Amazing Travel Destination: The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve In Costa Rica

It is believed that the Monteverde cloud forest in Costa Rica has the highest diversity of orchids in the world. Although no inventory has ever been made, it also is thought that approximately one-third of Costa Rica's flora has been recorded in the Monteverde region. This is quite significant given that Costa Rica is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, having 5% of all the known species of plants and animals in only 0.03% of the Earth's surface.

You can see all of this biodiversity when you visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve, one of Costa Rica’s most famous private reserves.

There is still no complete data on the amount of species of plant life in the reserve, so there could be much more than the 755 species of trees recorded, or the more than 500 known species of orchids, or the 878 kinds of epiphytes that are the richest life form of flora in Monteverde. Of the orchids, 34 species were first discovered in the Monteverde Reserve. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve spans six distinct ecological zones and helps to protect birds, butterflies, insects, and mammals, including all six species of wild cats in Costa Rica – jaguars, ocelots, pumas, jaguarundis, margays and oncillas. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a favorite destination for bird watching in Costa Rica to see its more than 400 species of birds recorded, especially the elusive, jewel green and red Resplendent Quetzal and the distinctive-sounding Three-wattled bellbird.

Comprising 10,500 hectares (25,950 acres), there are nine established trails and one suspension bridge in the well-maintained 13-kilometer (8-mile) trail network of the Monteverde Reserve. One place very worth visiting is the “La Ventana” (the Window) scenic overlook, where you can stand on the Continental Divide between the Pacific and Caribbean (Atlantic) sides of Costa Rica. Visitors are also encouraged to see the suspension bridge, where you can examine a large number of epiphytes (bromeliads, orchids, ferns, mosses) and other life forms that inhabit the tree canopy of the area. The best way to experience the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is on a guided tour with a naturalist; early-morning bird-watching tours also are available.

Located very near the Monteverde Reserve, luxury Hotel El Establo is a good choice for where to stay in Monteverde to visit the reserve. You can walk to the entrance, or the hotel can arrange transportation for you. El Establo also can arrange guided tours in the Monteverde Reserve. Some notable features of El Establo Mountain Hotel include: comfortable and well-appointed rooms with magnificent views, two excellent gourmet restaurants, hiking and mountain biking trails, the hotel’s own Tree Top canopy zip line tour and Night Walk tour, a spa, two heated indoor pools, and tennis, basketball and mini soccer courts. El Establo Hotel is part of the Enchanting Hotels collection in Costa Rica.

Monteverde, Costa Rica

High up in the clouds, the Monteverde region is considered one of the most extensive cloud forests in Central America. It is a special place where magnificent tall trees – adorned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines and mosses – reach high into the sky. The rare ecosystem of Monteverde is part of only 1% of the planet’s global woodlands known as cloud forest – rainforest at high elevations (above 5,000 feet), where tropical warm air condenses into persistent fog, mist and dripping wet. Located in Costa Rica’s Central Highlands, Monteverde is about three hours from major destinations like San Jose, Arenal Volcano and Pacific Coast beaches of Guanacaste.

Article by Shannon Farley

Top Costa Rica Canopy Zip Line Tour At Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin

Ever since the first commercial canopy zip line tour came into being in Costa Rica in 1997, the zip line industry has soared quickly into big business with dozens of zip lines all over the country and across the world. I recently took a friend, who is a bit of an anomaly, on her first-ever Costa Rica canopy zip line tour. She is an anomaly because after more than 15 years of living in Costa Rica, she had never experienced a zip line tour – quite difficult to do given zip lines’ popularity in Costa Rica.

Zip lines are probably the all-time favorite adventure tour in Costa Rica for visiting tourists. There are dozens of zip line tours – more often called “canopy zip line tours” or simply “canopy tours” – all over the country. We were at the Canyon Canopy Tour at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin by the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in the northwestern province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Designed and built by a long-time friend of mine, Costa Rican architect Jose Manuel Pizarro, owner of the Costa Rica zip line design and vertical training company, Linea Vertical, the one-of-a-kind canopy zip line tour in Costa Rica began operating at Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin in 2000. Besides being incredibly fun and full of adrenaline-charged moments, the distinctive factor about the Canyon Canopy Tour is that it has so much more than zip lines. You get to fly high above the treetops and back and forth between narrow canyon walls over the White River (Rio Blanco) on seven zip lines. You get to cross three hanging bridges and have fun on two Tarzan swings. There is a controlled 20-meter (65-foot) rappel, and two routes on a natural rock climbing wall to come back up those same 20 meters. And finally, there are three via ferrata traverses and climbs. Overall, you will travel to 21 platforms on the whole tour, which takes about 90 minutes to two hours to complete.

