wildlife Sanctuary (osawildlife.org), a center focused on rehabilitation. There will be opportunities for have contact with the animals, whether it be feeding a sloth playing with a monkey or petting a porcupine.
• Take a tour through a traditional cacao plantation at Finca Kobo (fincakobo.com; $32). See the different species and taste the fresh fruit from a chocolate tree.
• Hike amongst the monkeys and toucans at Corcovado National Park (corcovadoguide.com). With over 100,000 acres of tropical rain forest there are many picturesque trails to choose from.
• If you are an adrenaline junkie, go waterfall rappelling with Everday Adventures (psychotours.com). They will take you on a hike up a series of waterfalls, once at the top you will be instructed on how to tackle the rappel down two waterfalls (one 45 feet and the second 100ft). A heart pumping bucket list experience! They also offer a fun tree climb where you will scale up the trunk of a 200-foot strangler fig. The combo package for both adventures is $130, totally worth the 5-6 hours of adrenaline.
• Take a guided kayaking tour through the Mangroves with Aventuras Tropicales (aventurastropicales.com; $45). The paddle will take you through the Preciosa Platanares Wildlife Refuge to learn about the ecosystem through your experiences with nature.

Essential Information:

• Americans are not required to get a visa to enter Costa Rica, though they do need one upon exit. It can be purchased at the airport and the cost is $26 per traveler.
• If you only learn a few Spanish words before you go, make sure that two of them are “pura vida”, as it is worked into almost every paragraph, if not sentence. This literally translates to “pure life”, but it goes beyond this definition. It is really a way of life in the Costa Rican culture, encompassing a mindset of not sweating the small stuff, letting go of what you cannot control and understanding there are many people in worse positions than yourself.
• The Osa Peninsula is a rural area, so don’t expect to be able to get your morning triple shot latte at Starbucks – this is part of the charm.
• If you rent a car, be cautious while driving because the dirt roads can be filled with potholes and there are virtually no street signs.

Packing Tips:

• If you forget anything, make sure it is not bug repellant! The tropical, humid climate attracts many little pesky bugs that would love to eat you for dinner. You can’t just call minnesota exterminators pest control like you can at home; it’s time to take matters into your own hands!
• Though most retreats will have yoga mats for rent and/or purchase, it’s always nice to bring your own.
• A small flashlight is helpful at the solar powered retreats where the walkways may be dimly lit. This will help find your way around while making sure that you do not step on any critters in your path. You can easily use your smartphone as a flashlight too, but don’t let bringing it out of hiding tempt you from the peacefulness of being disconnected with the real world.
• The Osa Peninsula’s tropical climate and casualness lends itself to simple, comfortable clothing. A mix of Yoga, lounge and beachwear works in most situations.
• Costa Rica is another country where the strength of the sun can be deceiving, so bring lots of sunscreen.

Helpful Websites:

Costa Rica Experts (www.costaricaexperts.com); Go Visit Costa Rica (www.govisitcostarica.com); Book Yoga Retreats (www.bookyogaretreats.com)

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. For more information read my full disclosure.

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This post was provided in a partnership with Blue Osa Yoga Retreat + Spa. All opinions my own. This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through my links, I earn a commission that helps to keep this blog running—at no extra cost to you. You can read my full disclosure here.