My first impression of Costa Rica was how alive everything felt.  The harmony and interwovenness of land and sea and people and animals only grew during the week.  It was incredibly powerful to feel like a link in an unbroken chain.

Blue Osa is quite clearly beautiful and comfortable but the magic is from the people.  Every single person had a smile and a greeting, every request was met with grace and enthusiasm - and this place is just getting going!  It was really great to have so many excursions and luxuries from which to choose and to have them so artfully arranged by Stephen.  Vanessa’s spa treatment was wonderful, and everyone who came back from a massage with Jesus looked “melty”!

And let’s not forget the food - fresh, amazing, abundant, creative and cheerfully prepared.  If I could have boxed that up and brought it home, I would have.

The yoga program Lynn and Barbara put together was instructional, enlightening, and healing.  Again, the individual attention made each one of us feel special on our own, yet a strong part of the larger group.

Several of us have remarked that this experience was such that it felt like leaving home when we left.  It’s interesting to feel that I miss my friends that I knew for a week as much as if we had shared our lives for years.  I so look forward to returning and I am grateful for all who made it possible.

Namaste,
Laura

The first thing you notice is the warmth with which you are welcomed when you arrive. After a ‘travel-day’ to get there, you really appreciate warm welcome. Okay you say. Doesn’t everybody? Well, here the warmth doesn’t depreciate with time. You are really welcome. And there lies the starting point for the best of the rest. The staff is bend-over-backwards accommodating for requests (they drove me into town to purchase postcards and stamps, with Mary (who everybody in town knows) handling the Spanish no less), and yet they manage to be ‘out of the way’ so you can enjoy your space. Within this acceptance, you begin to actually unwind. This is not a fast paced environment. I actually doubt you could turn in into one, but why would you want to? Once you finally come to terms with relaxation, boy, do you!!

The staff cooks up a storm. A menu that for us, was a combination of different cultures (sort of a not to strict daily geographic theme), lots of vegetables (local ones, fresh) and often chicken or freshly caught fish. But the preparation was the key. A mixture of seasonings/spices went into this that was amazing. I have never eaten so many astounding meals, ever. And amazingly enough, despite the quantity and frequency of the meals, I actually weighed 2 pounds less after. So, this food is good, healthy stuff, for sure. They really need to publish a cookbook. If you have any dietary restrictions, they are accommodated, and so subtly that you don’t realize they’ve done it. The eating area is outside, in kind of a very fancy garden cafe environment. There are no flying insects competing for your food. It is very well done.

There are activity ‘tours’ for which Blue Osa has made prearrangements with the locals who do them, and they will call for you, transport you, and put the fee on a tab for the week, which you pay when you leave. There are numerous kinds, personally, I kayaked, and went on a waterfall hike, others went ziplining over the forest canopy, surfing, horseback riding. As you are in a remote part of Costa Rica, the activities are low keyed, and very personal. No huge crowds to fight, no lines to stand in, just peacefulness.

There is a spa area, where different treatments can be provided. The practitioners are local, and excellent. The spa wraps of all kinds, massage, acupuncture, manicures, etc are on the menu. And it is the request it, put it on the tab system, too.

I was on a Yoga retreat, so we did a yoga practice every morning. This is not a requirement for staying here, but if yoga is your thing, you can’t find a better setting in which to practice than the second floor studio, with windows all around, overlooking the bay. It is beautifully done. And note, ‘windows’ are really openings, no glass, no screens. You get the breeze, the natural nature sounds — it is amazing.

The location, in the jungle, and right on the coast of Golfo Dulce (a bay off the pacific ocean), is the best part. You hear the waves all the time. You just must go for a walk on the beach, which is basically deserted (a couple of local fishermen, and nobody in the evening), so you can walk the coastline in the morning or evening in peace. If you want company, the local ‘canine-crew’ will tag along. If you want solitude, you can tell them to go back, and they amazingly do…

In my mind, I see the sunrise, and a walk on the beach in peace. It is a lasting image, still useful for busting life’s stressful moments.

It’s simple. Go.