The spectacular setting alone is worth going on the tour. You are deep in the dry tropical forest – a unique ecosystem in Central America – by the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. The tour starts off with the longest zip line, crossing a wide canyon high above the trees. A couple more zip lines later and now suddenly you are in a narrow, densely forested, rock canyon above the rushing White River. Simply beautiful!

After initial trepidation, my friend loved the tour and said she’d do it again! For me, it has become one of my favorite canopy tours in Costa Rica.

Hacienda Guachipelin’s Adventure Center operates some of the best adventure tours in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The Adventure Center is open seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for both hotel guests and day visitors. Besides the zip line tour, you can go horseback riding, river tubing, waterfall rappelling, mountain biking, hiking in the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park, and soak in natural volcanic hot springs. For the best day of Costa Rica adventure tours, get the One Day Adventure Pass, which includes four tours and a delicious lunch.

Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin

At the base of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, Hacienda Guachipelin is an award-winning eco-hotel on a 3,400-acre ranch. It is an idyllic setting of waterfalls and natural hot springs in distinctive dry tropical forest. The hotel is 15.5 miles (25 km) northeast of Guanacaste’s main city of Liberia. A Little History of Zip Lines Zip lines were first invented in Costa Rica. Back in 1974, U.S. resident and California State University, Northridge graduate student, Donald Perry, pioneered the new method for climbing into and moving around the Costa Rica rainforest canopy, the world’s most complex living community, for his field work. It is in the tree canopy where upwards of 40 percent of all life on earth exists. Perry used a crossbow to shoot a rope into the branches of a 120-foot tree in the Osa Peninsula, and then climbed it using mountaineering ascenders. He later strung webs of ropes and pulleys between trees to move freely in the canopy without having to return to the ground. You can read about Perry’s adventures in his book, “Life Above the Jungle Floor,” published in 1986. This led to the invention of the commercial canopy tour — a billion-dollar industry that has been reproduced all over the world. The first commercial canopy zip line tour came into being in Costa Rica in 1997 – the Original Canopy Tour in Monteverde. Article by Shannon Farley

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Blissful Healthy Living Retreat In Santa Teresa Costa Rica

Living blissfully, inner transformation, community, celebration and healthy superfoods are the main themes of a “conscious life retreat” to be held at Hotel Tropico Latino in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Hosted by spiritual teachers Juan Pablo Barahona and Shivani Aum, the Bliss of Living a Conscious Life Retreat is set for Dec. 4, 5 and 6, 2015 at the beautiful beachfront hotel in Santa Teresa. The retreat is open to the public. If participants need accommodations, there is a package price that includes meals and staying at Hotel Tropico Latino (see below). Otherwise, participants may attend all of the retreat activities or only individual classes. “Through conscious living principles, people can choose to live in bliss with how they think and what they do,” explained Juan Pablo Barahona. “We will learn how to awaken our deepest potential and our innate gifts, and how to apply conscious living tools in everyday life. Come celebrate together the bliss of living from the heart!”

The retreat will focus on: conscious eating, conscious breathing, meditation, Holistic Yoga and Qigong in nature, connecting with nature’s elements, deep relaxation methods to let go of stress, sound therapy and mantra practice. The closing is a cacao ceremony with kirtan and a bonfire on the beach to celebrate life with joy. The retreat will be held in Spanish, with English translation if required. There is limited space, so you should reserve as soon as possible. There are three levels to attend the Bliss of Living a Conscious Life Retreat:

• Full retreat with accommodation and meals included at Hotel Tropico Latino: $250. If you reserve by Dec. 2, the cost is only $200.
• All retreat activities, kirtan and cacao ceremony: $100; or $80 if you reserve by Dec. 2. (Meals and accommodation not included.)
• Specific activities: Attending each specific activity – cacao ceremony, conscious eating workshop, yoga sessions, etc. – costs $15 each.
• For reservations, contact Hotel Tropico Latino; or email casa.lamat@gmail.com or aumshivani@gmail.com; or phone Casa Lamat at (506) 2281-3646.

