Activities Included in the Retreat
Rainforest Spices Tour and Gourmet Spice Tasting

 

We will visit Villa Vanilla Spice Plantation, located in the Central Pacific rain forest overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park. The plantation includes 27 acres of agriculture production and 125 acres of primary and secondary rainforest. Cash crops include spices such as vanilla, true ceylon cinnamon, cocoa, black pepper, allspice, turmeric, and a variety of exotic fruits, essential oil and medicinal plants.  We will also see their unique collection of epiphytes (airplants) including orchids, bromeliads, and tilandsias.

We will bask in the sights, tastes, and aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, pepper and other tropical spices, essential oil plants, and a wide variety of tropical ornamental plants. We will then taste a variety of flavorful drinks and gourmet spice treats prepared by the in-house pastry chef.   All items are made fresh on the farm from scratch and use as many ingredients from the plantation as possible.  Come taste the flavors of the rainforest and get inspired to try a little cooking and baking at home with some fresh organic spices!

Please note: The Spice farm does not accept credit cards. Please bring cash if you would like to purchase items from the Spice Shoppe.

Manuel Antonio National Park

We will take a day trip to one of the most cherished national preserves in Costa Rica. With the establishment of Manuel Antonio National Park in 1972, the people of Costa Rica decided to preserve, for future generations, one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world. Although it is the country's smallest national park, the stunning beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 683 hectares is unequaled.

Manuel Antonio contains a charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. These beaches are the most beautiful in the country, lined with lush forest, and the snorkeling is excellent too. The forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys and millions of colorful little crabs. The trail that winds around Punta Catedral affords some spectacular views. The park is easy to reach, south of the town of Quepos, and is near a good selection of hotels and restaurants.

Visiting the park, one is treated to an abundant diversity of wildlife. Cathedral Point, with its forest topped cliffs was once an island, but is now connected to the coast by a thin strip of island. This land bridge now forms the spine separating the parks two most popular beaches, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio. The southern facing beach, Playa Manuel Antonio, is a picturesque half-mile long, white sand crescent bisecting deep green foliage to one side and a private, secluded cove to the other.

Rainforest hikes to waterfalls

We will take several short hikes in the lush rainforest and visit several waterfalls.

Marino Ballena National Park

Marino Ballena National Park is named after the Humpback Whales that migrate here each year from December to April to mate before returning to the frigid waters to the north. It offers gorgeous long stretches of fine sand beaches with the lush tropical forest in the background. Uvita beach resembles a whale’s tale.

Playas Uvita and Ballena are relatively unvisited stretches of white and golden sand. Green marine iguanas (iguana verde) bask in the sun between dives to feed on the algae growing on the rocks and coral. Between the beaches are areas of mangrove habitat.

The largest coral reef on the Pacific Coast of Central America forms a crescent necklace with the three small islands known as Las Tres Hermanas (three sisters) and Ballena island as the center piece. The park stretches from the southern end of Playa Hermosa to the northern end of Playa Piñuela and about 9 miles (15 km) seaward.

The park has several main eco attractions such as extraordinary geological formation caused by the deposition of sand and earth of biological origin that are integrated with a chain of rocks, coral reef with 18 species of coral and a mangrove forest.

Optional Activities not included in the Retreat:

Do not miss out on this unique opportunity! This exclusive yoga retreat package includes airfare, accommodations, airport transport, transport within Costa Rica, and delicious vegetarian home cooked meals. Early bird special good through March 1, 2012. Final registration deadline is April 30, 2012

Reserve your spot today by calling 949.856.9642

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