Way off the beaten path about 30 minutes outside Puerto Jimenez, the Blue Osa Resort is a perfect spot to get away from civilization.  The resort is small - just 11 guest rooms - which prevents it from feeling overcrowded, while providing amenities (spa treatment rooms, 25 meter lap pool) that you wouldn’t expect in a facility of its size. The quality of the accommodations is definitely a step above the others found in the immediate area, while still retaining a rustic simplicity that one would expect in the rain forest location.

Food service is included, and features fresh, local produce - Marie, Angus and the rest of the kitchen staff do an outstanding job.

The resort staff will set up spa treatments, nature hikes, zip lining, horseback riding - and will consolidate all activities on a single bill (including taxi service and any gratuities) that you can pay at the end of your stay. Best of all, you’re just steps from the beach, and can hear the sounds of the waves as you lay in bed at night…

My first yoga retreat and my first trip to Costa Rica brought me here and my experience was far beyond my expectations.  The beautiful setting on the beach and in the jungle combined the best of both worlds. The architecture was top rate and the second floor yoga deck facing east and the ocean was the best place I’ve ever practiced.   The staff were friendly, accommodating and very helpful. Rooms were very comfortable and beautifully appointed in the Blue Osa style.  And the food was far truly wonderful with creative fresh vegetable dishes and some fish and chicken dishes also. (As a hardcore ‘foodie’ I’m very choosy!)  The location is perfect for relaxing or access to many water and wildlife activities.

I’ll be back!

I traveled to Blue Osa for a yoga retreat, and thus was expecting to practice austerities.  True, we did arise before dawn to sit in stillness for an hour, but doing so also meant that we watched the sun rise over the Golfo Dulce through the east-facing windows of the yoga studio.  A light breakfast of fruit and delicious Costa Rican coffee prepared us for the longer, more strenuous practice that took up most of the morning.  Then we repaired to the dining area for brunch, always expertly cooked and served with a flourish. “Light lunch” was presented around 2 p.m.–usually soup, salad, sandwiches, gallo pinto.  Cocktail hour arrived around 6, with a fabulous dinner following.  One night we had ceviche de corvina using fish that had been caught on the beach in front of the resort that very morning.

If you let Stephen, the ever-upbeat and positive office manager, know your desires, he will arrange for whatever adventure or excursion you want to participate in, including transportation.

One of the best parts of the week was simply walking barefoot on the beach, watching the fishermen competing with the pelicans, and always the waves were rolling in, the tide rising and falling.  Home seemed so quiet after a week of listening to the waves.

Although it’s been over a week since I visited Blue Osa , I can still take my mind back to the serenity and beauty from my experience there. This tropical beachfront resort was the perfect getaway from the winter of 2010!

First impression are everything and upon my arrival, I could Blue Osa was built with a high end design taste and passion while exuding comfort and intimacy that’s important to me.  The staff immediately made me feel like I was an old friend who they were happy to see and please.

There were so many highlights from this trip including daily yoga, delicious food, luxurious spa, lush jungle beach, exciting excursions.

The yoga classes were challenging, educational and fulfilling.  I learned so much more about my practice, poses, daily mediation – all with personal attention and assistance that was purposeful, but not intimidating.

There were 4 daily meals that were prepared in the open-air kitchen by a dedicated and talented staff. We enjoyed a wonderful array of fresh ethnic foods including Mexican, Italian, Indian, and Japanese – all with lots of options for vegetarians or carnavores alike! The cold soups and homemade desserts were so unique and creative; the resort should publish a recipe book!

The jungle surroundings blended perfect with the beachfront surf and was alive with exotic wildlife.

I enjoyed several experiences in the on site spa including acupuncture, the coffee body scrub and deep tissue massage.  All the treatments were blissful and a perfect compliment to the physical elements of my trip.

The optional off site excursions were fun getaways and included the canopy tour (fantastic!), surfing (make sure there are waves!), and waterfall hike (go on your own).

I met some wonderful people from across the globe at Blue Osa and made some terrific friends who will remain “for good.”

As life’s daily stresses return after vacation, my experience here has given me the capability to return to the serenity, peace and mindfulness of Blue Osa.