The retreat uses the beautiful nature of Santa Teresa to inspire participants to connect with its energy and regenerate their spirits, said Barahona. Not only is Hotel Tropico Latino’s unique location – on the beach at Playa Carmen in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica – ideal, the hotel already promotes healthy living with Santa Teresa yoga classes and retreats, surf retreats, and a natural spa. “Our hotel is oriented toward healing, so this theme of ‘Blissful Living’ aligns with our mission and vision,” said Hotel Tropico Latino manager, Roberto de la Ossa. Living in bliss also has to do with healthy eating, and we want to integrate this concept into our restaurant.”

Hotel Tropico Latino is adopting the principles of Costa Rica’s National Plan of Sustainable and Healthy Gastronomy in their Shambala Restaurant. Part of that plan is training their restaurant staff in conscious eating and superfoods with Barahona. “In Santa Teresa, there are not many restaurants that can offer this. It is not a new concept, but is new to this area,” said de la Ossa. “We are making a lot of effort to train our staff, which is all local. Our staff will be able to explain to our guests why these superfoods are so good, not just that they are ‘super’,” he noted. “We’re not just learning recipes; we are learning what the foods do and how they work in our bodies. We’re concerned about healthy living and bringing healthy cuisine to Santa Teresa.”
One of the best restaurants in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, Shambala Restaurant will now offer superfoods smoothies, which are a meal in themselves. Barahona created the new superfoods smoothie recipes at Shambala Restaurant using fresh ingredients like pure cacao and a mix of 40 other superfoods in a powder blend called “Soma,” invented by Barahona and sold by Sankalpa Superfoods in Costa Rica. “We are using the best superfoods mixed with fresh fruits, vegetables and natural fats to create a whole meal in a smoothie,” said Barahona. “People can come and have something that tastes good and makes you feel good and gives you so much energy.”

Enjoy beachfront dining in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica at Shambala Restaurant: open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can make a table reservation on-line on Hotel Tropico Latino’s website.

Hotel Tropico Latino is a magical place to stay on the beach in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Very private guest bungalows, suites and rooms are scattered along the beachfront and in beautiful gardens shaded by huge, old trees. Santa Teresa was named one of Central America’s top 10 beaches for 2015.

Information about the retreat leaders:

Juan Pablo Barahona began developing his passion for spirituality, shamanism and healing from a young age. He is certified in different schools of Yoga, Holistic Nutrition, Tantric Philosophy, Energy Medicine, Master Reiki, Sound Healing, Shamanism, Chinese Medicine, Holistic Therapies and Healing Arts. He has been leading inspiring, creative and empowering classes, workshops, immersions and trainings globally for more than 15 years and is the co-director of Lamat School of Yoga, Healing and Conscious Living.

Shivani Aum has studied yoga philosophy and meditation for several years at the Sat Yoga Institute in Costa Rica, Nada Yoga (yoga of sound) and devotional singing in Costa Rica, United States and in India. She is part of the Sound Healers Association, and has studied vocal improvisation and healing sounds along with classical Indian music in India.

Article by Shannon Farley

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8 Tips To Spot Rainforest Wildlife In Costa Rica

The thrill of seeing a wild animal in its natural habitat, even if only for a moment, is unparalleled. Some animals are very nice and often stick around for a while – like monkeys. Others are so fast – wild cats, for example – that many times you’re not sure if you saw it or not. The Costa Rica rainforest is full of wonders and wildlife – you just need to know how to look. Costa Rica hosts more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity: 208 species of mammals, 870 kinds of birds, 1,250 kinds of butterflies and 8,000 different moths, 160 species of amphibians, 220 species of reptiles, and 34,000 types of insects. You’re certain to see something! Follow these tips to increase your chances of seeing wildlife in Costa Rica.

