The Magic of Puerto Viejo

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What makes Roots of Relaxation a unique experience apart from your typical Costa Rican yoga retreat is its location in the one-of-a-kind Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.  Puerto Viejo is a vibrant town with a rich cultural history and a unique blend of influences that sets it apart from the rest of the country. The laid-back, coastal paradise is a place where time slows down, and the pace of a simple life allows you to relax and take in everything that makes Puerto Viejo special.

Just as important as the yoga and adventures on this getaway is the immersion and exploration of this idyllic place. We want to highlight Puerto Viejo's colorful culture as one of the retreat's main players, and that means plenty of excursions and activities facilitated by local guides with intimate knowledge of the area. We're talking ceremonies led by indigenous elders from the Bri Bri tribe, waterfall trekking with Tico guides, local farm-to-table cooking class, Costa Rican grown plant medicine, and locally sourced gifts in your goodie bags. 

Puerto Viejo is a town rich in diversity and history, with a special fusion of indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and Costa Rican influences leading to its distinct vibe. Puerto Viejo’s cultural significance lies in its ability to whimsically blend these traditions in a way that creates an authentic, dynamic and welcoming community that can't be found anywhere else in Costa Rica.

Originally inhabited by the indigenous Bribri and Cabécar peoples, the region remains deeply connected to its indigenous roots. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Puerto Viejo became a hub for Afro-Caribbean culture, as Jamaican workers arrived to work on the banana plantations. Their heritage - which includes distinct rhythms, music, language, and cuisine - has become an integral part of the town’s identity. 

Above all else, Puerto Viejo is known for its super chill vibes. Local markets, reggae beats, and colorful street art mingle with the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding beaches, rainforests, and wildlife. The unique fusion of backgrounds and cultures gives Puerto Viejo its own unique pulse that we can't wait to share with you!

Puerto Viejo is about 4-5 hours away from San José (SJO), Costa Rica's main airport. We offer a shuttle service from SJO to Natural Mystic Retreat Center on October 5th. Please let us know your flight information so we can do our best to accommodate your arrival time.

If you want to arrive a night early, there are plenty of hotels near the airport that include shuttles to and from SJO, which will allow you to return to the airport the next day to be picked up by our shuttle.

If you're already in Costa Rica and want to get to Puerto Viejo on your own, there is a public bus that costs $14, or you could book a group shuttle for $65 (leaves at 5:30am or 2pm) or private car.

If you really want to kick things off with an adventure, you can white water raft from San José to Puerto Viejo for $100, and they will bring your luggage and provide lunch.