I just returned from a wonderful week at Blue Osa. The Blue Osa owner’s, Aaron and Adam, must be very proud of themselves and what they accomplished down there in Costa Rica.

The beauty of the land that Blue Osa is located on is so very calming and soothing on your eyes. Each day when Aaron had us do our nature walk after morning meditation and breathing exercises, I would discover some new treasure. The flowers, the beach, the architecture of the buildings all added to a visual heaven. While doing yoga to see macaws flying through the air and the waves crashing to the beach only added to its beauty and uniqueness.

From the special moments, yoga in the early morning, horseback riding through the jungle, or zip lining over the trees or helping David spread his late lover’s ashes on the beach all added to my everlasting memories of my week at Blue Osa. I returned to New York a much more calm and serene human being.

I am already looking forward to next year and my return to Blue Osa, to the people there and to keeping in touch with the beautiful people that I met this time.

Sincerely,
Paul M

PS don’t go thinking you will lose a few pounds while there! You will get excellent food made by two wonderful chefs. I miss the meal bell already summoning us to delicious healthy lunches and dinners.

Today is my first day back to civilization after spending a week at the Blue Osa Retreat center in Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica. I have been reading through my travel journal and marveling at how profound and wonderful a week I just had. The setting at Blue Osa is absolutely beautiful…right on the beach.

The accommodations were extremely comfortable, and the hospitality was impeccable. All of the staff were incredibly kind, attentive, and helpful, and the food was SPECTACULAR. We had one incredible, delicious, creative meal after the next, and we ate our meals in a gorgeous open-air environment, in full view of the ocean. The men at the treat were all extremely friendly and trusting, and there was such a strong sense that we were all in support of each other’s growth as yogis.

This retreat was particularly meaningful for me because I chose to be here for the one year anniversary of my husband’s death last March. I brought some of his ashes with me and held a short memorial for him on the beach. I was joined by seven other who sat in support of my process and listened to what I had to say. One gentleman brought me a plate with a bunch of bougainvillea flower petals on it, and I ended up sprinkling my husband’s ashes on the flower petals. The men watched me as I let them go on the beach. It was a beautiful moment that I will never forget. Aside from that, the retreat itself was phenomenal.

Aaron’s teachings repeatedly astounded me with his insights and applications of yogic principals. We chanted, we meditated, and we pushed ourselves to our limits and beyond. We also had a considerable amount of time to relax, connect with each other, and take side trips to local areas. It was such a safe environment, and I am so grateful for the space that Aaron has created at Blue Osa.

If you have a chance to go!

I wanted to share with you the magic of my time here, and i still have a few days left! What you have here is difficult to describe, it is all of the things one wants when traveling and hoping that you’ve made the right choice. The grounds, the hospitality, the rooms, showers, pool, the food (seriously !) the chef (wow) Maria, Stephen, its is all too much, its perfect.

What cant be described needs to be experienced, the Yoga Shala is just absolutely the most amazing space, a room filled with windows and a teak wood ceiling, my first shavasana i couldn’t get over it, beautiful. A room caressed with light and sounds and a view of the ocean that will change your own view forever.

My practice has gone places i didn’t expect, i grew in area’s of my life i didn’t know were there, my own view of what is infinite and possible are forever changed and that was a big gift to me, thank you!

I was at another reputable Yoga Retreat Spa in Costa Rica a couple years back, and it was lovely, nice place, hospitable, clean, the beach was behind the property, you could hear but not see the ocean, the spa treatments were good, the yoga room was a bit of a disappointment, while it was nice in respect to a quiet place to practice, it seemed like an after thought and not a focus, tucked in the back of the spa, a bit small, yet still nice.

If i were to compare, i would say take your life and those you love to Blue Osa and transform through the most amazing Yoga you will ever experience; then get a massage, enjoy the pool, and wine and dinner, there is no comparison.

Shanti.

Jfry P

Final morning practice before early departure tomorrow. I am blessed to have experienced this jewel in the jungle, Blue Osa. I shall hold it close in mind and heart as I continue my journey…

Thank you Blue Osa!