Wildlife spotting tips: 1. Be aware. When venturing into the wild, you are in Mother Nature’s territory. Pay attention to where you walk, stand, sit and touch. In the rainforest, when you stop to see that toucan in the tree, you also could be standing on an anthill – not good. Go to grab a vine and it may end up being a snake. Keep an eye out for animals so you can see them, but also so your encounter is positive.

2. Get up early. The early bird gets the worm, or in this case, the wildlife sighting and photograph. Most activity in nature peaks at dawn and dusk, and this definitely applies in Costa Rica which swelters under a hot tropical sun in the middle of the day. For the best chance of seeing wildlife, get outside at dawn and again around sunset, lingering a bit as night falls. These also are great times for taking pictures in soft light.

3. Be quiet. If you spend the whole time on the trail chatting with your friend or family member – or worse, talking on your cell phone – you’ll never see anything. Humans are large and loud. You want to see as many animals as possible, without scaring them away.

4. Blend into your surroundings. Animals sense your presence long before you see them, but it helps if you don’t stand out completely. Blend into the rainforest with muted green, brown, khaki and gray clothing; avoid clothing that rustles and makes noise. Having your camera and binoculars out and ready means you’re not opening zippers or Velcro at a crucial moment.

5. Know what you are looking for. If you think you are going to see lions, tigers and bears in the Costa Rica rainforest, you definitely will be disappointed. Before you travel, read up on what wildlife lives in the area you are visiting, and ask a naturalist guide and the locals when you get there. If you know that Scarlet Macaws like to hang out in coastal almond trees, or that toucans make a funny croaking sound, it could make the difference between seeing them or not.

6. Patience is king. Pause and wait a while on a trail – still and quiet. You never know what may come wandering by, or what you notice up in a tree. That sly sloth certainly doesn’t call attention to itself. When you see an animal, if you need to move to get a better view, do so slowly, steadily and stealthily to avoid spooking it. Again, pay attention to where you walk and stand, so you’re not on that anthill.

7. Invest in a good pair of binoculars. Having good binoculars is vital to seeing wildlife in the rainforest, especially birds. A spotting scope is a step up in gear, but is bigger and heavier. However, you can attach your digital camera with an adapter to the scope to capture otherwise impossible images.

8. Respect wildlife and their environment. This is the most important rule of all. It’s easy to have a negative impact on animals and the environment if you don’t pay attention to what you are doing. Or worse, get yourself hurt. The essential rules are:

• Keep your distance. You wouldn’t want a stranger invading your space; neither do animals. Cute and cuddly wild animals are more likely to appear in Disney movies than in real life.
• Never feed wild animals. They have their own food.
• Don’t interfere with their natural behavior at any time. Don’t be surprised if an animal gets aggressive if you try to provoke it – especially true with snakes.
• Follow the principles of “Leave no trace” to make your experience beneficial for all.

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge in Costa Rica

Down in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica, there is amazing rainforest to see by the Osa Peninsula, Golfo Dulce and Piedras Blancas National Park. This is the wilder side of Costa Rica – where jaguars, monkeys, sloths and Scarlet Macaws roam freely, and humpback whales and dolphins swim in calm blue waters. The place to stay is Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, a leading sustainable tourism eco-hotel in Costa Rica that borders the Piedras Blancas National Park with a 165-acre private rainforest preserve. Natural luxury is how best to describe this Costa Rica eco-hotel that fronts a pristine beach and tranquil little bay of the Pacific gulf of Golfo Dulce. When you visit, you can explore thriving rainforest, beautiful tropical coastline, powerful waterfalls and a fascinating river mangrove estuary.

Article by Shannon Farley

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Rainforest Tours In Costa Rica: Veragua Rainforest & Tortuguero Canals

If you are stopping in Costa Rica on your Caribbean cruise, you can enjoy a fantastic full day in the rainforest at two of the top attractions in the Caribbean Costa Rica. This easy tour from the port of Limón combines a canal cruise in the Tortuguero National Park – called the “Little Amazon” of Costa Rica, and the nature, wildlife and adventure tours at Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure. This top shore excursion in Limon, Costa Rica is ideal for nature lovers and outdoors enthusiasts.

Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure & Tortuguero Canals in Costa Rica You will travel from the cruise ship dock at Limon by air-conditioned motor coach first to the 46,000-acre Tortuguero National Park – home of the magnificent Tortuguero Canals. Tortuguero, on Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean Coast, is a special ecosystem of marshy islands, canals, lagoons, beaches, and dense lowland tropical rainforest that is a habitat for abundant plant and animal life. As you slowly motor past beautiful water lilies and palms on a comfortable river boat, keep a lookout for crocodiles, spider monkeys, howler and white-faced monkeys, river otters, West Indian Manatees, sloths, river turtles, iguanas, or any of the 300 bird species that live here, including endangered Great Green Macaws.

After your river cruise, you will drive up into the coastal mountains near the renowned La Amistad International Park to Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure. This private reserve protects 3,212-acres (1,300-hectares) of primary and secondary tropical forest. With your visit to Veragua Rainforest, you contribute directly to the earth's sustainability by helping fund conservation and scientific research.

In the company of a small, guided group, you will meet iguanas, lizards and snakes in a natural Reptile Habitat; walk through a one-of-a-kind rainforest frog exhibit; mingle with hundreds of the most colorful butterflies in the world in the Butterfly Garden, including the brilliantly-hued Blue Morpho, which only exists in tropical rainforests. Then you will glide through the tree canopy on the Aerial Tram. As you descend the mountain to the riverbank below, keep watch for toucans, sloths and howler monkeys (note that wildlife sightings are likely but are not guaranteed). On the valley floor, follow the “Trail of the Giants” (so named for the gigantic trees that frame the path) on a nature walk to the Puma Waterfall. After returning by tram to the main visitor center, you will have time to enjoy a buffet lunch in the Rainforest Café and browse in the gift shop.
Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure is named #1 of 18 things to do in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica on TripAdvisor. Veragua Rainforest also offers half-day and full-day shore excursions for the best rainforest tours in Costa Rica's Caribbean region.
Article by Shannon Farley

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Time For Winter Vacations In Costa Rica

Winter has begun across most of the United States, Canada and northern Europe. As chilly winter weather freezes the north heading into Christmas, you are not alone if you have started dreaming about a sunny tropical holiday.

Escape this winter to the land of summer in Costa Rica – the “happiest country in the world”. It’s hard not to be happy with blue skies, warm sunshine, tropical breezes, rainforest, warm surf and soft sand. Sounds pretty good if you are looking out the window at freezing rain, ice, snow and a dark gray sky, doesn’t it?

Costa Rica was named “Best Destination in Central/South America” this year in the Readers’ Choice Awards by Travel Weekly magazine. U.S. News & World Report called Costa Rica “the ultimate destination to enjoy a family holiday.” And British newspaper The Guardian named Costa Rica “one of the destinations to visit in 2015”. Costa Rica’s famous stunning landscapes of rainforest and gorgeous tropical beaches, along with the country’s culture and relaxed enjoyment of life, feature prominently in the romantic feature film “After Words,” released in the U.S. in August 2015 and starring Academy Award Winner, Marcia Gay Harden, and Goya Award Winner, Oscar Jaenada.

Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast is one popular area to visit. Stretching from the port town of Puntarenas to the surf town of Dominical, the area is known for long sunny beaches, colorful sunsets, national parks, great surf, and excellent tourism services. The Central Pacific also has some of the best beaches in Costa Rica. Manuel Antonio Beach was listed No. 2 of the Top 10 Beaches in Central America, and No. 17 of the 25 Top Beaches in the World in the 2015 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Awards. Costa Rica eco-development Portasol Rainforest & Ocean View Living is exactly where you want to be in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region – right between the busy Manuel Antonio National Park and beaches, and the popular surf town of Dominical. Enjoying these attractions is easy from Portasol, and you can retreat back to your private paradise at the end of the day. Three miles away are the beautiful uncrowded beaches of Playa Linda and Playa Matapalo.

Luxury Costa Rica vacation rentals in the exclusive 1,335-acre eco-development are comfortable and affordable – ideal for families, groups of friends and couples. The private community is crisscrossed by rivers, streams, waterfalls, and lush rainforest abundant with a wide variety of wildlife. You can enjoy unique wildlife tours, mountain biking, hiking and waterfall swimming at Portasol.

