Pura Vida Spa, Costa Rica

Tucked away on the edge of a mountainside coffee field, Pura Vida, Spanish for "pure life", is an exquisite, private 12-acre yoga and retreat center. An easy 20-minute drive from the international airport, the lush tropical gardens, cozy sitting nooks and spectacular views create a sanctuary for the soul.

Enjoy a soak in the hot tub under the stars, lounging by the crystal clear pool, watching the hummingbirds dart around the feeders or an afternoon siesta. Stroll through the garden paths bordered with hibiscus, wild ginger, passion fruit, orchids, and 10-foot stalks of heliconia with their dangling red and yellow lobster claws. more photos


Three gourmet vegetarian meals are served daily in Pura Vida's dining room which offers spectacular views of
coffee fields and volcanic mountains.

 

 


Meals are a tasty mix of vegetarian fare, grilled fish, and chicken enlivened by Indian curries, beans-and-rice scrambles, abundant fresh fruit, and local dishes such as tres leches, the delectable Costa Rican version of bread pudding.

Spa Finder, 2001

Check out a sample menu of the fabulous Pura Vida cuisine!

Costa Rica is a jewel. As one of the most biologically diverse nations in the world, it offers more beauty and adventure per acre than any other country on earth. More than 25% of the nation's land is is dedicted to help preserve the earth's biodiversity. Yet it is eminently safe and accessible with a proud history as Central America's most stable democracy. The country boasts one of the highest literacy rates in the world!

Visit the Pura Vida Photo Album

Programs at This Location

January 6-13, 2007 Awakening: A Kripalu Yoga Retreat

Cost and registration information


Climate

Warm sunny days and cool breezy nights make this the perfect place to relax and re-charge your batteries. The average year-round daily temperature at Pura Vida is in the low 70's F. Night temperatures drop into the high 50's F. Costa Rica's dry (and mosquito free!!) season is between December and April, however we may experience an occasional refreshing afternoon rain shower. current weather

The Practice Space

The yoga rooms are perched on the side of the mountain surrounded by vistas of the fertile Central Valley plateau and Costa Rica's volcanoes - Irazu, Barva, and Poas. All with hardwood floors, either open-air or glassed in, it feels like you are doing yoga in the sky. Pura Vida's well-equipped studios supply everything you will need for your yoga practice. more photos


Accommodation

Included in the package are the charming tent chalets for two - complete with carpeting and electricity, where you fall asleep at night listening to the sounds of the tropics and breathing fresh mountain air. A host of accomodation upgrades are available including A-frames, the Pagoda, the Zendo, deluxe and super-deluxe suites. Each housing option is unique, beautifully decorated, bright and airy. more photos



Transportation


Ground transportation to and from Pura Vida from Juan Santamaria International Airport is provided -- a quick, 20-minute trip up the hill with ever-smiling Carlos. Learning a little Spanish before your arrival is always appreciated. Start with, "Hola Carlos! Como esta usted?"


Not Included

Optional Eco-adventure Tours

Pura Vida offers a wonderful selection of amazing eco-adventures tours to help you experience the beauty of Costa Rica, including:

An exciting, full day white-water rafting trip on the Rio Pacuare. The magnificent river, with Class III-IV rapids, flows through spectacular canyons in virgin rainforest.

Or, for those seeking a quieter, more nurturing experience, spend the day relaxing at Punta Leona, a white sand beach on the Pacific Coast.

La Paz Waterfall Gardens - a paradise of natural beauty. Four trails wind around five waterfalls and through a forest of fern trees, into a huge butterfly observatory and hummingbird garden. Feel your heart beat as you walk behind the plunging waters of the Peace Waterfall with a dramatic 1400-meter drop.
butterfly photos

At 8,000 feet, Poas Volcano is one of the world's deepest active bubbling and steaming volcanoes. Peer over the rim then reach up to touch the clouds as they wisp by.

A trip to Zoo Ave, a wildlife rescue center for injured and confiscated wildlife. Zoo Ave has the largest bird collection in Central America, with a goal of breeding national species for reintroduction into the wild.

A shopping trip to Sarchi, a quaint craft village and home of the famous ox cart.

Availability of eco-adventure tours may vary according to weather.

Eco-tours are individually priced and can be arranged upon arrival. The orientation meeting, run by the friendly and experienced Pura Vida staff, will provide you with all the details about the eco-tours.

We've personally done all of the eco-tours and have loved each of them. The Tico guides are professional, knowledgeable and simply a lot of fun to be with.

more photos

Optional Spa Services

While at Pura Vida you may wish to treat yourself to a variety of health and wellness services including massage and cranio-sacral therapy, exotic spa treatments such as "Cloud Forest Magic", "Costa Rican Hot Stone Massage" and "Salt Glow", facials, manicures, pedicures and individual yoga sessions. Services vary based on availability. Appointments may be scheduled upon arrival.

Airfare

Airfare to San Jose is not included. Great deals can be found if you book early in the season. Check-out our Travel Tips page for helpful hints!

 

LOCATIONS: Pura Vida l Sueno Azul l Tuscany l Kripalu l Swiss Alps l Greece
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING: Class Design l Anatomy l Patanjali