Pura Vida!

Just back from Costa Rica and it was AMAZING.  It was my first time to the country and it was beautiful.  I got to attend a yoga retreat led by nOMad, which was great, b/c everything was planned out.  Here are some of the highlights from the trip:

Welcome to the Jungle!
The Osa Peninsula is a remote part of Costa Rica – right in the middle of the jungle – complete with monkeys, all types of birds, pumas and even jaguars!  To get there, I took a tiny 10 seater plane from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez (on Sansa Air). 

I took a taxi 30 minutes from the "airport" on a VERY bumpy road to Osa Clandestina – what a beautiful spot!!  My room literally felt like I was staying in a tree house.  

​All of our meals were prepared for us, by such a wonderful staff. The food was SO good – simple and local. The fresh fruit in the morning (pineapple, mangoes and papayas), was some of the best I’ve ever had. Plus the Costa Rican coffee - yum!!

Our host, Michael, took very good care of us the entire trip!  There were smaller “casitas” on the property where some of the other guest stayed.  The property also has the most beautiful pool right in the middle of the jungle. All of our yoga classes were on a platform overlooking the trees (and butterflies, monkeys and a baby hawk that practiced with us daily ? ).  

​Yoga and Movement
We had daily yoga practice every morning and experienced a movement class in the evenings, which was a beautiful way to move our bodies and find a connection between movement and stillness. Both were such a great way to clear my mind and stay present to really fully enjoy the entire experience.

Surfing!
Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world for surfing.  Unfortunately, the day we were there, it was super flat!  Not many “olas” (waves) at the Playa Pan Dulce, but we still had a fun time enjoying the warm water and paddling around in the water.  It was just beautiful to be in the water and enjoy the scenery and sounds of the Osa Peninsula.  I was able to catch a few small waves, which made me happy!

​Waterfalls – “Only Opportunity”
We took a couple of hikes to two different waterfalls.  So beautiful and the best experience to swim in a waterfall.  As our guide, Julio, said “This is your only opportunity!”  Such a great motto and one I want to take on whenever I travel from now on!

​Horseback Riding
We also went horseback riding through the jungle.  We saw the most gorgeous views of the coast from high up.  Such beautiful scenery and interesting flowers and plants we encountered along the way. A wonderful experience to connect with nature.  

​Meeting new friends
Part of having a “zest for life” is meeting new people and learning about their experiences.  It was so great to meet some wonderful women on this trip.  We really connected and had such a fun time together – which included a dance party and a dip in the pool (with or without bathing suits ? ) on the last night.  I love meeting and connecting with new people and these ladies were just the best!

​I absolutely loved my time in the Osa Peninsula and am looking forward to my next trip back!  As they say in Costa Rica, Pura Vida!!