There are dozens of daily flights to Costa Rica from the USA and Europe, making Costa Rica a top vacation destination. Contact Portasol Rainforest & Ocean View Living eco-community for an unforgettable vacation in one of their Costa Rica vacation rentals. Don’t let the winter blues get you down. Flee the cold this winter to summertime in Costa Rica.

Getting to Portasol Rainforest & Ocean View Living From San José to Portasol, the driving distance is 131 miles (211 kilometers) via Jaco and Quepos (approximately 2.5 hours). You can fly from San José to Quepos (20-minute flight) on either Nature Air or Sansa Airlines; from there, it is 18 miles (29 kilometers) to Portasol. Dominical is only 11 miles (18 kilometers) from Portasol. Article by Shannon Farley

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8 Super Healthy Smoothies From Pranamar Villas In Costa Rica

Healthy fruit and vegetable smoothies are awesome liquid fuel for your body. Smoothies provide important vitamins and minerals from nutritious ingredients like fresh fruit, raw vegetables, Maca Root, chia seeds, protein powder, spirulina and coconut oil. Start your morning, or have an afternoon snack, with one of these quick, delicious and healthy blended smoothie drink recipes from Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Try these out at home and dream you are on a tropical beach in Costa Rica.

Super healthy smoothies from Pranamar Villas:

• Shiva’s Nectar: Tamarind, lime & ginger in water. This is the hotel’s “welcome drink” brought to guests when they arrive. The delicious drink is incredibly refreshing in hot weather.

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• Prana Bliss: Pineapple, cilantro & ginger in water.

• Kali Blast: Carrots, beets & green apple in water (can also add ginger). This smoothie is good for circulation and blood oxygen.

• Sunshine Blend: Turmeric, pineapple, orange juice & ginger. This is an anti-inflammatory, high in vitamin C, and cleanses the intestines.

• Creamy Tropical Power: Pineapple, coconut milk or soy or almond milk, passion fruit, banana & Maca Root powder. This one’s big in vitamin C, potassium, amino acids and protein.

• Vitality Boost: Green apple, cucumber, parsley, garlic, ginger & greens. It cleanses the blood, strengthens the immune system and detoxifies.

• Green is Gold: Celery, cucumber, pineapple, kale, cilantro, lime & chia seeds. This is an anti-oxidant, high in vitamins B & C and iron, and cleanses the intestines.

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• Chocolate Ganesha: Cacao (bitter dark chocolate can be used), tofu, espresso, banana & soy milk. Guests at Pranamar love this one for dessert!

• Create your own combination from Pranamar’s 100% natural smoothie ingredients: Ginger, mint, tamarindo, pineapple, orange juice, lime, banana, passion fruit, green apple, avocado, cacao, tofu, soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, coconut water, celery, cucumber, carrots, beets, kale, garlic, turmeric, cilantro, parsley, and supplements like Maca Root, chia seeds, linseed (ground flax seed), spirulina, coconut oil and protein powder.

Guests at the beachfront hotel in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica always comment about how much they love their smoothies. “I miss the smoothies ... so many choices, ALL delicious and fresh,” wrote a recent guest on TripAdvisor.

Pranamar Villa´s Buddha Eyes Restaurant has 13 smoothies on the menu. Additionally, every morning the bartenders create a smoothie special of the day. And if that’s still not enough choice, you can request your own personal smoothie combination from their list of fresh ingredients. Buddha Eyes Restaurant is open to the public for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. For reservations, call (506) 2640-0852.

Even better, be a guest at Pranamar Oceanfront Villas and enjoy the restaurant every day of your vacation. The gorgeous, Bali-style boutique hotel is right on the beach at Playa Hermosa of Santa Teresa on the southern Nicoya Peninsula. Santa Teresa Beach was chosen one of the Top 15 Places to Go in 2015 by Condé Nast Traveler, and holds the status of being one of the cleanest beaches in Costa Rica.

Pranamar Villas specializes in Costa Rica yoga vacations, was named a Top 5 Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica by Travel & Leisure Magazine, and holds TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence. Plan your escape today! Article by Shannon Farley

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